The private security industry encompasses a broad range of activities including security guarding, crowd controllers, investigators, bodyguards, private security trainers, security advisors and equipment installers. The Private Security Act 2004 was enacted to preserve the safety and peace of all Victorians with regards to private security.

Any person undertaking private security activities in the State of Victoria must be the holder of a Private Security Licence or Registration issued by Victoria Police.

The private security industry is regulated by Victoria Police’s Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) who are responsible for:

  • Granting private security licences and registrations, including renewals 
  • Approval of training and trainers 
  • Compliance and enforcement activities

Contact:

Licensing & Regulation Division
Level 4, Tower 3
Victoria Police Centre
637 Flinders Street
Docklands, VIC, 3008

GPO Box 2807
Melbourne, VIC, 3001

Phone: 1300 651 645
Fax: (03) 9247 6485

Eligibility for a Private Security Licence

To ensure the safety of all Victorians, there are minimum standards that all licence applicants are required to meet before they are eligible to perform work within the private security. These requirements are outlined in the relevant form.

To be eligible for a private security licence in the State of Victoria, you must:

  • Be 18 years or over
  • Be a resident of Australia or be the holder of a current visa (with relevant work rights)
  • Be subject to a National Police Check which requires the taking of your fingerprints*
  • Not be a prohibited person
  • Be a fit and proper person. This includes not having any medical condition or history with police that would hinder your employment within the industry
  • Demonstrate competency for working in the security industry by way of completing training relevant to the private security activity or activities you wish to be licensed for
  • Provide 2 written references outlining your suitability for employment within the private security industry

Please see Requirement to be Fingerprinted for further information on fingerprinting for private security licences.

Requirements to be Fingerprinted

From 4 July 2011, new legislation introduces a requirement that all persons in relation to a private security licence application (both individual and business) undergo a National Police Records Check (including National name check and fingerprint records search). This requirement applies to:

New private security licence applications;

Current private security licence holders wishing to renew their licence; and

Certain persons associated with private security business licences (i.e. nominated person, officers of the body corporate including the director(s), secretary, executive officer(s) and any close associates).

All persons that fall into the above category must:

  • Arrange to complete their National Police Records Check (including National Name Check and fingerprint records search) prior to lodging their application; and
  • Attach an original copy of the National Police Records Check Certificate to your application and submit your completed application to the Licensing & Regulation Division. In the case of an application for a private security business licence, Certificates must be supplied for each person associated with that business licence.

For information pertaining to the process, locations and cost of taking your fingerprints go to www.police.vic.gov.au/policecheck. This is a service not provided by the Licensing & Regulation Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this requirement apply to private security registrations?
No. Existing registration holders or applicants for a private security registration are not required to be fingerprinted.

What do I do if the appointment to take my fingerprints falls on or after the expiry date of my licence?
In the event that an appointment to take your fingerprints falls on or after the expiry date of your licence, please indicate the date of your appointment on the renewal application form and submit your renewal application before your licence expires. You must then separately send your National Police Records Check Certificate as soon as practicable to the Licensing & Regulation Division.

I am the holder of multiple private security individual licences; do I need to have my fingerprints taken for each licence?
No, only one set of fingerprints is required for private security licensing purposes. This means that if you are the holder of an individual private security licence as well as a private security business licence, you will only need to provide one set of fingerprints at the time of renewing the licence that expires first.

I’ve had my fingerprints taken for a private security licence in another Australian State or Territory; will they be accepted for a Victorian licence?
A full set of fingerprints is required to be taken in Victoria for all private security applicants, even if you are applying through mutual recognition and you have already had your fingerprints taken during the security licensing process of another state or territory. This is due to the different retention requirements across jurisdictions.

I am currently located interstate but require my fingerprints to be taken for a Victorian private security licence, what do I do?
Special instructions apply to those applicants who are unable to attend a Victorian fingerprint office. Please contact the Victoria Police customer service centre fingerprint office on 1300 881 596 so you can be guided accordingly.

Do I need to have another set of fingerprints taken if I have already supplied fingerprints for other purposes (such as a firearms licence or gaming licence)?
Yes. The Act requires that a set of fingerprints must be taken specific to a private security licence application.

Do I need to supply two sets of fingerprints if I am applying for a general category handgun licence and a private security licence for ‘armed guard’ or ‘cash-in-transit’ at the same time?
Yes, you must supply one set of fingerprints specific to your firearms licence application, and one set specific to your security licence application. Providing you have made application for both licences at the same time, you may have both sets of fingerprints taken at a single appointment.

Why do I need to have two sets of fingerprints taken?
Because the firearms legislation and the private security legislation that determine the disposal of fingerprint records are different.

Do I need a set of fingerprints taken each time I renew my licence?
No. The National name check and fingerprint search will be a one-off requirement as long as a licence is properly maintained. That is, a new set of fingerprints will only be required if a new licence application is made (for example, if a licence is cancelled or left to expire and a new application is required).

How long will my fingerprints be retained?
In accordance with the Private Security Act, Victoria Police is obliged to retain a record of your fingerprints that were taken for private security purposes until we no longer have the use for them. If you fail to renew your licence and your licence expires (or if it is cancelled for any reason), Victoria Police will destroy the prints 6 months from this date. Please note that you will need to have your fingerprints re-taken if you re-apply for a new private security licence in the future. 

Licence Types

Security Guarding 

A person who is employed or retaining to protect, watch or guard any property by any means including –

a) By patrolling the property in person; or

b) By monitoring the property by operating a security system that utilises closed circuit television, a closed monitoring system, radio or other similar alarm device.

What are security guard sub-activities?

The activity of security guard has been divided in to six sub-activities, each requiring specialised training qualifications. A person may be licensed to undertake multiple sub-activities dependent on their training.

The six sub-activities are as follows:

 

Crowd Control

A person who is employed or retained principally to maintain order at any public place by doing any of the following:

a) Screening entry 

b) Monitoring or controlling behaviour 

c) Removing any person from premises

Otherwise maintaining order in any such place, unless that person is doing nothing more than securing or checking that persons allowed admission have paid to be admitted or have invitations or passes allowing for admission.


What we do

Diamond Protection’s strategy is to help your organisation reduce the vulnerability to terrorism and other threats which allows your business to continue without disruption and provides a safe environment for your staff, contractors and visitors.    

Visit our website at www.diamondprotection.com or call our team on 1300 669 155 or email operations@diamondprotection.com for your security requirements such as security officers, risk management / crisis management plans, facilitation of desktop ‘security’ exercises, staff training and more.