Changes to private security licences and registrations

From 19 June 2025, most changes under the Private Security and County Court Amendment Act 2024 (the Act) will come into place.

This means all private security activities will become licensed activities, and there will be some additional requirements for existing licence holders.

This page will be updated with the latest information about changes to private security licences and registrations.

Other parts of this website may refer to existing processes until 19 June 2025.

Changes coming into place

The changes introduced by the Act include:

private security registration holders are required to transition to licences to continue working in the security industry
additional requirements before private security licences can be renewed
independent contractors with an Australian Business Number (ABN) related to their security activity are required to hold both a:
- Private Security Individual Operator licence, and
- Private Security Business licence
an expanded process for complaints.

Information for current private security registration holders

From 19 June 2025, all private security activities will become licensed activities.

Current private security registration holders who want to continue working in the private security industry must transition to:

a Private Security Individual Operator Licence, or
a Private Security Business Licence, or
both.

The licence must have one or more private security activities endorsed.

You will need to apply for a new private security business or individual licence.

New definitions for private security activities

There will no longer be class A or class B activities.

Private security activity will be defined as:

acting as an investigator
acting as a bodyguard
acting as a crowd controller
acting as a security guard
acting as a private security trainer
acting as a security equipment installer
acting as a security adviser.

Next steps for private security registration holders

Understand the steps you need to take based on when your registration expires, or if you’re an independent contractor or sole trader with an Australian Business Number (ABN).

The Licensing and Regulation Division (LRD) will notify you by email when it is time to start the licence application process.

Please let us know about any changes to your contact details by submitting a change of details form.

The transition to licences must be completed by 19 June 2026.

If you are a current registration holder due to renew your registration (up to and including 18 June 2025), you can renew your registration for an additional 12 months.
We will need to receive your renewal before 19 June 2025.
A renewal pack will be sent to your postal address before your registration expires. The pack contains the renewal application form and instructions.
If you want to continue to work in the private security industry after 19 June 2026, you must apply for a private security licence before the 12 months have passed.
If you hold a private security registration due to expire on or after 19 June 2025, you will need to apply for:
- a Private Security Individual Operator licence, or
- a Private Security Business licence, or
- both.
You will need to do this before your registration expires.
For more information about which licence is required visit Apply for a new private security licence or registration.
The Licensing and Regulation Division (LRD) will notify you by email when it is time to start the licence application process. Please let us know about any changes to your contact details by submitting a change of details form. The transition to licences must be completed by 19 June 2026.
You will also need to have a full set of fingerprints taken for your application.
All endorsed security activities must be listed on the relevant licence(s).
If you hold both a current private security licence and a registration, you can apply to vary your licence and add the security activities from your registration. For more information visit Private security forms and reference information.
If your private security registration is due to expire after 19 June 2026, will need to apply for:
- a Private Security Individual Operator licence, or
- a Private Security Business licence, or
- both.
You will need to do this before 19 June 2026.
For more information about which licence is required visit Apply for a new private security licence or registration.
The Licensing and Regulation Division (LRD) will notify you by email when it is time to start the licence application process. Please let us know about any changes to your contact details by submitting a change of details form. The transition to licences must be completed by 19 June 2026.
You will also need to have a full set of fingerprints taken for your application.
All endorsed security activities must be listed on the relevant licence or licences. If you hold both a current private security licence and a registration, you can apply to vary your licence and add the security activities from your registration.
For more information, visit Private security forms and reference information.
An independent contractor who carries on a security activity and has an ABN which relates to that activity, must hold both a:
1. Private Security Business licence, and
2. Private Security Individual Operator licence.
This is under section 14 of the Private Security and County Court Amendment Act 2024 (section 15A in the Private Security Act 2004 from 19 June 2025).
This aims to stop sham contracts, and works together with Commonwealth and state laws.
The requirement to hold both a Business and an Individual Operator licence will come into place by December 2025.
Both licence applications can use the same set of fingerprints, as long as the fingerprints were taken within six months of when you submit your application. If you have previously had your fingerprints taken for a private security licence, and held and maintained the licence since then, you can use these fingerprints for your new application.
For more information about how to apply, visit Apply for a new private security licence or registration.

Other requirements when you apply for a private security licence

When current registration holders apply for a private security licence, there are some additional requirements to meet.

Training requirements for current private security registration holders

You do not need to undertake more training before you apply for a private security licence if you are a current registration holder with the activities of:

security equipment installer (CCTV, security cameras, security alarms, safes, vaults etc), and/or
security adviser.

Other private security activities may require training before you apply. For more information on training requirements, visit Private security authority types, eligibility and training.

Fingerprinting requirements for private security licences

You need to have a full set of fingerprints taken as part of your application. You should schedule a fingerprinting appointment before you apply for your licence.

You will not be issued with a National Police Check Certificate when you have your fingerprints taken. You do not need to provide one with your licence application.

As part of the application assessment process, the Licensing and Regulation Division will still conduct a full assessment of your national criminal history information.

For more information, visit Book a fingerprinting appointment.

Please note, wait times for appointments vary throughout the year.

Varying your private security registration

If we receive your eligible application to vary your registration before 19 June 2025, we'll process it as normal.

If you hold a private security registration due to expire after 19 June 2025, you will need to apply for:

a Private Security Individual Operator licence, or
a Private Security Business licence, or
both.

This should be done before your registration is due to expire. The transition to licences must be completed by 19 June 2026.

Registration holders with current complaints, investigations, disciplinary inquiries, or applications to VCAT

If you have any outstanding investigations or enquiries against your registration with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), they will continue until completed.

Information for new private security registration applicants

What new private security applicants need to do when they apply.

For new private security registration applicants, a one-off 12-month registration may be available. Registration applications are only available for the security activities of:
- security equipment installer and/or
- security adviser.
Eligible renewals received before 19 June 2025 will be valid for 12 months.
To continue to work in the private security industry after 19 June 2026, you must apply for a private security licence before the 12 months have expired.
To apply for a 12-month registration, visit Apply for a new private security licence or registration.
If you apply on or after 19 June 2025, you will need to apply for a:
- a Private Security Individual Operator licence, or
- a Private Security Business licence, or,
- both.
For more information about which licence is required, visit Apply for a new private security licence or registration.

Information for current Private Security Individual Operator and Business licence holders

Current private security licence holders who renew their licence after 19 June 2025 will have different requirements to meet.

Changes to existing licence application requirements from 19 June 2025

From 19 June 2025, the below will no longer be required to submit a new licence application:

Private Security Individual Operator or Private Security Business licence applicants will no longer need to provide suitability references.
Private Security Business or Body corporate licence applicants will no longer need to provide suitability references for associates named in the statement of associates.
Private Security Business licence applicants will no longer need to advertise their licence application in a newspaper.

New training requirements for private security licence renewals

If you renew your Private Security Individual Operator and/or Business licence after 19 June 2025, you will need to complete some further training.

First Aid training

You will need to provide a certified copy of evidence showing completion of current First Aid training from an approved provider. This needs to have been completed in the last three years.

Refresher training courses

Further information about refresher training will be announced soon.

Home security systems

You do not need a private security licence to install a security system at your own property.

However, anyone who assists with the installation must be appropriately licensed.

For information about how to use CCTV to protect your property, visit CCTV installation.

Contact us

If you have a question that has not been answered on this page, get in touch through our online enquiry form.

Private security

Updated 10 April 2025