Fee changes announced for SIA licensing and approval services

The Home Office laid a Statutory Instrument in Parliament on 27 April proposing changes to the ACS annual registration fees. The changes are due to come into effect on 1 June 2026.

The other change, which will also come into effect on 1 June 2026, is to the terms of the discount for those applying for additional individual SIA licences.

ACS annual registration fees 

The annual ACS registration fee payable depends on how many SIA licence holders that a given company employs, meaning that smaller and medium- sized companies pay less than larger organisations.  

The SIA has stated that the amount to be paid per licensable individual deployed will rise from £15 to £25. This is the first rise in the annual registration fee in the history of the ACS.

After accounting for inflation, the new statutory fee per licensable individual will still be lower than it was when the ACS was first introduced in 2006. 

Additional licences

The 50% discount on applications for additional licences remains in place, but only applies if the second application is made on the same day on the same application form.

In the past, a discount was possible for additional licences made at any time. However, in practice, the checks and other processes conducted by the regulator out (including criminal record checks) have to be repeated in full. As the SIA needs to set licensing fees at a level to recover the full costs incurred, this is a fairer and more accurate charge.  

Fee levels 

The SIA must charge and set fees for services at the level which recovers the full costs of the ACS and the associated services provided in a way that ensures Government neither profits at the expense of consumers nor makes a loss for taxpayers to subsidise. The SIA calculates the necessary fees on that basis.

The SIA must also do the same for the fees connected with individual licence applications, which are separate from ACS fees.

These fee changes are not as a result of the SIA’s new role and work on Martyn’s Law. There are separate grant funding arrangements in place for the Home Office to fund both preparatory and future Martyn’s Law-related work.