Get Licensed
Career guides/New Zealand

Get Licensed · New Zealand

Guide in English

Become a security guard
in New Zealand.

Employees doing regulated security work generally need a Certificate of Approval from the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority. Choose the correct work classes, complete the relevant training and apply with identity and work-right evidence.

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Local job titleSecurity officer / security guard
Training durationSee the local training routeDuration and requirements
Guidance checked2026-09-16
The Auckland skyline viewed from Devonport, New Zealand

Your route into security

How to become a security officer in New Zealand

Check your eligibility

  • Be at least 18 for the security officer route described by the government careers service.
  • Provide identity evidence and, when using an overseas passport, evidence of entitlement to work in security in New Zealand.
  • Declare relevant convictions and other disqualifying grounds. PSPLA can consider supporting evidence and an application to waive a disqualification.
  • Meet the training or skills requirements for each work class requested.

  1. Choose the correct certificate and work classes

    For employment with a security business, check the COA route and the activities you will perform. Operating your own security business requires a separate licence route.

  2. Complete the required training

    Book the applicable unit or skills standards and retain your NZQA record of achievement. Ask PSPLA to assess any overseas training you want recognised.

  3. Prepare the application

    Gather a passport-style photo, identity evidence, training evidence and any required visa or work-right documentation. Disclose relevant disqualifying grounds.

  4. Apply and pay the fee

    Submit the COA application to PSPLA. The ordinary online COA fee checked in September 2026 is NZD232.

  5. Start work under the issued authority

    Confirm your COA and badge cover the role. An approved temporary COA can support eligible guard work while training is completed; ask PSPLA about the application route.

Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA)

Training in New Zealand

What training do you need?

For property guards, personal guards and crowd controllers, PSPLA accepts three NZQA Unit Standards (27360, 27361 and 27364) or three Skills Standards (40145, 40146 and 40147), totalling 12 credits. Specified New Zealand security certificates also satisfy these standards. Monitoring officers and other classes have different competency routes.

How long is the training?

The C4 example combines self-paced online learning and assessment with one practical classroom day. Completion time depends on the learner and assessment schedule. PSPLA processing is separate.

How much does it cost?

Ordinary COA application onlineNZD232. Ministry of Justice page updated 15 July 2026.
Training example: C4 GroupNZD310 including GST for training only. PSPLA application fees are separate from this training-only price.

Training providers in New Zealand

Training provider

C4 Group

Certificate of Approval mandatory training: Unit Standards 27360, 27361 and 27364

Course duration
Online learning and assessment plus one practical classroom day in the verified Christchurch course example
Published price
NZD310 including GST, training only

Example practical session is in Christchurch. Other locations depend on the provider's current calendar. Confirm delivery, assessment and reporting arrangements before booking; PSPLA grants the COA.

Check course details

Prices and availability are checked on the dates cited. Directory inclusion identifies a source to investigate; confirmed partnerships are agreed separately.

Security guard & officer pay

How much do security guards earn in New Zealand?

Tahatū Career Navigator lists NZD54,000 to NZD82,000 a year before tax as the most common security officer pay range. This is a published range, and the underlying reference year was unavailable in the page retrieved on 16 September 2026. Actual offers depend on duties, hours and experience.

Government careers-service most common pay range; no single median extracted · Page checked 2026-09-16; pay reference year unconfirmed

View the pay source

Compare hours, gross or net pay, overtime and benefits. Wage floors and occupational medians describe different measures.

Before you take your next step

  • Use the employee COA pathway for entry-level employment. The experience requirements for an individual business licence are a separate route.
  • Temporary COAs have their own application process and conditions. A submitted application alone does not authorise work.
  • Remote monitoring has a distinct work class and competency route.
  • Overseas qualifications require acceptance by the relevant New Zealand authority.
  • The pay range's underlying statistical reference year remains unconfirmed.

Official sources and course information

Reviewed 2026-09-16. Follow the current instructions for your precise role and work location.

For training providers

Teach security courses in New Zealand?

Apply to list your training and discuss relevant learner enquiries.

Join as a training provider

Your next role

Security jobs in New Zealand

Explore reviewed employer vacancies and their stated requirements.

Find security jobs