Looking at security jobs in Queensland, Australia?
Hospital security and site security are two areas worth watching in Queensland, with opportunities ranging from protecting patients and staff to guarding commercial, industrial and other private sites.
And yes — both men and women can work in security roles when they meet the employer, licensing and work-right requirements.
But there is an important difference between Queensland Health hospital security and private security companies.
Hospital Security Jobs in Queensland
Queensland Health employs security officers who help protect:
– Patients
– Hospital staff
– Visitors
– Buildings
– Car parks
– Hospital grounds
– Equipment and property
Security officers may monitor CCTV, control access, patrol facilities and respond to alarms, incidents and emergencies. Queensland Health says its security officers work across full-time, part-time and casual positions.
A Very Important Qualification Difference
Queensland Health states that its own security officers do not need a Queensland security licence because they are authorised under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld).
Queensland Health also says no qualification is required for this security officer role because it provides on-the-job training.
This is different from most private security work.
Private Hospital Security
Private hospitals and security contractors can have different requirements.
For example, a recent MSS Security Queensland position involved security work at a hospital on the Gold Coast. The advertised role required:
– Full Australian working rights
– Queensland security licence
– Monitoring, crowd-control and unarmed-guarding functions
– First Aid and CPR
– Driver’s licence
– Ability to work rotating 12-hour shifts
The position involved CCTV, access control, emergency response and hospital security.
So applicants should always check the exact employer’s requirements.
Site Security Jobs
Site security can include:
– Commercial buildings
– Industrial facilities
– Construction sites
– Retail sites
– Warehouses
– Mining sites
– Corporate facilities
– Government sites
– Defence-related facilities
Duties can include:
– Access control
– Patrols
– CCTV monitoring
– Alarm response
– Incident reporting
– Visitor management
– Emergency response
Some sites have additional requirements such as first aid, driver’s licence, police checks, medical/fitness assessments or security clearances.
Queensland Security Licence
For private unarmed security work, Queensland requires a Class 1 security provider licence.
The Queensland Government says applicants for an unarmed security officer licence must generally:
– Be 18 or older
– Provide proof of identity
– Have fingerprints taken
– Pass a criminal-history check
– Complete the required training
A restricted licence can allow a person to work while training under the supervision of a fully licensed provider.
Training and Qualification
The relevant training pathway includes CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations.
Queensland Government’s training database lists approved providers for this qualification in Queensland.
However, don’t assume that completing a security course automatically gives someone permission to work.
The licence and work-right requirements still have to be satisfied.
Criminal History and Fingerprints
Queensland security applicants undergo suitability checks.
The Queensland Government requires fingerprinting and criminal-history checks for the relevant security licence applications. Certain disqualifying offences can prevent a person from obtaining a licence.
Applicants with overseas backgrounds should also be prepared for employers or government authorities to request additional police or character documentation.
Current Queensland Licence Fees
As of the Queensland Government’s July 2026 update, an unrestricted Class 1 unarmed security licence is listed at:
1 year: $376.20
3 years: $744.60
There are also separate application, fingerprinting and criminal-history-check costs.
Fees can change, so applicants should check the Queensland Government before paying.
Recruitment Sources and Employers to Check
I would not call these companies “overseas recruitment agencies” because they are security employers/providers. They are better described as established recruitment sources to check.
1. MSS Security
MSS Security has advertised Queensland security positions, including hospital security.
A recent Gold Coast hospital position involved CCTV, access control, emergency response and protecting a hospital site. The advertised position required full Australian working rights and Queensland security licensing.
MSS also has other Queensland security vacancies, including site-based positions.
Important: A current vacancy does not automatically mean overseas applicants will receive visa sponsorship.
2. Wilson Security
Wilson Security operates across Australia and has current Queensland recruitment activity.
Recent Queensland listings include security positions in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and other locations. Some positions specifically require a Queensland security licence and Australian citizenship or unlimited working rights.
