Why Join?

There are many good reasons for you to join the MLAA. The most important are likely to be: Maximising your Business Opportunities The community's awareness of the high ethical and competency standards required of our members is reflected in the 3,000 plus telephone enquiries we receive each year from persons seeking a locksmith. Naturally, we refer these enquiries to our Business Members. This additional business will be increased by having your business details in our "find a locksmith" area of this website with a link to your website. Also, Business, International and Associate Members are able to gain a competitive advantage by having access to MLAA products applicable to their sub-category of membership. The MLAA is an Approved Security Industry Organization in New South Wales. Membership of such an Organization is necessary before you can obtain a licence to conduct locksmithing in that State. Trade Members have the opportunity of networking with and demonstrating their products to locksmiths at the Annual International Conference and Exhibition and at Branch mini conferences and meetings held in Australian States and New Zealand. Business and Trade Members are able to advertise their membership of the Association by use of appropriate logos and decals. Maximising Your Employment Opportunities Individual and Student Members are able to maximise their exposure to the locksmithing industry by attending conferences, exhibitions and Branch meetings. Individual Members who seek employment by non-members have the decided advantage of advising their prospective employer that, providing general suitability criteria are met, their employment will allow the employer to become a Business Member. Acquiring Association Products The most important products provided to our qualified Business Members are high security locking systems to which the Association owns the patent or design registration. Business Members who qualify at the Master Locksmith level are able to purchase our patented Binary Plus and design registered J Series systems, in addition to the systems available to General Locksmith Business Members. Business Members, General Locksmith are able to purchase an Australian made 6 pin in-line multi-profile system with design registration until 2019. Community security and your business are enhanced because keys to these systems cannot be duplicated by non-members and other members are prevented by a Code of Ethics, a Code of Conduct and contractual obligations from duplicating keys to another member's system. Business Members are also able to purchase a key designed for use in disabled toilets. Business and Associate Members have access to a key that operates the C4 profile keyway which is not available to non-members thereby maximising return business. The Association also has a range of products embossed with its logo that are only available to Business Members. We are currently developing an expanded range of these products to cater for the majority of members' product requirement. Free MLAA shirt badges and decals for Business Members' motor vehicles and shops are also available. Upon joining the MLAA as a Business Member you will be provided with a compact disc containing: lockout disclaimer sample maintenance contract sample security survey key control chart keying chart lock pinning record survey chart quotation sheet restricted key system signature authority record a Binary Plus product presentation and description. The MLAA will also refund to you the cost of purchasing your first embossing die for an MLAA product from an authorized manufacturer or supplier of your choice. We are continually researching new products to determine their suitability for member's needs and will introduce additional products as appropriate. International Members are able to purchase MLAA products approved for their particular country. Increase Your Knowledge and Skills The MLAA recognises that on-going education is vitally important to the successful management of your business and to the upgrading of skills to keep abreast of modern developments. Training courses covering a wide variety of locksmithing and business management subjects are conducted at our Annual International Conference and Exhibition and also during the year in Australian States and New Zealand. These courses are provided either free of charge or at significantly reduced cost to members. Also, Trade Members often deliver detailed presentations of new products at the regular Branch meetings. Industrial Relations and Occupational Health and Safety Advice Business Members have access to professional advice on these important matters. Member's Discounts Business Members are able to purchase a variety of products, including petrol, at reduced rates. Meeting Your Locksmithing Colleagues You will be able to exchange ideas and information with your industry colleagues at the Annual International Conference and Exhibition, mini conferences and exhibitions conducted in a number of Australian States and New Zealand and also at regular Branch meetings. Our Annual International Conference and Exhibition is by far the largest gathering of locksmiths, manufacturers and suppliers in the region with regular visitors from America and Asia. The MLAA is continually introducing initiatives to improve the value of membership. ^back to top^

Who can join?

MLAA Membership Requirements: The MLAA requires that its members act in accordance with the highest ethical standards. To be admitted as a member you must be of good public standing and be prepared to have a criminal history check conducted. In addition: Business Members Master Locksmith must be operating a locksmithing business, be able to demonstrate that they are competent to manage a business and either have passed or employ a person who has passed the MLAA Competency Tests at the level applicable to this sub-category of membership. Business Members General Locksmith must be operating a locksmithing business, be able to demonstrate that they are competent to manage a business and either have passed or employ a person who has passed the MLAA Competency Tests at the level applicable to the sub-category of membership, have passed an approved entry or product entitlement test conducted by or for an other approved Australasian locksmithing Association or have completed a locksmithing trade apprenticeship. International Members must be operating locksmithing business outside of Australia and New Zealand, be able to demonstrate that they are competent to manage a business and have passed the Competency Tests approved by the MLAA as appropriate for their country. Individual Members must pass the MLAA Competency Tests at the level applicable to the sub-category of membership, or in the case of Individual Member General Locksmith have passed an approved entry or product entitlement test conducted by an other approved Australasian locksmithing Association or have completed a locksmithing trade apprenticeship. Associate Members must be employed in the locksmithing or security industries. Student Members must be undertaking an approved course of study over a period of no greater than 4 years. Trade Members must be a manufacturer or supplier of locksmithing related products. MLAA Competency Tests The MLAA or its representatives conduct extensive Practical and Master Keying tests. Achieving the pass marks of 60 in the Practical test and 80 per cent in the Master Keying test entitles the applicant to be considered for admission as a General Locksmith (Business or Individual). Applicants who pass the Master Keying test and achieve 80 marks in the Practical test are entitled to be considered for admission as a Master Locksmith (Business or Individual). Join NOW! ^back to top^ Copyright All material placed on this site by the MLAA is protected by copyright. Copyright © MLAA 2002. All rights reserved.