On this page:

• Code of Conduct
• Baton/Firearm Endorsements, Guarding with a Dog Condition
• Criminal Convictions or Findings of Guilt (Disqualifying Offences)
• Change of Address
• Refund Policy
• Payment of Fees
• Fingerprints and Palm Prints
• Processing Time
• Renewal of Licences
• Temporary Licences
• Mutual Recognition Based Applications
• Proof of Age and Identity
• Character References
• Overseas Born Applicants (Police Clearance Certificates) 
• Pre-licence Tests
• Training

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct, implemented under Regulation 54A(5) of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations (gazetted on 24 December 2010) is now enforceable commencing 3 January 2011 and any breach is actionable under 67(1a)(d) of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.

All new security applicants are required to endorse a copy of the Code of Conduct acknowledging the content.

Existing licence holders will be required to endorse a copy of the Code of Conduct at the time of their renewal.

A copy of the signed document is to be retained at Licensing Services (Security). No faxes will be accepted. Alternatively, you can email to SecurityLicensing@police.wa.gov.au a scanned signed copy.

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Baton and Firearm Endorsements

Security Officers may be approved to carry firearms or batons only when endorsed to do so.

Without a specific licence endorsement, no weapons are to be carried by a Security Officer while he or she is performing licensed activities.

Security Officers may not carry any other weapon at any other time.

Endorsement/Permit Applications:

Section 24 Firearm Endorsement

Section 24 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for a security officer's licence to be endorsed for carriage of a firearm while escorting money or articles of value, or for standing guard at an automatic teller machine while it is malfunctioning or is being repaired or serviced.

Section 25 Firearm Permit

Section 25 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for the issue of a permit to a security officer authorising that officer to be in possession of a firearm for a specified period at a specified place while guarding or protecting articles of value other than during an escort.

Section 25 Firearm Applications

Section 25 of the Security & Related Activities (Control) Act allows for the Licensing Officer to issue a permit for an armed Security Officer to conduct armed static guard duties. This is opposed to armed security officers conducting escorts in accordance with Section 24 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.

Section 26 Baton Endorsement

Section 26 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for a Security Officer's Licence to be endorsed to permit the carriage of a baton while engaged in activities authorised by the licence.

Criminal Convictions or Findings of Guilt/Disqualifying Offences

A "disqualifying offence" is a finding of guilt for a prescribed offence which prohibits a person from holding any security related licence for a defined period (prohibited person).

Disqualifying offences include (but are not limited to) offences involving:

• Assault or violence
• Theft or dishonesty
• Drugs
• Prohibited or controlled weapons

Individuals with a criminal conviction (whether spent or not) or finding of guilt recorded against them since 1996 may be ineligible to work in the security industry in Western Australia.

Before enrolling in a security course with a registered training organisation, you may wish to contact Licensing Services (Security) to ascertain whether you are eligible to be issued with a licence to work in the security industry.

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Change of Address

Under Section 77 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996, where a licence holder changes his/her place of residence, the licence holder must give to the Commissioner written notice of the address of the new place of residence not later than 14 days after the change occurs. To notify the Commissioner, email SecurityLicensing@police.wa.gov.au with full name, date of birth, licence number, old address and new address.

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Refund Policy

There is no refund if your renewal or new application is refused, withdrawn or not proceeded with.

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Payment of Fees

Licensing Services (Security) accept cash, cheques, money orders, EFTPOS and credit card payments. Cheques and money orders are to be made payable to The Commissioner of Police.

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Fingerprints and Palm Prints

In compliance with Section 48 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996, if a following person has not previously had his/her fingerprints and palm prints taken, or if such prints previously taken under this section have been destroyed at the person's election, he/she is to attend at a place and there, have his/her fingerprints and palm prints taken by a member of the police force or an officer of the department:

• A person who has applied for a licence; or
• A person who has applied for:
  
  
  • the renewal of a licence
  • a permit under Section 25 (Firearm Permit)
  • an endorsement under Section 24 or 26 (Firearm and Baton Endorsement)

Refusal to provide fingerprints renders you ineligible to hold a licence in the security industry in Western Australia.

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Processing Time for Applications/Renewals

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Renewal of Licences

A renewal notice will be sent out to license holders 56 days prior to expiry date of the licence. Please advise Licensing Services (Security) of any change of address to ensure you receive your renewal form. It is however, the responsibility of the license holder to ensure his/her licence is renewed. Applications for the renewal of a licence are to be made at Licensing Services (Security) no later than 28 days before the day on which the licence is due to expire.

