Security Guard Licensing in Queensland: What to Check Before You Hire

Every security guard working in Queensland must be licensed, and so must the company that supplies them. Most clients know that. Far fewer know what the licences actually cover, how to check them, or what to ask a provider before the first shift. This guide explains it in plain English, so you can hire with confidence.

The information below is based on Queensland's Security Providers Act 1993 and the Queensland Government's published licensing guidance. Rules change from time to time, so we have listed the official sources at the end of the article — always check them for the latest requirements.

Who regulates security in Queensland?

Security providers in Queensland are regulated under the Security Providers Act 1993, and licences are issued through the Office of Fair Trading. The Act covers a range of security functions, including security officers, crowd controllers, bodyguards, private investigators, security advisers and security equipment installers. Anyone carrying out one of those functions for reward needs the matching licence — and only individuals can hold the individual licences.

The licences that matter when you hire guards

When you hire security for a site, venue or event, the people who turn up will usually hold one of these individual licences:

• Security officer (unarmed) — the licence for guarding property and people: static guards, patrol officers, concierge and corporate security.
• Crowd controller — required for controlling or screening people at licensed venues, events and public places. If your venue serves alcohol, door staff must hold this licence. See our crowd control service.
• Bodyguard — required for close personal protection of an individual. See personal protection.
• Cash-in-transit officer — a separate class for officers who transport cash and valuables. See cash-in-transit.

The key point: the licence must match the job. A guard with a security officer licence cannot simply be put on the door of a licensed venue as a crowd controller. Ask which licence each officer holds, not just whether they are "licensed".

What it takes to get licensed

Applicants for an individual security licence in Queensland must be at least 18, prove their identity, have their fingerprints taken by police and pass a criminal history check. They also need to complete the required training through a registered training organisation:

• Unarmed security officers and crowd controllers must complete all units of the Certificate II in Security Operations (CPP20218). The official list includes 14 modules, among them first aid and units on managing conflict and crowd behaviour.
• Bodyguards must complete the required core and elective units from the Certificate III in Close Protection Operations (CPP31418).

Older course codes are no longer accepted for new applications, which is why it is worth asking when an officer's qualification was completed.

Restricted licences

Queensland also offers a restricted licence that lets a new entrant work while completing training, but only under the supervision of a fully licensed security provider. It lasts six months and cannot be extended. Restricted licence holders are a normal part of the industry, but you should know if one is being placed on your site and who is supervising them.

Licences don't stand still: refresher training

For crowd controllers and bodyguards, a licence is not a one-off. Queensland requires them to repeat key units every three years — conflict management (CPPSEC3101), empty-hand control (CPPSEC3121) and first aid (HLTAID011 or HLTAID014) — and their CPR training (HLTAID009) must be refreshed every 12 months. A good provider tracks these dates for every officer and will not roster someone whose refreshers have lapsed.

The company needs a licence too

A business that supplies security officers, crowd controllers or bodyguards must hold a security firm licence. To be granted one, a firm must be a current member of an approved security industry association, and its officers or partners are assessed for suitability — including fingerprinting and checks for disqualifying convictions. This is your protection against fly-by-night operators: a properly licensed firm has been vetted, and so have the people running it.

What about alarms, CCTV and security advice?

Licensing doesn't stop at guards. In Queensland, people who install security equipment such as alarms and CCTV need a security equipment installer licence, and people who give paid security advice need a security adviser licence. If a security company offers to install cameras or alarms on your site, or to write a formal security assessment, ask which licences cover that work — and whether it is done in-house or by a subcontractor.

What to check before you hire: a practical checklist

1. The firm's licence. Ask for the company's security firm licence number and confirm it is current.
2. Individual licence numbers. Ask for the licence numbers of the officers who will work your site, and check the class matches the job — crowd controller for licensed venues, bodyguard for close protection.
3. Verify it yourself. Use the Queensland Government's online "check a licence" service to confirm licences are current. It takes a couple of minutes.
4. Training currency. For crowd controllers and bodyguards, ask about refresher training and CPR dates.
5. Insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance and confirm workers' compensation is in place.
6. Who actually turns up. Ask whether the provider subcontracts shifts — and if so, how those officers are vetted and supervised.
7. Supervision and reporting. Ask who supervises officers overnight, whether there is a 24/7 control room, and what incident reports you will receive.

Questions to copy into your request for quote

If you are collecting quotes from several providers, put these questions in writing and compare the answers side by side:

• What is your security firm licence number, and which approved industry association are you a member of?
• Which licence class will each officer on my site hold?
• Will any shifts be subcontracted? If so, to whom?
• Can you provide a current certificate of currency for public liability insurance?
• Who supervises officers after hours, and how do I reach them?
• What will your incident reports include, and how quickly will I receive them?

Red flags to watch for

• Reluctance to give licence numbers or a certificate of currency.
• Rates far below the market, which can signal cash-in-hand work, unlicensed staff or no insurance.
• No written quote, site instructions or incident reporting.
• The same "guard" being sent to very different roles without the matching licence.
• No way to contact anyone after hours.

Why this matters to you

An unlicensed or wrongly licensed guard is not just a compliance problem for the security company. For a licensed venue, it can put the liquor licence at risk. For a builder or property manager, it can complicate insurance claims after an incident. And for everyone, it raises the chance that a difficult situation is handled badly — the very thing you were paying security to prevent.

How Strategic Security does it

Every officer we roster is licensed for the work they perform and police-checked, and we provide licence details and a certificate of currency before work starts. Officers are briefed on your site, supervised by a 24/7 control room in Morayfield, and complete written reports after incidents. We have been a preferred Queensland Government supplier since 2007, and our directors bring more than 40 years of operational experience — including ex-police and ex-military backgrounds.

Whether you need licensed crowd controllers in Fortitude Valley, retail security guards in Brisbane or patrols on the Gold Coast, call 1300 792 800 or request a quote below — and feel free to check our licences first.

Written by the Strategic Security operations teamA family-owned Queensland security company led by directors with 40+ years' operational experience, including ex-police and ex-military backgrounds. Every officer is licensed under the Security Providers Act 1993 (Qld). Published 30 October 2026. About our team

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