Who licenses security work in Queensland
Security providers in Queensland are licensed by the Office of Fair Trading, through its Industry Licensing Unit, under the Security Providers Act 1993 and the Security Providers Regulation 2008. Individuals apply for a security provider class 1 licence. Licensed roles listed by the Office of Fair Trading include:
- Unarmed security officer
- Crowd controller
- Monitoring security officer
- Cash in transit officer
- Dog patrol security officer
- Bodyguard
- Private investigator
Separate licences cover technical security roles and managing a security firm. Anyone can check a licence on the free online licensing register.
Who needs an unarmed security officer licence
You need one to guard, patrol or watch another person's property without a dog or weapon, for example as an in-house security officer, loss prevention officer or security gate officer. The licence does not allow you to carry firearms, handcuffs or batons. Casino employees, security officers on public transport and people employed by the state or federal government are listed as not needing this licence.
Training
You must complete all modules of CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations with a registered training organisation. This includes the 13 security units and HLTAID011 Provide first aid. The older CPP07 course is no longer accepted.
- Student visa holders must use a provider listed on CRICOS.
- Credit-transfer certificates are not accepted for international students.
Restricted licence
A restricted licence lets you work while you train, under the supervision of a fully licensed provider. It lasts 6 months and cannot be extended, so you must finish training and apply for an unrestricted licence within that time.
Applying for a licence
- Be 18 or older and prove your identity with 100 points of certified ID.
- Have your fingerprints taken by police. Fingerprints given in another state do not count.
- Pass a criminal history check. A conviction for a disqualifying offence in the past 10 years stops you from applying, and guilty findings without a conviction in the past 5 years must be disclosed.
- Apply online, or lodge the paper form in person or by post. Upgrading an existing licence with new functions must be done on the paper form, not online.
| Licence | Term |
|---|---|
| Restricted (single or multiple function) | 6 months |
| Unrestricted, single function | 1 year or 3 years |
| Unrestricted, multiple function | 1 year or 3 years |
Holders of a valid interstate or New Zealand security licence can apply for an equivalent Queensland licence.
Keeping your licence
- Tell the Office of Fair Trading about address changes within 7 days. Also report name changes and any charge or conviction for a disqualifying offence.
- A renewal notice is posted about 6 weeks before expiry. You can renew online.
- If you renew and pay before expiry, you can keep working while it is processed, but you must be able to produce your expired licence and the fee receipt.
- An expired licence cannot be renewed. You must apply for a new one and cannot work until you are licensed again.
Extra rules for crowd controllers
| Requirement | How often |
|---|---|
| CPR (HLTAID009) | Every 12 months |
| First aid (HLTAID011 or HLTAID014) | Every 3 years |
| CPPSEC3101 and CPPSEC3121 | Every 3 years |
Send your statement of attainment at least 2 months before your licence expires. Your licence can be cancelled if you do not complete the training.
Identification and uniform
- Wear venue-issued ID at chest level whenever you work. Armbands and lanyards are not allowed.
- The ID must show black text on a white background, with the word SECURITY and a unique number.
- Your uniform must not look too much like a police uniform.
How you are assessed and study tips
Queensland has no state-run security exam. Your RTO assesses each Certificate II unit, usually with written knowledge tests, role-plays and observed practical tasks. When you are competent in every unit, including first aid, you can apply for your licence.
- Learn which items an unarmed licence does not allow: firearms, handcuffs and batons.
- Know the licence terms: restricted 6 months, unrestricted 1 or 3 years.
- Remember the 7-day rule for address changes and that an expired licence cannot be renewed.
- If you plan to work as a crowd controller, learn the ID, uniform and refresher rules.
- Study the national guide for legal powers, use of force, conflict, emergencies, WHS and reports, then take the practice tests.
Sources
- Security industry regulation (Queensland Government)
- What unarmed security officers do (Queensland Government)
- Unarmed security officer training (Queensland Government)
- Apply for an unarmed security officer licence (Queensland Government)
- Unarmed security officer ongoing requirements (Queensland Government)
- Crowd controller ongoing requirements (Queensland Government)
- Security industry breaches and penalties (Queensland Government)