NSW Security Licence Test (Class 1A) Practice 2026
Practise for the knowledge assessments in the training for a NSW Class 1 security licence, such as 1A Security Officer. NSW has no single state exam: you complete the Certificate II units and the NSW Security Licence Course with an approved organisation. Practice test 1 covers NSW's own law, regulator and licence subclasses, and the other sets cover the Certificate II topics taught across Australia.
Quick answer
It is run by Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED), NSW Police Force. Practise here for free with 125 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: C. Security Industry Act 1997
NSW security licensing is governed by the Security Industry Act 1997 and the Security Industry Regulation 2016.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: C. Security Industry Regulation 2016
The Security Industry Regulation 2016 sits under the Security Industry Act 1997 and was significantly changed in 2023.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: B. The Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED) of the NSW Police Force
SLED is part of the NSW Police Force and licenses and monitors the security industry. Service NSW handles the online application.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: C. 1 June 2023
SLED says significant changes commenced on 1 June 2023, including Class 1 subclass changes and a new definition of crowd controller.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: B. A security operative licence
A Class 1 licence, also called a security operative licence, is the most common security licence in NSW.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: B. Six
There are six Class 1 subclasses, 1A to 1F, and you can hold more than one at a time.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: D. 1A Security Officer
Subclass 1A Security Officer covers unarmed patrolling, protecting or guarding property, plus crowd control.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: A. 1B Bodyguard
Subclass 1B Bodyguard covers close protection work.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: D. Cash-in-transit guard work
1C is the Cash-in-Transit Guard subclass, covering the unarmed protection of cash in transit.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: D. 1D Guard Dog Handler
Subclass 1D Guard Dog Handler covers patrolling, protecting or guarding property with a dog.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: C. Monitoring security alarm activations
1E Monitoring Centre Operator covers monitoring alarm activations to protect property.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: D. 1F Armed Guard
Subclass 1F Armed Guard covers armed protection, patrol or guarding of approved property classes.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: A. Both 1C Cash-in-Transit Guard and 1F Armed Guard
SLED says armed cash-in-transit work needs both the 1C and 1F subclasses.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: A. 1E Monitoring Centre Operator
All Class 1 applicants except those applying for 1E must complete the NSW Security Licence Course.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: A. The SLED Pre-Enrolment Assessment, including language, literacy and numeracy
SLED requires a Pre-Enrolment Assessment, which includes language, literacy and numeracy, for all subclasses except 1E.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: C. The NSW Security Licence Course through an Approved Organisation
Applicants complete the mandatory CPP20218 units and the NSW Security Licence Course through a SLED Approved Organisation.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: A. Issued within the past three years
SLED requires a first aid certificate from the past three years, and licence holders must keep it current.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. 1B Bodyguard, 1D Guard Dog Handler and 1F Armed Guard
1B, 1D and 1F need HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid, while 1A and 1C need the standard first aid unit.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: C. Complete Security Firearms Training and apply to the Firearms Registry for a provisional pistol licence
Armed guards must complete Security Firearms Training and apply to the Firearms Registry for a Category H provisional pistol licence.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: D. Online through Service NSW
Applications are lodged online through Service NSW. A paper form is available if you cannot apply online.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: B. To have your fingerprints and palm prints taken
SLED emails applicants with instructions to have finger and palm prints taken at a police station.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: D. A NSW or national criminal history
SLED conducts probity checks to find out whether an applicant has a NSW or national criminal history.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: A. Have your photo taken at a Service NSW centre within 60 days
You must visit a Service NSW centre within 60 days to have your photo taken. Your card is then posted within 10 working days.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: B. 42 days from the day you lodge
SLED gives you 42 days from lodgement to supply proof of the qualification, or the application may be refused.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: D. From eight weeks before it expires
You can renew online from eight weeks before expiry. Late renewal is possible for up to 90 days after expiry, with late fees.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- Security licensing in NSW is run by the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED), part of the NSW Police Force, under the Security Industry Act 1997 and Security Industry Regulation 2016.
- A Class 1 (security operative) licence has six subclasses: 1A Security Officer, 1B Bodyguard, 1C Cash-in-Transit Guard, 1D Guard Dog Handler, 1E Monitoring Centre Operator and 1F Armed Guard.
- Most applicants need the SLED Pre-Enrolment Assessment, a first aid certificate from the past three years, the mandatory Certificate II units and the NSW Security Licence Course through an Approved Organisation.
- 1E Monitoring Centre Operator applicants are exempt from the NSW Security Licence Course.
- You apply online through Service NSW. SLED may ask you to give finger and palm prints at a police station and runs criminal history checks.
- If your licence is granted, you have 60 days to get your photo taken at a Service NSW centre, and the card is posted within 10 working days.
- You can renew a Class 1 licence online from eight weeks before it expires.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a NSW security guard exam?
There is no single state exam run by SLED. You are assessed during your training: the Pre-Enrolment Assessment, the Certificate II units and the NSW Security Licence Course. This practice test helps with the knowledge parts.
How many questions are on the NSW security licence assessment?
SLED's public pages do not set out a question count or pass mark for course assessments. The mock exam here uses 50 questions with an 80% target as practice only.
Which licence do I need to be a security guard or crowd controller in NSW?
Usually the Class 1A Security Officer subclass, which covers unarmed static or mobile guarding and crowd control.
Can I apply before I finish the NSW Security Licence Course?
Yes. You have 42 days from the day you lodge your application to give SLED proof of the qualification, or the application may be refused.
I hold a security licence in another state. Can I work in NSW?
You can apply for the equivalent NSW licence under mutual recognition. Licences are not transferred automatically, and SLED may take up to six months to decide.
Where do I apply?
Online through Service NSW. If you cannot apply online, SLED provides paper forms.