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Mutual recognition for security and investigation agents licence

Mutual recognition allows your current interstate security licence to be recognised in Tasmania. Mutual recognition only applies to employees and individual agents who hold an equivalent current security licence in another Australian state or territory. The interstate security licence being used to apply under mutual recognition cannot be used if it was also obtained under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992.

You cannot use an interstate licence in Tasmania

Mutual recognition does not apply to a body corporate (company) which must apply through the normal application process.

Eligibility

You can apply for a security licence if you:

  • are 18 years or older
  • have a current interstate licence
  • have no recorded conviction of a prescribed offence

If you hold a full interstate employee or agent individual licence you do not need to complete Tasmanian training unless the application fails under mutual recognition.

You will need give CBOS a certified copy of your interstate licence and complete an online application.  A certified document is witnessed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or a Commissioner for Declarations.

There are mandatory requirements for displaying indentification (ID) when working. To learn about this and other requirements, go to Working in the security industry.

Under the Security and Investigations Agents Act 2002 (external link) people working in the security industry must have the appropriate licence and have completed the units of competency for each activity.

Documents must be in a digital format (ie, PDF; jpeg; pjg; text) ready to upload to your online licence application.

You must already hold full licence for Security Guarding General (not provisional) to apply for the following licence endorsements:

  • permitted to use guard dog
  • permitted to carry firearm
  • permitted to carry baton
  • permitted to carry handcuffs

Should your application be successful, you will receive a plastic photographic licence card and will be able to download a paper certificate from the My Licence portal.

The average processing time for an application is six weeks from the date the application is accepted

If there are issues with your application you will be contacted either by phone or email. Your application cannot progress until all required documents are provided.

Please wait six weeks from the date you submitted your application before calling 1300 65 44 99 to find out how your application is progressing.

A Tasmanian licence will not be granted until checks have been done with the relevant state or territory. You are unable to work or operate within the security industry without a current Tasmanian licence identification card.

First aid and visas must remain current for the full three years of a security licence. If the first aid or visa is due to expire, the licence holder is responsible to upload a new first aid certificate and/or visa to the My Licence portal.

You cannot get a refund if your application is refused or withdrawn for any reason

Checklist

  1. Read the information on this licence page so you know what to do and what documents to provide
  2. Read the Personal Information Protection Statement
  3. Select the licence activities you are qualified and licensed to do
  4. Prove your identity and have your photo taken at a Service Tasmania shop (external link) (new application only) and take with you:
    1. the application or payment receipt (download and print online) and your identification to Service Tasmania shop
  5. Give consent for CBOS to order you a National Police record check (external link)
  6. Scan and save to a computer or storage device like a USB, a digital (i.e. format in PDF; jpeg; jpg; text) copy of:
    1. your interstate licence certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) (external link) or Commissioner of Declarations (external link)
    2. prove your identity with a copy of your driver’s licence, passport or a combination of documents certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or Commissioner of Declarations
    3. coloured passport quality photo certified by an adult who has known you for at least 12 months and is not related to you by blood or marriage.
      They must write 'I have known (insert applicant's full name) for at least 12 months and am not related by blood or marriage'. They must sign, date and state their full name.
    4. proof that you have had your fingerprints check at a Police station in your state or territory
    5. current visa or Australian Citizenship certificate if born overseas showing you have work rights in Australia
    6. current first aid certificate
    7. bankruptcy report dated within the last month (when applying for Agent Individual licence)
  7. Have a credit card ready to pay your licence fee online or at any Service Tasmania shop.

Declaration

When you are completing your online application or renewal, you will need to answer a set of suitability questions. If you answer YES to any of these, you must provide a reason why.

  1. Have you ever been charged, found guilty (without a conviction record) or convicted of an offence involving assault or violence in any country?
  2. Have you ever been the subject of a restraint order / family violence order or interim restraint order / interim family violence order?
  3. Have you been charged, found guilty (without a conviction recorded) or convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or theft in any country?
  4. Have you ever been charged, found guilty (without a conviction recorded) or convicted of an offence involving burglary or stealing in any country?
  5. Have you ever been charged, found guilty (without a conviction recorded) or convicted of a firearms or weapons offence in any country?
  6. Have you ever been charged, found guilty (without a conviction recorded) or convicted of a drug offence in any country?
  7. Have you ever been subject to a court or police diversion for any offence?
  8. Do you have any charges pending anywhere in the world? (Not traffic charges)
  9. Have you been convicted of any offence anywhere in the world? (Not traffic charges)
  10. Are you an undischarged bankrupt or have you entered into any composition or arrangement with your creditors that is still continuing?

There is a penalty for supplying any false or misleading information

Need help to apply for or renew your licence?

Read the Guide to licensing services for Security Agents June 2018 (PDF, 5.6 MB).  This guide has step-by-step instructions to help you apply for your licence.

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Related information

Updated: 02 Oct 2020