The powers of Protective Services Officers will be extended to cover sporting precincts and major events under a state government plan released today.

Under the new change, the current legislation tethering PSOs to the state's public transport network would be relaxed, giving Victoria Police the green light to move the officers around the city when and where they're needed.

PSOs have been deployed in Victoria since 2012. Credit:John Woudstra

The plan, which would aim to come into effect by mid-2020, would mean PSOs could be rostered to patrol outside the city's major stadiums including the MCG, at the Australian Open and Grand Prix events.

Currently PSOs can only provide public security and assurance at tram, bus and railway stations and infrastructure, alongside adjoining taxi ranks and car parks, as defined by the Victoria Police Regulations 2014.