NSW Compliance • Trust • Security
How to Check If a Security Company Is Licensed in NSW
Before you sign any security contract in Sydney, verify two things: the company holds a current NSW Master Licence, and the guards assigned to your site hold current Class 1 individual licences. Both are issued by SLED (NSW Police Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate) and searchable on a public register. Here’s how to check — step by step.
What Is a Security Master Licence in NSW?
A Master Licence is required for any company (or sole trader) that provides security guard services in NSW. It's issued by SLED under the Security Industry Act 1997 (NSW). The Master Licence confirms the company has been assessed as fit and proper, holds at least $10 million public liability insurance, and meets ongoing compliance requirements. Operating without one is a criminal offence.
There are two Master Licence classes:
Class 2A: Provides security guard, patrol, and crowd control services
Class 2B: Provides security consulting, equipment installation, or training
For hiring guards, you want to see a Class 2A Master Licence.
How to Check a Company's Licence — Step by Step
You can verify any security company's Master Licence using the NSW Government's public register:
- Go to verify.licence.nsw.gov.au
- Select "Security" as the licence type
- Enter the company name or licence number
- Check the result shows: status = Current, class = 2A (for guard services), and the licence hasn't expired
If the company can't provide their licence number, or the register shows Expired/Suspended/Cancelled — do not engage them. You're exposed to legal liability if unlicensed guards are deployed on your site and something goes wrong.
How to Verify Individual Guard Licences
Every guard working on your site must hold a valid Class 1 security licence issued by SLED. The relevant subclasses:
- Class 1A (Security Officer): Covers guarding, patrolling, and crowd control — this is the standard guard licence post the June 2023 amendments
- Class 1B (Bodyguard): Close personal protection — not required for standard guarding
You can verify individual licences on the same SLED register (verify.licence.nsw.gov.au). In practice, most clients verify the company's Master Licence and rely on the company to warrant that their guards hold current Class 1 licences — but for high-value contracts, requesting guard licence numbers and verifying them is reasonable due diligence.
Red Flags — Signs a Company May Not Be Properly Licensed
- No licence number on their website, proposals, or contracts
- They quote significantly below market rates (underpriced often means unlicensed or uninsured)
- Guards don't carry identification — licensed guards must be able to produce their licence or a form of ID linking to their licence number on request
- No written contract or scope of services — legitimate companies provide formal agreements
- They can't provide a Certificate of Currency for their public liability insurance
- The company name doesn't match the register — check for trading-name vs legal-entity discrepancies
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a security company is licensed in NSW?
Go to verify.licence.nsw.gov.au, select 'Security' as the licence type, enter the company name or licence number, and confirm the status shows 'Current' with class '2A' (for guard services). If the licence is expired, suspended, or doesn't exist — do not engage them.
What is a Class 2A Master Licence?
A Class 2A Master Licence authorises a company to provide security guard, patrol, and crowd control services in NSW. It's issued by SLED (NSW Police) and requires the company to be assessed as fit and proper, with at least $10 million public liability insurance.
What licence must individual security guards hold in NSW?
A Class 1A security licence (post June 2023 amendments). This covers guarding, patrolling, and crowd control. Guards must also hold current First Aid (HLTAID011) renewed every 3 years and CPR renewed every 12 months.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed security company?
If an incident occurs on your site and the guards were unlicensed, you face potential liability — your insurance claim may be denied, you may breach WHS obligations, and you could face penalties under the Security Industry Act 1997. The savings from a cheap unlicensed provider evaporate with one incident.
Should I verify individual guard licences or just the company's?
At minimum, verify the company's Master Licence. For high-value or high-risk contracts (construction sites, events, strata), requesting and verifying individual guard licence numbers is reasonable due diligence. The company should provide this without hesitation.
Is SRS licensed in NSW?
SRS holds current NSW Master Licence and individual Class 1A licences for all guard operatives. Licence details available on request and verifiable on the SLED public register.
Want to verify SRS's credentials?
We're happy to provide our Master Licence number, individual guard licence verification, and Certificate of Currency before any contract. Transparency is how trust starts.