Security guard pay rates under the Security Services Industry Award from 1 July 2026: hourly, weekly and casual rates for levels 1 to 5, with night, weekend and public holiday rates and take-home pay after tax in 2026–27.
A Level 1 security officer earns at least $28.42 an hour ($35.53 casual), or $1,080.10 a week. That's about $56,165 a year and $1,840 a fortnight after tax. Open in the pay calculator.
Security guard pay rates by level
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $28.42 | $35.53 | $1,080.10 | $56,165 | $1,840 |
| Level 2 | $29.24 | $36.55 | $1,111.00 | $57,772 | $1,881 |
| Level 3 | $29.73 | $37.16 | $1,129.80 | $58,750 | $1,906 |
| Level 4 | $30.23 | $37.79 | $1,148.70 | $59,732 | $1,931 |
| Level 5 | $31.20 | $39.00 | $1,185.70 | $61,656 | $1,980 |
Full-time weekly rate is for 38 hours. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, without a study loan.
Night, weekend and public holiday rates
Full-time and part-time
| Level | Night (Mon-Fri) | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $34.59 | $42.63 | $56.84 | $71.05 |
| Level 2 | $35.59 | $43.86 | $58.48 | $73.10 |
| Level 3 | $36.18 | $44.60 | $59.46 | $74.33 |
| Level 4 | $36.79 | $45.35 | $60.46 | $75.58 |
| Level 5 | $37.97 | $46.80 | $62.40 | $78.00 |
Casual
| Level | Night (Mon-Fri) | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $41.69 | $49.74 | $63.95 | $78.16 |
| Level 2 | $42.90 | $51.17 | $65.79 | $80.41 |
| Level 3 | $43.61 | $52.03 | $66.89 | $81.76 |
| Level 4 | $44.35 | $52.90 | $68.02 | $83.13 |
| Level 5 | $45.77 | $54.60 | $70.20 | $85.80 |
Night is weekday hours from 6pm to 6am. Employees on permanent night work get more: $36.95 at Level 1 ($44.05 casual).
Penalty rates in the award
| When you work | Full-time and part-time | Casual (incl. loading) |
|---|---|---|
| 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday | 100% | 125% |
| Midnight to 6am and 6pm to midnight, Monday to Friday | 121.7% | 146.7% |
| Permanent night work, Monday to Friday | 130% | 155% |
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 200% | 225% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
For a week with a mix of shifts, use the penalty rates calculator.
Which level am I?
- Level 1: Guarding people, premises or property where complex computer technology isn't needed, basic crowd control (shopping centres, events, venues), screening at entry points.
- Level 2: Works from complex instructions and is the first response to incidents: responding to alarms, crowd control, vehicle patrols of 2 or more sites, monitoring alarm and access control systems, dog handling.
- Level 3: Limited supervision and higher computer skills: controlling people, vehicles and stock at gatehouses, operating building systems under supervision, site inductions.
- Level 4: Monitoring and reacting to electronic security systems in a control room, changing building management settings, coordinating other officers.
- Level 5: The highest award level: high-level communication and computer skills, operating integrated building management systems and coordinating officers' activities.
The level depends on the duties and skills the job requires. These are summaries of the award's Schedule A; check the award for the full definitions.
Allowances
| Allowance | Rate |
|---|---|
| First aid (if appointed first aider) | $7.68 a shift, up to $38.19 a week |
| Firearm | $3.84 a shift, up to $19.21 a week |
| Broken shift | $18.30 a rostered shift |
| Supervision, 1 to 5 employees | $47.68 a week |
| Supervision, over 20 employees | $84.28 a week |
| Relieving officer | $47.23 a week |
| Aviation | $2.11 an hour |
How it works
- The Security Services Industry Award covers employers in the security services industry and the security officers they employ, from guards and crowd controllers to control room operators.
- Casuals get a 25% loading instead of paid leave, and higher weekend and night rates.
- Overtime is time and a half for the first 2 hours and double time after that; Sunday overtime is double time.
- Some security companies have enterprise agreements that pay above the award. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
How much does a security guard get paid in Australia?
The award minimum for a Level 1 security officer is $28.42 an hour ($1,080.10 a week) from 1 July 2026, or $35.53 as a casual. Level 2 (alarm response, vehicle patrols and first response to incidents) is $29.24 an hour.
What is the casual security guard rate?
$35.53 an hour at Level 1, rising to $39.00 at Level 5. Casuals get $49.74 on Saturdays, $63.95 on Sundays and $78.16 on public holidays at Level 1.
What do security guards get paid on night shift?
Weekday hours between 6pm and 6am are paid at 121.7% ($34.59 an hour at Level 1), or 130% ($36.95) for an employee on permanent night work.
What is the security guard Sunday rate?
Double time for full-time and part-time employees ($56.84 at Level 1) and 225% for casuals ($63.95).
How much does a security guard earn a year?
About $56,165 a year at Level 1 and $61,656 at Level 5 for a 38-hour week before penalty rates, which is $1,840 to $1,980 a fortnight after tax in 2026–27. Guards who work nights and weekends earn more.
When do security award rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also casual loading, weekend pay rates, public holiday pay and the national minimum wage.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide, Security Services Industry Award [MA000016], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.