The collapse of one of Victoria’s largest security firms has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving 1,700 workers facing immediate redundancy and raising serious questions about compliance, ethics, and corporate oversight in Australia’s booming security sector.
A Company in Crisis
The Melbourne-based MA Services Group, which provides security, cleaning, and maintenance services nationwide, has officially entered administration. The appointed administrators from Alvarez & Marsal, Glen Kanevsky and Jason Tracy, confirmed that licensing breaches linked to suspected tax evasion and worker exploitation have rendered the company unable to continue its core operations legally.
The firm, which once boasted over 3,500 employees across every Australian state and territory, lists major clients such as Amazon, Aldi, Coles, Kmart, and several government and healthcare agencies. Yet, behind the polished corporate image, growing allegations of misconduct had already begun to surface in recent months.
Allegations and Investigations
Media reports have detailed serious accusations involving tax irregularities, underpayment of workers, and even connections to outlaw motorcycle gangs. There have also been multiple allegations of workplace harassment tied to company leadership.
The company’s founder, Micky Ahuja, had publicly denied all wrongdoing, insisting that MA Services : “We welcome appropriate regulatory scrutiny and operate with the highest commitment to governance, compliance, and ethical business practices,” reports Herald Sun. Despite that defence, mounting scrutiny from regulators and media outlets appears to have eroded trust among clients and investors, leading to the company’s financial unraveling.
Employees Left in Limbo
Administrators say they are now working with the Fair Entitlement Guarantee team at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to help affected employees access unpaid entitlements. For many workers — from guards at shopping centres to cleaners in hospitals — the news comes just days before Christmas, deepening the blow.
While immediate redundancies have begun, administrators are also reviewing whether parts of the business can be salvaged. Several parties are reportedly interested in acquiring assets, suggesting that some contracts or staff may be absorbed elsewhere.
What Comes Next
Investigations into the company’s collapse are underway, with administrators pledging to “act independently in the interests of all affected parties.” Their review will include obtaining information from former directors and assessing whether breaches of duty or misconduct occurred.
For now, the downfall of MA Services Group stands as a stark reminder of how quickly a national operation can unravel under regulatory pressure and public scrutiny. It’s also a sobering moment for an industry built on trust and compliance — two things this company appears to have lost sight of.
