Security Industry

The performance of security activities in New South Wales is governed by the Security Industry Act 1997 and Security Industry Regulation 2007. These laws, which came into effect in July 1998, have been designed with the clear intention of providing the community of New South Wales with confidence in a professional security industry where competency through training, integrity and accountability are provided and maintained to a high standard.

All Security Industry licenses are issued by the Security Industry Registry.

For further information on obtaining security industry licenses refer to:

• The Security Industry Website

What do I need to operate a Security Business?

To operate as a security business you must hold a Master Security Licence issued under the provisions of the Security Industry Act 1997. To allow the acquisition of firearms for use by armed security guards employed by the business, the Master business licence holder must make application for a business firearms licence.

Before approval is given to a security firm to use firearms in connection with their business the Commissioner of Police must be satisfied that a genuine reason exists for the possession and use of those firearms.

Security firms are required to provide sufficient documentation to allow an assessment to be made as to the number of firearms actually needed and to authorise the activities for which these number of firearms can be used.

FORM P559 (sample) - Application for a Business, Club or Government Agency Firearms Licence (PDF, 0.3MB)
FORM P666 (sample) - Genuine Reason - Business or Employment Security Industry (PDF, 0.3MB)
FACT Sheet - Instructions for completing a P559 Application form (PDF, 264KB)
FACT Sheet - Assessment Package Genuine Reason For Category H Business Licences (PDF, 265KB)
FACT Sheet - Security Industry Genuine Reason - Security Business (PDF, 268KB)
FACT Sheet - Safe Storage Security Firms - One firearm (PDF, 259KB)
FACT Sheet - Safe Storage Security Firms - 2 - 5 firearms (PDF, 242KB)
FACT Sheet - Safe Storage Security Firms - 6 - 15 firearms (PDF, 242KB)
FACT Sheet - Safe Storage Security Firms - Over 15 firearms (PDF, 245KB)
FACT Sheet - Security Firm Employee Permit (PDF, 273KB)

What do I need if I want to be an armed Security Guard?

In order to work as an armed security guard you must hold a 1F or a P1F licence issued under the Security Industry Act 1997 to allow you to carry out prescribed activities as a security guard. You must then make application for a firearms licence to work as an armed security guard.

FACT Sheet - Information on obtaining a firearms licence in NSW (PDF, 263KB)
FORM P561 (sample) - Application for a personal Firearms Licence (PDF, 0.3MB)
FORM P666 (sample) - Genuine Reason - Business or Employment Security Industry (PDF, 0.3MB)
FACT Sheet - Instructions for completing a P561 Application (PDF, 193KB)
FACT Sheet - Security Industry Genuine Reason - Security Guard (PDF, 267KB)

To apply for a business or security guard licence, call the Firearms Registry on 1300 362 562. Your details will be taken over the phone and your application and genuine reason form will be posted to you.