what is a security officer?
As a security officer, you usually work in a team to ensure the safety of your location, the people working there and any valuables on site. You carry out active patrols in all weather, maintain access controls for vehicles and foot traffic, and operate monitoring equipment. You are one of the public faces of your organisation, and you maintain its reputation by greeting staff and visitors politely and with authority.
You inspect your assigned site's buildings and equipment and make sure that all doors, windows, fence perimeters, gates and assets are secure. You work in shifts to maintain security round the clock, check that exits are closed and locked, and ensure equipment and valuables are stored safely. You complete daily reports with observations of on-site activities and are alert and attentive.
As a security officer, you are a first responder to incidents, managing distress calls, disruptive activities or emergency alarms quickly and appropriately. You deal with trespass, suspicious behaviour, accidents, safety and fire incidents. You are also responsible for supervising traffic into and out of the site, permitting or refusing entry and restraining intruders.
security officer jobsaverage salary of a security officer
The average salary of a security officer in Australia is $74,638 per year or an hourly rate of $38.28. In entry-level roles, your earnings are $56,610 annually, while experienced security officers take home over $114,828 yearly.
factors that affect the salary of a security officer
Your remuneration depends on where you work and your level of experience. When you work in companies that require a high level of protection, you may earn a higher salary due to the complexity of the role. A high level of security may require you to carry a firearm, which attracts higher remuneration and requires you to possess a licence. Your experience in handling various situations or previous experience in law enforcement increases your earning potential in the role.
Want to know more about what you will earn as a security officer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of security officers
As a security officer, your options for roles and working environments are varied. They include:
• warehouse security: your primary responsibility is to control access for vehicles and foot traffic to protect the warehouse content. This role often requires close monitoring (CCTV surveillance) and the coordination of patrol routes and schedules.
• general security: you protect public and commercial buildings, guarding against trespass and theft. You could be part of a team securing a single building or covering a large worksite. Alternatively, you could work alone as part of a single-operative shift pattern.
• corporate security: you are the public face of your employer as much as the reception staff, so you're skilled in employee and customer interactions. You may also have specialist training in providing security for high-value clients in stressful situations.
• hospitality security: your locations are entertainment and concert venues. You deal with drunk or aggressive attendees and medical emergencies requiring swift action. You are also responsible for crowd control, fire safety regulations compliance and maintaining a safe environment for all individuals present.
• vehicle security: as a crew member of a vehicle transporting valuables, you might be working directly or as a third party for banks, jewellers and other organisations that require the protection of high-value goods.
working as a security officer
Working as a security officer requires attention to detail to maintain high-quality surveillance. Read on to discover security officers' specific duties and job outlook.
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duties and responsibilities
Some of the duties and responsibilities of a security office include the following:
• conducting regular patrols of the site: as a security officer, you check that all entrances and windows are secure and that any perimeter fencing is intact. You also conduct regular patrols to check for any suspicious activities within the premises.
• monitoring site surveillance: you monitor the surveillance cameras and other security systems. If you notice anything unusual, you notify other security officers. You respond to suspicious activities and alarms or dispatch personnel to the location. You also install alarm systems and cameras in areas that require additional protection.
• guarding gates and entrances: as a security officer, you stand at the gate, check identification if required, and operate search equipment. You also inspect cars and direct the visitors to the correct entrance to buildings.
• maintaining logs of people entering and leaving the site: when you work in busy construction or mining sites, you retain logs of people entering or leaving the premises. You also create reports for patrols and record daily incidents.
• responding to incidents and acting to calm disturbances: as a security officer, you respond to incidents on the premises. You could be called on to detain intruders or to restrain troublemakers.
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work environment
As a security officer on a site, you spend a lot of your time on patrols, especially during closed shifts. You maintain a regular schedule in all weather. During working-hours shifts, you spend more of your time at access points or being visible to members of the public. You generally wear a uniform and are in a public-facing role where your politeness and professionalism reflect on your employers. If you work in a transport vehicle, you travel a regular route. Your uniform includes personal protective equipment, and you transport containers of cash or other valuables.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include security guards, protection officers and heavy rigid drivers. You might also be working close to crowd control personnel and police officers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, security supervisors, firefighters and investigators.
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work schedule
As a security officer, you must work shifts, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. You usually work 37 to 48 hours a week and might have rotating shifts, depending on your location. In event and venue security, you work evenings, weekends and bank holidays while an event is running. You might work banking hours if you transport cash in a vehicle, but out-of-hours and overnight shifts are expected.
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job outlook
The security industry is naturally healthy, and with security officer skills and qualifications, you will always find a position. You can progress your career by becoming a supervisor and, from there, a senior or chief security officer. Alternatively, you might move to management roles through a Security First Line Management apprenticeship. If you advance to an area security manager post, you will be responsible for your organisation's regional facilities.
You can specialise in high-profile security areas like close protection, anti-terror or conflict management. You could become a consultant advising companies on their security measures, design and install security systems, recruit security officers, or manage contracts.
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advantages of finding a security officer job through randstad
Finding your security officer job through Randstad provides essential benefits such as the following:
• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a security officer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary position found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
To become a security officer, you require the following training:
• certificate course: it is crucial to complete the training requirements of the state you wish to work for, and the state police must accredit your training. Some courses you can complete include Certificate II in security operations or Certificate IV in security and risk management. The courses provide training on safety awareness, self-defence and crowd control.
• licences: it is crucial to check the state licensing requirements for security officers. For instance, you usually need a first aid certificate. If you carry a firearm, you require a licence for it. You must also complete the national police check and apply for a security licence in your state or territory.
security officer skills and competencies
As a security officer, you require the following skills and qualities:
• patience: your shift mainly involves sitting or standing, waiting for a situation that requires an immediate response. You spend long hours repeating the same tasks, so patience is essential and increases your job satisfaction.
• attention to detail: detail-oriented skills enable you to spot unusual activities in your surroundings. Attention to detail helps you maintain awareness of your surroundings and identify anything suspicious. It also allows you to assess if the situation requires your immediate intervention.
• physical fitness: being fit helps you perform your duties as a security officer. For instance, your responsibilities may involve capturing intruders or running to catch a suspect before the police arrive.
• decision-making skills: during an emergency, you make quick decisions to manage crowds effectively and keep everyone safe. Good decision-making skills can help you save lives and prevent situations from escalating.
FAQs about working as a security officer
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a security officer.
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what are the duties of a security officer?
As a security officer, you assign tasks to the security guards to ensure the premises are secure. You also patrol premises and events or monitor surveillance equipment to protect premises from intruders. As a security officer, you also inspect buildings and verify visitors entering the building.
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what are the basic skills of a security officer?
Being sufficiently physically fit and active to perform your duties is essential as a security officer. Your job may involve running after intruders or lifting heavy objects to clear escape routes during emergencies. You also spend hours standing, which requires physical fitness. Thinking on your feet can save lives and neutralise dangerous situations.
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is a security officer the same as a security guard?
A security officer supervises a group of security guards. Your job is to assign duties to security guards and manage their activities. The work of a security guard is to stand at the gate and verify visitors' identification as they enter the building. They also inspect cars and register them as they enter the premises.
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is security officer a promising career?
A career as a security officer offers many opportunities for advancement and development. It's a promising career for those who want to start at the entry level and work their way up.
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what is a professional security officer?
When you see a role advertised for a 'professional' security officer, the employer is looking for someone with the proven ability to perform more than simple security checks. That might include experience in testifying in court and communicating with legal teams.
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how do I apply for a security officer vacancy?
Applying for a security officer job is straightforward: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
