The Security Guard Licence Process in QLD
So, you’ve done your security guard course and now you need to start the process of applying for your security guard licence in QLD.
At ASSET, we get lots of questions about the security guard licence process even before they decide to enrol in a security course. Licensing processes can be quite daunt if you don’t know what is involved. The licensing process also changes from state to state. As with any licence process, there are official steps and channels you’ll need to go through.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about the process for getting your security guard licence in Queensland.
Where do you go to get your security guard licence?
Once you complete the Certificate II in Security Operations, you’ll receive your qualifications and only then can you start the process to get your security guard licence.
This means applying for a Security Provider Licence to the Office of Fair Trading. The Office of Fair Trading is the government body that is in charge of the security licensing process in Queensland.
Which form do you need to fill in?
The form you’ll need to fill in to apply for your unarmed security officer licence is the Application for Security Provider Licence Class 1 . The Security Provider Licence Class 1 is the licence you’ll need to work as an in-house security officer, a loss prevention officer or a security gate officer. The functions include unarmed security, crowd control and monitoring.
If you are working as an armed security officer or with a guard dog, you’ll need a separate licence also.
What do you need to make the application?
In order to apply for your unarmed security guard licence, you’ll need a few things:
- Copies of your certificates for your security training and your first aid training
- Identification documents
- Passport size photos
- To meet the eligibility requirements
What are the eligibility requirements?
To able to apply for the Security Provider Licence Class 1 you’ll need to be 18 years or older and to have completed the required training courses. This includes the Certificate II in Security Operations and the First Aid course.
You’ll also need to ‘not pose a risk to public safety’. This basically means you’ll need to have not been convicted of a disqualifying offence in the past ten years where a conviction was recorded.
What could disqualify you from applying for the license?
There are some things that could disqualify you from applying for a security guard licence in Queensland. You’ll be automatically disqualified if you have been convicted of any of these crimes in the past 10 years:
- Any crime set out in the schedule 1 of the criminal code 1899 including but not limited to; murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, assault, stealing, fraud, theft, armed robbery, dangerous driving, consorting.
- Any weapons offence punishable by 1 years’ imprisonment or more such as; possessing certain firearms without a license, dangerous conduct with weapons or failure to adequately store weapons.
- Any drug offence punishable by 1 years’ imprisonment or more for example; possessing a dangerous drug and producing or supplying dangerous drugs.
- Certain police administration offences such as; impersonating a police officer or possessing police property.
- A prescribed offence listed in the Penalties and Sentences Act of 1992 including; riot, robbery or extortion, or organised crime.
- Terrorism.
Office of Fair trading also take into account offences or conduct that might not automatically disqualify you but could affect your licence approval such as associating with criminals or using dishonest or harassing tactics. This is why answering the question for students about whether they are eligible for a licence prior to application can be difficult. It is up to the Office of Fair Trading when they receive your application.
You can learn more about your eligibility requirements here.
What do you need to lodge the forms?
When you lodge the paperwork for your unarmed security guard licence you will need 100 points of formal identification. These will need to be either original documents (if lodging your application in person) or certified copies if you are posting your application. We recommend that you lodge your licence in person.
You’ll need to include at least one of the following:
- Birth certificate or Extract
- Passport
- ImmiCard
- Driver’s License
- Photo identification card
What does it cost to lodge your license?
The cost for lodging your licence application depends on what you select on your form.
There are two options – unrestricted single function and unrestricted multiple function. The price of lodging your forms will vary depending on your selection and is subject to change. For anyone who completes courses at Asset College, you will be able to apply for an unrestricted licence with multiple functions.
You also have to pay a fee for the mandatory criminal history check of $39.55 and the mandatory fingerprinting fee of $100.00 (as at 30th September, 2021). There is no point in doing a criminal history check prior to lodging your licence unless there is something you are worried about that you need to check. Office of Fair Trading will always run another criminal history check.
How long does it take?
Once you lodge your forms, Office of Fair Trading will process them and contact you to set up your fingerprinting appointment and after your criminal history check has been completed. You can’t get your fingerprints done anywhere so make sure that you look at the documentation provided to you by Office of Fair Trading to confirm the police stations where fingerprinting can be carried out.
The whole process can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months depending on how backed up the Office of Fair Trading is with applications and how complicated your criminal history check is, for example, if you’re not an Australian citizen it could take longer. Anybody who is a New Zealand citizen should gain a copy of your criminal history from New Zealand as soon as possible as this will be requested in your licence application.
What next?
Once you receive your security guard licence, you’ll be keen to get out there and get some experience in the industry!
At ASSET, we offer complimentary pre-employment screening sessions, where you can get advice on how to write a security guard resume, and our best tips for acing the interview process.
Once you’ve done our pre-screening you also go on the list to hear about employer connections events such as group interviews and networking events.
If you’d like to know more about an exciting career in security or if you’ve finished your course and would like some help with the next steps, contact us today to have a chat.