Approved Security Associations (NSW) - Which One?

**downunderdan** · 07-01-10, 09:37 PM

The NSW Security Industry Act makes it mandatory for Master Licencees in NSW to be a member of a so-called Approved Security Association.

At the time of writing, these are:

Australian & New Zealand Locksmiths Association Ltd (ANZLA)
Australian Hotels Association NSW (AHA)
Australian Retailers Association NSW (ARA)
Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (ASIAL)
Building Service Contractors Association Of Australia Inc (BSCAA)
Security Providers Association of Australia Limitied (SPAAL) formerly the Institute of Security Executives (ISE)
Locksmiths Guild Of Australia Inc NSW (LGA)
Master Locksmiths Association Of Australasia Ltd (MLAA)
Motor Traders Association NSW (MTA)
National Electrical & Communications Association (NECA)

Note that not all of these are open to everyone (i.e. you have to be a locksmith to be a member of the MLAA and the The AHA will only grant membership if you own a hotel etc.)

I do not want this thread to degenerate into another rant about how useless any/all of these groups are. For my previous thoughts, read .

Instead, I would like everyone to offer some good news from their ASA, which might encourage me to join up with such an organisation, as this now seems like a good time to consider our various memberships.

Have you had some good assistance? Have they represented you well? Have they helped you with a problem etc.

Again, I want positive feedback (yes, I know, I know).

Happy for people to send me PMs if they wish and would appreciate it. And if you do happen to have a negative story, but it's a good one, I suppose you can PM me that as well.

Cheers.

**watchdog** · 07-01-10, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by downunderdan

Instead, I would like everyone to offer some good news from their ASA, which might encourage me to join up with such an organisation, as this now seems like a good time to consider our various memberships.

Have you had some good assistance? Have they represented you well? Have they helped you with a problem etc.

No
The last contact I had with ASIAL was when they slugged everyone a 1.5% surcharge for payment by credit card. When I paid by cheque & deducted 1.5% + GST they became anything but helpful

**fastwrx** · 08-01-10, 11:17 AM

I have had nothing but good experiences with NECA. I have called them for advise in OH&S matters, employment and award enquires and they run courses for all sorts of things.

You used to be able to apply for a caltex fuel card through them and receive a discount on fuel purchased, and they have a deal offering national fleet discount on Mitsubishi Motor cars.

I think they may have been a little more expensive than others, but dont require regular audits.

**intelliGEORGE** · 08-01-10, 01:03 PM

NECA gets my vote too. A lot more experience and benefits. Not just annual breakfasts.

**bss904** · 08-01-10, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by intelliGEORGE

NECA gets my vote too. A lot more experience and benefits. Not just annual breakfasts.

Ditto

**intelliGEORGE** · 08-01-10, 08:53 PM

Just re-reading your OP, and I will say guys like myself who run Electronic security businesses will benefit more from an Electrical/Communications orientated assosciation where all the resources and expertise are trade specific. Also the fact that the combined Electrical, Data, Voice and security trades combined will yield a lot more membership $$$ to be redistributed to the members through various benefits.

However, physical security firms may be better off with an association such as ASIAL. After all, there's no point being a member of NECA if your business is predominantly physical security such as locksmithing, barriers, guards, investigations and cash in transit etc etc.

So at the end of the day the question you need to ask is; "Which association catagory does my business fall under, and which will offer me the most relevant information, resources and benefits suitable to the sector I am in."

**downunderdan** · 08-01-10, 11:11 PM

Well, we are stuck in the middle, being involved in highly technical matters as well as the more traditional Guns, Guards and Gates.

Ordinarily, I'd become a member of multiple organisations to address this. However were membership not effectively compulsory, I really couldn't see myself bothering to become a member of several of them.

You'd think you'd at least get a free professional indemnity insurance or something more worthwhile than stickers. Solicitors who join the Law Society receive a $1.5M cover (minimum) so their membership is not compulsory at all, but approaching 100% of the industry I would expect.