Security licence: licence information

Security officers may be approved to carry firearms or batons only when endorsed to do so.

Without a specific licence endorsement, no weapons are to be carried by a security officer while he or she is performing licensed activities.

Security officers may not carry any other weapon at any other time.

Endorsement/Permit applications

Section 24 firearm endorsement
Section 24 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for a security officer's licence to be endorsed for carriage of a firearm while escorting money or articles of value, or for standing guard at an automatic teller machine while it is malfunctioning or is being repaired or serviced.

To apply for an endorsement:

1. Before making a licence application, you must complete and obtain a training certificate with an approved registered training organisation.
2. Complete firearm training with an approved registered training organisation and obtain a Firearm Training Endorsement Certificate.
3. Obtain a Letter of Intent from a security agent who holds a Corporate Firearm Licence, stating that you are required to carry a firearm as part of your security officer duties. Letter of intent must stipulate the agent's name and licence number, corporate firearm licence number and type of firearm to be carried (i.e. revolver or semi-automatic). If you work for more than one security agent, you need a letter of intent from each agent for whom you wish to be endorsed to carry a firearm. Attached to the letter of intent, must be the nominated persons authorisation form issued by Firearms Licensing, approving you to have access to a firearm under their Corporate Firearm Licence.
4. Obtain a medical certificate from a medical practitioner that states:
   • that in the opinion of the medical practitioner, the person is physically and psychologically fit to be in possession of a firearm;
   • that the examination included the person's hearing and eyesight; and
   • a statement from the medical practitioner as to the period of time the medical practitioner has known the person.
5. Complete the firearms and batons endorsement form - security officer licence (PDF, 754KB). Sign the form at Licensing Services (Security) or at the local police station for applicants residing outside 50km of the General Post Office in Perth.
6. Take all the above documentation to Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington or for country applicants, your local police station.
7. You will need to provide a set of fingerprints if you have not previously done so.
8. Pay the licence application fee (PDF, 74KB).

Licensing Services (Security) will conduct a criminal history check and your application will be considered by the Licensing Officer. If your application is successful, your licence will be endorsed permitting you to carry a firearm on behalf of the named Agent/s while carrying out authorised duties.

Adding another employer to your firearm endorsement
If you wish to extend your firearm endorsement to another security agent, you must provide a letter of intent from that agent stating that you are required to carry a firearm as part of your security officer duties.

Renewal of firearms endorsements
To maintain your endorsement to carry firearms, you must complete:

• Complete firearms refresher training every 12 months. The training course in firearms discharge form (PDF, 188KB) will be completed by the approved registered training provider and you must forward it to Licensing Services (Security).
• Provide Licensing Services (Security) with a medical certificate from a medical practitioner every 12 months. Note that the certificate is to include physical and psychological fitness to carry a firearm, inclusion of hearing and eyesight tests and a statement indicating the period of time the medical practitioner had known the applicant.

Section 25 firearm permit

Section 25 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for the issue of a permit to a security officer authorising that officer to be in possession of a firearm for a specified period at a specified place while guarding or protecting articles of value other than during an escort.

Please note: Section 25 only applies to applications for endorsement to carry a firearm for a particular occasion.

To apply:

1. Complete the Section 25 firearm permit application form (PDF, 331KB).
2. Take your application, in person, to Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington (or local police station for applicants residing outside 50km of the General Post Office in Perth).
3. Pay the licence application fee (PDF, 74KB).

The licensing officer will consider the application and if approved, a Section 25 permit will be issued.

Please note:

• The application should be made by a security agent.
• The Section 25 Permit is issued to a particular security officer. It cannot be transferred to another officer. If there is a need to change the officer who will be conducting the duties, a new application must be made.
• The security officer named must be already endorsed under Section 24 to carry a firearm for the agent making the application.

Please note: security agents seeking to make application for a Section 25 Permit pursuant to the Security and related Activities (Control) Act 1996, refer to below guidelines.

