The regulator and the law
Security licences in WA are issued by Licensing Services (Security), part of the WA Police Force. It issues and renews licences and monitors licence holders. The law is the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996 and the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997.
The Security Competency Test website is run for WA Police's Licensing Enforcement Division, but the test provider does not issue licences. All licensing decisions, including whether you are eligible, are made by the WA Police Force.
Types of security licences
WA separates licences for people who do the work from agent licences for people and businesses that supply the work.
| Licence | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Security officer | Watching, guarding and protecting property. Firearms or batons only with an approved endorsement. |
| Crowd controller | Monitoring or controlling behaviour, screening people for entry and removing people for behavioural reasons. No weapons at all. |
| Security monitoring officer | Monitoring alarms or CCTV for a licensed agent. No patrolling without a security officer licence. |
| Security bodyguard | Escorting another person as a guard or protector for payment |
| Security agent, crowd control agent, inquiry agent | Advertising, supplying and employing licensed staff |
| Security consultant and installer (classes) | Advice on, or installation of, locks, safes, alarms, CCTV and security doors |
| Investigator | Investigating conduct or character, surveillance and missing people |
Training
Security officers and crowd controllers need CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations. The cash-in-transit class needs CPP31318 Certificate III in Security Operations.
- From 1 January 2026, only training completed in WA with an RTO approved by WA Police is accepted. Training with an RTO that is not on WA Police's list will not be accepted.
- If you have any criminal convictions, contact Licensing Services (Security) before you enrol.
The Security Competency Test
After the Certificate II, security officers and crowd controllers must pass the Security Competency Test before applying for a licence. Since 1 June 2026 it has been run by FAPSTC on behalf of WA Police. You book it online.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 short answer questions on Certificate II content, plus a workplace scenario with 4 related questions |
| Answers | Written responses only |
| Marks | 40 in total: 20 for short answers, 20 for the scenario |
| Pass mark | At least 30 marks (75%) |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Bring | At least two forms of photo ID, proof of payment and your course certificate with your USI |
| Results | Usually emailed the day after the test |
- Notes are not allowed in the testing room.
- After two unsuccessful attempts your training provider is told. After a third, you need refresher training at your own cost and must wait one month before rebooking.
- Once you pass, you have 6 months to lodge your licence application.
Applying for your licence
- New applications, mutual recognition applications and re-applications for expired licences are lodged in person between 8.00 am and 12.00 pm on weekdays.
- If you live more than 50 km from the Perth GPO, you can lodge at your local police station.
- Mutual recognition applications for interstate licences must be lodged in person at the Cannington office.
- Allow up to 30 working days after lodgement before asking for a progress update.
Agent pre-licence tests
People applying for a security agent, crowd control agent or inquiry agent licence sit a separate pre-licence test. It is open book on the Act and Regulations, lasts one hour and needs 90% to pass. You may sit it at most twice in one day.
Study tips for the WA test
- Revise every Certificate II unit, not only the ones you found easy. The short answer questions can come from any part of the course.
- Practise writing an incident report from a short scenario: who, what, when, where, why and how, in plain words and in time order.
- Write facts, not opinions, and use the 24-hour clock.
- Learn WA's licence types and the weapons rules for crowd controllers and security officers.
- Use the national guide for legal powers, use of force, conflict, emergencies and WHS, then take the practice tests on this page.
- Watch the clock: you have 45 minutes for everything, so do not spend too long on one answer.