Major events carry unique security challenges that don’t exist in a fixed commercial environment. Crowd dynamics, temporary infrastructure, unfamiliar attendees, multiple access points, and tight timelines create a security environment that rewards preparation and punishes improvisation.
Whether you’re planning a corporate function, sporting event, concert, or public gathering, this guide outlines the key steps to effective major event security planning in Australia.
Why Event Security Demands a Different Approach
According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, large gatherings of people consistently create elevated risks for assault, theft, crowd crush, and anti-social behaviour — even at well-organised events. The Crowd Management Standard (AS 3745) and Work Health and Safety legislation impose legal obligations on event organisers that require documented, risk-based planning.
In NSW, major events held on public land or in licensed venues are subject to requirements from multiple regulators — NSW Police, local councils, the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA), and venue-specific licensing conditions. Security planning must satisfy all of these, not just the most obvious.
Step 1: Define the Event Profile
Security requirements vary dramatically based on event type, audience profile, and location. Before you can build a security plan, you need to define:
- Expected attendance: The number of attendees determines the minimum required number of security personnel under event licensing conditions.
- Audience profile: A corporate awards night has different risk factors than an outdoor music festival or a sporting finals event.
- Venue type: Temporary outdoor venues, licensed hotels, arenas, and public parks each carry different access control challenges and regulatory requirements.
- Alcohol and licensing status: Events serving alcohol require licensed crowd controllers (Class 1C) under state licensing laws.
- VIP or high-profile attendees: The presence of executives, politicians, or celebrities may require close personal protection (Class 1D) in addition to standard crowd management.
Step 2: Conduct a Security Risk Assessment
A formal Security Risk Assessment (SRA) is the foundation of any event security plan. It should identify:
- All threats relevant to the event type and location (including terrorism, crowd crush, medical emergencies, and theft)
- Vulnerable points in the venue perimeter and access control system
- Emergency evacuation routes and assembly points
- Interactions with neighbouring venues or public spaces
The SRA must be documented. For licensed venues in NSW, insurers and liquor licensing authorities regularly request evidence of a completed risk assessment as a condition of approving an event.
Step 3: Design the Security Deployment Plan
Based on the risk assessment, design a deployment plan that addresses:
- Entry and exit control: How many entry points will operate, what screening will be applied (bag checks, wanding, ID verification), and what the process is for managing prohibited items.
- Officer positions and patrols: Fixed posts, roving officers, undercover personnel, and vehicle-based rapid response positions should all be documented in a site map.
- Crowd management zones: High-density areas such as stages, bar queues, and exits require dedicated crowd management resources.
- Command and communication structure: A clear chain of command and communication protocol (radio channels, code words, escalation procedures) must be established before the event begins.
- Emergency response protocols: Documented procedures for medical emergencies, evacuation, crowd crush response, and police liaison.
Step 4: Brief All Security Personnel
A pre-event briefing is not optional. Every officer deployed to your event should receive:
- Site maps, entry/exit points, and prohibited zones
- Specific responsibilities and patrol routes
- Emergency procedures and evacuation assembly points
- Communication protocols and escalation contacts
- Known risks specific to the event
Officers who arrive at a major event without a briefing are a liability, not an asset. Barrick Group’s event security teams receive event-specific operational briefings before every deployment.
Step 5: Coordinate with Police and Emergency Services
For events above a threshold size (typically 1,000 attendees or more in NSW, though this varies by venue type), formal coordination with NSW Police is required. This includes:
- Notifying the local police area command of the event
- Providing the security deployment plan and emergency contacts
- Establishing a designated police liaison contact within your security team
NSW Ambulance and Fire and Rescue NSW should also be notified for events with large expected attendance or elevated risk profiles. Their liaison can identify additional access or resource requirements early.
Step 6: Post-Event Review
A post-event security review is essential for continuous improvement — and is increasingly required by insurers for repeat events. The review should document:
- Total incidents reported and how each was resolved
- Any gaps in the deployment plan that were identified during the event
- Feedback from security personnel and event staff
- Recommendations for changes to the security plan at the next event
Staffing Requirements: How Many Security Officers Does My Event Need?
There is no single formula for event security staffing. State licensing authorities, venue licences, and event-specific risk factors all influence the required number of officers.
As a general guide used by the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL):
- Crowd controllers: typically 1 per 100 patrons for lower-risk events; 1 per 50 for higher-risk events
- Entry screening officers: typically 1 per entry lane, with lanes sized for approximately 200 patrons per hour
- Rapid response: at least 1 dedicated response officer per 500 patrons
These are indicative figures only. Your security provider should conduct a site-specific assessment and produce a staffing recommendation backed by a formal risk assessment.
Plan Your Event Security with Barrick Group
Barrick Group has provided major events security for a wide range of events across New South Wales — from corporate functions to large public gatherings. Our team delivers comprehensive security planning, licensed crowd management, access control, emergency response coordination, and post-event review.
Contact us on 1300 102 201 or online to discuss your event security requirements. Early planning allows us to provide the most comprehensive coverage at the best possible deployment efficiency.
