The role of a security officer in Australia is incredibly varied. Tasks a security guard might perform include protecting people and property, providing surveillance for threats, conflict resolution, and administering unarmed defence for themselves and others.
With such a wide variety of tasks comes an equally diverse range of security guard roles. Not every security role is awarded the same wage. While you might be asking: “How much does a security guard earn?” A better question is “Does every security role get paid well?”
Average Salary for a Security Guard in Australia
How much does a security guard earn? The average Australian security guard salary depends on many different factors. Pay depends on specific job title, where they are located, their employer, and what tasks they are required to perform. The following are some security guard jobs and their average salary.
General Guarding
A security guard who performs general guarding duties can expect to earn a salary range of $60,000 to $75,000 AUD per year in Australia.
Unarmed Security Officer
Unarmed security officers make a comparable salary, approximately between $50,000 and $70,000 per year.
Crowd Control
Crowd control officers make an average of $30 per hour, leading to an average base salary of around $60,000 based on full-time hours.
Factors Affecting Salary for a Security Guard
The security guard average salary in Australia depends on many factors. Pay depends on the specific work they do, the risks associated with their job title, the state that they’re working in, and their employer.
Experience and Qualifications
The best way to get experience as a security guard is the same for any other industry in Australia. The sooner you start, the sooner you can begin earning experience and start looking for your first promotion and a higher salary.
To get experience, first you need to earn the necessary qualification, CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations. After which they need to apply to their state government for a security licence before they can work as a security guard. To enrol participants must possess a basic level of physical fitness, have a firm grasp of written and verbal English, and pass a criminal history check.
Location and Cost of Living
The average salary pay of a security guard in Australia depends on which state they’re working in, and whether they’re employed in a big city or a smaller town. Higher population density means more opportunities to work as security guard and a higher alary, but it also means a higher cost of living.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary in Different Security Guard Roles
The best ways to increase your salary as a security officer are the same as with any other job in Australia. Enter the industry and work for a while and build up your experience, and explore additional qualifications along the way to move up the career ladder toward a higher salary.
Type of Employer
Two different security guards can work the same job but receive a different salary if they have different employers. Working for a public organisation vs working for a private employer can also have a huge impact on salary in Australia.
Obtaining Additional Certifications
Some employers will offer on the job training which leads to a qualification, but this is not always the case. The flexible hours of many security job roles make it a great industry for employees to seek out additional qualifications on their own time through a registered training organisation.
Gaining Experience and Specialised Skills
While building up your experience over a few years is great way for a security officer to move up there’s more you can do. Spend this time learning specialised skills and earning qualifications to boost your chances of a better salary.
Interested in starting a career in the security industry? Take the first step and enrol in our security course today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I earn as a Security Guard?
The average base salary pay for security guards is $60,000 to $75,000 in Australia. Of course, this depends on the type of work, the employer, and your location.
What is the security industry award rate?
Your rate will depend on several factors. However, the level one pay rate for a security officer is $25.27 per hour in Australia.
Do you have to study to become a security guard?
There are no education requirements to become a security officer in Australia other than CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations. After successfully completing this course all you need to do is obtain a security licence for your state government.
How much does it cost to become a security guard?
Our course fees CPP20218 Certificate II in Security Operations are $599 for domestic students $1100 for international students. Each state charges additional licencing fees.