Locksmiths jobs in Australia

Licensing

Licensing by state

Locksmithing IS a licensed activity in most of Australia, and this is the field that varies most. There is no dedicated national locksmith licence anywhere; instead, locksmithing sits inside each jurisdiction's security industry licensing framework, so the licence you need is a security licence with a technical or installer class. NSW requires a Class 2C Security Equipment Specialist licence from SLED. Queensland requires a security provider licence (Class 2) covering security equipment installation, with a narrow exemption for retail key cutting. Western Australia is the most explicit, issuing a Security Installer Licence Class 1 (Locksmith) that requires the applicant to be a trade-qualified locksmith. Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT capture locksmithing through security equipment installer or security agent classes. The Northern Territory's security licensing framework is directed at guarding and crowd control rather than locksmithing. Because the boundaries turn on exactly which activities you perform - key cutting versus safe work versus access control - always confirm scope with the regulator before quoting work.

the Australian Capital Territory

Licensed. Access Canberra issues security industry licences under the Security Industry Act 2003 (ACT). Locksmithing sits within the Class 2 licence group, which covers security consultants, security sellers, security technicians and security trainers; the security technician stream is the relevant class for locksmiths.

New South Wales

Licensed. The Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED) of the NSW Police Force issues licences under the Security Industry Act 1997 (NSW). Locksmiths require a Class 2C Security Equipment Specialist licence. A business engaging licensed operatives, or presenting itself as the security provider, also needs a Master Licence.

the Northern Territory

Not specifically licensed as locksmithing. Occupational and Industry Licensing administers Territory security licensing, which is directed at security officers, crowd controllers and security firms rather than at locksmithing or security equipment installation. There is no NT locksmith licence; confirm current scope with Licensing NT before relying on this, as security licensing frameworks are periodically extended.

Queensland

Licensed. The Office of Fair Trading issues security provider licences under the Security Providers Act 1993 (Qld). A locksmith who installs, repairs, services or maintains security equipment for reward requires a security provider licence (Individual - Class 2, security equipment installer). Narrow exemptions apply, including retail key cutting services and some basic hardware installed in new or renovated construction.

South Australia

Licensed. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) administers the Security and Investigation Industry Act 2011 (SA). South Australia has no standalone locksmith licence; most locksmithing activity falls within the security agent framework, so the business generally requires a security agent's licence and the individuals performing the work must be registered under it.

Tasmania

Licensed where the work is a regulated security activity. Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) administers the Security and Investigation Agents Act 2002 (Tas), issuing agent, employee and body corporate licences, with units of competency required for each licensed activity. Confirm with CBOS which of your locksmithing activities fall inside the licensed security activities before commencing work.

Victoria

Licensed. The Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police administers the Private Security Act 2004 (Vic). Locksmithing work involving security equipment installation - including safes, vaults, alarms and access control - falls within the security equipment installer activity, requiring a private security individual registration, with a private security business registration for the business. Confirm scope with Victoria Police, as purely mechanical key cutting may sit outside the registered activities.

Western Australia

Licensed, and most explicitly of all jurisdictions. WA Police Licensing Services administers the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996 (WA) and issues a Security Installer Licence Class 1 (Locksmith) to install, maintain or repair safes, vaults and locks. The applicant must be a trade-qualified locksmith. You may only work as a licensed security installer if employed by a licensed security agent; sole traders must hold a Security Agent Licence as well.