Section 25 firearm applications

Section 25 of the Security & Related Activities (Control) Act allows for the licensing officer to issue a permit for an armed security officer to conduct armed static guard duties. This is opposed to armed security officers conducting escorts in accordance with Section 24 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.

The following guidelines are to be addressed by security agents/officers seeking a Section 25 Permit. This is to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment is conducted by the security agent/officer prior to the application being made and that this assessment is included in the application.

Please provide this detail to the licensing officer to consider at least ten (10) clear working days prior to the event / function commencing.

Risk assessment is to include:

1. Security officer's details to which this application relates.
2. Security agent supplying the security officers.
3. Details of person/organisation being supplied the service.
4. Address where service required. (Include scale map of the premises and access/route(s).
5. Type of construction of building containing armed officer(s).
6. Purpose of armed static security officers. (Be specific).
7. Exact position and location of the armed security officer(s). (Include in scale map).
8. Times and date(s) where armed security officers required.
9. Means of obtaining and carrying money/articles of value into the premises. (Be specific regarding pickup strategy and where and how the items will be carried by the officer(s).
10. Will members of the public or non-security personnel have access to the location? Yes / No and estimated number.
11. What is the proximity of public and non-security personnel to armed security officers?
12. How is the money/articles of value being secured?
13. Approximate value of money/articles of value being guarded.
14. Type of firearm for use by security officers. (Include make and serial number).
15. Other security measures taken to supplement armed security officers.
16. Circumstances that require security officers to be armed. (Be comprehensive).
17. Why the activity is not suitable for an unarmed security officer.
18. Security strategies in the event of an armed challenge/robbery attempt. (Be comprehensive).
19. Any other comments or submissions for consideration by the licensing officer.

Section 26 baton endorsement

Section 26 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act provides for a security officer's licence to be endorsed to permit the carriage of a baton while engaged in activities authorised by the licence.

To apply:

1. Complete Baton Training (Control Person Using Baton) with an approved registered training provider and obtain a Baton Certificate.
2. Obtain a letter of intent from a security agent stating that you are required to carry a baton as part of your security officer duties, whether it is an extendable or a rigid baton, the serial number of the baton, the storage location and the name of the owner of the baton. If you work for more than one security agent, you need a Letter of Intent from each agent for whom you wish to be endorsed to carry a baton.
3. Complete the firearms and batons endorsement form - security officer licence (PDF, 754KB). Sign the form at Licensing Services (Security) or at the local police station for applicants residing outside 50km of the General Post Office in Perth.
4. Take all the above documentation to Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington or for country applicants, your local police station.
5. You will need to provide a set of fingerprints, if you have not previously done so.
6. Pay the licence application fee (PDF, 74KB).

Licensing Services (Security) will conduct a criminal history check and your application will be considered by the licensing officer. If your application is successful, your licence will be endorsed permitting you to carry a baton on behalf of the named agent(s) while carrying out authorised duties.

Adding another employer to your baton endorsement

If you wish to extend your baton endorsement to another security agent, you must provide a letter of intent from that agent stating that you are required to carry a baton as part of your security officer duties.

Renewal of batons endorsement

To maintain your endorsement to carry a baton, you must complete baton refresher training every 12 months. The approved training provider will supply a Baton Certificate which you must forward to Licensing Services (Security).

Under Section 77 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996, where a licence holder changes his/her place of residence, the licence holder must give to the Commissioner written notice of the address of the new place of residence not later than 14 days after the change occurs.

To notify the Commissioner, email Security Licensing with full name, date of birth, licence number, old address and new address.

The code of conduct, implemented under Regulation 54A(5) of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Regulations and any breach is actionable under 67(1a)(d) of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.

All new security applicants are required to endorse a copy of the code of conduct acknowledging the content.

Existing licence holders will be required to endorse a copy of the code of conduct at the time of their renewal.

