Minimum pay rates for security guards in Australian Capital Territory under the Security Services Industry Award 2020. Updated 1 July 2025.
Last verified: 21 May 2026Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016)
$25.15
Base rate/hr
$31.44
Casual rate/hr
Security guards patrol and protect premises, manage access control, respond to alarms, and provide crowd control at events and venues.
Australian Capital Territory Note
ACT workers benefit from some of the highest average wages in Australia. The ACT also has additional public holidays.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (adult) | $25.15/hr | $955.70 | $49,696.40 |
| Part-time (adult) | $25.15/hr | Pro-rata | Pro-rata |
| Casual (incl. 25% loading) | $31.44/hr | Varies | Varies |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025 under the Security Services Industry Award 2020.
Saturday
$37.72/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$50.30/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$62.88/hr
2.5x base
Penalty rates shown for full-time/part-time Level 1 ($25.15/hr base). Casual employees receive penalty rates calculated on their base rate (before casual loading).
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Annual (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Security officer (watchperson) | $25.15 | $31.44 | $49,696.40 |
| Level 2 | Security officer (crowd control) | $25.99 | $32.49 | $51,356.24 |
| Level 3 | Senior security officer | $26.75 | $33.44 | $52,858.00 |
| Level 4 | Security supervisor | $28.41 | $35.51 | $56,138.16 |
Security guards working overnight shifts should receive night shift allowances in addition to base rates. If you are paid a flat rate regardless of when you work, you may be underpaid.
If you think you are being paid below the minimum rate, you can calculate your potential back pay and check your rights.
Check If You Are Underpaid →The minimum hourly rate for a security guard in Australian Capital Territory is $25.15/hr for full-time and part-time employees, or $31.44/hr for casuals (including 25% loading). This is the Level 1 adult rate under the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016), effective from 1 July 2025.
The minimum wage for a security guard is $25.15 per hour ($955.70 per week for a 38-hour week, or $49,696.40 per year). This is set by the Security Services Industry Award 2020. Higher classification levels attract higher rates.
Security Guards are covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016). This Modern Award sets minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and leave entitlements. Your employer may also have an enterprise agreement with different (usually higher) rates.
Yes. Under the Security Services Industry Award 2020, security guards receive 1.5x their base rate on Saturdays ($37.72/hr) and 2x on Sundays ($50.30/hr). Public holidays are paid at 2.5x ($62.88/hr).
The casual rate for a security guard is $31.44/hr, which includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate of $25.15/hr. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay.
Security guards must hold a licence and are typically adults. Junior rates do not apply. The Security Services Industry Award 2020 does not have specific junior rates for this classification.
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