A Queensland Class 1 security provider licence allows an individual to perform one or more regulated security functions. The Class 1 licence functions include bodyguard, crowd controller, private investigator and security officer. Security officer functions are further divided into unarmed, cash-in-transit, dog patrol and monitoring.

It is important to hold the correct licence category for the security duties you actually perform. Under the Security Providers Act 1993, a person must not perform the functions of a security provider for reward unless appropriately licensed. For a first offence, the maximum penalty is 500 penalty units, currently equivalent to approximately $86,350. Subsequent offences can attract significantly higher penalties and imprisonment. From an employment perspective, having additional relevant categories on your Class 1 licence can significantly broaden the security work you are able to undertake.

It also reduces the risk of accepting duties without realising that the particular security function requires a licence category you do not hold. The CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations provides the training pathway used by BARS students for crowd controller, security officer (unarmed) and security officer (monitoring) functions. Other functions, such as cash-in-transit, require additional training.

BARS Training Australia encourages students to think beyond simply obtaining their first security licence. The more appropriately trained and licensed functions you can perform, the more versatile and valuable you may become to a future security employer.