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Department of Justice and Community Safety

SECURITY INDUSTRY

Security services are becoming more common in society.

Many venues and public events employ security for crowd control and patron safety purposes. Many homes and businesses install security systems to ensure the protection of their property and goods.

It is vital that people who are given these positions of responsibility and trust are competent, skilled and of good character. The security industry licensing activities of of the Business and Industry Licensing Unit ensure this is the case. Please call the Registration and Client Services Unit on 6207 0562 for any information relating to the security industry.

What is involved in getting an employee licence?

To obtain a security employee licence in the ACT an applicant must:

  • obtain a satisfactory Police Record Check to prove they are of good character
  • meet the prescribed competency standards for the licence they are seeking, or be assessed as having experience and skills that meet or exceed the prescribed standards
  • be employed, or supply proof they will be employed, by a valid Security Master Licensee.

Does previous experience count for competency standards?

Yes, the licence consideration and approval process allows for the applicant to highlight relevant experience and previous training as counting towards, or being the equivalent of, the prescribed competency standards.

Each case is assessed on its merits, so you should contact the Business and Industry Licensing Unit on 6207 0562 to discuss your particular circumstances.

What types of licence are available?

MASTER LICENCE

A master licenceis a licence that authorises the licensee to employ or provide people to carry on a security activity.  This licence does not authorise the holder to also carry out security activities.  For example, Roger holds a master licence for his business and employs people to carry out crowd control services.  This licence does not authorise Roger to also act as a crowd controller without a separate employee licence.  The reason for this is that there are no training requirements for a master licence, thus the holder of a master licence does not necessarily have the qualifications to perform functions under an employee licence.   
A master licence is not required if you acquire contracted security services, although the contracting company must have an ACT master licence and comply with the requirements in the Act.

EMPLOYEE LICENCE

An employee licence authorises the licensee to do 1 or more of the following:        

   (a)      patrol, guard, watch or protect property (including cash in transit);         

   (b)      act as a bodyguard;         

   (c)      act as a security consultant;         

   (d)      act as a crowd controller;         

   (e)      sell security equipment;

   (f)       carry out surveys and inspections of security equipment;         

   (g)      give advice about security equipment;         

   (h)      install, maintain, monitor, repair or service security equipment.

TRAINER LICENCE

A trainer licence is a licence that authorises the licensee to provide training in relation to security activities.  The licence may relate to particular security activities or security activities generally.

TEMPORARY LICENCE

A temporary licence is a licence issued to someone who is not eligible to hold an employee licence.  An applicant must be a trainee under the Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003.  A temporary licence authorises an activity that may be authorised by an employee licence.  Under this category the licensee must be directly supervised by a licensee when they are carrying out a security function.


When are licences issued or renewed?

A security industry employee licence will be issued after an applicant provides the required material and the application has been approved by the Business and Industry Licensing Unit.

The licence will be due for renewal for each year on the anniversary of the date of issue. A renewal advice will be sent to each licensee at the most recent address given to Business and Industry Licensing Unit. If you have moved and you do not receive your renewal, this is not a defence for trading without a licence.

Do I need an ACT licence if I am licensed in another state?

Yes, the only concession extended under mutual recognition is that a new Police Record Check may not be required.

You will be required to complete all the application forms and details, and your interstate licence status will be checked with the issuing authority.

Until you are granted an ACT licence, it is illegal to undertake security activities using your interstate licence.

Can I appeal if my licence application is rejected?

Yes. The Consumer and Trader Tribunal (CATT) oversees the security industry licensing regime. Licence applicants can appeal to the CATT if they are unhappy with a licensing decision.

Can my licence be cancelled during its validity period?

Yes. If a licence holder is found to undertake, or have undertaken, any activity that creates doubt about their suitability to hold a licence, then their licence can be cancelled. This means the licence holder is not able to work in the security industry in the ACT.

Do I get a refund on my licence if I leave the security industry?

No. If a security industry employee leaves the industry, there is no refund on the licence fee for the period that the licence is not required.

Where can I get the licence application forms?

Forms for a security industry employee licence can be downloaded here, can be collected from the Shopfront, Business and Industry Licensing Unit, or posted to you. You should call 6207 0562 to request the forms.

Newsletters

Refer also to previous newsletters of relevance to Security Industry issues.

Legislation

To obtain the full details of the security industry in the ACT, you should read the Security Industry Act 2003 and the Security Industry Regulation 2003.


Security Industry Licensing Practice Manual

Sets out basic information on the Security Industry Act 2003 and provides information to assist applicants applying for a security licence.

 

Application

POLICE CERTIFICATE

You must provide a Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police, with your application. You will need to apply to the Australian Federal Police for the Police Certificate. If the consent form is not attached you can obtain a form and details of fees from the Australian Federal Police website.

The Police Certificate must be from the AFP (certificates issued by other police services are not acceptable) and must not be dated more than 2 months before the date of lodging your licence application with us.

Note – a Police Certificate is not required if you have a current interstate security industry licence and are seeking mutual recognition of that licence for the same activities in the ACT.

CONVICTIONS OR FINDINGS OF GUILT RECORDED AGAINST YOU

If you have any convictions or findings of guilt recorded against you in your Police Certificate these may prevent you from obtaining a security employee licence. You may prefer to discuss with us whether the details in your Police Certificate would prevent you from getting a licence – before you undergo the expenses of the prescribed training. A finding of guilt means that a court found you guilty of a charge but did not record a conviction against you (for example ‐ you may have been released on a bond or similar, without conviction).

SECURITY LICENCE APPLICATION

Fees and Charges