A restricted security licence can be issued by the Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for a maximum period of six months and allows a person to perform the security functions stated on their licence while they complete the training required for an unrestricted licence. You do not need to have completed the required security training before applying for a restricted licence. OFT still assesses your suitability to hold a security licence, and the normal application costs apply, including the applicable licence fee, mandatory criminal history check and fingerprinting fee for an original application. A restricted licence can therefore provide an option for someone who wants to “test the waters” before committing to the full CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations.

It may also be worth considering if you are concerned that previous criminal history or another suitability matter could affect your ability to become licensed. However, obtaining a restricted licence does not guarantee that OFT will subsequently issue an unrestricted licence. There are important limitations. While performing the functions authorised by a restricted licence, you must be under appropriate direct supervision. Under the Security Providers Act 1993, this means supervision by a security provider of the same type who holds an unrestricted licence for those functions. A restricted licence cannot simply be renewed for another six months for the same functions. You need to complete the required training and apply for an unrestricted licence before the restricted licence ends if you want to continue working in those functions.

In practice, the supervision requirements can make employment opportunities more limited and may also create operational and insurance considerations for employers. A restricted licence will therefore not suit everyone, but for some prospective security providers it can provide a useful pathway into the Queensland security industry while completing the training required for an unrestricted licence.

A restricted licence will therefore not suit everyone, but for some prospective security providers it can provide a useful pathway into the industry while completing the training required for an unrestricted licence.