Yes. A security officer can conduct workplace drug and alcohol testing where they have the appropriate training and competency required for the testing duties they are performing. However, a Queensland security licence by itself does not qualify someone as a workplace drug and alcohol specimen collector. The current nationally recognised unit is HLTPAT010 Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing, which provides the skills and knowledge to collect urine and oral-fluid specimens and undertake breath testing in workplaces where drugs-of-abuse testing occurs.

The unit covers important requirements including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, specimen integrity, identification of possible tampering, documentation and maintaining chain of custody. For security officers, this can be an excellent additional skill because security personnel are already employed in many workplaces where drug and alcohol testing forms part of workplace safety and risk management, particularly mining, resources, transport, industrial facilities and other safety-sensitive environments. It can also complement gatehouse and access-control duties, although the security function and the drug and alcohol testing function remain separate responsibilities.

BARS Training Australia now has HLTPAT010 on scope and can provide nationally recognised training in this area. The unit itself has no prerequisite units or specific licensing requirements, but testing must be undertaken in accordance with applicable legislation, Australian/New Zealand Standards, industry codes and the organisation's own procedures. Adding HLTPAT010 to your existing security qualifications can therefore provide another useful skill for your resume and potentially broaden the range of employment opportunities available to you.