What Are the NSW Security Licence Classes?
In New South Wales (NSW), the Service NSW operative licence list names three classes: Class 1A Security Officer, Class 1B Bodyguard, and Class 1C Cash-in-Transit Guard. The regulator is the Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED) of NSW Police. Whether other work, such as crowd control, falls under a class is something to confirm with SLED.
What are the three classes?
Service NSW lists the security operative licence classes as follows. Class 1A is Security Officer, Class 1B is Bodyguard, and Class 1C is Cash-in-Transit Guard. These are the classes for individuals who work as security operatives.
The regulator is the Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate, known as SLED, which sits within NSW Police.
- Class 1A: Security Officer
- Class 1B: Bodyguard
- Class 1C: Cash-in-Transit Guard
Which class does a guard need?
A person working as a security guard looks first at Class 1A, Security Officer. A person working in close protection looks at Class 1B, Bodyguard. A person carrying cash between locations looks at Class 1C, Cash-in-Transit Guard.
The names are a guide, not a promise that a given job falls under a given class. Armed work needs further approvals that vary by state, so check SLED before you accept armed work in New South Wales.
Where does crowd control fit?
Crowd controller licences are a frequent search, but the Service NSW list does not mention crowd control under Class 1A, so do not assume it is covered.
Because the position on crowd control is not stated on the pages checked, confirm it directly with SLED before you pay for training or take a crowd control job.
What does every class require?
The Service NSW application page sets common requirements. You must be 18, be a fit and proper person, hold approved training from an organisation approved by SLED, hold a first aid certificate (HLTAID011 or HLTAID014), and have the right to work.
Renewal is offered for 1, 3 or 5 years. The fee is not stated on the pages checked, so check SLED for the current amount, and how long an application takes is also something to check with SLED.
How should you choose between the classes?
Start with the job, not the class. A person who wants to guard a site or work at a venue should confirm with SLED that Class 1A covers that work. A person who wants close protection should confirm Class 1B. A person who wants to transport cash should confirm Class 1C.
Then check the training. Approved training comes from an organisation approved by SLED, so ask the provider which class its course supports before you enrol.
If you hold a licence from another state, do not assume it carries over. Each state licenses security work separately, and the NSW application still asks for approved training and first aid. Plan for the full application.
Keep one more point in mind. The class you hold is the licence you hold, so if a client or employer asks you to do something that may fall outside your class, ask SLED before you agree. Also keep your licence number to hand when you start a job, because clients may ask to see it, and checking it against the NSW Government licence verification service at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au.
How can you check a licence?
The NSW Government licence verification service, linked from Service NSW, is at verify.licence.nsw.gov.au. XGuard checks a professional's licence against the state register before they can list.
XGuard is a marketplace, not a security company. It does not promise work or availability, and the class you hold sets what you may legally do, not what you will be booked for.
Related questions
What is Class 1A in NSW?
Class 1A is the Security Officer licence, as listed by Service NSW.
What is Class 1B in NSW?
Class 1B is the Bodyguard licence.
What is Class 1C in NSW?
Class 1C is the Cash-in-Transit Guard licence.
Does a NSW licence work in other states?
Not automatically. Each state licenses security work separately, so check the rules of the state where you will work.
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