Security Industry Compliance in Australia: Licences, Training, and Regulatory Obligations

The security industry is one of Australia's most heavily regulated service sectors. From company licences to individual guard licences, training requirements to use-of-force restrictions, the compliance burden on security business operators is substantial. Non-compliance can result in licence cancellation, significant fines, and criminal liability.

Security Licensing: A State-Based System

Security industry licensing in Australia is regulated at the state and territory level. There is no national licence — each state has its own licensing framework and regulator:

• NSW: Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED) under NSW Police
• Victoria: Victorian Police Licensing and Regulation Division (LRPD)
• Queensland: Office of Fair Trading (Queensland)
• SA: Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
• WA: Department of Justice
• Tasmania: Security Industry Licensing (CBOS)
• NT: Licensing (NT Police)
• ACT: Access Canberra

Types of Licences

Most states issue two types of security licences:

1. Master Licence / Provider Licence: Required by the company or business providing security services. This is the business licence — you must hold this before employing security guards.

2. Individual/Operator Licence: Required by each individual performing security work (crowd controllers, patrol guards, bodyguards, monitoring centre operators, etc.).

The categories of individual licence vary by state but typically include:

• Crowd controller: Door security, venue access control
• Security guard / patrol: Mobile and static guarding
• Bodyguard/close personal protection
• Security monitoring operator: CCTV and alarm monitoring centre work
• Investigator/enquiry agent

Licensing Requirements

To obtain a licence (individual or master), applicants must typically:

• Pass a criminal history check (disqualifying offences vary by state)
• Complete the required training qualification
• Not have certain licence cancellations or convictions in other states
• Be of a specified minimum age (typically 18 years)
• Meet physical and medical fitness requirements (for some licence types)

Licences must be renewed periodically (typically annually or every 3 years) and the renewal process involves updated criminal history checks.

Training Requirements

Security industry training in Australia is competency-based, delivered through registered training organisations (RTOs) against nationally accredited units in the CPP (Property Services Training Package).

Minimum qualifications:

• Security guard: Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218)
• Crowd controller: Certificate II in Security Operations with the Crowd Control specialisation
• Close personal protection: Certificate III in Security Operations
• Security manager: Certificate IV in Security Operations

First aid certification (HLTAID011 or equivalent) is a mandatory requirement for licensing in most states.

Ensure all security guards hold current certificates for their licence class. Certificates lapse if not refreshed and can affect licence renewal.

Employment Law for Security Businesses

Most security industry employees are covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020. This award has complex provisions including:

Penalty Rates

Security work frequently occurs at night, on weekends, and on public holidays — all of which attract penalty rates under the Award:

• Night shift: Work between 11pm and 6am typically attracts a night shift penalty
• Saturday: 125%–150% of ordinary rate
• Sunday: 150%–200% of ordinary rate
• Public holidays: 225%–250% of ordinary rate

Correctly calculating penalty rates for security workers — who may work across multiple shift types in a week — is complex and frequently done incorrectly.

Overtime

The Award has specific overtime provisions for hours worked beyond ordinary hours. Guards on 10-hour or 12-hour shifts have different overtime calculations than those on standard 8-hour shifts.

Allowances

The Award includes allowances for:

• Work with cash in transit (cash-in-transit allowance)
• Use of a dog in guarding duties (dog handling allowance)
• First aid duties
• Working with dangerous equipment

Many security businesses miss these allowances when configuring payroll.

Labour Hire Considerations

Many security businesses supply workers to client sites — which may trigger labour hire licensing obligations in Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. If your business supplies security workers to other businesses (as opposed to providing an integrated service where you control the guards), you may need a labour hire licence in those states.

Use of Force and Legal Authority

Security guards are private individuals — they do not have the same legal authority as police. Their powers are defined by common law (citizen's arrest), specific licensing legislation in each state, and any powers granted by contract or site rules.

Use of Force

Security guards may only use force where:

• It is legally authorised (e.g., removing a person from licensed premises)
• The force used is reasonable and proportionate

Use of excessive force by a security guard exposes both the guard (to criminal charges) and the security business (to civil liability and licence action) to serious consequences.

Training in use-of-force principles is a component of required security training, but operators should also have documented use-of-force policies that guards understand and apply.

Powers on Licensed Premises

Crowd controllers working at licensed premises (hotels, clubs, nightclubs) have additional powers under liquor licensing legislation in each state — including powers to search, exclude, and refuse entry. Ensure guards working at licensed premises understand the specific powers applicable in that state.

WHS for Security Businesses

Security work carries significant WHS risks:

• Violence and aggression: Crowd control and patrol work involves significant risk of physical assault
• Lone worker risks: Mobile patrol guards frequently work alone at night
• Fatigue: Extended shifts and overnight work create fatigue-related risks
• Mental health: Security work involves exposure to confrontation, violence, and distressing situations

Your WHS management system must specifically address these risks. This includes:

• Training in de-escalation and conflict management
• Check-in systems for lone workers (regular contact at specified intervals)
• Fatigue management policies (maximum shift length, minimum rest between shifts)
• Access to Employee Assistance Programs for workers dealing with traumatic incidents
• Post-incident support protocols

Client Contracts and Liability

Security contracts with clients should clearly define:

• The scope of the security service provided
• Responsibility for injuries occurring on client premises
• The client's obligations to provide a safe working environment for security personnel
• Limitations of liability

Liability for incidents — whether involving members of the public or security personnel — can be complex. Have your standard client contracts reviewed by a lawyer.

How Reguladar Helps

Security industry compliance involves licensing from state regulators, employment law under the Security Services Industry Award, WHS obligations specific to the security context, and labour hire licensing in some states. Reguladar maps these obligations in a single personalised dashboard, tracking licence renewal dates, training requirements, and award rate changes so you stay ahead of your obligations.

Get your security business compliance in order. Start your free compliance check at Reguladar and see your complete compliance profile today.