Award coverage for a security guard depends on:
- the industry or industries their employer operates in
- the specific role and responsibilities of the employee.
Industry award coverage
An industry award covers a security guard if:
- their employer operates in the industry defined in the award
- there's a classification which matches the employee's duties and qualifications.
Security Award
Security Guards
The Security Award only covers security guards if their employer is in the security services industry.
Example
Boris is employed by a security services contractor. Event organisers use the security services contractor when they have events that require patrolling and crowd control.
Boris is instructed by his security services employer to attend the events and generally is stationed at the entrance and exits.
Boris’ employer is covered by the Security Services Industry Award and is classified as a Security Officer Level 1.
Concierge security officers
The Security Award can also cover concierge security officers if their employer is in the security services industry and they are primarily performing duties prescribed in the classifications within the award.
See Award Coverage for a concierge in a residential or office building for more information about concierge security officers in a residential or office building.
Other industry awards
If their employer doesn't operate in the security services industry, security guards may be covered by another industry award if there's a classification for them.
For example, a security guard may be covered by one of the following industry awards:
- Amusement Award
- Health Services Award
- Higher Education (General Staff) Award
- Hospitality Award
- Restaurant Award
- Retail Award.
Example
Margaret is employed directly by a supermarket to provide security services for the store.
Margaret is stationed at the entrance of the store and inspects customers’ bags when they are leaving the store to assist in loss prevention.
Margaret is covered by the Retail Award, because her employer is in the retail industry and not the security industry. She’s classified as a Retail Employee Level 1.
No industry award coverage
Security guards not covered by an industry award are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. They'll be classified according to their duties and qualifications.
References
What to do next
- Find out about Awards & agreements
- Find out more about Employment contracts
- Test your knowledge about awards and agreements with our Workplace Basics quiz
- Find out about the Award classifications
- Find out about Other workplace relations help