Security Licensing Course (Australia) 2026
This course explains how security licensing works across Australia's states and territories: who the regulators are, the main licence types, what you need to apply and the rules you must follow once licensed. It does not give you a licence. To work in security you must complete the required training and apply to your state or territory regulator; this course is background knowledge only.
Quick answer
This free course has about 20 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.
What you will learn
- Name the security licensing law and regulator in each state and territory
- Describe the main licence types, such as security officer and crowd controller
- List common requirements for a licence, such as age, training and probity checks
- Follow the rules for carrying and displaying a licence at work
- Explain what to report to the regulator and how licences work across states
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: D. No, each state and territory issues its own licence
Security licensing is run by each state and territory. SLED notes licences cannot be transferred between states.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: C. Apply for the equivalent NSW licence under mutual recognition
SLED says licences cannot be transferred between states, but interstate holders can apply for the equivalent NSW licence under mutual recognition laws.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: A. Consumer and Business Services (CBS)
SA Police explain that Consumer and Business Services issues security licences, while SA Police do fingerprinting and integrity checks.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: B. An approval under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997
SA Police say crowd controllers working in licensed premises also need approval under the Liquor Licensing Act 1997.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: A. Access Canberra
Access Canberra issues licences under the Security Industry Act 2003.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: A. 1C
In the ACT, subclass 1C is crowd controller. 1A is guarding property, 1D is guard with a dog and 1E is monitoring centre operator.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: B. A current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate
Access Canberra says security employees at liquor-licensed premises must hold a current RSA certificate under the Liquor Act 2010.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: C. Workplace rights and responsibilities training
Access Canberra requires workplace rights and responsibilities training for subclasses 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1FC and 1FP.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: C. A security temporary licence
The ACT security temporary licence is for trainees employed by an ACT Master licence holder and supervised by a licensed person.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: B. 18 years
Section 5(5) says a person is ineligible to hold a licence until they turn 18.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: B. At or above the waist, at the front or side, with the photo showing
Tasmanian guidance says the licence must be clearly visible over outer clothing, at or above the waist, at the front or side, photo side out.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: B. Sign the register
NT rules say to sign the register when you start work and sign off when you finish.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. 30 days
NT rules say to tell the NT Government within 30 days if your home address changes.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: A. Immediately
NT rules say to tell the NT Government immediately if you are charged with or convicted of a disqualifying offence.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: A. A provisional licence
The NT Government says you can apply for a provisional licence while you complete your training and first aid course.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: D. Once you receive the licence card, unless SLED tells you otherwise
SLED says you cannot commence the security activities authorised by the licence until you receive the card, unless notified by SLED.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: D. Report it to police within 7 days and get an event number
SLED says to report a lost or stolen card to police within 7 days and get an event number, then apply for a replacement within 14 days.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: B. A Fitness for Work policy covering drugs and alcohol
SLED says all Master licence holders must have a Fitness for Work policy that covers drug and alcohol use and applies to subcontractors.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: D. No more than 3
Queensland says a supervisor must not supervise more than 3 restricted licence holders at once.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: A. On an armband or a lanyard
Queensland says crowd controller ID must be attached to clothes at chest level and cannot be an armband or a lanyard.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: D. It cannot be renewed; apply for a new licence and stop work
Queensland says an expired licence cannot be renewed. You must not work until you are licensed again, which means applying for a new licence.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: D. Crowd controllers may not carry any weapon, including pepper spray
WA Police say a crowd controller is not permitted to carry any weapon, including batons and pepper spray, while doing crowd control.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: D. Security monitoring officer
WA Police say no training is required for a security monitoring officer licence, which covers monitoring alarms or CCTV for a licensed agent.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: A. No, they also need a crowd controller licence
WA Police say a crowd control agent licence lets you supply crowd controllers, but you must hold the crowd controller licence to work as one.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: D. Being 18 or over and not a prohibited person
Victoria Police say applicants must be 18 or over and must not be a prohibited person as defined in section 13 of the Private Security Act 2004.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- Each state and territory runs its own security licensing. NSW SLED says security licences cannot be transferred between states.
- In the ACT, security employees working at liquor-licensed premises must hold a current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate.
- In Tasmania, a person must be at least 18 to hold a licence under the Security and Investigations Agents Act 2002.
- In the NT, you must carry your licence on duty and tell the NT Government within 30 days if your home address changes.
- In South Australia, Consumer and Business Services issues security licences, and SA Police do the fingerprinting and integrity checks.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues security licences in Australia?
Each state and territory does. Examples are SLED (NSW Police Force) in NSW, Victoria Police in Victoria, the Office of Fair Trading in Queensland, WA Police in WA and Access Canberra in the ACT.
Can I use my security licence in another state?
Not directly. NSW SLED says security licences cannot be transferred between states. If you hold a licence in another state, you can apply for the equivalent licence under mutual recognition.
Does this course count as security licence training?
No. Licences need accredited training, usually units from the Certificate II in Security Operations through a registered training organisation, plus first aid and any extra course your state requires. This course is background knowledge only.
What happens if I am charged with a serious offence while licensed?
Many regulators require you to report it. For example, the NT says to tell the NT Government immediately if you are charged with or convicted of a disqualifying offence.
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
- Class 1 licences (SLED, NSW Police Force)
- Private security eligibility requirements and training (Victoria Police)
- Apply for an unarmed security officer licence (Queensland Government)
- Types of security licences (WA Police Force)
- Private investigators and security guards (SA Police)
- Security industry licences (Access Canberra)
- Displaying ID (Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Tasmania)
- Security officer and crowd controller laws (NT Government)