If you’re applying for a Class 2A, 2D or 2E licence, there are specific training and experience requirements you need to meet before you apply.

Visit training.gov.au to find more information about the required courses for 2A, 2D and 2E licences and the Registered Training Organisations where you can complete your training.

You don’t need to provide our office with evidence of having completed formal training if you want to apply for a Class 2B or 2C licence, however you will be expected to have the necessary skills and relevant qualifications to enable you to carry your work safely and in accordance with other relevant industry guidelines.

Class 2A:

To qualify for a Class 2A licence you must have at least five years of relevant security industry experience (see more information below), as well as:

  • CPP41519 Certificate IV in Security Risk Analysis including the units of competency:
    • Core units:
      • CPPSEC4003 Assess and advise on client security needs
      • CPPSEC4006 Conduct security risk assessment of client operations
      • CPPSEC4007 Identify security threats and assess impact on client operations
      • CPPSEC4012 Assess security vulnerabilities of assets
      • CPPSEC4022 Establish and implement ethics and governance arrangements for security businesses
    • Group A elective:
      • CPPSEC4020 Advise on advanced technology security systems to meet client needs
    • Group B electives:
      • CPPSEC4024 Assess security of crowded places
      • CPPSEC4025 Advise on operational requirements to maintain crowded place security
      • PSPSEC0015 Communicate security awareness
    • Group D elective:
      • CPPSEC5004 Develop security risk management plans
    • From external training package:
      • CPPSEC5003 Assess security risk management options
    • PLUS one elective subject of your choice.

Class 2A experience requirements

You need to demonstrate to the Commissioner of Police's satisfaction that you have:

  • Held a Class 1 and/or a Class 2 security licence continuously for a total period of at least five years, or
  • Been recorded as a nominated person for one or more Master security licensees continuously for a total period of at least five years, or
  • Been employed by one or more Master security licensees to manage the carrying on of security activities continuously for a total period of at least five years, or
  • Carried on the activities authorised by a Class 2A licence in another jurisdiction, or as an exempt person, for a total period of at least five years.

Note: relevant experience is deemed to be continuous if not broken by any period in excess of 12 months, including the period immediately prior to the application for the Class 2A licence.

You must submit evidence that you satisfy these experience requirements with your licence application.

Class 2D:

To qualify for a Class 2D licence you must have at least three years of relevant security industry experience, as well as hold, at a minimum, one of the following vocational training and assessment qualifications (or their successors):

  • TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
  • TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
  • TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment plus the following units:
    • TAELLN411 or TAELLN401A and
    • TAEASS501 or TAEASS502A or
    • TAEASS502B
  • Diploma or higher-level qualification in adult education

You must also provide an employment statement from your current and/or previous employers as evidence of your security industry experience.

Class 2E:

To qualify for a Class 2E licence you must have completed CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services.

A total of 16 units are required - the 5 core units and 11 electives. With your elective units, you must complete:

  • All 8 units in Group A plus 3 units from any other group not already selected, OR
  • All 7 units in Group B plus 4 units from any other group not already selected
  • Up to 1 unit may be selected from any training package as long as it contributes to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome and maintains the Australian Qualifications Framework for this course.

CPP30607 has now been superseded and is no longer accepted.

Individuals who were licensed for private inquiry agent activities under the repealed Commercial Agents and Private Inquiry Agents (CAPI) Act 2004 and transitioned to the Security Industry Act 1997 are not required to redo their training. These licensees only need to provide SLED with evidence that they completed the required qualification that was applicable at the time they were first licensed.

For a list of RTOs offering Private Investigator training, and detailed information about the course structure, refer to www.training.gov.au and search by either the qualification name or code.

Please note: The probationary licence pathway that was part of the CAPI licensing scheme no longer exists for private investigators. New applicants will be required to provide their qualifications within 42 days of making their security licence application.