Crowd controller

Keep order at public places such as licensed venues and events, for example by screening who comes in.

You need a licence before your first shift

Security work needs a state licence. The regulator runs a criminal history check, and some offences can stop you from getting one.

What you do

You screen people at the entry. You watch and control behaviour inside, and remove people when needed. State and territory laws can require a licence for this work, so check before you start.

SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

Licences and tickets

New South Wales

Required by lawYou cannot legally do this work without it.
  • Class 1 security licence (NSW)

    Issued by NSW Police Force, Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate

    Licence

    New South Wales only

    Ask SLED which Class 1 subclass covers the work you will do, such as guarding or crowd control.

    SourceLast checked 10 Oct 2026

    How to get it
Employers often askNot a legal requirement, but many employers ask for it.

Common questions

What licences or tickets do you need to work as a Crowd controller?
New South Wales: Class 1 security licence (NSW). Victoria: Private security individual operator licence (Vic). Queensland: Security provider licence, Class 1 (QLD). Western Australia: Security officer or crowd controller licence (WA). South Australia: Security agent's licence (SA). Tasmania: Security employee licence (TAS). Australian Capital Territory: Security employee licence (ACT). Northern Territory: Security licence (NT). Pick your state on this page to see who issues each one and how to get it.
What are median earnings for a Crowd controller?
Median earnings: $1,818 a week before tax (full-time workers, all experience levels, national; may cover a wider occupation group).