A copy of the signed document is to be retained at Licensing Services (Security). No faxes will be accepted. Alternatively, you can email to Security Licensing a scanned signed copy.

View the code of conduct LSS62 (PDF, 325KB)

A "disqualifying offence" is a finding of guilt for a prescribed offence which prohibits a person from holding any security related licence for a defined period (prohibited person).

Disqualifying offences include (but are not limited to) offences involving:

• assault or violence
• theft or dishonesty
• drugs
• prohibited or controlled weapons.

Individuals with a criminal conviction (whether spent or not) or finding of guilt recorded against them since 1996 may be ineligible to work in the security industry in Western Australia.

Before enrolling in a security course with a registered training organisation, you may wish to contact Licensing Services (Security) to ascertain whether you are eligible to be issued with a licence to work in the security industry.

In compliance with Section 48 of the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996, if a following person has not previously had his/her fingerprints and palm prints taken, or if such prints previously taken under this section have been destroyed at the person's election, he/she is to attend at a place and there, have his/her fingerprints and palm prints taken by a member of the police force or an officer of the department:

• a person who has applied for a licence; or
• a person who has applied for:
  • the renewal of a licence
  • a permit under Section 25 (firearm permit)
  • an endorsement under Section 24 or 26 (firearm and baton endorsement).

Refusal to provide fingerprints renders you ineligible to hold a licence in the security industry in Western Australia.

Security officers can have a condition placed on their licence allowing them to perform guarding duties with a dog. To obtain this condition you must have completed the below training modules with a Registered Training Organisation and obtain a letter from a licensed security agent confirming they wish to employ you to perform guarding duties with a dog.

This information can be emailed to Security Licensing for the condition to be added to your licence. No application form or fee is required to be paid.

• CPPSEC3112 Manage training and well-being of dogs for security functions
• CPPSEC3113 Handle dogs for security patrols.

A person who ordinarily resides in another state or territory may apply, in accordance with Section 46, for a temporary licence to carry out work in Western Australia in the following capacity:

• Crowd Controller
• Investigator
• Security Bodyguard
• Security Consultant
• Security Officer
• Security Installer
• Agent (security, crowd controller, inquiry).

A temporary licence is for the holder of an equivalent current licence in another Australian jurisdiction and is only issued for a specific event or function.

A temporary licence is to be granted for such period of time of not more than one year as is specified in the licence and is not renewable.

Temporary licences requiring a baton or firearm endorsement must provide the documentation applicable for the endorsement being applied for listed in endorsement/permits applications section of this page.

Please note: temporary licences for Agent Licences

• Holders of agent licences are not permitted to perform the duties of the other licence classes. Agent licence holders are only permitted to supply the services of holders of other licences.
• Agents have obligations placed on them by the Act to maintain particular records and communicate information to the Commissioner of Police.
• Letter from agent stating the purpose for requiring a temporary Agent Licence in WA.

To apply for a temporary licence:

1. Complete the temporary licence - security activities form (PDF, 834KB) and if applicable, the firearms and batons endorsement form - security officer licence (PDF, 754KB).
2. You will need to provide the following supporting documents:
   • Four (4) passport size photographs (head and shoulders only on white background)
   • Current state or territory's security licence and identification card
   • (firearm endorsement) If applicable, documents to support that the applicant has a current firearm endorsement and that their training is current
   • Proof of photographic identification (e.g. current Motor Driver's Licence or passport)
   • Letter of intent from the proposed Western Australian agent outlining they have offered employment to the applicant provided the licence is granted, the period for which the licence is required and the time and occasion of the specific event or function in respect to what the licence is required.
   • If an endorsement is required, the documentation for the endorsement being applied for listed in endorsement/permits applications section of this page.
   • code of conduct (PDF, 325KB) (signed and dated).
3. Application for this type of licence and supporting documents can only be lodged and processed at Licensing Services (Security), 303 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington.
4. Pay the licence application fee (PDF, 74KB).

All above forms are to be completed and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace or a police officer.