What Makes a Crimsafe Authorised Licensee Different From a General Installer

A Crimsafe Authorised Licensee is a business approved by Crimsafe to manufacture and install genuine Crimsafe security screens, while a general installer can fit security screens but cannot supply or install genuine Crimsafe products. That difference matters more than most people realise, especially if you’ve ever had a tradesperson who subcontracted the work, turned up late, or left a mess behind. When you’re letting someone into your home to secure the doors your kids and pets walk through every day, knowing exactly who you’re dealing with is half the job.

And it’s surprisingly easy to get wrong. A lot of quotes in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast use the word Crimsafe loosely, and the paperwork doesn’t always make clear what you’re actually buying.

Crimsafe Authorised Licensee vs General Installer at a Glance

Here’s how the two compare on the points that matter most when you’re reading a quote.

A QBCC licence, AS 5040 installation and employed installers aren’t automatic either way. They depend on the business, so check those separately whoever you’re talking to.

What a Crimsafe Authorised Licensee Actually Is

Crimsafe doesn’t sell screens off the shelf. Every Crimsafe screen is made to measure and installed through its network of authorised suppliers across Australia, a model Crimsafe has used to protect homes since 1996.

To hold that title, a business is approved by Crimsafe and works to Crimsafe’s specifications for manufacturing and installation. Put simply, the licensee is the business that turns a Crimsafe design into the screen on your front door.

Securelux is a Crimsafe Authorised Licensee and has been working in the security screen industry for over 40 years. We manufacture and install the full Crimsafe range: First, Regular and Ultimate.

Why Genuine Crimsafe Is Only Sold Through Licensees

You can’t walk into a hardware store and buy a genuine Crimsafe door. That’s not an oversight; it’s how Crimsafe set things up.

A Crimsafe screen’s strength doesn’t come from the mesh alone. It comes from four things working together:

If any one of those is done poorly, the tested performance can fall away. Keeping supply inside the licensee network is how Crimsafe protects the product’s reputation and, more importantly, your safety.

So if someone offers you “Crimsafe-style” screens or “the same mesh as Crimsafe” at a much lower price, ask the obvious question: are you a licensee? If the answer is no, it isn’t Crimsafe. Crimsafe is Australia’s best-known security screen brand, which is exactly why imitations try to borrow the name.

Manufactured to Crimsafe’s Specifications

Each Crimsafe screen is made for one specific opening. Small measuring errors make a big difference to how a security screen performs, which is why the measure, the manufacture and the install all need to line up.

Our own manufacturing team builds each screen to Crimsafe’s specifications. Along the way, they:

• Apply Saltwater Series gel to every clamp screw to help protect against corrosion in harsh coastal conditions
• Colour-match every accessory so the finish looks like it belongs on your home
• Use heavy-duty accessories on every screen, door and window

The Tamper-Resistant Screws and Tools Only Licensees Can Access

The Screw-Clamp system holds the stainless steel mesh in the aluminium frame with tamper-resistant stainless steel screws. Rather than relying on glue or a plastic wedge, the clamp grips the mesh along the frame so impact force is spread out instead of concentrated at one point.

Crimsafe’s security screws have a unique drive head that makes them difficult to remove with standard tools, and the driving tools are only available through Crimsafe licensees. The clamp components, screws and fitting tools all come through the licensee network, so a general installer can’t legitimately reproduce a genuine Crimsafe system. That’s another reason a screen that “looks like Crimsafe” isn’t the same thing.

How Warranty Support Works Through Your Licensee

Crimsafe products carry manufacturer warranties that vary by product. If something goes wrong, your licensee is your first port of call.

Terms and conditions apply, and we’ll explain them in writing before you commit. A general installer selling a non-Crimsafe product can’t offer you a Crimsafe warranty, no matter what they say at the door.

QBCC Licensing and Why It Matters in Queensland

In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 must be carried out by a contractor licensed with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission, the QBCC. A QBCC licence shows the business holds the right licence class, meets financial requirements, and can be held accountable if work isn’t up to standard.

Securelux is QBCC licensed (Licence No. 1187294) and complies with all QBCC standards. You can check any Queensland contractor’s licence on the QBCC’s online licence search in a couple of minutes.

The Australian Standards Behind a Compliant Security Screen

Three Australian Standards cover security screens, and it’s worth knowing their names:

For comparison, Crimsafe’s product comparison references a 100 joule Australian Standard impact test, while Crimsafe Regular has been tested to a single impact of 550 joules and Ultimate to 750 joules.

Employed Installers Versus Subcontracted Fitters

Plenty of security screen companies sell the job and then hand it to whichever subcontractor is free that week. You may never meet the person who drills into your doorframe until they’re already on your doorstep.

At Securelux, our installers are company employees, not external contractors. Here’s what that changes:

It’s also why customers often mention the install day in their reviews. One client in Carseldine said installation day was hassle-free, with the office keeping her updated on timing and the follow-up date. That continuity is a big part of why Securelux holds a 4.9-star Google rating from homeowners across Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast.

What NSSA Membership Tells You About an Installer

The National Security Screen Association, the NSSA, is the industry body for security screen businesses in Australia. It provides education, training and accreditation to its members, and members are expected to meet compliance obligations and give homeowners transparent product information.

Membership doesn’t replace checking a licence, but it’s a good sign that a business takes standards seriously. Securelux is a proud NSSA member.

Red Flags to Watch for in a Security Screen Quote

• The quote says “Crimsafe-style”, “Crimsafe equivalent” or “same mesh as Crimsafe”
• No QBCC licence number on the quote or paperwork
• No product name or tier listed for each door and window
• A vague warranty, or a warranty that isn’t in writing
• Full payment required before installation
• No clear answer on who will actually install the screens

Questions to Ask Before You Accept Any Security Screen Quote

Confusing quotes are one of the most common frustrations we hear about. Before you sign anything, ask:

1. Are you a Crimsafe Authorised Licensee, or are you supplying a different brand?
2. What is your QBCC licence number?
3. Will your own employees install the screens, or will you use subcontractors?
4. Which product tier is quoted for each door and window, and why?
5. What manufacturer warranty and workmanship warranty apply, and can I have them in writing?
6. When is final payment due?

At Securelux, final payment is only due after installation, once you’re happy with the product and the work. Weekly payment plans are available too.

How to Confirm You Are Dealing with a Genuine Licensee

You can check all of this from your couch in about ten minutes.

Crimsafe Authorised Licensee: Frequently Asked Questions

And if someone in your street’s Facebook group is asking who to call after a break-in, feel free to pass this along.