Product Overview

Summary: This Anti-Terrorism and Security Awareness SOP provides a clear, practical framework for preventing, detecting and responding to potential security threats in and around Australian workplaces. It helps organisations build a vigilant, well‑briefed workforce and a consistent response to suspicious behaviour, bomb threats, hostile intruders and other security incidents, reducing risk to people, assets and business continuity.

Australian businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate that they have taken reasonable steps to manage security risks, including the threat of terrorism and targeted violence. This Anti-Terrorism and Security Awareness Safe Operating Procedure translates those expectations into a clear, actionable process for everyday workplaces – not just high‑risk sites. It provides staff with simple, behaviour‑based guidance on identifying suspicious activity, managing access to facilities, handling threats or extortion calls, and escalating concerns quickly through defined internal and external channels.

The SOP is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing WHS, emergency management and business continuity arrangements. It sets out roles and responsibilities from senior management through to frontline workers, so everyone understands what to look for and what to do before, during and after a security incident. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS law, protect workers, visitors and critical assets, and minimise disruption from potential or actual terrorist or security events. It also supports consistent training, induction and drills, making security awareness part of everyday safe work practice rather than a one‑off response to a crisis.

Key Benefits

• Strengthen organisational resilience by embedding practical anti‑terrorism and security awareness into day‑to‑day operations.
• Ensure a consistent, defensible response to suspicious behaviour, threats and security incidents across all sites and shifts.
• Reduce the likelihood and impact of targeted violence, bomb threats and hostile intruder incidents in the workplace.
• Support compliance with WHS due diligence obligations and emergency planning requirements in Australian jurisdictions.
• Improve staff confidence through clear guidance, training prompts and easy‑to‑follow escalation pathways.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Security Managers
• Facility Managers
• Operations Managers
• HR Managers
• Emergency Planning Committee Members
• Chief Wardens and Wardens
• Front-of-House and Reception Staff
• Control Room Operators
• Site Supervisors
• Transport and Logistics Managers
• Event Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Armed or hostile intruder incidents affecting workers and visitors
• Bomb threats and suspicious packages on or near the premises
• Vehicle‑borne threats (ram‑raids, vehicle as a weapon, or parked suspicious vehicles)
• Unauthorised access to secure areas, including tailgating and misuse of access cards
• Targeted violence or intimidation of staff, including front‑of‑house personnel
• Disruption to critical operations and essential services due to security incidents
• Psychological harm and stress arising from terrorism‑related threats or incidents

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (Terrorism, Suspicious Behaviour, Security Incident)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Managers, Wardens, Workers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Security Risk Assessment and Planning Interface
• 5.0 Site Access Control and Visitor Management Procedures
• 6.0 Security Awareness Requirements for All Staff
• 7.0 Identifying and Reporting Suspicious Behaviour, Items and Vehicles
• 8.0 Bomb Threat and Suspicious Package Procedures
• 9.0 Hostile Intruder and Armed Offender Response (Including Lockdown and Evacuation)
• 10.0 Communication, Escalation and Notification Protocols (Internal and External)
• 11.0 Coordination with Emergency Services and External Security Agencies
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Incident Reporting and Post‑Incident Review
• 13.0 Training, Induction, Drills and Competency Requirements
• 14.0 Integration with WHS, Emergency and Business Continuity Plans
• 15.0 Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Document Control and Review Schedule

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• AS 3745:2010 – Planning for emergencies in facilities (and Amendment 2)
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 – Risk management – Guidelines
• Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism (Attorney‑General’s Department)
• Critical Infrastructure Resilience principles (where applicable to the organisation)