To apply for renewal of a licence:

1. Complete the Application to Renew a Licence form - Online services.
2. You will need to provide the following supporting documents:

• Four (4) passport size photographs (head and shoulders only on white background)
• Current first aid certificate (Security Officer, Crowd Controller and Security Bodyguard only)
• Current letter from accountant (Agents only)
• Code of Conduct: If you have not previously endorsed the Code of Conduct, you are now required under Regulation 54A(5) of the Regulations to endorse a copy acknowledging the content and your understanding of the Code of Practice. (Refer to Code of Conduct).
• Renewal fees

3. Fingerprints: If you have not previously provided your fingerprints to Licensing Services (Security), you are now required under Section 48 of the Act to supply your fingerprints. Refusal to provide fingerprints renders you ineligible to hold a licence in the security industry in Western Australia. Please note a fee applies to have your fingerprints taken. Fingerprints can be taken at Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington or for residents outside 50km of the General Post Office at Perth, at the nearest police station.
4. Renewals can also be made via post unless you are required to have your fingerprints taken.

5. If applying in person, take your application and supporting documents to Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington or for applicants residing outside 50km of the General Post Office in Perth, your nearest police station.
6. Pay the licence application fee. Do not send cash through the post. Cheques should be made payable to The Commissioner of Police.

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Temporary Licences

A person who ordinarily resides in another State or Territory may apply, in accordance with Section 46, for a temporary licence to carry out work in Western Australia in the following capacity:

• crowd controller
• investigator
• security bodyguard
• security consultant
• security officer
• security installer
• agent (security, crowd controller, inquiry).

A temporary licence is for the holder of an equivalent current licence in another Australian jurisdiction and is only issued for a specific event or function.

A temporary licence is to be granted for such period of time of not more than one year as is specified in the licence and is not renewable.

Temporary licences requiring a baton or firearm endorsement must provide the documentation applicable for the endorsement being applied for listed in Endorsement/Permits applications section of the website.

Please note: Temporary licences for Agent Licences

• Holders of Agent Licences are not permitted to perform the duties of the other licence classes. Agent Licence holders are only permitted to supply the services of holders of other licences.
• Agents have obligations placed on them by the Act to maintain particular records and communicate information to the Commissioner of Police.
• Letter from agent stating the purpose for requiring a temporary Agent Licence in WA.

To apply for a temporary licence:

1. Complete the Application for a Temporary Licence – Security Activities form and if applicable, the Firearms and Batons Endorsement Application form.
2. You will need to provide the following supporting documents:
   
   
   • Four (4) passport size photographs (head and shoulders only on white background)
   • Current State or Territory's security licence and identification card
   • (Firearm Endorsement) If applicable, documents to support that the applicant has a current firearm endorsement and that their training is current
   • Proof of photographic identification (e.g. current Motor Drivers Licence or passport)
   • Letter of Intent from the proposed Western Australian agent outlining they have offered employment to the applicant provided the licence is granted, the period for which the licence is required and the time and occasion of the specific event or function in respect to what the licence is required.
   • If an endorsement is required, the documentation for the endorsement being applied for listed in Endorsement/Permits applications section of the website.
   • Code of Conduct (signed and dated). This document can be downloaded from our website.

   All above forms are to be completed and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or a police officer.

3. Application for this type of licence and supporting documents can only be lodged and processed at Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington.
   
4. Pay the licence application fee.

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Mutual Recognition Based Applications

Individuals who hold any of the following current licences in another Australian State/Territory or New Zealand can apply for the equivalent licence in Western Australia under mutual recognition basis:

• crowd controller
• investigator
• security bodyguard
• security consultant
• security officer
• security installer

Please Note: that probationary (provisional) licences and agent licences are not eligible for mutual recognition in Western Australia.

All applications submitted under mutual recognition basis must be lodged personally at Licensing Services (Security), Ground Floor, 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington between the hours of 9am and 12pm only, Monday to Friday. Click here for application forms

To apply for a licence under mutual recognition basis:

1. Complete the LSS51 Application for a Licence form and if applicable, the Firearms and Batons Endorsement Application form. Sign the LSS51 Application for a Licence form at the Licensing Services (Security) front counter. The Licensing Support Officer (LSO) will witness your signature.
2. The LSO will provide, and you will have to complete and sign a statutory declaration form.
3. The LSO will provide, and you will have to read and endorse a Code of Conduct document.
4. You will need to advise the LSO the name of the Registered Training Organisation where you had obtained your certificate.
5. You will need to provide the following supporting documents:
   
   • Four (4) passport size photographs (head and shoulders only on white background)
   • Current State/Territory or New Zealand security licence/s and identification card/s (original and copy).
   • Current First Aid Certificate (Security Officer / Security Bodyguard / Crowd controller only)
   • Proof of photographic identification (original and copy): birth certificate or passport (must not be expired for more than 2 years) AND drivers licence with photograph
   • New Zealand Police Clearance certificate from applications for mutual recognition of New Zealand security licences
6. Additional supporting documents for Firearm/Baton endorsements:
   
   • You will need provide the documentation applicable for the endorsement being applied for listed in Endorsement/Permits applications section of the website.
7. Pay the licence application fee.