Applicants should check each vacancy individually.
3. Securecorp
Securecorp is another established Australian security company with current recruitment activity.
Recent Queensland listings have included security positions involving hospital environments, patrols, incident response and access control. Securecorp also maintains an official recruitment portal for current vacancies.
Again, applicants should check the exact vacancy for work-right and licensing requirements.
4. Queensland Health
For hospital security, don’t overlook Queensland Health itself.
Queensland Health has its own security officer career pathway and says it provides on-the-job training for its security officer positions.
Some Queensland Health security vacancies are advertised directly through the Queensland Health careers system rather than through private recruitment agencies.
One recent Townsville Health Security Officer advertisement, for example, involved CCTV, electronic security systems, access control and hospital infrastructure.
Can Foreigners Apply?
This is the part overseas applicants must investigate carefully.
Having security experience from the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia or another country does not automatically give you Australian work rights.
Australian immigration rules state that work rights depend on the visa held. Visitor visas and ETAs do not allow work.
Therefore:
Security experience + qualification ≠ automatic Australian work visa.
What About Visa Sponsorship?
Don’t assume that a security vacancy provides sponsorship.
For example, some current Queensland security advertisements specifically require full Australian working rights.
Australia’s Skills in Demand visa is available only when the relevant visa requirements are met, including nomination for an eligible skilled position. The Core Skills stream requires the nominated occupation to be on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Therefore, applicants should verify the exact occupation and visa pathway before paying anyone or making travel plans.
Documents Applicants Should Prepare
Potential documents include:
– Passport
– Updated CV
– Security certificates
– Employment reference letters
– Police clearance
– First Aid certificate
– CPR certificate
– Driver’s licence
– Security licence, if already held
– Training certificates
– Identity documents
– Visa/work-right documents
Employers may request additional documents depending on the position.
For Former Police and Military Personnel
Previous police or military experience can be relevant to some security employers.
However, it does not automatically replace Queensland licensing, visa or employer requirements.
Some sensitive sites may also have additional security-clearance requirements.
Men and Women Can Apply
Security is not limited to men.
Women can apply for suitable security officer positions, including hospital, corporate, retail, site and other security environments.
Search using professional job titles such as:
Security Officer
Security Guard
Female Security Officer
Hospital Security Officer
Site Security Officer
Security Control Room Operator
rather than searching only for “lady guard.”
Important Scam Warning
Be very careful with advertisements saying:
“Guaranteed Queensland security job.”
“Guaranteed visa sponsorship.”
“No licence required.”
“Pay us first for your job.”
Australian Home Affairs states that it is against the law for someone to ask a person to pay money for a job or visa.
Queensland Government also warns job applicants about recruitment scams and says government recruitment processes will not ask applicants to pay fees to apply, attend an interview or progress through recruitment.
What Applicants Should Verify
Before accepting an overseas security offer, ask:
1. Who is the Australian employer?
2. What is the exact job location?
3. Is it a hospital, commercial site, industrial site or other facility?
4. Is the vacancy currently open?
5. Does it accept overseas applicants?
6. Is Australian work experience required?
7. Is a Queensland security licence required?
8. What training is required?
9. Does the employer provide visa sponsorship?
10. What visa pathway is being used?
11. What salary and hours are offered?
12. Is there a written employment contract?
Never rely only on a screenshot or Facebook post.
The Important Update
Queensland currently has genuine security opportunities across hospitals and other sites, and current 2026 listings show active recruitment in the sector.
But there is no single requirement for every security job.
Queensland Health hospital security can operate under a special statutory arrangement, while private security employers generally require the Queensland security licence. Foreign applicants must also have lawful Australian work rights.
Verify the employer, vacancy, licence requirements and visa pathway before applying or paying anyone.
This article is for general information only. A vacancy does not guarantee employment, visa sponsorship or licence approval. Requirements can change, so applicants should verify the specific position with the employer and the Queensland/Australian government.
