Minimum pay rates for security workers in Australia under the Security Award. Updated 1 July 2026.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016)
$28.42
Base rate/hr
$35.53
Casual rate/hr
The minimum pay rate for security workers is $28.42/hr under the Security Award. Casuals receive $35.53/hr (base + 25% loading). Rates effective from 1 July 2026.
Security guards, crowd controllers, and patrol officers are covered by the Security Services Industry Award. Night shifts and weekend work are standard in this industry, so penalty rates and shift loadings add up fast. Here's what the award says you should be getting.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Security Level 1 | $28.42 | $35.53 | $56,157.92 |
| Level 2 | Security Level 2 | $29.24 | $36.55 | $57,778.24 |
| Level 3 | Security Level 3 | $29.73 | $37.16 | $58,746.48 |
| Level 4 | Security Level 4 | $30.23 | $37.79 | $59,734.48 |
| Level 5 | Security Level 5 | $31.20 | $39.00 | $61,651.20 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2026 under the Security Services Industry Award 2020. Casual rates include 25% loading.
Casual workers get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. This compensates for no paid leave, no notice period, and no redundancy pay. Here's what that looks like for each level:
| Level | Base Rate | + 25% Loading | Casual Rate/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $28.42 | +$7.11 | $35.53 |
| Level 2 | $29.24 | +$7.31 | $36.55 |
| Level 3 | $29.73 | +$7.43 | $37.16 |
| Level 4 | $30.23 | +$7.56 | $37.79 |
| Level 5 | $31.20 | +$7.80 | $39.00 |
Penalty rates are calculated on the base rate (Level 1: $28.42/hr). Casual employees receive penalty rates on their base rate before casual loading is applied.
Saturday
$42.63/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$56.84/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$71.05/hr
2.5x base
| Penalty Type | Multiplier | Level 1 Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 1.5x | $42.63/hr |
| Sunday | 2x | $56.84/hr |
| Public Holiday | 2.5x | $71.05/hr |
| Afternoon Shift | 1.1x | $31.26/hr |
| Night Shift | 1.15x | $32.68/hr |
| Overtime (first 2 hours) | 1.5x | $42.63/hr |
| Overtime (after 2 hours) | 2x | $56.84/hr |
View the complete Security Award including all classification levels, break rules, allowances, and more.
View Full Security Award Pay Rates →If your payslip shows less than $28.42/hr (or $35.53/hr casual), you might be getting underpaid. It happens more than you'd think in security. Use our underpaid checker to calculate what you're actually owed.
Check If You're Underpaid →The minimum base rate for security guards is $28.42/hr (Level 1) under the Security Services Award. Casual guards earn $35.53/hr. A Level 5 security officer earns $31.20/hr base.
Yes. Afternoon shifts attract a 10% loading and night shifts get 15% on top of your base rate. Saturday pays 1.5x, Sunday is double time (2.0x), and public holidays pay 2.5x.
Crowd controllers (bouncers) are typically classified at Level 2 or above under the Security Award, earning $29.24/hr base. With night and weekend penalties, the effective rate is significantly higher.
Yes. All states and territories require security guards and crowd controllers to hold a valid security licence. The licence requirements and costs vary by state. Your employer cannot deduct licence costs from your pay below the award rate.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.
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