Security Award Penalty Rates
All penalty rates under the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000038) for 2025-26, including weekends, public holidays, evening, and overtime.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Security Award — Key Rates at a Glance
Saturday
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$48.20/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$60.25/hr
2.5x base
Afternoon Shift
$26.51/hr
1.1x base
Night Shift
$27.72/hr
1.15x base
Overtime (first 2 hours)
$36.15/hr
1.5x base
Overtime (after 2 hours)
$48.20/hr
2x base
Rates shown for Level 1 ($24.10/hr base). See full table below for all levels.
Full Penalty Rate Table — Security Award
| Level | Base Rate | Saturday 1.5x | Sunday 2x | Public Holiday 2.5x | Afternoon Shift 1.1x | Night Shift 1.15x | Overtime 1.5x | Overtime 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr | $60.25/hr | $26.51/hr | $27.72/hr | $36.15/hr | $48.20/hr |
| Level 2 | $25.28/hr | $37.92/hr | $50.56/hr | $63.20/hr | $27.81/hr | $29.07/hr | $37.92/hr | $50.56/hr |
| Level 3 | $26.49/hr | $39.74/hr | $52.98/hr | $66.23/hr | $29.14/hr | $30.46/hr | $39.74/hr | $52.98/hr |
| Level 4 | $27.72/hr | $41.58/hr | $55.44/hr | $69.30/hr | $30.49/hr | $31.88/hr | $41.58/hr | $55.44/hr |
| Level 5 | $29.20/hr | $43.80/hr | $58.40/hr | $73.00/hr | $32.12/hr | $33.58/hr | $43.80/hr | $58.40/hr |
Compare Penalty Rates Across Awards (Level 1)
| Award | Base Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Hospitality Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $54.23/hr (2.25x) |
| Retail Award | $24.10/hr | $36.15/hr (1.5x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Clerks Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
| Building Award | $24.10/hr | $48.20/hr (2x) | $60.25/hr (2.5x) |
Calculate Your Exact Penalty Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalty rates under the Security Award?
The Security Award (MA000038) provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday, Afternoon Shift, Night Shift, Overtime (first 2 hours), Overtime (after 2 hours). Rates range from 1.1x to 2.5x of the base hourly rate.
What is the Sunday penalty rate for security workers?
Under the Security Award, permanent employees receive 2x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee at $24.10/hr, this means $48.20/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Security Award?
Public holiday work under the Security Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $60.25/hr.
Who is covered by the Security Award?
The Security Award covers employees in the security industry. Common job titles include Security guard, Security officer, Crowd controller, Bouncer, Patrol officer, Control room operator.
General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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