Alarm, Security or Surveillance Monitor

An Alarm, Security or Surveillance Monitor operates monitoring centres and security control rooms, observing multiple camera feeds, alarm systems, and sensor networks to detect unauthorised access, fire, or emergency situations across residential, commercial, or industrial sites. They respond to alerts by contacting emergency services, site personnel, or law enforcement, and maintain detailed incident logs and CCTV footage records in compliance with privacy legislation. The role requires sustained attention to visual and auditory feeds, quick decision-making during emergencies, and knowledge of security protocols specific to the sites being monitored.

Monitor multiple CCTV camera feeds simultaneously using control room display systems to observe premises for unusual activity, unauthorised entry, or security breaches. Respond to alarm triggers by verifying alerts through additional camera angles or sensor data, and determining whether to escalate to emergency services or on-site security staff. Contact emergency services including police, fire, or ambulance services via triple-zero (000) during genuine emergencies, providing location and incident details. Communicate with on-site security personnel, site managers, or building occupants via radio or telephone to report observations, confirm incidents, or coordinate response actions. Record and document all security incidents, alarms, and unusual events in incident management systems or handwritten logs with accurate times, locations, and actions taken. Manage CCTV recording systems, including verifying footage is being captured, archiving recorded material, and retrieving footage for evidence or incident review in compliance with Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Monitor access control systems including electronic locks, key card readers, and barrier gates, logging authorised and unauthorised access attempts. Conduct routine system checks including testing alarm sensors, verifying camera functionality, and checking communication equipment to ensure monitoring systems remain operational.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate II or III (ABS skill level 4). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

The job is mostly watching screens for nothing to happen, then staying sharp enough to act fast when something does. You'll work shifts including nights and weekends in a control room with minimal movement. Pay is modest for the responsibility, and false alarms are constant, which dulls your alertness over time.

Regional centres have fewer positions. Monitoring centres are mainly in metro areas servicing office towers, shopping centres, hospitals, and apartment complexes. Some remote work exists for managing systems, but control room roles require on-site presence.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 4422, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Check tickets at venue entrycore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Digital Literacycore
• Ensure public safety and securitycore
• Escalation Managementcore
• Handle surveillance equipmentcore
• Identify security threatscore
• Inbound Call Handlingcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Liaise with security authoritiescore
• Maintain facility security systemscore
• Manage major incidentscore
• Multitaskingcore
• Operate radio equipmentcore
• Perform security checkscore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Record Managementcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Security in commercial buildingscore
• Security in industrial buildingscore
• Security threatscore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workflow Prioritisationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Check official documents
• Conflict De-escalation
• Data Entry and Accuracy
• Deal with aggressive behaviour
• Identify terrorism threats
• Problem Solving
• Provide first aid
• Quality Assurance and Checking
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Report Writing
• Telephone Etiquette
• Verification and Authentication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026