An interim (3 month period) WA equivalent security licence/s will be issued on the same day of your application. Once your originating state/territory has confirmed the validity of your current licence, your full 1 or 3 year licence will be posted to you.

Please note: your interstate licence must be valid for at least 1 month from the date you submit your application at Licensing Services.

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Proof of Age and Identity

To work as a security officer, security bodyguard, crowd controller or agent in Western Australia, you must be 18 years of age or older. All licence applications require the applicant to produce sufficient identification.

Section 47 (1)(a) of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act states that an application for the issue of a licence is to consist of the original or a certified copy of:

• two documents referred to in items 1 to 6 in Category 1; or
• one document referred to in items 1 to 6 (Category 1) AND two documents referred to in items 7 to 10 (Category 2).

Category 1

1. A current motor driver's licence bearing the name, date of birth and photograph of the applicant that has been issued in Australia.
2. A current passport or a passport that has not been expired for more than 2 years, bearing the name, date of birth and photograph of the applicant.
3. A proof of age card bearing the name, date of birth and photograph of the applicant that has been issued under the Liquor Control Regulations 1989 regulation 18B.
4. An identification card (other than a card referred to in item 3) bearing the name, date of birth and photograph of the applicant that has been issued by an agency of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory to provide evidence of the person's name and age.
5. A birth certificate bearing the name and date of birth of the applicant.
6. A diplomatic document bearing the name, date of birth and a photograph of the applicant that has been issued by a government agency to provide evidence of the person's legal entitlement to enter Australia.

Category 2

7. A current licence (other than a motor driver's licence) or current permit bearing the name of the applicant that has been issued under a law of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory.
8. A current identity card or licence (including motor driver's licence) bearing the name and date of birth of the applicant that has been issued by a government agency outside Australia.
9. An identification card bearing the name of the applicant that has been issued by an agency of the Commonwealth or a State or Territory to provide evidence of the person's entitlement to a health benefit or pensioner concession.
10. An identification card bearing the name of the applicant that has been issued within the last 5 years by an Australian Educational Institution.

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Character References

Section 47 (1)(c) states that an application for the issue of a licence, other than a temporary licence or a mutual recognition based licence application, is to be accompanied by testimonials as to the applicant's character from 2 different people. 

References must be completed on the Character Suitability Reference Form which can be found at the following link: Character Suitability Reference form.

Please note:

• Character references CANNOT be from a current serving police officer or a family member by birth or marriage (includes defacto/partner).
• The referee must personally know the applicant for the whole of the 5 year period before the date of the licence application.
• The reference are to be completed in the referees own handwriting.
• The reference cannot be dated more than 2 years from the date of the licence application.
• The reference needs to be about your character, not your work history. The referee must have knowledge of the applicant's character. In the character reference, the referee must explain how he/she knows the applicant, the nature of their relationship (eg but not limited to: personal, professional, family connections) and how that enables the referee to attest to the applicant's suitability to hold a private security licence in Western Australia. Bear in mind that electronic knowledge such as email and chat rooms on the internet is not sufficient knowledge.
• The referee is accountable for what is written. Contact details (address and phone numbers) must be supplied and the character reference dated and signed. You are likely to be contacted by police to verify your statements.
• Without all original documentation, the application will not be accepted and processed.

Please Note: If you sign a character reference, you may be called upon to stand by this statement in an Australian Court and you may be prosecuted if you provide any false or misleading information.

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Applicants Who Were Born Overseas

If you have not been a resident of Australia for the last 5 years, or if you are an Australian resident and you have spent more than 12 consecutive months outside of Australia in the past 5 years prior to lodging your application, you must supply a national Police Clearance Certificate or its equivalent from your country of origin or the countries you have resided in to prove you have no criminal record.

Police Clearance Certificates are only accepted if it is dated after your arrival in Australia or no more than 3 months before your arrival in Australia.

Note that Police Clearance Certificates issued at a village or town or by the District Superintendent are unacceptable as they do not cover the whole of the country. Police Clearance certificates issued through the High Commissions, Consulates or Embassies will be accepted.

