Department of Trade, Employment and Training
Security Operations Level III
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Casual NOT PERMITTED in Queensland
- School-based
The lodgment of a second training contract where one of the training contracts is full-time will be reviewed by the Department to determine if each of the parties to each training contract can meet their obligations. There must be a clear separation between the training and employment requirements for each training contract and must not be replicated through the one occupation only.
Minimum of 15 hours per week over each 4 week period throughout duration of apprenticeship/traineeship.
No school based trainees permitted unless 18 years or older.
7.5 hours per week of paid employment. This may be averaged over a 3 month period.
Over the period of a year, the employer must provide at a minimum the equivalent of 375 hours (50 days) of paid employment.
For a school-based trainee to be eligible to complete in this traineeship they must have met the minimum paid employment requirement as outlined below:
- 12 month full time nominal completion duration - 50 days minimum (375 hours)
Note: Each school-based traineeship has minimum paid employment requirements that are unique to the traineeship. Please refer to each traineeship in QTIS for further information.
Apprentices/trainees with a disability are entitled to work less than 15 hours per week when averaged over a 4 week cycle. They must be a holder of a disability pension and Pension concession card to be approved.
Students not enrolled in years 10, 11 or 12 may be eligible to enter a SAT provided there are exceptional circumstances warranting consideration and all other entry requirements are met, including being of an age where it is legal to undertake paid employment.
Before a student not in years 10, 11 or 12 commences a SAT, a business case supporting the arrangements must be provided to and approved by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).
Delivery of training to school-based trainees
Limits have been imposed on the amount of institutional training which may be delivered to school-based apprentices, based on the nominal term of a full time training contract. This restriction does not apply to school-based traineeships.
As a general rule, only Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens who have entered Australia on a valid passport have unrestricted rights to employment in Australia.
Visa holders may engage in apprenticeships or traineeships provided their work rights allows this, based on information and advice provided by the Australian Government.
Please refer to the Declaration policy, table 15 for the requirements on supervision.
Modified supervision arrangements available: NO
Employers are required to provide, or arrange to provide the facilities, range of work, supervision and training as detailed in the training plan.
Qualified person for traineeships
1. A person who has satisfactorily completed a traineeship in the trainee's calling, and is the holder of a completion certificate issued under an Act, or
2. A person who holds a certificate of recognition issued under an Act, certifying the person has the necessary skills and knowledge in the calling, or
3. A tradesperson in the trainee's calling, as defined under a specific industrial instrument, or
4. A person who holds a relevant qualification in the traineeship calling, or
5. A person individually, or persons collectively, who has/have documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) or demonstrated competence in all the competencies the employer is required to provide training for under the trainee's training plan (note - cannot be a person or persons currently undertaking the same traineeship), or
6. A person undertaking a traineeship, at a higher level than the trainee's, whose traineeship incorporates supervisory or coordinating skills and who has documented competence (achieved through an RPL or training pathway) in at least one of the competencies the employer is required to provide to the trainee under the training plan and who is supervised by a person who qualifies under (1), and/or (4) and/or (5).
And, where a worker is required to have a licence to practice the calling/occupation, the qualified person holds a current workers licence.
Adequate supervision of apprentices and trainees cannot solely be provided from an offsite location by electronic means. Electronic means include, but are not limited to, telephones, radios and webcams.
The level of supervision will normally range between direct, general and broad as per the below guidelines:
- Direct - Close monitoring of work ensuring understanding and identifying potential risks and/or hazards
- General - Occasional monitoring to ensure progress is occurring
- Broad - Quality checking of completed tasks.
Licensing requirements - Individuals need a class 1 licence to work as a:
- bodyguard - providing close personal protection services
- private investigator - obtaining and providing information about another person without their consent, such as surveillance work or investigating the disappearance of a missing person
- crowd controller - maintaining order in and around a public place such as a hotel or sporting event
- cash in transit security officer - carrying cash or other valuables
- unarmed security officer - guarding, patrolling or watching another person's property, without a guard dog or weapon
- monitoring security officer- monitoring property using an electronic monitoring devices such as a visual recording system, a radio or remote alarm system
- dog patrol security officer - guarding, patrolling or watching another person's property, with a guard dog.
Applicants are required to complete units of competency to be eligible for the above licence/s.
Applicants requiring a licence for a bodyguard or crowd controller will be required to complete ongoing refresher training whilst being the holder of this licence/s. The units of competency required are:
- PRSSO305A or CPPSEC3002A Manage conflict through negotiation
- PRSSO316A or CPPSEC3013A Control persons using empty hand techniques
- HLTFA301B Apply first aid or Senior first aid (Workplace Level 2)
For further details in relation to Licensing and training requirements for a class 1 licence, please refer to the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/security-industry.htm.
Information in relation to licensing for Security Providers including class 2 or security firm licensing requirements can also be found on the Fair Trading website at https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/regulated-industries-licensing-and-legislation/security-industry-regulation.
Declaration Policy
This Policy outlines the regulatory requirements for parties involved in the training to ensure that the apprentice or trainee receives quality training as agreed under the training plan.
Norfolk Island Policy
Specific amendments to the Declaration Policy for apprenticeships and Traineeships on Norfolk Island.
School-based Policy
This policy sets out the requirements specific to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) in Queensland and on Norfolk Island.
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Restricted callings
Restrictions apply to the rights of employers to appoint staff under the age of 18 to certain jobs, or "callings".
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Industrial relations
Industrial relations protect apprentices' rights, ensure fair wages, resolve disputes, and promote safe, supportive workplaces.
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User Choice in Qld
The User Choice program provides a public funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment for eligible Queensland apprentices and trainees.
Last Updated: May 2026