by Nicholas Domartschuk
•
24 December 2025
In the lead-up to Christmas, the Australian security and facilities services market has been disrupted by the reported collapse of MA Services Group. ABC News has reported that administrators were appointed to MA Services (a Melbourne-based provider of security, cleaning and maintenance services) and that up to 1,700 roles may be impacted nationally. The report states the administrators have flagged immediate service reductions and redundancies, and noted that certain licensing conditions have been breached—meaning the business may be unable to lawfully continue some core functions. The administrators named in the report are Jason Tracy and Glen Kanevsky of Alvarez & Marsal. This is an evolving situation. Below is a practical overview of what’s been reported and what organisations should prioritise right now. What’s been reported publicly Based on the ABC report: MA Services delivered security and related services across every Australian state and territory. Their client base included major retailers (including Coles, Kmart, Aldi, Amazon and Dan Murphy’s), various councils, and Victorian government locations (including Southern Cross Station and Federation Square). Administrators advised there would be immediate scaling back of services, driven by licensing constraints. Employee entitlements and wage payments have become a key concern, with the United Workers Union publicly commenting on the risk to affected staff, including workers who may not qualify for certain Commonwealth support schemes. Coles has also publicly stated it has implemented interim measures while transitioning to a new security provider. What this means for sites and decision-makers When a large provider exits suddenly, the operational risk isn’t theoretical — it shows up immediately at the front door, on the floor, and in the incident register. If you’re responsible for security outcomes (retail, logistics, government, venues, health, or corporate), the priorities are straightforward: 1) Safety and continuity (deliverability) Validate which sites are exposed today: guards, patrols, control room coverage, after-hours response, keyholding, and contractor access. Put temporary coverage in place where required (especially high-risk locations, high-foot traffic, and known shrink/violence hotspots). Confirm who is managing incident response, escalation, and reporting while the transition is underway. 2) Legal and licensing (compliance) Confirm the replacement provider’s licences and ability to perform the required scope in each state/territory. Verify guards are correctly licensed, inducted, and award-compliant (rates, rosters, fatigue management, and supervision). Ensure site instructions, use-of-force limitations, and reporting obligations are current and controlled. 3) Commercial exposure (profitability + cashflow) Review your current contract position: termination provisions, step-in rights, and service credits. Tighten purchase order controls and confirm who can authorise emergency coverage. Avoid “double paying” during handover: reconcile what has been delivered vs. what has been invoiced, and document all interim arrangements. Supporting impacted workers the right way A sudden administration event creates real uncertainty for frontline staff—especially in the final pay cycle before Christmas. For organisations engaging new coverage quickly, there is a responsible way to do this: Use structured mobilisation: licensing checks, quick-turn onboarding, and formal site induction. Maintain ethical labour standards: correct pay rates, clear rosters, safe hours, and supervision. Keep client expectations realistic: rapid coverage is achievable, but quality and compliance must not be traded away for speed. The market will stabilise, but the next 7–14 days will be the pressure point. Our position and readiness At Australian Security Company (ASC), our operating model is built around lawful delivery, controlled mobilisation, and auditable outcomes. In periods of industry disruption, the organisations that do best are the ones that treat security as a regulated service — not a commodity. If your sites have been impacted (or you’re unsure), the fastest path to stability is a short, structured transition plan: Immediate risk triage (by site and trading hours) Interim coverage where required Rapid compliance onboarding (licensing, induction, post orders) Handover into BAU with reporting and KPI cadence Need coverage or a transition plan? If your organisation has been affected by the MA Services administration, we can assist with: Emergency guarding uplift Patrol and keyholding support Site-by-site transition planning Compliance and award-aligned deployment models Contact our team to assess exposure, prioritise critical sites, and lock in a compliant continuity plan. Note: This post is based on publicly reported information from ABC News and administrator statements referenced in that reporting. Details may change as the administration process progresses.
