How to Check a Security Company in Sydney Is Properly Licensed (NSW Checklist)
To check a security company in Sydney is licensed, ask for its NSW Master licence number, verify it on the NSW Police public register of licences, and confirm the guards it sends hold their own Class 1 licences. A company that cannot give you a licence number should not be hired.
Key takeaways
- NSW has two licence layers: a Master licence for the business and a Class 1 licence for each guard.
- Both can be verified online on the NSW Police register in a few minutes.
- Ask who actually supplies the guards, because a Master licence limits subcontracting.
- Licensing is the minimum. Standards such as ISO certification show how a company is run.
Why check a security company’s licence?
Hiring a security company in Sydney is a trust decision, and in NSW it is also a regulated one. The Security Industry Act 1997 requires businesses that provide guards to hold a Master licence and only supply licensed people. SLED, the NSW Police Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate, enforces this and has issued penalty notices and revoked licences where companies broke the rules. If you hire an unlicensed provider, you carry the compliance, insurance and safety risk.
The two NSW licences explained
| Licence | Held by | What it covers | Examples |
| Master licence | The security business | Employing or providing licensed security staff | Subclasses MA to ME, based on how many people the business provides |
| Class 1 licence | Each individual guard | Carrying out security work | 1A Security Officer (unarmed guarding), 1D Guard Dog Handler, 1F Armed Guard |
Master licence subclasses scale with the size of the business. MA covers a self-employed operator only, MB up to three people on any one day, MC up to 14, MD up to 49, and ME has no limit.
6-step checklist to verify a security company
- Ask for the Master licence number and ABN. A reputable security company gives these freely, and they should appear on quotes and contracts.
- Verify it on the NSW Police public register. Confirm the company name, licence status and subclass match.
- Check the subclass fits the job. A small-subclass licence may not suit a large roster across several sites.
- Ask how guards are checked. Each guard should hold a current Class 1 licence, be able to show it, and be re-verified over time, not just at hire.
- Ask about subcontracting. A Master licence does not allow handing work to another business unless that business also holds a Master licence. Ask who supplies the guards on your site.
- Check insurance and standards. Providers of guard dog handlers or armed guards must hold at least $10 million in public liability cover. Look also for ISO certification and contractor compliance such as Cm3.
Red flags vs what good looks like
| Check | Red flag | What good looks like |
| Licence number | Missing from website, quote or contract | Master licence and ABN stated clearly |
| Register match | Number does not match the company name | Name, status and subclass match |
| Guards | Cannot show licences on request | Licence details supplied and re-verified |
| Staffing | Vague about who supplies guards | Clear answer, subcontractors also hold Master licences |
| Price | Far below competitors | Transparent, comparable quote |
| Standards | None mentioned | ISO certified, Cm3 compliant, documented WHS |
Go beyond the licence
Licensing proves a company is allowed to operate, not that it is right for you. Compare experience in your industry, training, reporting and safety systems. Our guides on what to look for when picking a security company in Sydney and security services in Sydney cover the next steps, and our WHS framework shows how we approach safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a security company is licensed in NSW?
Ask for the company’s Master licence number, then search the NSW Police public register of licences to confirm the name, status and subclass.
What is a Master licence in NSW?
A Master licence authorises a business to employ or provide persons to carry out security activities. It comes in subclasses MA to ME depending on how many people the business can provide.
What is a Class 1A security licence?
Class 1A Security Officer is the NSW licence for unarmed static or mobile guarding, including crowd control work. Individual guards hold it, not companies.
How do I check a security guard’s licence in NSW?
Ask the guard to show their licence card, then search the licence number on the NSW public register of licences. Check the name matches, the status is current and the subclass covers the work, such as 1A for security officer duties.
Can a security company use subcontractors in NSW?
Only if the subcontractor also holds a Master licence. A Master licence does not allow a company to arrange for other businesses to provide guards unless they are Master licensed.
What insurance should a security company hold?
Providers of guard dog handlers or armed guards must hold at least $10 million public liability cover. Ask any provider for its certificate of currency.
Is Sydney Security licensed?
Yes. Sydney Security operates under NSW Master Licence 409685754 (ABN 49 129 218 033) and is ISO certified and Cm3 compliant.
How Sydney Security meets the checklist
We are happy to be checked. Sydney Security has protected clients across Sydney since 2008, with a management team of over 100 years of combined experience. Guards in our construction division also hold an OH&S Green Card and First Aid Certificate, and every assignment has a site-specific Safe Work Method Statement.
We deliver security guards, mobile patrols and construction site security from our base in Prestons, bundled with CCTV and alarm response if you want one provider. Running a building project? Read what a construction site security guard does.
Call 1300 177 741 or contact our team. Ask us for our licence details, and check them yourself. First time, every time.
