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Crowded Places Security Course (Australia) 2026

This course is for security officers and staff at shopping centres, venues, events and other crowded places in Australia. It follows the national crowded places guidelines: spotting hostile reconnaissance, reporting, suspicious items, bomb threats and Escape. Hide. Tell. It is awareness only and does not replace your state security licence or your site's own training.

  • Course
  • Australia
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 35 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsCrowded Places Security Course (Australia): Lessons: about 35 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Explain what a crowded place is and who is responsible for protecting it
  • Recognise possible signs of hostile reconnaissance and engage politely
  • Choose the right number to report urgent and non-urgent concerns
  • Apply the HOT questions and safe distances for suspicious items
  • Handle a bomb threat by phone or email
  • Follow and guide others through Escape. Hide. Tell.

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    How does Australia's Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism describe crowded places?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Places many people can easily reach on a predictable basis

    The Strategy defines crowded places as locations easily accessible by large numbers of people on a predictable basis, such as shopping centres, stadiums, transport hubs and pedestrian malls.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Under the Strategy, who has primary responsibility for protecting a crowded place?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Its owners and operators

    Owners and operators have primary responsibility, including a duty of care to protect people who work at, use or visit the site from foreseeable threats.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which committee is behind Australia's Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee

    The Strategy comes from the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC), which coordinates counter-terrorism work across both countries.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What does the Crowded Places Self-Assessment Tool help owners and operators do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Judge how attractive their site may be to an attacker

    The Self-Assessment Tool helps owners judge how attractive their site may be as a target and suggests next steps. It is not a full risk assessment.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    On the National Terrorism Threat Advisory System, what does the 'Probable' level mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Over 50% chance of an onshore attack or attack planning within 12 months

    The system has five levels: not expected, possible, probable, expected and certain. Probable means a greater than 50% chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next 12 months.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    In the Escape. Hide. Tell. advice, what does 'Escape' mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move away quickly and quietly, if it is safe

    Escape means moving quickly and quietly away from danger, but only if it is safe to do so, and encouraging others to go too.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    In the Escape. Hide. Tell. advice, what should you do if you cannot escape?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stay out of sight and silence your phone

    Hide means staying out of sight and silencing your phone. A good hiding place has a sturdy barrier between you and the attacker.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    In the Escape. Hide. Tell. advice, when should you call Triple Zero (000)?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When it is safe to do so

    Tell means contacting police on Triple Zero (000) when it is safe, then following police instructions when they arrive.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    You are escaping from an armed attack and your bag is in the staff room. What do the guidelines say?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Leave it; take your phone only if it is in reach

    The Active Armed Offender Guidelines say to leave belongings behind. Take your phone if you can, but do not go back for it if that puts you in danger.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Which details should you give Triple Zero (000) about an armed attack?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Where you are, what the attacker looks like and weapons

    Give your location, a description of the offenders and their direction, the weapons used, the number of people nearby and injured, and stay on the line if asked.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Armed police arrive where you are hiding. How should you act?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Keep your hands visible and avoid quick movements or shouting

    Police may not know at first who the offender is. Keep your hands visible, avoid quick movements or shouting, and stay hidden until police say it is safe.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Why should staff and security guide visitors during an attack?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Visitors may not recognise an attack or know the site layout

    The guidelines note that visitors may not recognise an attack or know the layout, so knowledgeable staff should guide them using Escape. Hide. Tell.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    How do Australia's crowded places guidelines describe hostile reconnaissance?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Purposeful observation of people and places to plan an attack

    The guidelines define hostile reconnaissance as the purposeful observation of people, vehicles, buildings, places and spaces to gather information for an attack.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which behaviour is listed as a possible sign of hostile reconnaissance?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Persistent questions about security routines

    Indicators include unusual or persistent questions about security, covert photos of security features, and avoiding staff. There may be innocent explanations, so report rather than accuse.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    There is no immediate threat, but a person is acting oddly near a staff entrance. Which approach do the guidelines suggest?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A polite, customer-service approach such as "Can I help you?"

    Where there is no immediate threat, security should approach politely with open questions. Vague or evasive answers are reported under the site's procedures.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Under 'Deny, Detect, Deter', which action is an example of DENY?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Checking what floor plans and photos of the site are online

    Deny includes auditing public information about the site, such as photos, floor plans and security details, so attackers learn less.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the phone number of the National Security Hotline?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 1800 123 400

    The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400, for reporting possible terrorism that is not urgent. Use 000 for anything life-threatening.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    An unattended bag has been pushed out of sight behind a bin. Which part of the HOT principle does this match?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hidden

    HOT stands for Hidden, Obviously suspicious and Typical. An item deliberately concealed matches Hidden.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    You find an item you think may be a bomb. Within what distance should you avoid using mobile phones and radios?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 25 metres

    The Improvised Explosive Device Guidelines say not to use mobile phones or radios within a 25 metre radius of the item.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    How far should people be moved away from a suspicious item such as a bag?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 100 metres

    The guidelines say to cordon off the area and evacuate at least 100 metres from a suspicious item, out of line of sight.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    How far should people be moved away from a suspicious vehicle?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 500 metres

    A vehicle can carry a much larger device, so the guidelines say to evacuate at least 500 metres from a suspicious vehicle.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    A caller says a bomb has been left in the shopping centre. What should you do during the call?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep them talking and write down their exact words

    Stay calm, keep the caller talking, write down the exact wording and ask set questions. Then tell security or management and call 000.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    A bomb threat arrives by email. What should you do with the message?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Leave it as it is and call 000

    Do not reply to, forward or delete the message. Note the sender's address, call 000 and follow police advice.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Why should evacuation assembly areas be checked before people gather there after a bomb threat?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. To check for secondary devices

    The guidelines say assembly points should be checked for secondary devices and kept clear, because attackers may target places where people gather.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    The Hostile Vehicle Guidelines warn that an attacker may force a guard to open a vehicle barrier. What is this method called?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Duress

    Duress means forcing a guard or employee to open a barrier. This is why barrier controls must be secure and staff must follow access procedures.

What to know before the test

  • Under Australia's Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism, owners and operators have primary responsibility for protecting their sites.
  • Australia's public advice for an armed attack is Escape. Hide. Tell.: move away if safe, hide and silence your phone, and call 000 when it is safe.
  • For a suspicious item, avoid phones and radios within 25 metres and move people at least 100 metres away, or 500 metres for a vehicle.
  • The National Security Hotline, 1800 123 400, takes non-urgent reports of possible terrorism. Use 000 in an emergency.
  • The National Terrorism Threat Advisory System has five levels, from not expected to certain.

Frequently asked questions

What does Escape. Hide. Tell. mean?

Escape: move quickly and quietly away from danger if it is safe. Hide: stay out of sight and silence your phone. Tell: call 000 when it is safe and follow police instructions.

Do I need a licence to work as a security officer at a crowded place?

Yes. Each state and territory requires a security licence with set training, and your employer must train you in the site's own plans. This course is awareness only and does not replace either.

What should I do with an unattended bag?

Use the HOT questions. If it seems harmless, look for the owner. If it is suspicious, do not touch it, move away, call 000, avoid phones and radios within 25 metres and clear people at least 100 metres away.

What is the current terrorism threat level?

The level can change, so check the official national security website. Probable means a greater than 50% chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next 12 months.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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