Security industry licences

To work in the security industry in the ACT you need a licence. Access Canberra issues licences under the Security Industry Act 2003.

Security licence holders perform security activities or run businesses that employ people to perform them.

Types of security licence

There are different types of security licence:

• a security master licence
• a security employee licence
• a security trainer licence
• a security temporary licence
• a security temporary visitor licence.

If you are a licenced security worker in another state or territory, you may be eligible to work in the ACT under the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme.

Read about automatic mutual recognition.

If you have a security licence and your address changes, you'll need to update your address.

Security master licence

If you hold a security master licence, you can employ or provide people to perform security activities.

Holding this licence alone does not allow you to personally perform security activities.

Security employee licence

If you hold a security employee licence you can perform security activities under the subclass of licence you were issued.

They are:

• 1A: patrol, guard, watch or protect property (including cash in transit)
• 1B: act as a bodyguard
• 1C: act as a crowd controller
• 1D: guard with a dog
• 1E: act as a monitoring centre operator
• 1FC: guard with a firearm for cash in transit
• 1FP: guard with a firearm for protecting property
• 2A: act as a security consultant
• 2B: sell security equipment
• 2C: carry out surveys and inspections of security equipment
• 2D: give advice about security equipment
• 2E: install, maintain, monitor, repair or service security equipment.

Security trainer licence

If you hold a security trainer licence, you can provide training in relation to security activities. This licence doesn’t allow you to perform security activities, unless you also have a security employee licence.

Security temporary licence

Security temporary licences are issued to trainee employees of an ACT Security Master Licence holder while they complete their training. They must be supervised by a person licensed to carry out the security activity.

Security temporary visitor licences

Security temporary visitor licences are issued for special events. Applications must be submitted at least 5 working days before the event.

Eligibility

To get a security licence you need to have the required qualifications and meet general suitability criteria.

Disqualifying offences

You can’t get a security licence if you’ve been convicted in the last 10 years or found guilty in the last 5 years, and received a penalty of $500.00 or more, a sentence of imprisonment, or both, in relation to of an offence involving:

• violence, dishonesty or theft
• firearms or other weapons
• other than for possession, a controlled drug, controlled plant or controlled precursor within the meaning of the Criminal Code 2002
• robbery
• terrorism.

General suitability is determined under Division 3.5 of the Security Industry Act 2003.

Training and qualifications

To get a security licence you must complete the applicable training courses listed in Part 3 of the Security Industry Regulation 2003.

If you got your qualifications before 1 July 2020, and your licence lapses for more than 12 months, you’ll need to complete training to get a new licence.

Find training providers on Training.gov.au.

Workplace rights and responsibilities training

If you’re applying for subclasses 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1FC and 1FP you need to complete Workplace rights and responsibilities training.

If you’re applying under mutual recognition or for subclasses 2A-2E you don’t need to complete this training.

The United Workers Union provides the training. To register, email your name, phone number and email address to act@unitedworkers.org.au.

Once you’ve successfully completed the course, United Workers Union will issue you a certificate. You’ll need this for your security licence application.

Firearm licence

Under the Firearms Act 1996, you need an appropriate ACT firearms licence to apply for a 1FC or 1FP licence.

RSA certificate

Under the Liquor Act 2010, security employees working at liquor licensed premises must hold a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate.

First aid certificate

Security employee applications and renewals for sub-classes 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1FC or 1FP need a current first aid certificate.

First aid certificates are valid for 3 years.

Apply for or renew an ACT security licence

Before you apply, you will need to obtain a fingerprint verified National Police Certificate and undergo a police check.

Step 1: Book and attend your fingerprint appointment

To complete the police check for a security licence application, you must first have your fingerprints taken.

Who needs a fingerprint verified police check?

A fingerprint verified police check is required for first-time security licence applicants. First-time applicants have not previously provided a fingerprint verified police check in the ACT.

If you are applying to renew an existing security licence, you only need to provide a standard police check certificate (name check only). You do not need to provide fingerprints.

Book appointment

The fingerprinting process outlined here is only for security licence applications through Access Canberra. If you require fingerprinting for any purpose other than a security licence application, you must apply through the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

For police checks and fingerprinting services not related to a security licence application, visit the AFP National Police Checks website.

If you are in the ACT, book a service centre appointment at the Access Canberra Dickson Service Centre. Fingerprinting for security licence applications is only available at this location.

Attend your appointment with photo ID such as:

• current Australian Drivers Licence
• current Australian Passport
• current overseas passport (or expired up to 2 years).

Pay the fee when you attend your fingerprint appointment.

You will need your fingerprint document for Step 2 when applying for your police history check application .

If you live outside the ACT, contact your local police station for a fingerprint appointment.

Book a fingerprint appointment

Step 2: Apply for a National Police Check certificate

Apply for a National Police Check and attach your fingerprint document  to your application.

You can apply through:

• the Australian Federal Police
• an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission agency
• a State Police force.

Please note:

• Police check certificates must not be more than 2 months old when your security licence application is lodged.
• If, in the last 5 years, you have lived outside Australia as an adult for a continuous period of more than 12 months, you may need to provide a criminal history record from that country.

Step 3: Apply and renew the relevant security licence

Select the licence type below and follow the application instructions.

Verify a security licence

Check the validity of a security licence by searching our public registers:

• Security employee
• Security master
• Security trainer
• Security temporary

Replace your security licence card

For security employee licence holders

To replace your security employee card, you will need to link your licence to your Digital Account. This is a one-time requirement before you can apply.

Once you have received notification that your request has been approved, complete the Security Employee - Replace Card form and pay the fee.

Replace a security employee card

For all other security licence types

Use the Replacement of Business and Industry Licensing Cards form and pay the fee.

Replace a security licence card

Update your contact details

For security employee licence holders

If you hold a security employee licence, you must update any changes to your address or phone contact details through your ACT Digital Account.

For all other security licence types

If you hold a different type of security licence, you must update any changes to your address by completing the Update your address form.