Possibly. Having a criminal record does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a Queensland security provider licence. What matters is the nature of the offence, when it occurred, whether a conviction was recorded and how the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) assesses your suitability to hold a licence.

If you have been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the previous 10 years and a conviction was recorded, you are automatically disqualified from holding a security licence. Other offences do not necessarily prevent you from becoming licensed. OFT can consider older offences, non-disqualifying offences, relevant unrecorded findings of guilt, honesty and integrity, public safety and whether granting the licence would be in the public interest. If you are worried about your criminal history, don't automatically assume you cannot enter the security industry and don't necessarily commit yourself to the full security course before finding out.

Talk to BARS Training Australia first. Depending on your circumstances, applying for a six-month restricted licence may provide an opportunity for OFT to assess your suitability before you invest the time and money required to complete the full CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations. If you train with BARS and subsequently receive correspondence from OFT concerning your suitability for an initial licence, BARS also provides pro bono advocacy assistance to our students.

We can help you understand what OFT is asking and assist you with preparing your response. Our objective isn't simply to get you through training – we want to help you become licensed and move into employment wherever the law allows us to do so.