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 who are undergoing training while employed by an ACT Security Master Licence holder, and 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 both 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 have completed 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 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.
Before you apply
Before you apply you will need a police check.
Police Certificates
Your application needs to include the original or a certified copy of a fingerprint verified Police Certificate from one of the following:
- the Australian Federal Police
- an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission agency
- a State Police force.
Police certificates must not be dated more than two months before the date of lodging a licence application with Access Canberra.
When you apply for a Police Certificate, provide your fingerprint scan.
If in the last 5 years you’ve lived as an adult outside of Australia continuously for more than one year you may need to provide a criminal history record from that country.
Interstate security licences
If you hold an interstate licence, you may apply for mutual recognition in the ACT.
Only individuals can have the qualifications underpinning their interstate security employee licence recognised in the ACT.
The application process is the same as applying for an ACT licence, but Access Canberra will contact the relevant interstate authority to check whether you have any restrictions on your licence.
Follow the application process below and select 'New' under Application type. Tick the box for mutual recognition and follow the prompts.
You will need to upload a completed Statutory Declaration for mutual recognition (PDF 401KB) (Word 45KB).
Apply for or renew an ACT security licence
You can apply for a security licence online:
- Use the Security Licence Application form.
- Upload:
- a passport quality photo
- your police certificate
- evidence of relevant qualifications
- two proof of identity documents, one being primary proof of identity
- if you live more than 100km from the ACT border, a Statement by Employer (PDF 312KB) (Word 37KB)
- Pay the fee.
Security licences are issued for 1 or 3 years.
Apply for or renew a security licence
Apply for a Security temporary licence
- Use the Application for security temporary licence (PDF 338KB) (Word 98KB) form and attach all necessary documentation.
- Email your application to citl@act.gov.au.
- Pay the fee using the Security Licence Payments form.
Apply for a Security temporary visitor licences
- Use the applicable form and attach all necessary documentation:
- Email your application to citl@act.gov.au.
- Pay the fee using the Security Licence Payments form.
Once approved your details will be added to the public register for your licence type.
Check the security licence registers
Check the validity of a security licence by searching our public registers:
Replace your security licence card
Use the Replacement of Business and Industry Licensing Cards form and pay the fee.