Security Training

Pre-training Criminal Record Check

Commencing 1 January 2009 it is no longer required that a criminal record clearance be obtained before an applicant can be trained for entry to the security industry. Instead, security training candidates will now self-assess their eligibility to hold a security licence.

Applicants must select an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) which will provide all prospective students with a copy of the Security Industry Registry's Fact Sheet 6 - Grounds for Refusing or Revoking a Provisional, Class 1 or Class 2 Licence, then have them complete form P1016 - Acknowledgement of Grounds for the Refusal of Security Licences, before the commencement of training.

A copy of all completed P1016 forms will remain attached to student's files maintained by the RTO and are not sent to SIR. Accordingly, all enquiries relating to completed forms should be directed to the appropriate RTO.

As a result of the above change, training can commence as soon as a completed P1016 form is lodged with an RTO. Applicants should, however, contact their selected RTO and discuss particular administrative requirements with regard to individual circumstances. 

Training Requirements

New Training Requirements - Class 1 Licences

On 1 February 2006 the Commissioner of Police approved new training requirements for security licensing in New South Wales. The new training introduces qualifications from the PRS03 Asset Security Training Package. These qualifications have been applied by every State and Territory in Australia and are intended to provide for a nationally consistent approach to industry training.

The current levels of competency have been designed to ensure new entrants to the security industry are provided with the requisite knowledge to enable them to find a job in the industry. During the first 12 months, after gaining a security job, new entrants will receive additional training and will be assessed on and off the job, by an approved Registered Training Organisation, to ensure they are competent. The changes will also ensure that people currently working in the industry continue to develop the skills they need to properly and safely engage in the security activities they have been licensed to perform.

Overall the introduction of these changes will have a positive impact on the security industry by providing employers with a more competent workforce capable of meeting the challenge of providing contemporary private security services.

A fundamental change under the new arrangements is that security operatives will only need to be trained for the security duties they actually perform.

For example, if you are engaged in unarmed static guarding or patrolling you will only need to be trained for this activity. If you are an armed guard or a crowd/venue controller, then you will need to be trained in the skills you need to carry out those functions. Equally, you will only be allowed to keep a category of licence if you are actively engaged in those duties and can demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills for those activities.

The new training requirements are aligned to the Security Industry Act 1997 and the Security Industry Regulation 2007 that was introduced in September 2007.

New entrants:

If you wish to enter the security industry you will need to successfully complete a knowledge-based course with an approved Registered Training Organisation before you are eligible to obtain a licence under the Security Industry Act 1997. There are a number of career pathways available and you will need to consider the sector or sectors of the industry in which you wish to work.

Each licensable activity has a unique set of skills and training has been tailored to meet the needs of each activity. Pre-Licensing training can only be conducted by an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Selected TAFE Colleges also run the courses. Each course is based on a set curriculum and must be run over a set number of hours.  The following table sets out the pre-licensing courses and the nominal hours required for each.

Since the new legislation has been introduced, completion of a pre-training course will only entitle a person to hold a provisional licence. This means that you will work under supervision until you have attained your full qualification. 

Security training focuses heavily on workplace assessment and has been designed to satisfy the Commissioner that licence applicants have been properly assessed and can be relied upon to carry out security duties safely.