Anyone can mount a camera on a wall. Fewer people are allowed to do it for money. In Western Australia, installing security alarms and CCTV is licensed work, and the licence exists for a reason that is easy to overlook when you are comparing quotes: this equipment ends up inside your home or business, with access to your doors, your footage and your network.
This guide explains what the licence covers, why it matters, and how to check an installer before they touch your property.
What the security installer licence covers
WA Police issues the licence, and it is split into four classes. Class 2 is the one most homeowners and business owners will meet, because it covers security alarms, security-purpose CCTV, electric fences and related equipment. The other classes cover safes, vaults and locks (Class 1), security doors (Class 3) and locks (Class 4). An installer can hold more than one class, so it is worth asking which classes apply to the work you want done.
To qualify, an applicant must be at least 18, pass a fit and proper person assessment and complete the technical security training for the class they are applying for. Licensed installers also generally work for a licensed security business rather than on their own, so a legitimate operator should be able to tell you about both the person and the company behind the quote.
Why it matters more than it sounds
Consumer Protection WA and WA Police have both warned about unlicensed security installers, who often advertise through online marketplaces and social media, frequently at prices well below the market. A WA Police inspector has pointed out that unlicensed people may not have had background checks, which could put households and employees at risk.
Think about what a security installer sees. They know where your cameras are and where they are not. They may set your alarm code, configure remote access to your recordings and learn when the building is empty. A check that confirms the person has been assessed is a reasonable thing to ask for, not an insult.
How to check before you hire
Ask to see the licence
A genuine installer will not mind. Ask for the licence number and the class, and make sure the name on it matches the person who turns up. Consumer Protection advises that a legitimate tradesperson should have no problem with you checking their details with the licensing authority.
Check with WA Police
The WA Police Force website lists current licence holders, and Police Licensing Services can be contacted on 1300 171 011 if you want a licence confirmed. Do this before work starts, because a licence that has lapsed or been cancelled is no use to you on the day you discover it. Information on the licensing process is also published by the WA Government’s business licensing service.
Look at the whole picture
A licence tells you someone has met the standard for security work. It does not replace the usual checks: a written quote, a clear scope of work, a warranty you can read and references you can follow up. Cabling and electrical work sit under their own requirements, so ask what each person on your job is licensed to do.
Warning signs worth taking seriously
None of these proves anything on its own, but together they should slow you down. Be wary of an installer who cannot or will not show a licence, who pushes you to decide on the spot, who offers a price far below everyone else without explaining why, or who has no business details you can verify. If someone is reluctant to be checked, that tells you something already.
If you are a builder, landlord or property manager
Consumer Protection has specifically warned builders who engage tradespeople to install security systems in new homes. If you are arranging the work for someone else, the responsibility to check does not disappear because the end client will not be present. Our guide to pre-wiring a new build in Perth covers when security and data cabling should be planned alongside the build, which is also the best moment to confirm who is doing the work.
What to do if you think you have already hired an unlicensed installer
You can report concerns to WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division, and Consumer Protection handles complaints about tradespeople more generally. Meanwhile, it may be sensible to have a licensed installer inspect what was done, because poorly installed alarm systems can fail when they are needed, and cameras placed or configured badly may not record what you expected. Regular checks help in any case, and our post on how often to service your CCTV cameras explains what a sensible routine looks like.
Licensing arrangements can change, so confirm the current requirements with WA Police before you engage an installer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licensed installer if I fit a camera myself?
The licensing rules apply to people doing paid security installation work. Fitting your own equipment at your own property is a different situation, but check the current rules with WA Police if you are unsure, and remember that DIY work carries no warranty from a professional.
Is an installer licence the same as a licence for the security company?
Not exactly. The installer licence is held by the individual, and licensed installers generally work for a licensed security business. Ask for details of both, and confirm anything unclear with WA Police Licensing Services.
Does a licence guarantee the work will be good?
No. It shows the installer has been assessed and trained to the required standard, but you should still ask for a written quote, references and a clear warranty, and see how the installer handles your questions.
I am a builder. Whose job is it to check the installer I hire?
Consumer Protection has warned builders about engaging unlicensed installers for new homes, so checking before work starts is sensible. Keep a record of the licence details you were given in case the owner asks later.
Who do I contact if an installer will not show a licence?
You can contact WA Police Licensing Services on 1300 171 011, and Consumer Protection can help with unresolved problems involving tradespeople. Do not let work start until you are satisfied.
Check our licence before you check anyone else’s
We would rather you ask than assume. VG Techs holds Security Licence No. 71264, WA Security Provider 7126 and Master Cabler A045514, and you are welcome to verify them with the licensing authorities before we start. If you would like a licensed team to look at your property and explain the options without pressure, we can arrange a visit.
Call 0472 652 026, email admin@vgtechs.com.au, or book a site visit. Based in Piara Waters, servicing greater Perth from Rockingham to Joondalup, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm.