Court Security Regulations 2023

Administered by Attorney-General's Department

Legislation au F2023L01389 Regulations In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Court Security Regulations 2023

made under the

Court Security Act 2013

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 13 December 2025

Includes amendments: F2025L01573

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Court Security Regulations 2023 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 13 December 2025 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

3 Authority

5 Definitions

5A Administrative head—Family Court of Western Australia

Part 2—Security officers and authorised court officers

6 Appointment of security officers—prescribed qualifications

7 Appointment of authorised court officers—prescribed training

8 Identity cards—prescribed form

9 Identity cards—exceptions to requirement to issue identity card

10 Where powers may be exercised—prescribed persons

11 Complaints about AFP security officers

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Part 1—Preliminary

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Court Security Regulations 2023.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Court Security Act 2013.

5  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the Court Security Act 2013.

AFP Commissioner means the Commissioner within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979.

NSW Sheriff means the Sheriff within the meaning of the Sheriff Act 2005 (NSW).

NSW sheriff’s officer means a sheriff’s officer within the meaning of the Sheriff Act 2005 (NSW).

NT deputy sheriff means a person appointed to be a deputy sheriff under the Sheriff Act 1962 (NT).

5A  Administrative head—Family Court of Western Australia

  For the purposes of item 5 of the table in the definition of administrative head of a court in section 5 of the Act, the person occupying the position of Director General of the Department of Justice of Western Australia is prescribed.

Part 2—Security officers and authorised court officers

 

6  Appointment of security officers—prescribed qualifications

 (1) For the purposes of section 9 of the Act, this section prescribes the qualifications a person must have to be appointed by the administrative head of a court as a security officer.

 (2) The qualifications are:

 (a) either:

 (i) a Certificate II in Security Operations; or

 (ii) another qualification that the administrative head of the court considers is at least equivalent to a Certificate II in Security Operations; and

 (b) successful completion of training mentioned in subsection (3).

 (3) For paragraph (2)(b), the training is training that:

 (a) is approved in writing by the administrative head of the court; and

 (b) is designed:

 (i) to make the person familiar with the Act and this instrument, and the court’s security policies and protocols; and

 (ii) to give the person competence in exercising the powers of a security officer under the Act.

7  Appointment of authorised court officers—prescribed training

 (1) For the purposes of section 10 of the Act, this section prescribes the training a person must have completed to be appointed by the administrative head of a court as an authorised court officer.

 (2) The training is training that:

 (a) is approved in writing by the administrative head of the court; and

 (b) is designed:

 (i) to make the person familiar with the Act and this instrument, and the court’s security policies and protocols; and

 (ii) to give the person competence in exercising the powers of an authorised court officer under the Act.

8  Identity cards—prescribed form

 (1) For the purposes of paragraph 12(2)(a) of the Act, this section prescribes the form an identity card issued to a person must be in.

 (2) An identity card must state the following:

 (a) the name of the person to whom the card is issued;

 (b) that the person is a security officer or an authorised court officer (as applicable);

 (c) the date the card was issued to the person;

 (d) the date the card will expire.

9  Identity cards—exceptions to requirement to issue identity card

  For the purposes of subparagraph 13(a)(ii) of the Act, the NSW Sheriff is prescribed.

10  Where powers may be exercised—prescribed persons

  For the purposes of subparagraph 33(b)(ii) of the Act, the following persons are prescribed:

 (a) the NSW Sheriff;

 (b) a NSW sheriff’s officer;

 (c) a NT deputy sheriff.

11  Complaints about AFP security officers

 (1) For the purposes of subsections 35(2) and 37(2) of the Act, this section provides for how an administrative head of a court must deal with a complaint made under subsection 35(1) or 37(2) of the Act in relation to a security officer who is not appointed under section 9 of the Act.

 (2) The administrative head of the court must refer the complaint to:

 (a) the AFP Commissioner; or

 (b) a person who has been delegated, under section 69C of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979, any of the AFP Commissioner’s powers, functions and duties under Part V of that Act.

