What Does Security Guard Training Involve In Australia?

Effective security guards require more than just a walkie talkie and a set of keys to do their job well. To adhere to industry standards, professional security guards are actually required to undergo different types of security guard training, with the training requirements varying based on the industries that guards are looking to work within, as well as whether guards are expected to be armed, unarmed, or use other specialist security equipment on the job. 
Although they’re not all law enforcement officers, all professional security guards should also have a solid understanding of criminal law to be able to effectively identify any illegal activities or suspicious behaviour in the environments that they monitor. This requirement has resulted in the development of specialised courses and certifications to ensure that all security guards maintain a consistent standard in their professional training.
But what does security guard training actually involve, and how does it differ between all the different subcategories of security guards, from armed guards to remote monitoring service providers?
We’ll be answering these questions today by outlining all the foundational and specialist training required to work as a security guard in Australia.

What foundational training is required to work as a security guard?

In Australia, security professionals must be trained and possess qualifications that adhere to security industry standards that are outlined by the Security Industry Act 1997. According to the Security Industry Act 1997, all security guards in Australia must fulfil the following foundational training requirements:

• Completion of security course/s
• Obtainment of either Class 1 or Class 2 security operative licences
• Obtainment of First Aid Certification
• Obtainment of additional specialised certifications (dependent on the nature of the role they’re looking to take on)

Alongside these foundational training requirements, individuals looking to work as certified security guards must also meet health and fitness requirements for their role, as well as language requirements. To be eligible to apply for a security licence in Australia, individuals must also be 18 years of age or older, be an Australian resident or have working rights in Australia, meet language requirements (i.e. complete IELTS/OET testing), and be able to provide 100 points of identification. Both these legal measures and training requirements are in place to ensure that all Australian security guards have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform in their vital roles.

The different types of security guard licence

In Australia, security guards and other security personnel can obtain two different types of licences, these being Class 1 and Class 2 security operative licences. Generally speaking, having one licence may qualify security professionals to perform a variety of related security roles. In other cases, however, specialised roles (like some Class 2 roles) may require their own additional training.
Here’s a breakdown of all the Class 1 and Class 2 security licences available for security personnel in Australia.

Class 1 licences

There are six subclasses that fall under the umbrella of Class 1 security operative licences in Australia. These six subclasses are as follows:

1. 1A Security Officer – typically considered to be the first line of defence, security officers are usually unarmed security personnel who are responsible for monitoring premises, guarding gates and other access points using access control systems, and responding to incidents in accordance with an organisation’s security protocols and industry laws.
2. 1B Bodyguard – these security professionals specialise in personal protective services, typically being employed to protect single individuals during high-risk situations. Although most people may associate bodyguards with high-profile individuals (i.e. politicians, celebrities, etc.), these security professionals are also often employed to protect other individuals in sensitive circumstances (i.e. during high-profile criminal cases, news media stories, etc.).
3. 1C Cash In Transit Guard – being responsible for the secure transportation of money and other high-value goods, cash-in-transit guards are trained to follow highly rigid security procedures to deter theft and reduce the risks of financial loss to their employers and clients.
4. 1D Guard Dog Handler – like security officers but with a K9 unit in tow, guard dog handlers are trained to safely deploy trained security dogs to conduct searches and aid in area patrolling. 
5. 1E Monitoring Centre Operator – also referred to as control room operators, these security personnel are responsible for monitoring integrated security systems like alarms and CCTV systems. 1F monitoring centre operators are typically also expected to possess strong ICT technical skills as well as maintaining a foundational knowledge of Australian security basics.
6. 1F Armed Guard – these security guards are highly trained experts who are authorised to carry firearms in order to fulfil their professional responsibilities. Armed guards are required to handle firearms in accordance with Australian gun laws as well as their employer’s security and safety protocols.

All of these six subclasses of Class 1 security licences are also required to take on the general responsibilities of security guards. These responsibilities include:

• Providing assistance to individuals on-site
• Preventing criminal activities from occurring on-site
• Handling surveillance and security equipment
• Generating and filing incident reports
• Contributing to and participating in risk assessment and mitigation activities
• Facilitating emergency response and crisis management procedures
• Communicating efficiently with emergency services

Class 2 licences

Security personnel who possess Class 1 licences may seek to expand on their career outcomes by obtaining a more specialised Class 2 security operative licence. Typically, procuring a Class 2 licence may allow security personnel to take on more specialised roles that require professionals to maintain dynamic responsibilities. These responsibilities can include security consultancy, selling or installing security equipment and systems, providing security contracts, and even providing security training as an educational industry instructor.
Class 2 licences can also be obtained within five different subcategories. These Class 2 security operative licence subcategories are as follows:

1. 2A Security Consultant – a licence for professionals looking to work in a security advisory role, the 2A Security Consultant will be expected to facilitate security risk assessment and mitigation strategies, as well as recommend methods or technological solutions to their clients.
2. 2B Security Seller – these security specialists are tasked with selling security equipment and other products or negotiating security contracts. Typically, sellers aren’t authorised to install, maintain, repair, or replace the equipment they sell.
3. 2C Security Equipment Specialist –the responsibility of installing, maintaining/servicing, repairing, or replacing security equipment falls to 2C Security Equipment Specialist licence holders. Alongside being well-versed in installing and servicing CCTV systems, alarms, security doors, and other security hardware and infrastructure, security equipment specialists may also be able to provide locksmithing services.
4. 2D Security Trainer – holding a 2D Security Trainer licence will ensure that security specialists are qualified to facilitate training courses and provide assessments to security trainees and students. This licence does not, however, authorise security specialists to provide handgun or firearm training.
5. 2E Private Investigator – arguably the most specialised Class 2 security operative licence, security personnel with 2E Private Investigator qualifications are certified to conduct discrete investigations and surveillance activities on behalf of their clients. Private investigators are also qualified to assist in legal cases as well as any personal cases that may require detective work.

What are the main certifications for security guards in Australia?

Alongside selecting between Class 1 and Class 2 security licences (as well as their respective subclasses), security professionals are also expected to complete specialised certificates to work as fully qualified security guards. These certificates can be as specific as licence subclasses.
The main certifications for security guards in Australia are as follows:

• Certificate II in Security Operations – allows certificate holders to work as unarmed security guards, crowd control specialists, and control room operators in Australia
• Certificate III in Security Operations – can be tailored to specialise in armed guard, cash-in-transit, and guard dog handler roles in Australia
• Certificate II in Transport Security Protection – allows certificate holders to work in customs and border protection for airports and maritime cargo ports in Australia
• Certificate III in Close Protection Systems – allows certificate holders to qualify for a 1B Bodyguard licence and work as a bodyguard in Australia
• Certificate III in Investigative Services – allows certificate holders to qualify for a 2E Private Investigator licence and work as a private investigator in Australia
• Certificate IV in Security Management – allows certificate holders to qualify for application of a private security business licence and establish a security business in Australia

These certifications are only legitimate if they’re delivered by an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and the courses are registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. 
Alongside completing course requirements to gain the necessary certifications, security guards in Australia are also required to all relevant OH&S training courses, attain First Aid certification, and fulfil any necessary re-qualification requirements (i.e. re-qualification for firearms, etc.).
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Qualifications and training requirements for security guards in Australia have been designed in accordance with other internationally recognised standards, including ISO standards and general requirements for armed and unarmed guard staff globally. As a result, undergoing security guard training in Australia may allow security professionals to work internationally, so long as they maintain the correct licensing for their region.