Security Services Industry Award 2020 — free pay & rights calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Security Services Industry Award 2020?

  The Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016) sets five classification levels. Effective from 1 July 2025, the minimum hourly rates are: Level 1 — AUD $27.13/hour ($1,031.10/week); Level 2 — AUD $27.91/hour ($1,060.60/week); Level 3 — AUD $28.38/hour ($1,078.60/week); Level 4 — AUD $28.86/hour ($1,096.60/week); Level 5 — AUD $29.79/hour ($1,131.90/week). These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Security Services Industry Award 2020?

  The Security Services Industry Award 2020 does not enhance the National Employment Standards (NES) redundancy scale. Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Schedule 4, section 119), you are entitled to between 4 and 16 weeks of pay depending on your years of service: 1 year — 4 weeks; 2 years — 6 weeks; 3 years — 7 weeks; 4 years — 8 weeks; 5 years — 10 weeks; 6 years — 11 weeks; 7 years — 13 weeks; 8 years — 14 weeks; 9 years — 16 weeks; 10+ years — 12 weeks (capped). Small business employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from paying NES redundancy pay.

• How many days annual leave do security workers get under this award?

  Full-time and part-time employees under the Security Services Industry Award 2020 are entitled to four weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year under the NES. Shiftworkers who regularly work Sundays and public holidays are entitled to five weeks (25 days). Annual leave loading of 17.5% applies — you receive the greater of ordinary earnings or base rate plus the 17.5% loading while on leave. Casual employees do not accrue annual leave; instead they receive a 25% casual loading.

• What is the notice period under the Security Services Industry Award 2020?

  The Security Services Industry Award 2020 does not provide notice periods above the NES minimum (Fair Work Act 2009, section 117). The statutory notice scale is: less than 1 year of service — 1 week; 1 to 3 years — 2 weeks; 3 to 5 years — 3 weeks; 5 or more years — 4 weeks. Employees aged over 45 who have completed at least 2 years of continuous service are entitled to an additional 1 week's notice. Employers may provide payment in lieu of notice instead of requiring the notice period to be worked out.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay under this award?

  Employers covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 must pay superannuation at the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate of 12.0% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025, under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The award nominates AustralianSuper and Australian Retirement Trust as default funds. Employees have the right to choose their own complying super fund under Fair Work Act 2009 section 149A. Super is paid on ordinary time earnings — this generally includes base pay, shift loadings, and ordinary-time allowances, but not overtime.

• Does the Security Services Industry Award 2020 provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees under the Security Services Industry Award 2020 receive a 25% casual loading on top of the applicable minimum hourly rate for their classification level. This loading compensates for the absence of leave entitlements (annual leave, personal/carer's leave) and other benefits available to permanent employees. The casual loading is provided for under National Employment Standards (NES) section 67B, effective from 26 August 2022. Note that casual employees may also be eligible for casual conversion to permanent employment under NES sections 66A to 66MA.

• What penalty rates apply to security workers on weekends and public holidays?

  Under the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016), the following penalty rates apply to full-time and part-time employees: night shift (6 pm to midnight, midnight to 6 am) — 121.7% of base rate; permanent night shift workers — 130%; Saturday — 150%; Sunday — 200%; public holidays — 250%. Overtime rates are: Monday to Saturday first 2 hours — 150%; Monday to Saturday after 2 hours — 200%; all Sunday overtime — 200%; public holiday overtime — 250%. Specific allowances also apply, including a first aid allowance of AUD $7.33 per shift and a firearm allowance of AUD $3.67 per shift.

• Can I be made redundant as a casual employee under the Security Services Industry Award 2020?

  Casual employees are generally not entitled to NES redundancy pay because they do not have a firm expectation of continuing employment. However, if a casual employee has been engaged on a regular and systematic basis for 12 months or more and had a reasonable expectation of continuing employment, they may have rights under the NES, including access to unfair dismissal. If you are a long-term regular casual and believe your employment has been ended unfairly, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (1300 724 690) or your union for advice. The small business employer exemption (fewer than 15 employees) applies regardless of casual status.

• What is the minimum wage for security workers in Australia in 2025-26?

  The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2025 is AUD $24.10 per hour (AUD $915.90 per week). However, most security workers are covered by the Security Services Industry Award 2020 (MA000016), which sets higher minimums: from AUD $27.13/hour (Level 1) to AUD $29.79/hour (Level 5). The award minimum always overrides the National Minimum Wage if it is higher. The Fair Work Commission conducts an Annual Wage Review each year — check fairwork.gov.au for any July 2026 updates.