SAFETY AND SECURITY
Australia
Overview
DATA TABLE (Millions US$)
| x | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 (Estimated) |
| Total Market Size | 1370 | 1439 | 1508 |
| Total Local Production | 945 | 992 | 1040 |
| Total Exports | 130 | 138 | 146 |
| Total Imports | 555 | 585 | 614 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 295 | 315 | 335 |
Unofficial estimates, industry based
Exchange rates:
2004 0.74
2005 0.76
2006 0.76
The Security Industry is one of Australia's fastest growing sectors, boosted since 9/11 by government funds directed towards protecting Australia’s population and critical assets from terrorist acts. The security industry overall generates revenues of around $4 billion per year, employing over 150,000 security personnel, including guard services.
The growth of the industry has been helped by the introduction of technology offering new products and services that are more effective, reliable and convenient, and more affordable. In addition, terrorism and the level of crime in the community, and the random nature of crime are encouraging the community to take steps to ensure that assets and property are protected. The private security sector accounts for about 15% of the $20 billion spent each year to keep Australia safe (including defense), and is forecast to grow at a rate of between 6% -8% per annum over the next 5 years (Australian Homeland Security Center, November 2006).
Priorities for upgrading security include border protection, airport security, port security, and critical infrastructure protection - such as power, water, banking, communications, food, transport, and health and emergency services.
The services and products provided by the industry can be categorized into three broad areas:
- Electronic – CCTV and surveillance, access control, video and audio intercom systems, integrated security and fire systems, home automation, building management systems; biometrics, alarms and alarm monitoring
- Manpower - crowd control, airport security, guard services, mobile patrols, concierge duties, traffic management
- Physical & barrier security – locksmiths, perimeter fencing, security grilles, bollards and boom gates; safes / records protection
Recent Australian Government priorities in this area include a new biometric passport system, fortification of Australia’s overseas diplomatic missions, and funding increases for intelligence agencies. The Attorney General’s Department has recently announced a provision of $16 million for the Australian National Security Hotline, a service for the community to report instances causing suspicion.
Predictions for 2007 include a growing emphasis on traditional areas of security such as crimes against property and personnel, as the community becomes more conditioned to the threat of possible terrorist acts, although national security will remain firmly on the government agenda.
Best Products/Services
Among the differing growth areas of the industry, areas to watch are integrated systems, using biometrics, access cards, chemical sensors and intrusion detection technologies. This convergence may extend into home automation, centralizing alarm, video and software, and access functions. Police services will look to improvements in response times, a regular measurement of their efficacy.
Security for critical infrastructure, including information technology systems, is constantly being reviewed and upgraded. Private enterprises for whom security is paramount - airports in particular - are keen to be made aware of the latest technology that may provide greater security at bearable cost. As with government-owned facilities, perimeter surveillance and protection, screening and identification of personnel with access to secure areas currently top the list of priorities. For use in urban security, products are likely to include sensors capable of seeing through buildings or vehicles, individual and vehicle-tracking tags; intelligent target identification, millimeter- wave radar; and intelligent surveillance systems.
Opportunities
The strong focus on aviation and maritime security remains. There will continue to be an emphasis on baggage screening at air terminals, explosive trace detection at domestic and international airports, and vessel monitoring in commercial ports. The requirement to tighten access to airside areas of airports has provided an incentive to airports to install effective staff access control and identification systems.
Resources
Trade Shows
National Security Australia
February 26-27, 2007
Sydney Convention Center, Sydney
National Security Australia provides a platform for leading international, regional and Australian security professionals from both government and the private sector to share knowledge, network and cooperate to safeguard Australia.
http://www.nationalsecurityaus.com/index.htm
SimTecT 2007
June 4-7, 2007
Brisbane Convention Center, Brisbane
Simulation-focused conference and exhibition encompassing the use of simulation for experimentation and analysis, concept and capability development, system design refinement and validation, process and systems modeling. http://www.siaa.asn.au/simtect/2007/2007.htm
Security 2007 Conference and Exhibition
July 10-12, 2007
Sydney Convention Center, Sydney
Brings together the right people, the right products and the right mix of events, from a world-class conference program, an extensive exhibition, and special industry briefings.
http://www.asial.com.au/driver.asp?page=security+expo/exhibition
Security in Government Conference
December 5-7, 2007
National Convention Center, Canberra
The Protective Security Coordination Center, a Division of the Australian Attorney-General's Department, will hosting the 20th Security in Government (SIG) Conference.
Associations/Government Agencies
Attorney General’s Department: http://www.ag.gov.au
Australian Federal Police: http://www.afp.gov.au/afp/page/
Australian Homeland Security Research Center: http://www.homelandsecurity.org.au/
Australian Security Industry Association Ltd.: http://www.asial.com.au
Emergency Management Australia: http://www.ema.gov.au
National Security Australia: http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au
Standards
The Australian Security Industry Association is involved in licensing and standards for the industry. It provides information about this at: http://www.asial.com.au/default.asp?page=/compliance/regulation+%26+standards
U.S. companies seeking information on the Australian safety and security market are encouraged to contact Phil Keeling at the U.S. Commercial Service in Sydney
(email: phil.keeling@mail.doc.gov ).