Security Officers and Guards jobs in Australia

Licensing

Licensing by state

Security is licensed in all eight jurisdictions - there is no state or territory where you may work unlicensed. The variation is in who regulates and how the classes are cut. In NSW, Victoria and Western Australia the police force licenses the industry; in Queensland it is the Office of Fair Trading; in South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory it is a consumer affairs, occupational licensing or access agency. Licence structures differ: NSW splits Class 1 (guarding, crowd control, bodyguard, cash-in-transit, dog handling, monitoring, armed) from Class 2 (consultant, seller, equipment specialist, trainer, investigator), the ACT uses a similar Class 1 and Class 2 split, Queensland licenses by function under the Security Providers Act 1993, and WA licenses by discrete occupation - security officer, crowd controller, security installer, security agent - under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996. Businesses need a separate master, agent or business licence in every jurisdiction. Mutual recognition schemes exist, but they generally require an application to the destination regulator rather than simply working on a home licence, and do not extend to body corporate licences.

the Australian Capital Territory

Licensed. Access Canberra issues security industry licences under the Security Industry Act 2003 (ACT). Class 1 covers 1A Unarmed Guards, 1B Bodyguards, 1C Crowd Controllers, 1D Guard Dog Holders, 1E Monitoring Centre Operators and 1F Armed Guards. Class 2 covers 2A Security Consultants, 2B Security Sellers, 2C Security Technician Plus and 2D Security Trainers.

New South Wales

Licensed. The Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED) of the NSW Police Force licenses the industry under the Security Industry Act 1997 (NSW). Class 1 subclasses cover 1A Security Officer, 1B Bodyguard, 1C Cash-in-Transit Guard, 1D Guard Dog Handler, 1E Monitoring Centre Operator and 1F Armed Guard. Class 2 subclasses cover 2A Security Consultant, 2B Security Seller, 2C Security Equipment Specialist, 2D Security Trainer and 2E Private Investigator. Businesses require a Master Licence.

the Northern Territory

Licensed. Occupational and Industry Licensing within NT Consumer Affairs licenses security providers, including security officers, crowd controllers and security firms. Applicants for a security officer or crowd controller licence must complete all 14 units of CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations, including a current provide first aid unit, delivered by a registered training organisation.

Queensland

Licensed. The Office of Fair Trading issues security provider licences under the Security Providers Act 1993 (Qld), covering unarmed security officers, crowd controllers, bodyguards, private investigators, security advisers and security equipment installers. Individual licences are issued as Class 1 or Class 2 depending on the function, and firms require a security firm licence. Applicants must not have a recorded conviction for a disqualifying offence in the past ten years.

South Australia

Licensed. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) administers the Security and Investigation Industry Act 2011 (SA). A business providing security services requires a security agent's licence, and individuals performing the work must be registered under that licence. Criminal history checks and prescribed training apply.

Tasmania

Licensed. Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) administers the Security and Investigation Agents Act 2002 (Tas), issuing individual agent licences, security employee licences and body corporate licences. Applicants must complete the units of competency prescribed for each licensed activity, and no one may work in the industry without a current Tasmanian licence identification card. Mutual recognition is available to individuals but not to body corporates.

Victoria

Licensed. The Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police administers the Private Security Act 2004 (Vic). Private security licences are issued as Class A or Class B with defined sub-activities covering security guards, crowd controllers, bodyguards, investigators and control room operators, with separate individual and business licences and registrations. Following amendments commencing 19 June 2025, licence holders performing bodyguard, crowd controller and security guard activities face additional approved first aid and refresher training requirements before renewal from 5 October 2026.

Western Australia

Licensed. WA Police Licensing Services administers the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996 (WA) and the 1997 Regulations. Licences are issued by occupation: Security Officer, Security Consultant, Security Installer, Crowd Controller, Crowd Control Agent, Security Agent, Inquiry Agent and Investigator. Applicants must be 18 or over. Crowd controller applicants must complete an approved training course and pass a written examination; agent licence applicants must pass a pre-licence test on the Act and Regulations.