For information on Consulates in Perth, click the following link: Consulates - Google Search

Pre-Licence Tests

Applicants for the following licence types must successfully pass a pre-licence test before submitting their licence application. These tests are completed at the Cannington Licensing Office for metropolitan applicants (with the exception of the Security Officer and Crowd Controller test which is completed at the Security Agents Institute of WA - see below) OR the nearest police station for applicants who reside more than 50km from the Perth GPO.

• Agent Licences (Security, Crowd Control, Inquiry)
• Security Consultant Licence
• Security Installer Licence
• Security Officer and Crowd Controller Licence

Agent Licence

Applicants for the following Agent licences must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the obligations placed on them by the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996 and the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations 1997 by successfully completing a pre-licence test based upon the Act and Regulations.

There are three separate pre-licence tests depending on what services your business will be offering:

• Security Agent - offering the services of Security Officers, Security Monitoring Officers, Security Bodyguards, Security Installers and Security Consultants
• Crowd Control Agent - offering the services of Crowd Controllers
• Inquiry Agent - offering the services of Investigators

These tests cover all aspects of the Agent’s responsibilities under the Act and Regulations including records maintenance, licence conditions and required reporting, have 20 questions with multiple choice answers and are open book (you may access the Act and Regulations whilst completing the test). A pass mark of 90% is required. Please note: we do NOT provide copies of the Act or Regulations for use during the test.

Security Consultant Licence - Class 3 Security Doors

Applicants for a Class 3 Security Consultant’s licence must complete a pre-licence test if they wish to, for remuneration, investigate or advise of matters relating to security doors. The test is based on AS5040 and has 30 questions with multiple choice answers. It is closed book and a pass mark of 80% is required.

Security Installer Licence - Class 3 Security Doors

Applicants for a Class 3 Security Installer’s licence must complete a pre-licence test if they wish to install, maintain and repair security doors. The test is based on AS5040 and has 30 questions with multiple choice answers. It is closed book and a pass mark of 80% is required.

Security Officer and Crowd Controller Licence

People applying for Security Officer and Crowd Controller licence must have completed a competency test prior to submitting their application for a licence. Please see the Security Agents Institute of WA website for details.

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Training

Training course qualifications for new applications 

Investigators

CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services training certificates.

Security Officer – Cash in Transit

CPP31318 Certificate III in Security Operations certificates.

Security Consultant Class 4

CPP41519 Certificate IV in Security Risk Analysis training certificates.

Security Bodyguard

CPP31418 Certificate III in Close Protection Operations certificates.

Security Officer and Crowd Controller

CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations certificates.

View the core and elective training units required for security licence classes (see document entitled Core & Elective Units required for Security Licence Classes Current as at 31 January 2022

Applicants for the following licences must complete an approved training course with an approved training provider prior to lodging an application:

• Security Officer

• Security Officer - Cash in Transit

• Security Officer - Guarding with a Dog

• Security Bodyguard

• Crowd Controller

• Investigator

• Security Installer and Consultant Class 2

• Security Consultant Class 4 - advising on watching guarding and protections of property.

If the training provider is not listed as approved your training qualifications might not be accepted.

Technical Security Training Course - Training Providers                               

Technical Security Training Course – Modules

The course undertaken must contain the following competencies as a minimum:

Stream One:

• CPPSEC2021 Install security equipment and systems
• CPPSEC2023 Install CCTV equipment and systems
• CPPSEC2026 Perform routine maintenance on security equipment and system

If a unit is replaced in future, the equivalent unit will be recognised.

OR

Stream Two:

 Until 31 December 2023, Licensing Services (Security) will accept either:

Stream Two Option (1) - training certificates dated before 1 February 2023 that include the following competencies as a minimum:

• UEENEEE101A Apply occupational health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
• UEENEEE102A Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components
• UEENEEE105A Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment
• UEENEEE107A Use drawings, schedules, standards, codes and specifications
• UEENEEH150A Assemble and set up basic security systems

OR

Stream Two Option (2) - training certificates that include the following competencies as a minimum:

• UEECD0007 Apply occupational health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
• UEECD0019 Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components
• UEECD0020 Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment
• UEECD0051 Use drawings, schedules, standards, codes and specifications
• UEEEC0003 Assemble and set up basic security systems

From 1 January 2024, for Stream Two, only Option (2) training certificates will be accepted for new licence applications.

If a unit is replaced in future, the equivalent unit will be recognised.

If you have any criminal convictions, you should contact Licensing Services (Security and Probity) on 1300 171 011 before enrolling in a security course, to ascertain if you are eligible to be issued with a licence to work within the security industry. 

Download Core & Elective Training Units

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