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Australia
Become a security guard in Australia
Choose the state or territory where you will work before booking training. Australia has separate licensing authorities, approved training rules and licence activities. This overview checks New South Wales and Victoria in detail and links the official directory for the other jurisdictions.
Reviewed
Australia
Where you could work
The examples below come from individual sources; availability varies.
Local job titles
Security Guard · Crowd Controller · Mobile Patrol Officer
Would this suit you?
- You can practise clear communication and calm responses.
- You are willing to follow site instructions and keep accurate records.
Employer recruitment covers commercial property, health, education, maritime, logistics, mining and events.
View sourceUses Security Officer in a local job title.
View sourceSeparately lists Security Officer and Crowd Controller, with mobile patrol and site-security services.
View sourceAustralia
Security industry
Check current local requirements with the linked authority or employer before paying for training.
01 · Australia
Requirements
- New South Wales: at least 18, with Australian citizenship or permanent residence, New Zealand citizenship, or a qualifying sponsored or skilled visa.
- Victoria: at least 18, resident in Australia or holding a current visa with working rights, with identity evidence and fingerprints.
- Both NSW and Victoria assess suitability and require the training relevant to the activities requested. Overseas police records may be required.
- Check your intended state's visa and training eligibility before paying. Victoria has specific CRICOS requirements for student visa holders.
- 01
Choose your state and activity
Select NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory. Confirm the licence activity needed for the job.
- 02
Check eligibility before enrolment
Ask the local regulator about work rights, criminal history, identity requirements and any overseas documents.
- 03
Complete accepted training
Choose a provider on the regulator's approved list and complete the relevant qualification, first aid and assessments.
- 04
Apply to the local regulator
Submit the correct individual licence application, supporting evidence and fee. Complete fingerprinting or other checks when requested.
- 05
Confirm authority to start work
Wait for the required licence or permit and complete employer induction. Check mutual recognition with the destination regulator before an interstate move.
02 · Australia
Training
CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations is a common entry qualification. In NSW, the Class 1A Security Officer route requires the NSW Security Licence Course through a SLED-approved organisation and current first aid. Victoria accepts its approved CPP20218 training for unarmed guard, crowd control and control room activities. Each regulator decides which training and providers it accepts.
Training time
Provider and jurisdiction dependent. The verified Victoria example advertises 10 training days plus online learning before and during the course. Licence checks and card issue add further time.
Costs
Training providers
Shield Training Group
CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations
- Training time
- 10 training days, with online learning before and during the course
- Costs
- AUD999, advertised without GST
Brunswick, Victoria. The provider lists Victorian-resident eligibility and excludes student visa holders from this course. Check the current Victoria Police approved-provider register and the provider's intake terms before enrolment.
View source03 · Australia
Pay
AUD1,818 per week was the median for full-time, non-managerial adult employees in the broad Security Officers and Guards occupation group, before tax and salary-sacrificed amounts. Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report, published by Jobs and Skills Australia. The group includes several security and investigative occupations; individual offers vary by role and experience.
Median full-time earnings, broad ANZSCO 4422 occupational group · 2025-05
View sourceBefore you apply
- State and territory pages should be completed before displaying a personalised Australian licence checklist.
- The NSW regulator is SLED; Victoria uses Victoria Police LRD; Queensland uses the Office of Fair Trading; WA uses WA Police; SA uses Consumer and Business Services; Tasmania uses CBOS; the ACT uses Access Canberra; the NT uses Licensing NT.
- Interstate movement requires checking the destination's mutual-recognition process and permitted activities.
- Australia's ANZSCO wage series has been superseded. The displayed figure retains its May 2025 reference period.
- Training completion and immigration permission are separate from a state licence decision.
Local sources
- NSW Police: official state and territory regulator directory
- Service NSW: security operative licence eligibility and application
- NSW Police: security training requirements
- Victoria Police: eligibility, training and interstate recognition
- Victoria Police: new private security licence applications
- Australian Government: mutual recognition
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Security Officers and Guards earnings
- Shield Training Group: Victoria course and fee
- MSS Security Australia: Work With Us
- MSS Security: Security Officer, Bathurst
- Neptune Northern Territory: Careers
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