RTO Information
Information for Training Providers (RTOs)
This page provides guidance for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) delivering the Certificate II in Security Operations where students are required to undertake the Security Competency Test as an independent, post-training assessment. It is intended to support consistent student advice, sound enrolment practices and an orderly transition from training completion to external competency testing.
Pre-enrolment advice and student disclosure
- RTOs should ensure that prospective students are clearly advised, before enrolment, that successful completion of the Certificate II in Security Operations does not, of itself, entitle a person to obtain a security licence in Western Australia.
- Students should also be advised that, following completion of training, they must successfully pass the Security Competency Test before they may proceed to apply for relevant security licensing categories, subject to the requirements and decisions of Western Australia Police.
- For the sake of the industry and integrity of the licensing system, it is generally accepted that RTOs undertake appropriate pre-enrolment suitability checks, including consideration of English language ability, to help determine whether a student is suited to both the Certificate II in Security Operations and the role of Security Officer or Crowd Controller.
- It will be a condition of the Test that if a student has requested reasonable adjustment from the RTO, they must declare that at the stage of booking their first Test. If they have not declared a learning disability and requested reasonable adjustment from the RTO, they will not be able to request adjustment for the Test.
- As per the Australian Core Skills Framework, the suggested requirements for this qualification in terms of Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral Communication, and Numeracy is at Level 3.
- The Security Competency Test has been set according to the AQF Level 2, where graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy and limited judgement in structured and stable contexts and within narrow parameters.
As a matter of good practice, RTOs should obtain and retain written acknowledgement from students that these requirements have been explained and understood at the point of enrolment.
Key Requirements
Security Competency Test Required
English Language suitability
AQF Level 2 Standard
ACSF Level 3 Recommended
Student Acknowledgement Required
Transition to testing and student information readiness
To support timely booking, efficient identity verification and accurate test administration, RTOs should ensure that student records are complete, current and capable of being confirmed where required. Where information is requested by the test provider for verification or administrative purposes, it should be provided accurately and in a timely manner, in accordance with applicable privacy and information-handling obligations.
- student legal name
- date of birth
- certificate number and issue details
- Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- residency status or visa subclass, where relevant
RTO executives should also ensure that certificate issuance, student record finalisation and advice to graduates are managed in a way that minimises avoidable delays between course completion and test booking.
Supporting candidate readiness and professional standards
RTOs play an important role in preparing students for the expectations of independent testing and the broader professional standards of security work. In particular, RTOs should support students to understand that the test assesses not only knowledge recall, but also written communication, judgement, incident documentation and the ability to respond appropriately to workplace scenarios.
- reinforcing revision of core training content prior to course completion
- strengthening written communication and incident reporting capability as part of normal training delivery
- ensuring students understand the controlled, supervised and monitored nature of the testing environment
- encouraging students to approach the test as an independent assessment of workplace readiness rather than a repeat of classroom activities
Any support provided by an RTO should be directed to capability development, student understanding and professional readiness. It should not extend to coaching students to specific test items or otherwise undermining the independence of the assessment process.
Post-test outcomes and RTO awareness
RTOs should ensure that students understand the possible outcomes following the Security Competency Test, including that unsuccessful candidates may be required to rebook and pay a further fee for each subsequent attempt. RTOs should also be aware that repeated unsuccessful outcomes may trigger further communication with the training provider and, in some circumstances, a requirement for refresher training before a further attempt is permitted.
Clear communication of these arrangements assists students to make informed decisions and helps distinguish the respective roles of the RTO, the test administrator and Western Australia Police in the licensing pathway.
Reviews of process and administrative concerns
Where a former student raises concerns regarding the administration of the Security Competency Test, the student may request a review of process directly from FAPSTC. Such requests must be made in writing and accompanied by a statutory declaration. RTOs may assist students by directing them to the correct process but should not represent that an RTO can overturn test outcomes or licensing decisions.
RTO liaison and contact
For matters relating to Security Competency Test administration, student transition to testing, or RTO liaison, please contact the FAPSTC CTP team directly on ctp@fapstc.org.au.