Can I Become a Security Officer with a Disability? Understanding Your Options with Asset College

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Empowering Your Decision

At Asset College, we believe that every individual should have the opportunity to pursue meaningful training and employment. We regularly receive enquiries from people with various health conditions or disabilities asking whether they can complete a security course or work in the industry. These are important and valid questions – and the answers are not always simple.

This article has been developed to give you clear, honest and supportive information to help you make an informed decision about your suitability for training and work in the security industry. It forms part of a series addressing specific conditions and challenges to provide practical guidance, not false hope.

What You Need to Know About Security Training and Work

Working in the security industry involves responsibilities that can be physically demanding, mentally challenging, and high-stakes. It may require:

Responding quickly to unpredictable situations
Managing aggressive or intoxicated individuals
Standing or walking for extended periods
Using communication systems (e.g. radios, phones)
Observing surroundings with strong situational awareness
Writing reports, giving verbal briefings, and following legal procedures

Your ability to meet these expectations – safely and reliably – is not just about whether you can enrol in a course, but whether you’ll be able to do the job after training.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Safety and Integrity

Asset College is committed to supporting learners with disabilities or health conditions wherever possible. We will make reasonable adjustments to support your access to training, provided those adjustments do not compromise:

We will not prevent you from enrolling simply because of a disclosed condition. However, we ask that you carefully consider the suitability of the role, and in some cases, we may request a fitness to participate clearance from your doctor. This helps ensure your health and safety during training – and prepares you for the realities of work in the field.

What We Can and Cannot Guarantee

We can:

We cannot:

It’s important to know that licensing authorities and employers may have different expectations or requirements than training organisations.

Our Trainers and Staff: Compassionate, Not Clinical

Asset College staff and trainers are not medical professionals or experts in every form of disability. While we undergo regular professional development to build our understanding and capabilities, we recognise our limitations. Some of our staff have lived experience – either personally or through immediate family – and bring genuine empathy and a strong desire to support without misleading.

This is one of the reasons we request fitness to participate documentation. We know how valuable a medical opinion can be – not to restrict your opportunity, but to help us help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Your Role in Making the Right Decision

This decision ultimately belongs to you. We encourage you to reflect honestly on your capabilities and risks. Consider the following checklist:

Can I respond quickly and effectively in an emergency?
Am I comfortable managing unpredictable or aggressive behaviour?
Can I maintain awareness of my surroundings and communicate clearly under pressure?
Will my condition or medication affect my reaction time, alertness, or ability to concentrate?
Can I stand or walk for extended periods as required by most roles?
Am I comfortable working alone or at night, often in unfamiliar environments?
Can I reliably follow procedures and document incidents accurately?
Have I discussed my suitability with a medical professional who understands the demands of security work?

If you answer “no” to any of the above, it doesn’t automatically mean you can’t train or work in security – but it’s worth discussing further with us and your healthcare provider.

What is the Fitness to Participate Process?

If concerns arise about your ability to safely engage in training, we may ask you to complete a Fitness to Participate form. This includes a contextualised summary of course requirements and a template that can be completed by your treating doctor.

This step is not designed to exclude you. Instead, it helps protect your wellbeing and ensures that any participation in training is done with full understanding of the risks and responsibilities involved.

Explore Our Disability-Specific Articles

This article is part of a larger series that explores how different conditions may affect your ability to train or work in security. You can read more about:

Each article includes a disability-specific perspective, common challenges, and support considerations – always with the goal of empowering your decision-making.

Making a Decision That’s Right for You

Choosing to enter the security industry is a personal decision. At Asset College, we’re here to help – not to judge or limit your opportunities. Our role is to support you in accessing training safely and responsibly, and to provide the information you need to decide what’s right for you.

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.