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Can I Become a Security Officer if I Have a Medical Condition?
Managing Health and Career Goals in Security
Many people live with medical conditions that require ongoing care, medication, or lifestyle adjustments. At Asset College, we often receive questions from prospective students wondering whether their condition will prevent them from completing a security course or working in the security industry.
This article provides guidance to help you make a safe, informed decision – one that takes into account your personal health, the nature of security work, and the requirements of our training programs.
What Types of Medical Conditions Are Relevant?
Medical conditions vary widely in their impact and management. Some examples that may affect security training or work include:
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Diabetes, particularly if insulin-dependent or prone to hypoglycaemia
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as heart disease or hypertension
- Respiratory conditions, including asthma or COPD
- Chronic pain or fatigue syndromes
- Neurological conditions, such as MS or Parkinson’s
- Conditions with fluctuating capacity, such as autoimmune diseases
- Medication side effects that impact alertness, mobility, or mood
Many people manage their health conditions effectively. The question is not whether you have a diagnosis, but whether the condition affects your ability to meet the demands of training and work in a safety-critical industry.
Risks and Responsibilities in Security Work
Security officers often work alone or in teams in high-pressure, unpredictable environments. They must be ready to act in emergencies, manage aggressive or distressed people, and respond to risks affecting the public.
Some of the key challenges for individuals with medical conditions may include:
- Sudden incapacitation (e.g. seizures, fainting, hypoglycaemia)
- Delayed response times due to fatigue, pain, or medication
- Difficulty working shifts, especially at night or in extreme heat
- Restricted mobility or endurance
- Increased personal safety risk in physical or violent situations
- Impaired alertness or judgement due to medication or symptoms
These risks must be considered carefully, not just for your own wellbeing, but for the safety of others.
How Medical Conditions May Affect Training
In our courses, students are required to:
- Participate in physical simulations (e.g. evacuations, patrols)
- Respond to role-play scenarios involving conflict or aggression
- Use radios or other equipment
- Follow complex instructions and complete incident reporting tasks
- Remain alert and responsive for extended periods
If your condition may prevent you from safely completing these tasks, we will need to discuss this with you – and in most cases, ask you to complete a Fitness to Participate form with your treating doctor.
Understanding the Fitness to Participate Process
The Fitness to Participate process is a formal way for us to ensure that training will not place you at risk. You’ll be provided with a course summary outlining the physical, psychological, and cognitive demands of training. Your doctor will then assess whether you’re fit to participate, with or without any precautions or limitations.
We may request this clearance:
We may request this clearance:
- When a known condition has been disclosed
- If we have concerns about your safety based on symptoms or behaviour
- When medication or treatment may impact your capacity to participate or respond in emergencies
This is not a judgment or a barrier – it’s a safety and support process.
Reasonable Adjustments and Our Limits
We will consider reasonable adjustments where they do not compromise:
- Safety of you or others
- Integrity of training and assessment
- Practicality of delivery
- Participation of others in group learning
We do not reduce the standard of competency, modify core tasks, or eliminate physical or communication requirements essential to real-world security roles.
Decision-Making Checklist: Is Security Right for Me?
Before enrolling, ask yourself:
- Is my condition stable enough for me to participate fully and safely in training?
- Can I respond quickly and clearly in an emergency?
- Could my condition or medication cause sudden incapacity or distraction?
- Am I able to manage stress, fatigue, and conflict without risk to myself or others?
- Have I discussed my career goals with my doctor or specialist?
- If I needed to work nights, in crowds, or alone, would that pose additional risk?
These questions are not designed to exclude – they’re meant to help you reflect on whether security is the right path for you right now.
Health, Safety and Informed Decisions
Having a medical condition does not automatically mean you can’t train or work in security. But it does mean that you have a responsibility to assess your risk honestly, and we have a duty of care to ensure that training is safe and suitable for every participant.
We are here to support you through that process with respect, empathy, and practical advice – but ultimately, the decision to enrol should be based on your health, your safety, and your realistic capacity to meet industry expectations.
We are here to support you through that process with respect, empathy, and practical advice – but ultimately, the decision to enrol should be based on your health, your safety, and your realistic capacity to meet industry expectations.
Disclaimer
Please note: Training with Asset College does not guarantee that you will be eligible for a security licence or employment in the industry. Licensing decisions are made by the relevant state or territory regulators. Employers may have their own requirements for fitness for duty, availability, and role suitability. We recommend seeking independent medical and professional advice before making enrolment or career decisions.
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