Security Services Industry 2025 Pay Rates (MA000016)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Security Services Industry covers employees in the security industry, including security guards, patrol officers, crowd controllers, alarm monitoring operators, bodyguards, and cash-in-transit employees. If you work in private security, event security, static guarding, or mobile patrol, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 150,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover police officers (who are public sector employees), military personnel, or cash-in-transit workers specifically covered by the Transport (Cash in Transit) Award (MA000042). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

The award classifies security employees into levels based on their duties and licensing requirements. Entry-level guards progress through to senior security officers, control room operators, and supervisory roles. Crowd controllers and bodyguards have specific classifications.

Key features of this award

Security work is predominantly performed outside standard business hours, with night shifts, weekend work, and public holiday work being common. The award includes day, night, and permanent night shift rates reflecting the 24/7 nature of security operations.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

Refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000016 for current dollar amounts for each classification level. Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.

Penalty Rates

Penalty rate multipliers from the Fair Work Commission penalty rate schedule for MA000016. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 275% depending on when and how you work.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees

Casual Employees

Penalty rate categories in this award

The following penalty rate descriptions apply under MA000016:

• Day
• Monday to Saturday - after 2 hours
• Monday to Saturday - first 2 hours
• Night
• Permanent night
• Public holiday
• Public holiday - all day
• Saturday
• Sunday
• Sunday - all day

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Refer to the specific award clauses for exact percentages applicable to each classification level and employment type.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual worker on a Sunday

A casual employee working a 4 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000016 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x 4 hours hours
• Clause reference: refer to casual penalty rates clause

Example 2: Full-time worker on a public holiday

A full-time employee working an 8-hour public holiday shift.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000016 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 275%)
• Total: public holiday rate x 8 hours
• Clause reference: refer to public holiday clause

Example 3: Part-time worker with overtime

A part-time employee who works 2 hours beyond their rostered hours on a weekday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000016 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum shift for security guards?

The minimum engagement for security employees is typically 4 hours. Even if you are sent home early, you must be paid for the minimum shift length.

2. Do I get a higher rate for permanent night shifts?

Yes, permanent night shift workers receive a higher penalty rate than rotating night shift workers, reflecting the ongoing disruption of working permanent nights.

3. Are crowd controllers paid differently from static guards?

Crowd controllers and static guards may be classified at different levels depending on their duties and licensing requirements, which affects their base rate. The same penalty rate percentages apply to all classifications.

4. What is the minimum shift length under this award?

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is 4 hours per shift. Even if you are sent home early, you must be paid for the minimum shift length.

5. How do I check my exact pay rate?

Use our free calculator or refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000016. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in security services and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your classification level, employment type, and shift pattern.

Schema Markup Suggestions

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Table Schema (Dataset)

• name: "Security Services Industry MA000016 Pay Rates July 2025"
• description: "Classification levels and penalty rates for security guards, patrol officers, and crowd controllers under the Security Services Industry"
• temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
• creator: Fair Work Commission
• license: CC BY 4.0

Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Security Services Industry (MA000016)

Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.