Businesses and their employees must hold a security agent's licence for:
- collecting or requesting the payment of debts
- finding or repossessing goods subject to a security interest
- providing information to the personal character or actions of a person without their consent
- searching for missing persons
- obtaining evidence for the purpose of legal proceedings
Some professions don't need a licence, such as law enforcement officers and legal practitioners.
Licence categories for security and investigation agents (107KB PDF)
You must have a security agent licence before you can apply for a H6 firearms licence through South Australia Police.
Who can apply
You can apply as an employee if you're qualified and haven't been disqualified or suspended from holding a trade or business licence.
Offences and convictions
If you have been charged with, or convicted, of a criminal offence (other than a minor traffic offence), you must notify Consumer and Business Services at occupational@sa.gov.au
You may not be able to register if you have been convicted of a:
- Category A offence - serious (indictable) offence of dishonesty
- Category B offence - summary offence of dishonesty in the last ten years.
Refer to offences and convictions for detail about these types of offences.
What you'll need
Knowledge and experience
Check you have the right knowledge and experience to apply for a security or investigation agents licence.
There are a number of places that offer training for the security industry.
If you have a qualification that's no longer recognised, you must apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Fees
Individual - employee, employee under supervision or security industry trainer | $989.00 |
| $689.00 |
Application for alteration to conditions | $365.00 |
What happens next
Check the CBS website for application processing times.
Digital licences
You can download your licence or registration to an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet using the mySAGOV app.
Once registered in the app, press the '+' button in the top right corner, select your 'occupational licence' type, then enter the licence/registration number requested along with your client ID.
Your client ID can be found in the Consumer and Business Services licence register.
Hard copy licences will still be issued and it's a good idea to carry these with you until digital licences become widely accepted.
Related information
Other sites
- Public register of approved security industry training providers - CBS
- Print your licence - CBS
- Register to receive electronic notices CBS
- Retrieve your client ID - CBS