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

p = page(s)

amdt = amendment

para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/sub‑subparagraph(s)

ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

cl = clause(s)

prev = previous

cont. = continued

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

ed = editorial change

rep = repealed

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rs = repealed and substituted

effect

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SR = Statutory Rules

effect

sub ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

sub div = Subdivision(s)

cannot be given effect

sub pt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Court Security Regulations 2023

17 Oct 2023 (F2023L01389)

18 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Court Security Amendment Regulations 2025

12 Dec 2025 (F2025L01573)

13 Dec 2025 (s 2(1) item 1)

—

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

rep LA s 48C

s 5A....................

ad F2025L01573

Schedule 1................

rep LA s 48C

 

 

Overview

The Court Security Regulations 2023 were enacted under the Court Security Act 2013 to provide detailed regulations governing the security arrangements within Australian courts. This legislative instrument addresses the need for comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety and security of court premises, personnel, and the public. It is made by the relevant legislature under the authority granted by the Act. The policy objective is to establish clear qualifications, training, and procedures for security officers and authorised court officers, ensuring they are adequately prepared to perform their duties effectively while maintaining a secure environment within the courts. The Court Security Regulations 2023 detail the qualifications required for security officers, stipulating that they must hold either a Certificate II in Security Operations or an equivalent qualification approved by the administrative head of the court. Additionally, these officers must complete approved training designed to familiarise them with relevant legislation, the Act, the Regulations, and the court’s security policies and protocols. Authorised court officers must also undergo specific training approved by the administrative head of the court, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and competence to exercise their powers. The Regulations further outline the prescribed form for identity cards issued to security officers and authorised court officers, ensuring that these documents clearly identify the holder and specify their role and the validity period of the card. Furthermore, the Regulations address the issue of complaints about Australian Federal Police (AFP) security officers by requiring the administrative head of the court to refer such complaints to the AFP Commissioner or a delegated person.

Scope and Application

The Court Security Regulations 2023, made under the Court Security Act 2013, provide detailed provisions governing the qualifications and training required for security officers and authorised court officers, as well as the issuance of identity cards and the exercise of powers by prescribed persons. This regulation applies to all persons appointed as security officers and authorised court officers within the courts for which the regulations are made, ensuring that they meet specific qualifications and complete approved training. It also specifies the form and content of identity cards that must be issued to these officers, while noting exceptions such as the NSW Sheriff. Additionally, the regulation delineates where the powers of these officers may be exercised, with particular reference to the NSW Sheriff, NSW sheriff's officers, and NT deputy sheriffs. Complaints regarding Australian Federal Police security officers who are not appointed under the Act are to be referred to the AFP Commissioner or a delegated person. The regulation's scope extends across the Commonwealth and is subject to amendments through subordinate instruments, with uncommenced amendments and modifications detailed in the endnotes.

Key Provisions

The Court Security Regulations 2023, made under the Court Security Act 2013, outline the qualifications and training necessary for the appointment of security officers and authorised court officers. According to regulation 6, a person must possess either a Certificate II in Security Operations or an equivalent qualification recognised by the administrative head of the court to be appointed as a security officer. Additionally, they must complete approved training that familiarises them with the Court Security Act 2013, the regulations, and the court’s security policies and protocols (regulation 6(3)). For authorised court officers, regulation 7 stipulates that they must complete approved training designed to make them familiar with the Act, the regulations, and the court’s security policies and protocols, as well as to equip them with the necessary competence to exercise their powers under the Act. These regulations impose specific obligations on the administrative heads of courts to ensure that security officers and authorised court officers meet the prescribed qualifications and training requirements before being appointed. They must also ensure that identity cards issued to these officers follow the prescribed form, stating the officer’s name, the type of officer, the issue date, and the expiry date (regulation 8). Moreover, the regulations mandate that the NSW Sheriff be an exception to the requirement to issue identity cards (regulation 9). Furthermore, certain individuals, such as the NSW Sheriff, NSW sheriff’s officers, and NT deputy sheriffs, are prescribed as persons who may exercise specific powers under the Act (regulation 10). Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to various consequences. Complaints regarding Australian Federal Police (AFP) security officers not appointed under the Act must be referred to either the AFP Commissioner or a person delegated by the AFP Commissioner (regulation 11). While the regulations do not explicitly state specific penalties for breaches, any non-compliance with the Act or these regulations could potentially lead to legal consequences under the Court Security Act 2013. This could include disciplinary action against the administrative head of the court or other relevant authorities for failing to enforce the regulations.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Security & Counter-Terrorism Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Regulatory Standards
Licensing & Registration
Compliance Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.