In short: to get a security licence in Victoria you complete CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations first (18 days, blended, at ALIT in West Melbourne), then apply to Victoria Police with your identity documents and fingerprints. Licences run for three years before renewal.
If you want to work as a security guard, static guard, control room operator or crowd controller anywhere in Victoria, the law is clear: you must hold a valid Victorian security licence issued by Victoria Police before you can be paid to do the work. Getting there is a well-defined process, but it trips people up when they don’t know the order of steps. This guide walks through exactly how to get a security licence in Victoria, from eligibility through to your first shift.
Important: completing a security course does not automatically give you a security licence. Training is a prerequisite for your licence application — Victoria Police still assesses and issues the licence itself.
Who can apply for a security licence in Victoria?
Before you enrol in any training, check that you meet Victoria Police’s basic eligibility rules. You must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a visa with valid working rights
- Be able to pass Victoria Police’s national criminal history assessment, which is based on your Livescan fingerprints (form VP616)
- Not have a criminal history or outstanding matter that disqualifies you under the Private Security Act 2004 (Vic)
Only training delivered by an approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is accepted by Victoria Police for licensing purposes, so it’s worth confirming a provider’s RTO status before you pay for a course.
Step 1: Complete your approved security training
The relevant qualification is CPP20218 – Certificate II in Security Operations, which currently has 14 core units and no electives. Victoria Police currently identifies CPP20218 for the crowd control, unarmed guard and control-room-operator licensing pathways, subject to the specific licence activity you intend to apply for. At ALIT this qualification is an 18-day blended program delivered in Victoria over approximately three weeks (one live online class, online self-study and three practical classes at our West Melbourne campus, with First Aid included), and includes units covering:
- Security industry legislation and regulatory requirements
- Patrol procedures and access/exit control
- Screening people, personal effects and items
- Managing crowd and individual behaviour
- Conflict management and basic defensive techniques
- Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)
Training must be completed with an approved RTO and be current within 12 months of your licence application. ALIT is a Nationally Recognised RTO (RTO 45156) and CRICOS-registered training provider (CRICOS Provider Code 03981M), and this course carries CRICOS course code 114252K for eligible international students.
Step 2: Gather your identity and eligibility documents
Victoria Police will ask for proof of identity (100 points), evidence of your right to work in Australia if you’re not a citizen or permanent resident, and your Statement of Attainment or Certificate for CPP20218 once you graduate. Keep digital and physical copies of everything — missing paperwork is the most common reason licence applications are delayed.
Step 3: Submit your application and fingerprints
After successfully completing the required training and assessments, you arrange fingerprinting with Victoria Police and submit your private security licence application to Victoria Police’s Licensing and Regulation Division (LRD), following its current instructions. Licence approval is a separate process and is subject to meeting the regulator’s requirements. In practice, you will:
- Complete the relevant private security individual operator licence application form
- Book an online appointment and attend a Victoria Police fingerprinting facility with your completed VP616 form and identity documents (fingerprinting is required for all applicants; see Victoria Police fingerprinting)
- Submit your application to the Licensing and Regulation Division
- Pay the licensing fee and have your photograph taken when Victoria Police notifies you
- Wait while Victoria Police assesses your application, including its own criminal history check
Processing times vary, so it pays to apply as soon as your training is complete rather than waiting until you have a job lined up. For general guidance on ALIT’s own enrolment and application steps (as distinct from the Victoria Police licence application above), see our How to Apply page.
Step 4: Receive your licence and start work
Once approved, you’ll be issued a Victorian security licence in the class that matches your training and application (for example, unarmed guard or crowd controller). From there you’re eligible to work in roles such as security guard, static guard, patrol officer, loss prevention officer or crowd controller, depending on the licence class granted. Curious what these roles actually look like day to day? Read more in our related post, Boost Your Career with the Certificate II in Security Operations.
How long does the whole process take?
Training at ALIT is an 18-day blended program delivered over approximately three weeks. Licence processing is a separate stage that depends on Victoria Police’s processing times, which vary, so check its current published timeframe. Completing the training does not equal licence approval, which is subject to meeting the regulator’s requirements.
Enrol in CPP20218 the easy way
ALIT lets you check your available intake and enrol in CPP20218 – Certificate II in Security Operations (VIC) in minutes through our online self-checkout, or you can apply now and speak with an enrolment advisor first. If you’re specifically after crowd control work, our companion guide on the crowd controller licence in Victoria breaks down the extra detail for that role.
