Who must I appoint to run safety at the event: safety officer, security, stewards and volunteers?

The controlling body, event organiser or stadium/venue owner must appoint (s4(4)-(7)):

• Enough people to be responsible for safety and security, including an event safety officer and security officers.
• Stewards, responsible for:
  • marshalling and overseeing the safe general flow of spectators
  • giving spectators event information, including safety and security information
  • ushering
  • helping people with emergency evacuation procedures in the stadium or venue and its precincts

These appointees must be present at the event and take reasonable steps to protect people and property.

Volunteers may be appointed to supervise arrangements or provide other services in support of the event.

Security work: stewards and volunteers may not provide security services unless they are registered security officers (under the Private Security Industry Regulation Act). For medium- and high-risk events, the planning committee must send details of the security service provider or security officers to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to check compliance (s16(3)).

Failing to make these appointments, or using unregistered people for security, is an offence carrying up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both (s44).