Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:12 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:12 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Coordinate protective security
Coordinate protective security
Unit of competency
National Code
PSPSEC504A
PSPSEC504A
State Code
C8326
C8326
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/07/2014
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
07/07/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the requirements for those with day-to-day responsibility for performance of an organisation's protective security function. It includes providing advice and support to others, monitoring and coordinating security, and liaising with specialist security services.In practice, coordination of protective security may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, promoting compliance with legislation, developing client services, assessing security risk, communicating security awareness.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Provide security advice and support
- 1.1 Assistance is provided to management to analyse the security environment and plan to counter potential threats.
- 1.2 Advice is provided to management on physical and procedural security measures in accordance with organisational circumstances.
- 1.3 Assistance is provided in the development of the organisation's security policy and procedures in consultation with management and staff.
- 1.4 Promotion as the first point of contact for security concerns and queries is undertaken within the organisation in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.5 Advice is provided on security matters in accordance with legislation and security standards.
2. Coordinate and monitor security
- 2.1 Protective security arrangements are developed and implemented in conjunction with senior management to create and maintain a secure environment for official information and resources.
- 2.2 Devolved security measures are coordinated/overseen to ensure organisational standards are maintained in a cost-effective and consistent way.
- 2.3 The organisation's security procedures and systems are monitored in an ongoing manner and audited as required in accordance with the organisation's security policy and plan.
- 2.4 Monitoring is undertaken to ensure that employees and contractors are aware of their security responsibilities and obligations, and recommendations are prepared/actions are taken to address any gaps.
- 2.5 Security incident reports are reviewed and the implications are assessed for security risk, security procedures and security awareness training.
3. Access security specialists
- 3.1 Contact between the organisation and external security authorities/organisations is coordinated in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 3.2 Specialist security organisations are contacted for advice, technical assistance, learning and development to ensure compliance with jurisdictional and organisational security policies, procedures and standards.
- 3.3 Security incidents and other security issues are reported/referred to government security authorities in accordance with legislation and security standards.
The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Threats may be:
real or perceived
criminal
terrorist
from foreign intelligence services
from commercial/industrial competitors
from malicious people
to:
personnel
information
property
reputation
Physical security measures may include:
storage arrangements
access control
barriers and alarms
Procedural security measures may include:
use
classification
labelling
handling
transmission
restricted access
Security matters may include:
security incidents
personnel vetting
home-based work
conference security
classification of information
security clearances
Protective security standards may include those in:
fraud control policy
protective security policy
public service codes of conduct/ethics
legislation/regulations, such as:
public service Acts
Crimes Act 1914 and Criminal Code 1985
Freedom of Information Act 1982
Privacy Act 1988
Security incidents may be:
breaches
violations
contact
approach
intentional
unintentional
deliberate
Security authorities/organisations may include:
organisations contracted to provide security services
government authorities/organisations with a security mandate
Other security issues may include:
briefings for people preparing to serve overseas
national security clearances
security incidents
security investigations
Threats may be:
real or perceived
criminal
terrorist
from foreign intelligence services
from commercial/industrial competitors
from malicious people
to:
personnel
information
property
reputation
Physical security measures may include:
storage arrangements
access control
barriers and alarms
Procedural security measures may include:
use
classification
labelling
handling
transmission
restricted access
Security matters may include:
security incidents
personnel vetting
home-based work
conference security
classification of information
security clearances
Protective security standards may include those in:
fraud control policy
protective security policy
public service codes of conduct/ethics
legislation/regulations, such as:
public service Acts
Crimes Act 1914 and Criminal Code 1985
Freedom of Information Act 1982
Privacy Act 1988
Security incidents may be:
breaches
violations
contact
approach
intentional
unintentional
deliberate
Security authorities/organisations may include:
organisations contracted to provide security services
government authorities/organisations with a security mandate
Other security issues may include:
briefings for people preparing to serve overseas
national security clearances
security incidents
security investigations
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV502B Develop client services
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSEC501A Assess security risks
PSPSEC502A Develop security risk management plans
PSPSEC503A Implement and monitor security risk management plans
PSPSEC505A Protect security classified information
PSPSEC506A Communicate security awareness
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
coordination of protective security in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to coordination of protective security
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when coordinating protective security
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when coordinating protective security, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
coordination of protective security in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPGOV502B Develop client services
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPSEC501A Assess security risks
PSPSEC502A Develop security risk management plans
PSPSEC503A Implement and monitor security risk management plans
PSPSEC505A Protect security classified information
PSPSEC506A Communicate security awareness
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
coordination of protective security in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to coordination of protective security
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when coordinating protective security
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when coordinating protective security, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
coordination of protective security in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWT33 | PSPSEC014 | Coordinate protective security | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J313 | PSP51812 | Diploma of Government (Security) | Qualification |