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?

Security industry employee licences are issued for the following security activities:

Patrol, guard, watch or protect property
Act as a crowd controller
Act as a bodyguard
Give advice about security equipment
Sell security equipment
Install, maintain, monitor, repair or service security equipment
Act as a security consultant
Carry out surveys and inspections of security equipment

An employee who undertakes more than one of these activities will receive a single licence that will be endorsed for the activities they are qualified to perform.

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.