Types of security licences in Victoria
Victoria Police issues several categories of security licence. The most common are:
- Unarmed Guard: Covers general security guarding duties — patrols, access control, monitoring, and incident reporting.
- Crowd Controller: Authorises work at licensed premises, events, and entertainment venues.
- Bodyguard: For personal protection work — requires additional training beyond the basic certificate.
- Security Consultant: For advising on security systems and risk assessments.
The CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations at ALIT covers the training requirements for the Unarmed Guard and Crowd Controller categories, which are the most in-demand roles in Victoria’s security industry.
What you can do with a security licence in Victoria
With an Unarmed Guard licence, you can work as:
- Static security guard at commercial or residential sites
- Mobile patrol officer
- Shopping centre security
- Event security officer
- Loss prevention officer
Adding the Crowd Controller endorsement opens up work at licensed venues, festivals, sporting events, and concerts. The security industry in Victoria employs thousands of workers, and demand for licensed operators remains strong.
Renewing a security licence in Victoria
A Victoria Police security licence must be renewed every 3 years. From 5 October 2026, renewal also requires:
- Continuing to meet the character requirements
- Completing an approved first aid course — required for everyone who holds an individual operator private security licence, regardless of activity
- Completing the Victoria Police approved refresher training — required if your licensed activities include bodyguard, crowd controller, or security guard (a separate exception applies to monitoring centre operators; confirm your specific requirement with Victoria Police Licensing)
- Paying the renewal fee
Your employer may require additional training or certifications depending on your specific role — confirm current requirements with your employer and Victoria Police Licensing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a security licence before I start training?
No. You complete the CPP20218 training first, then use your Statement of Attainment or Certificate to apply for your licence with Victoria Police.
Can international students get a Victorian security licence?
Yes, provided you hold a visa with valid working rights and meet Victoria Police’s other eligibility criteria. ALIT’s CPP20218 course (CRICOS code 114252K) is approved for eligible international students on a student visa.
Is the training the same for a security guard and a crowd controller licence?
The core CPP20218 qualification is the same course; the licence class you apply for with Victoria Police determines which roles you’re authorised to work in.
Sources: Victoria Police – Private security eligibility requirements and training; Victoria Police – Apply for a new private security licence; training.gov.au – CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations. Fees, durations and entry requirements are correct at the time of publishing and may change — always confirm current details on the course page or with an ALIT advisor before enrolling. Last reviewed against Victoria Police requirements: 3 September 2026.
Considering the industry overall? See whether a career in security holds up in 2026. Need the NSW side of the process too? The full sequence for both states is in ALIT’s guide to becoming a security guard in Victoria or NSW step by step.
How long does it take to get a security licence in Victoria?
The 18-day program at ALIT, delivered over approximately three weeks, is separate from licence processing. After you complete the required training and assessments, Victoria Police processing times vary and have at times extended well beyond a few weeks due to application volumes. Rather than relying on a fixed estimate, check Victoria Police’s current published processing status on its private security page before you apply.
Can I work interstate with a Victorian security licence?
No. Security licences are state-based. To work in NSW, Queensland, or other states, you need to apply for that state’s licence. Some states have mutual recognition agreements — confirm with the relevant state authority.
What is the difference between a security licence and a security certificate?
A security certificate (CPP20218) is your training qualification. A security licence is the legal authority to work, issued by Victoria Police after you meet all requirements including the certificate, fingerprinting (Livescan, form VP616), and application process. Victoria Police runs its own national criminal history assessment — you do not obtain a separate police check certificate for this purpose.
How much does a security licence cost in Victoria?
For a Private Security Individual Licence covering one licensed activity, the current total cost (application fee plus maintenance fee) is $498.80 for the 3-year licence period, rising if you are licensed for multiple activities (effective 1 July 2026, per Victoria Police’s published fee schedule). This is higher than a one-off application fee alone. Training costs vary — at ALIT, the CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations is $999. Always confirm current fees on Victoria Police’s service fees and penalties page.
What happens if I work without a licence?
Working without a valid security licence in Victoria is a criminal offence under the Private Security Act 2004. Penalties include fines and potential criminal charges for both the worker and the employer.
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