RPL for Certificate III in Security Operations

Certificate III in Security Operations takes 14 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for CPP31318 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 14 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you CPP31318. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what CPP31318 involves →

The 14 units you complete, chosen from these 41

You do not do all 41. Certificate III in Security Operations is 8 core units, which everyone does, plus 6 chosen from the 33 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Worth knowing: 2 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• BSBFLM312 — Contribute to team effectiveness
• CPPSEC3101 — Manage conflict and security risks using negotiation
• CPPSEC3102 — Maintain operational safety and security of work environment
• CPPSEC3103 — Determine and implement response to security risk situation
• CPPSEC3104 — Coordinate monitoring and control of individual and crowd behaviour
• CPPSEC3105 — Coordinate provision of quality security services to clients
• CPPSEC3106 — Gather, organise and present security information and documentation
• HLTWHS003 — Maintain work health and safety

Electives — you choose from these

• CHCCCS020 — Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
• CPPSEC2114 — Monitor electronic security equipment and respond to alarm events
• CPPSEC3107 — Monitor security and coordinate response from control rooms
• CPPSEC3108 — Store, protect and dispose of security information
• CPPSEC3109 — Use and maintain security databases and compile reports
• CPPSEC3110 — Control persons using batons
• CPPSEC3111 — Restrain persons using handcuffs
• CPPSEC3112 — Manage training and well-being of dogs for security functions
• CPPSEC3113 — Handle dogs for security patrols
• CPPSEC3114 — Control security risk situations using firearms
• CPPSEC3115 — Carry, operate and maintain revolvers for security purposes
• CPPSEC3116 — Carry, operate and maintain semi-automatic pistols for security purposes
• CPPSEC3117 — Carry, operate and maintain shotguns for security purposes
• CPPSEC3118 — Inspect and test cash-in-transit security equipment and rectify faults
• CPPSEC3119 — Implement cash-in-transit security procedures
• CPPSEC3120 — Load and unload cash-in-transit in secured and unsecured environments
• CPPSEC3121 — Control persons using empty hand techniques
• CPPSEC3122 — Plan provision of close protection services
• CPPSEC3123 — Implement close protection services
• CPPSEC3124 — Prepare and present evidence in court
• CPPSEC3125 — Implement security procedures to protect critical infrastructure and public assets
• CPPSEC3126 — Defend persons using spray
• CPPSEC3127 — Conduct security screening using x-ray equipment
• CPPSEC3128 — Conduct security screening using walk-through metal detection equipment
• CPPSEC3129 — Conduct security screening using explosive trace detection equipment
• CPPSEC3130 — Conduct security screening using hand-held metal detectors
• CPPSEC3131 — Select, use and maintain body armour for security purposes
• HLTAID011 — Provide First Aid
• HLTAID014 — Provide Advanced First Aid
• HLTAID015 — Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy
• PMAOMIR210 — Control evacuation to muster point
• TLIB0002 — Carry out vehicle inspection
• TLIC1051 — Operate commercial vehicle

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Cleaning Operations (CPP30321, 14 units)
• Certificate III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing (CPP30821, 16 units)
• Certificate III in Investigative Services (CPP30619, 16 units)
• Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (CPP30226, 11 units)
• Certificate III in Urban Pest Management (CPP30119, 10 units)
• Certificate III in Waste Management (CPP30719, 12 units)

More RPL in construction, plumbing and services

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in construction, plumbing and services.

When you are ready, see what CPP31318 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.