Who regulates security in NSW
Security work in NSW is licensed by the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED), part of the NSW Police Force. SLED issues licences, checks applicants and enforces the rules. The law is the Security Industry Act 1997 and the Security Industry Regulation 2016.
Significant changes to both commenced on 1 June 2023. They included changes to the Class 1 subclasses, a new definition of crowd controller, changes to licence eligibility, new offences and penalties, and new security operative licence cards.
SLED also runs an online service where anyone can verify a security licence, and it accepts reports of non-compliance from the public. Employers, clients and venue managers use the licence check to confirm that the officers on their site are properly licensed.
Class 1 licence subclasses
The Class 1 licence, also called the security operative licence, is the most common security licence in NSW. It has six subclasses, and you can hold more than one.
| Subclass | Name | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Security Officer | Unarmed patrolling, protecting or guarding of property, static or mobile, plus crowd control |
| 1B | Bodyguard | Close protection work |
| 1C | Cash-in-Transit Guard | Unarmed protection of cash in transit |
| 1D | Guard Dog Handler | Patrolling, protecting or guarding property with a dog |
| 1E | Monitoring Centre Operator | Monitoring security alarm activations |
| 1F | Armed Guard | Armed protection, patrol or guarding of approved classes of property |
Armed cash-in-transit work needs both 1C and 1F. Other licence classes exist too. A Class 2C licence, for example, covers selling, installing, maintaining and repairing security equipment, and businesses that supply security services hold a master licence.
Training requirements
Training for a Class 1 licence is competency-based. There is no single SLED exam. Instead, you complete these steps:
- The SLED Pre-Enrolment Assessment, which includes language, literacy and numeracy.
- The mandatory units of CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations.
- The NSW Security Licence Course through a SLED Approved Organisation.
- A first aid certificate issued within the past three years.
1E Monitoring Centre Operator applicants do not need the NSW Security Licence Course. Some subclasses need extra units:
| Subclass | First aid | Extra units |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | HLTAID011 | None beyond the course |
| 1B | HLTAID014 (advanced) | CPPSEC3122 and CPPSEC3123 (close protection) |
| 1C | HLTAID011 | CPPSEC3118, CPPSEC3119 and CPPSEC3120 (cash in transit) |
| 1D | HLTAID014 (advanced) | CPPSEC3112 and CPPSEC3113 (security dogs) |
| 1F | HLTAID014 (advanced) | CPPSEC3101, CPPSEC3102 and CPPSEC3103 |
After the 1F course, armed guards also complete Security Firearms Training and apply to the Firearms Registry for a Category H provisional pistol licence.
Your employer has duties too. A master licence holder must make sure the Class 1 operatives it uses, other than 1E monitoring centre operators, hold a current first aid certificate.
Applying for and keeping your licence
- Apply online through Service NSW and attach the documents asked for.
- SLED processes your payment.
- SLED may email you to give finger and palm prints at a police station or to ask for more information.
- SLED runs probity checks for any NSW or national criminal history.
- If granted, you get a Photograph Advice letter by email. Within 60 days, have your photo taken at a Service NSW centre.
- Your licence card is posted within 10 working days.
If your application is refused, SLED sends a letter with the reasons and how to seek a review.
Other rules to know
- You can lodge before finishing the NSW Security Licence Course, but you have 42 days from lodgement to send proof that you completed it.
- Visa holders who lived overseas for more than 12 months in the past 10 years need a police clearance certificate from that country. This does not apply to permanent residents.
- SLED may ask for consent to check your identity documents through the Document Verification Service.
- Renew online from eight weeks before expiry. You can still renew up to 90 days after expiry, with late fees.
- Interstate licence holders can apply for the equivalent NSW licence under mutual recognition. SLED may take up to six months to decide.
Study tips
- Learn the six Class 1 subclasses by number and name.
- Know the order: Pre-Enrolment Assessment, Certificate II units, NSW Security Licence Course, then application.
- Remember that SLED is the regulator and Service NSW is where you apply.
- Study the national guide for legal powers, use of force, conflict, emergencies, WHS and reports.