Security Manager (Non-ICT)

A Security Manager (Non-ICT) oversees physical security operations and personnel safety across facilities, sites, or organisations in Australia. They develop and implement security policies, manage security staff and contractors, respond to security incidents, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation including state and territory security licensing laws and workplace health and safety requirements. They work across retail, hospitality, events, construction, corporate offices, and critical infrastructure settings.

Develop and review security policies, procedures, and protocols aligned with state and territory security licensing laws and relevant Australian standards. Recruit, train, and supervise security personnel and contractors, including conducting induction on site-specific risks and emergency procedures. Conduct risk assessments of physical premises, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending security upgrades or changes to access control. Monitor security surveillance systems, alarm systems, and CCTV footage to identify breaches or unusual activity. Respond to security incidents, breaches, or emergencies by coordinating with on-site security staff, law enforcement, and management. Investigate incidents of theft, vandalism, trespass, or policy violations using evidence collection and witness statements. Manage security access systems including ID badges, key card distribution, visitor logs, and permit administration. Liaise with local police, emergency services, and security industry bodies to share threat intelligence and best practice.

The standard entry pathway requires a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (ABS skill level 2). 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.

You'll need a security industry licence and often prior frontline security experience to be taken seriously for management roles. The real grind is that you're managing low-wage staff with high turnover, meaning constant hiring and training while also being on-call for emergencies at odd hours. Pay doesn't scale much above mid-range even in senior roles.

Practically, most jobs are in major metros across retail chains, airports, banks, and large corporate campuses. Regional work exists in mining and construction sites, but remote work is rare since you need to be on-site for incidents and staff oversight.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 1399, 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.

• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Conflict De-escalationcore
• Conflict Resolutioncore
• Escalation Managementcore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Attention to Detail
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Record Management
• Reporting and Analytics
• Research and Analysis
• Workload Self-Management

• 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