'Blindsided and betrayed': Melbourne Park security left 'frustrated' and 'disappointed' over decision to cut jobs
Melbourne Park employees have been left "frustrated" and feeling "undervalued" following the decision to have security roles delivered by MSS Security, traditionally performed by Melbourne Park Event Security staff.
MSS Security is one of Australia's leading commercial security and emergency response providers, offering trained security personnel, specialised sectors such as major public events and corporate offices, and medical and emergency services.
On October 29, employees were advised that MSS Security will now deliver several player-facing, high-profile security roles traditionally performed by Melbourne Park Event Security staff during the Australian Open. These include player protection, player escort and on-court security.
According to staff members, Melbourne Olympic Park Trust (MOPT) previously advised that the Nationwide Corporate Services (NCS) had been awarded the Core Security Services Contract, including CCTV operations at the precinct Operations Centre and precinct security functions, while MSS Security was appointed to provide contracted event security services across Melbourne Park events and the Australian Open.
They add that at the time, employees were advised MOPT was continuing work on the broader security operating model, and that further information would be provided as the work progressed.
Now, staff are questioning whether the late decision to transfer player-facing and high-profile security roles to MSS security was known by MOPT and Tennis Australia significantly earlier than employees were informed.
The First Serve has obtained an email from the People & Culture Team associated with MOPT to all employees about the new changes.
"Hi everyone, we wanted to share an update on changes to the delivery of security services at the 2027 Australian Open," it read.
"Following the recent security services tender process, Tennis Australia has identified the need for specialised security services to support player-facing and high-profile security roles during the Australian Open. This reflects the growing complexity of the tournament and the evolving security requirements of major global sporting events.
"From AO2027 onwards, player protection and court security positions will be delivered by MSS.
"We recognise this change will be disappointing for some team members, particularly those who have supported the tournament in these roles over many years. The decision is not a reflection of their performance or the valuable contribution they have made. "All impacted team members have been contacted directly and provided with information about the change, available opportunities and support."
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Despite staff being made aware that impacted employees may apply for opportunities with MSS Security or express interest in Guest Services roles, there is no certainty that affected employees will secure positions with MSS Security, nor any guarantee that Guest Services opportunities will provide equivalent hours, income or work opportunities.
Employees who reached out to this masthead asked to remain anonymous, fearing they could be punished if they speak publicly.
"The overwhelming sentiment from many employees is that they feel disappointed, frustrated and undervalued," one staff member told The First Serve. "While the correspondence states that the decision is not a reflection of employees' performance, many workers feel that years of knowledge, experience and commitment have been overlooked.
"Many long-serving employees feel this represents a significant loss of earning opportunities and specialist roles they have performed for many years."
Another insider mentioned that staff were "blindsided and betrayed".
Some questions that employees would like to be answered include:
When did Tennis Australia first decide that player-facing and high-profile security roles would be transferred to MSS Security?
Why were affected employees only informed on the 29th October, 2026?
What consultation took place with Melbourne Park Security staff before the decision was finalised?
Why were employees asked to provide availability in advance if a significant change to security operations had already been considered?
Can Tennis Australia guarantee equivalent employment opportunities for staff who lose access to these roles?
Why were experienced Melbourne Park employees not considered capable of continuing to perform these functions after many years of successful service?
At the 2026 Australian Open, extra security measures were introduced, including an armed police presence.
A Melbourne Park spokesperson told The First Serve: "Melbourne Park engages a range of security contractors throughout the year to support the delivery of world-class events and does not comment on specific staffing arrangements."
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