CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATIVES COURSE

The Close Protection Operatives Course is a 9-day intensive residential course that includes catering and accommodation. It’s designed both for people wanting to break into the industry and for experienced operators wanting to fill gaps in their training. The emphasis is on professional, career-ready skills rather than “tacticool” packages, because the CP industry is small and reputation and professionalism are what make a contractor last.

The course runs twice per annum on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Yes — accommodation and meals are included. The residential structure is intentional and designed to build the team environment and let trainees focus fully on the course without having to worry about sorting out supplies or somewhere to stay before and after the days as they are purposefully long in structure. Days start early with combatives PT relevant to CP operations and progress through a structured program; they require dedicated attention and focus and trainees should expect to finish mentally and physically fatigued. The course ends with a team dinner, presentations and awards.

The course fee is $7,700 (inc. GST). A 10% discount is offered for ex-Defence, law enforcement and first responders — $6,930 (inc. GST). Combined packages for the Security Driver Enhancement Course and Close Protection course are available for those seeking the complete training package.

Yes. Payment plans are arranged through the accounts team, typically as instalments via invoice; personal finance options can be sought through providers that issue credit notes for Study Now Pay Later services. Alternatively the earlier you sign up, the smaller each instalment with our internal billing team, as payments can be spread over a longer period. Options include a deposit to lock in a position with a payment plan continuing after the course, and plans can be structured to a schedule the student proposes (e.g. a set amount per month or fortnight so long as it meets the requirement of paying the course off before commencement).

1. Certificate III in Close Protection Operations (required for a bodyguard licence in Australia);
2. an Advanced First Aid Certificate with TCCC and advanced trauma scenario training;
3. a Firearms Safety Course certificate, Cat H (required for a firearms licence in any Australian state); and
4. the Panoptic CP Graduate Certificate recognising completion of the full 9-day immersive program.

Nationally recognised qualifications are issued through our training partner Asset College (RTO 31718). Optional: a Certificate II in Security Operations is available as an add-on at additional cost via an RPL process through Asset College — the CP Course covers part of the Cert II and the remainder is RPL, assessed case by case on your CV and previous experience. If you are interested in the Cert III & Cert II combination, request information directly and it will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Instructors from tier-1 military and law enforcement backgrounds; CQB/urban CP scenarios; advanced first aid and trauma (TCCC) scenarios; dismounted and mounted CP skills and drills; venue and route recon and site security; combatives for Close Protection; communications; threat and risk assessments; planning and advance work required for live operations; Individual Bodyguard (IBG) and CP team roles and responsibilities; a final simulated team itinerary assessment; a trainee workbook with templates and live-job resources; and access to the Panoptic Pathways Alumni program (online fraternity of alumni distributed across the world).

All instructors come from top-tier law enforcement or CP backgrounds — DIGPRO, military close protection or SF.

No prior experience is required — the course suits newcomers as well as experienced operators. Having a background or experience in frontline, emergency or defence force service does potentially provide an advantage with context familiarity.

No. Panoptic deliberately does not promise employment as part of the course, considering it unethical to use guaranteed-work claims to attract students. That said, the business development team is happy to discuss likely work, engagement rates and graduate opportunities. Graduates with high marks are seen as among the most likely to succeed in the industry and remain on roster for future operational deployments.

Cancellations are not accepted within 3 weeks of course commencement unless by prior written agreement. Please review the full Course Terms & Conditions before booking.

Panoptic is not an RTO — certifications are provided and approved through our training partner Asset College (RTO 31718). Applicants wanting to RPL existing qualifications (e.g. police) should contact the Training Manager directly, as there is an established RPL process.

Some alumni have previously had the ability to access defence force transition funding to in part cover costs of our training.

No, our HQ is on the Gold Coast. We may run courses overseas in the future which will be announced.