Security licences

You must apply for a security licence in the Northern Territory (NT) to:

• work as a security officer or crowd controller
• run a security firm
• provide crowd control or private security services as a corporation or partnership.

If you have an existing licence from interstate, you may be eligible for mutual recognition or automatic mutual recognition.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• complete training for security officers and crowd controllers and first aid course HLTAID011 or HLTAID003 (unless you’re a corporation and partnerships) - attach proof
• get a criminal history check for yourself or anyone associated with the corporation or partnership:
  • If you're filling in the SAFE NT form online, you must select 'security licence' as your occupation type under the employer details tab. If you're using the paper form, specify this under section C - purpose of check.
  • You must send the original results to the Territory Business Centre.
  • If you applied for a criminal history check for a different purpose, it won't be accepted and you may have to pay more and wait longer for your application to be processed.
  • director, secretary, partners and executive officer
  • management or person who has control or influence over affairs.

  While you undertake your training and first aid course, you can apply for a provisional licence.

  You may not be granted a licence if you have been charged with disqualifying offence(s). Read more about disqualifying offences PDF (197.8 KB) .

  How to apply

  To apply, go to Licensing Online or follow these steps:

  Step 1. Fill in the application for a private security licence.

  Step 3. Check the fee.

  Step 4. Submit your application and pay the fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

  If you have an existing licence from interstate

  If you have an interstate security licence, you may be eligible for:

  • mutual recognition
  • automatic mutual recognition.

  Companies or partnerships are not eligible.

  Mutual recognition

  If you live in the NT and have an interstate security licence, you can apply for mutual recognition.

  To apply, go to Licensing Online or follow these steps:

  Step 1. Fill in the application for security officer or crowd controller licence under mutual recognition.

  Step 2. Check the fee.

  Step 3. Submit your application and pay the fee at your nearest Territory Business Centre.

  Automatic mutual recognition

  You may be eligible for the automatic mutual recognition scheme if you:

  • live in another state or territory and have an interstate security licence
  • are required to work in the NT for a period of time.

  This scheme allows you to use your interstate licence across Australia.

  Read more about automatic mutual recognition for eligibility and how to apply.