USI numbers Explained
Every year almost four million Australians build and sharpen their skills by undertaking nationally recognised training. All students doing nationally recognised training need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This includes students doing Vocational Education Training (VET) when they are still at school (VET for secondary students).
The USI is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that:
- creates a secure online record of your recognised training and qualifications gained in Australia, from all training providers you undertake recognised training with
- will give you access to your training records and transcripts
- can be accessed online, anytime and anywhere
- is free and easy to create and
- stays with you for life
If you are a new or continuing student undertaking nationally recognised training, you need a USI in order to receive your qualification or statement of attainment. If you don't have a USI you will not receive your qualification or statement of attainment.
Your USI will give you access to an online record of the training you have done since 1 January 2015. You will also be able to produce a comprehensive transcript of your training. This can be used when applying for a job, seeking a credit transfer or demonstrating pre-requisites when undertaking further training.
If you are an international student studying offshore and do not intend on coming to Australia to do your study you do not need a USI. However, if you are an Australian expat or resident student studying offshore with an Australian training organisation, you will need a USI.
How to register for a Security Licence post your security course
An unarmed security officer personally guards, patrols or watches another person’s property. They do this without a guard dog or weapon.
This includes:
- in-house security (someone who guards, patrols or watches their employer’s property)
- a loss prevention officer
- a security gate officer.
You need to hold a current licence to do this job. To become licensed, you must:
- meet the eligibility criteria
- complete your training and attach proof of qualifications
- fill out and lodge the application form.
A crowd controller keeps order at a public place. They can:
- screen the entry of people into a place
- monitor or control their behaviour while inside
- remove people for bad behaviour.
You need to hold a current licence to do this job. To become licensed, you must:
- meet the eligibility criteria
- complete your training and attach proof of qualifications
- fill out and lodge the application form.
You will need a crowd controller licence if you work:
- as security at a licensed premises such as a hotel or club
- as security staff at public sporting events, a restaurant, or a shopping centre.
You don’t need a licence if you:
- are a mine screening guard
- are a pool or beach lifeguard
- are an usher
- are employed as a council or state government worker
- only scan IDs at a safe night precinct liquor licensed venue.
To be eligible for a licence, you must:
- be 18 years or older
- not pose a risk to public safety
- pass the required training course.
You are not eligible for a licence if you have been convicted of a disqualifying offence in the past 10 years, where a conviction was recorded
You must also tell us if you have been found guilty of a disqualifying offence in the past 5 years, where a conviction was not recorded (this is known as an ‘unrecorded finding of guilt’). We may ask you for further information so we can assess if you are a suitable person to hold a licence.
LodgementIdentificationWhen you lodge the form, you will need to attach 100 points of formal identification. These documents must be either original (if lodged at the counter) or certified copies.
Your identification must include at least 1 of the following 5 documents:
- Birth certificate or extract
- Passport
- ImmiCard
- A driver’s licence
- An 18+ card.
You may also need to include some of the following documents to make up your 100 points:
- Citizenship certificate
- An ID card
- A social security card
- A letter from your employer
- Any other official letter, card or statement listed on the application form.
You will need to pay certain fees when you lodge your application. These include:
- the licence fee (as listed on the form)
- a criminal history check fee of $39.20
- a fingerprinting fee of $100.
By law, the police need to fingerprint all security providers. We will contact you after you lodge your application form to explain what you need to do.
Criminal history checkTo confirm your suitability, we will submit your application for a criminal history check. This will be thorough and may be time consuming.
If you were born in New Zealand or have a New Zealand passport, you need to get a copy of your criminal history or a letter indicating you have no criminal history from New Zealand. For more information, visit the New Zealand Ministry of Justice website.
You don’t have to pay any fees to get a New Zealand criminal history check. We can only accept original documents dated within one month of the date you send them to us. Please note it takes 20 working days to process a request for a New Zealand criminal history check.
Processing timeThe processing time is 4–6 weeks. This can take longer if you have not supplied us with the all the information we need or you have not paid the correct fees.
RefundsDepending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a partial refund if:
- you withdraw your application
- we refuse your application.
You may also get a refund on the fees for:
- fingerprinting
- your criminal history check.
Career Pathways from our Security training Courses
- Retail loss prevention
- Power stations
- building sites
- Industrial sites
- Patrols
- Airports
- Crowd Control
- CCTV monitoring