Security licence holders perform security activities or run businesses that employ people to perform them.
There are different types of security 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.
If you have a security licence and your address changes, you'll need to update your address.
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.
If you hold a security employee licence you can perform security activities under the subclass of licence you were issued.
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 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 are issued for special events. Applications must be submitted at least 5 working days before the event.
To get a security licence you need to have both qualifications and meet general suitability criteria.
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:
General suitability is determined under Division 3.5 of the Security Industry Act 2003.
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.
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.
Under the Firearms Act 1996, you need an appropriate ACT firearms licence to apply for a 1FC or 1FP licence.
Under the Liquor Act 2010, security employees working at liquor licensed premises must hold a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) 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 you will need a police check.
Your application needs to include the original or a certified copy of a fingerprint verified Police Check Certificate from one of the following:
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 Check 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.
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 can apply for a security licence online:
Security licences are issued for 1 or 3 years.
Once approved your details will be added to the public register for your licence type.
Check the validity of a security licence by searching our public registers: