Retail Loss Prevention Officer

A Retail Loss Prevention Officer works in retail environments to minimise theft, fraud, and operational losses through surveillance, investigation, and risk assessment. They monitor store premises using CCTV systems, conduct investigations into suspected incidents, and implement security protocols to protect merchandise and assets. They work closely with store management, security staff, and external law enforcement to enforce loss prevention policies and maintain a secure retail environment.

Monitor CCTV footage and alarm systems to identify suspicious behaviour and potential security breaches in real time. Conduct investigations into suspected theft, fraud, or staff misconduct by interviewing witnesses, reviewing footage, and documenting findings. Perform undercover observations in store areas to detect employee theft or external shoplifting patterns. Analyse loss data and shrinkage reports to identify high-risk products, departments, or time periods and recommend preventive measures. Implement and audit security protocols including cash handling procedures, access controls, and merchandise protection systems. Train store staff on loss prevention procedures, customer service behaviours that reduce shrinkage, and reporting protocols. Liaise with local police and security contractors to report incidents, provide evidence, and coordinate responses to criminal activity. Review point-of-sale (POS) transaction logs and inventory discrepancies to detect fraudulent refunds, voids, or unauthorised discounts.

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 pay is modest and won't climb much higher: you'll hit a ceiling pretty quick unless you move into corporate security roles. You're also watching CCTV for hours, which is tedious, and you'll need to confront staff or customers about theft, which creates tension and potential conflict. Automation may change some surveillance work over time.

Retail is metro-heavy and remote work isn't an option.

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
• Case Note Documentationcore
• Check tickets at venue entrycore
• Conflict De-escalationcore
• Conflict Resolutioncore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Verification and Authenticationcore
• Check official documents
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliance
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Digital Literacy
• Multitasking
• Record Management
• Stakeholder Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management and Prioritisation
• Written Communication

• 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