A locksmith is one of the few tradespeople you knowingly let into the most private part of your life: the lock on your front door. It makes sense to check who you are dealing with. In New South Wales, many locksmithing activities sit inside the state's security industry licensing system, and that system gives you a practical way to check. This guide explains how it works in plain terms, what to look for and what to do if the answers do not add up.

A note before we begin: licensing rules are set by the NSW Government and can change. Everything here is general guidance to help you ask good questions. For the current position, always check with the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED), which is part of NSW Police, or with Service NSW.

Why locksmith licensing exists

Locksmiths handle keys, master key systems, safes and the physical security of homes and businesses. In the wrong hands, that knowledge could be misused. Licensing is designed to make sure people doing security work have passed probity checks and met training and conduct standards.

For you as a customer, licensing provides three practical benefits:

Identity. A licence is tied to a named person, so you know who is working on your door.
Background checks. Licence holders have been through checks before being approved.
Accountability. Licence holders can be disciplined, suspended or have their licence cancelled for misconduct.

Who administers licensing in NSW

Security licensing in NSW is administered by the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED), a unit of the NSW Police Force. Applications are usually lodged through Service NSW. SLED maintains a public register you can use to check whether a licence is current.

The specific licence classes that cover locksmithing, and the exact activities that need a licence, are defined in NSW security industry legislation. Because the classes and requirements can be updated, the safest approach is to look them up directly with SLED or Service NSW rather than relying on any third-party summary, including this one.

How to check a licence: step by step

Step 1: Ask for the licence number

Before work starts, ask the locksmith for their security licence number. A licensed operator should be able to give it to you straight away. Many display it on their website, vehicle, business card or invoice.

If the answer is vague, such as "it's on file" or "the company has one", ask for the individual's number. Licences are held by people, and you are entitled to know whose licence covers the person at your door.

Step 2: Search the public register

Use the NSW Government's public licence check, available through Service NSW or the NSW Police SLED pages. Search by licence number or name.

Step 3: Check the details match

When you find the record, check:

The name matches the person or business you are dealing with.
The status is current, not expired, suspended or cancelled.
The class covers the kind of work being done.
The expiry date has not passed.

Step 4: Ask to see identification

Licensed security workers are generally issued with a physical licence card. It is reasonable to ask to see it, and to see that the photo matches the person.

What a licence does and does not tell you

A current licence tells you the person has met the state's requirements to do security work. That is valuable, but it is not the whole picture.

A licence does not tell you:

whether their prices are fair;
whether they are good at their trade;
whether they are a local business or a national call centre; or
whether they will recommend only the work you actually need.

So treat a licence as a baseline, not a guarantee. Combine it with the other checks in our guide on what to ask before hiring a locksmith.

Other signs of a legitimate locksmith

Alongside licensing, look for:

A real business address. Ours is 186 Arden St, Coogee NSW 2034. An address that matches the business's Google listing is a good sign.
A consistent business name across the website, phone greeting, vehicle and invoice.
An ABN on invoices, which you can check on the Australian Business Register.
Clear explanations of what is wrong and what the options are.
A proper invoice with the business name and contact details.
Honest limits, such as real operating hours rather than vague "24/7" claims.

Warning signs worth taking seriously

The person cannot or will not give a licence number.
The name on the register does not match the person or business.
The licence has expired or been suspended.
The website shows no address or a different suburb name on every page.
Prices rise sharply once the locksmith arrives.
A standard lock is drilled immediately without trying non-destructive methods.
There is no invoice, or the request is cash only.

If several of these appear together, it is reasonable to decline the work and call someone else.

What to do if something seems wrong

Before work starts: you can simply say no. You are not obliged to let anyone work on your door.

After work is done: if you believe a trader has behaved unfairly, NSW Fair Trading provides guidance on consumer rights and complaints. If you believe someone is doing security work without a licence or has engaged in misconduct, SLED is the body to contact.

If you suspect a crime: contact NSW Police.

Keep any invoices, receipts, messages and photos, as they help if you need to make a complaint.

A note on our own approach

We think customers should be able to check everything we claim. On this website we deliberately avoid putting up credentials, awards, ratings or years-in-business claims we cannot show you. When you call 02 5023 1337, you are welcome to ask us any of the questions in this article before we start work.

Licensing and businesses or strata

If you manage a business or a strata building, checking licences is even more important, because locksmiths may be given access to master key systems or many doors at once. It is reasonable to:

ask for licence numbers before engaging a locksmith;
keep a record of who holds or has cut master keys;
ask how restricted keys are controlled; and
make sure invoices record exactly what was done.

Our commercial locksmith page explains how we handle business and strata work.

Quick checklist

Before you let a locksmith start:

Ask for the licence number.
Check it on the NSW public register.
Confirm the name, status and expiry.
Ask to see the licence card.
Confirm the business name and address.
Ask what the work involves and what it will cost.
Make sure you will get a proper invoice.

What to ask on the phone, word for word

If you are not sure how to raise licensing without sounding awkward, these simple questions work well:

"Before you come out, could I get your business name and your security licence number?"
"Is the licence in the name of the person who will attend?"
"Will your invoice show the business name, address and ABN?"
"Where are you based?"

A genuine local locksmith will not mind any of these. Most will be glad you asked, because it separates them from operators who rely on customers not checking.

Checking an ABN as well

A licence tells you about the person. An ABN tells you about the business. You can look up any ABN for free on the Australian Business Register website. The record shows the business name, whether the ABN is active, and the state where the business is registered. If the name on the ABN record has no connection to the name on the website or the invoice, it is worth asking why.

Records worth keeping after the job

Once work is done, keep:

the invoice, showing the business name, contact details and work done;
the locksmith's licence number, written on the invoice or noted separately;
the number of keys you were given;
any photos of the work.

These records help with insurance claims, landlord requirements, strata records and any dispute. For businesses and strata buildings, a simple register of who has cut or holds keys is especially valuable.

If you cannot find the licence on the register

Records can occasionally take time to appear, names can be recorded differently, or you may have searched with a typo. Ask the locksmith to confirm the details. If the answers still do not match, you are entitled to choose someone else.

The honest summary

Licensing gives you a practical way to confirm who is working on your locks. Ask for a licence number, check it on the NSW register, and combine that with the other signs of a genuine local business: a real address, a consistent name, clear pricing and proper paperwork.

If you need a locksmith in Coogee, South Coogee, Randwick, Clovelly or nearby, call Local Coogee Locksmith Service on 02 5023 1337, open 7 days, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM. You can also request a quote, read about our lockout service or contact us.

How to Check a Locksmith's Licence in NSW