Understanding Your Safety Officer Salary: Gross, Package, and Take-Home Pay

The Confusion Between Safety Officer and Security Officer Pay

When you search for a "safety officer salary", many results actually show pay for security officers. While both roles involve protecting people and assets, they are distinct occupations with different awards, duties, and pay scales. This guide helps you sort through the numbers and understand what reaches your bank account after tax.

What the Search Results Show

The Fair Work Ombudsman's Security Services Industry Award (MA000016) sets minimum rates for security officers. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the hourly rates are:

• Security officer level 1: $28.42 per hour
• Security officer level 2: $29.24 per hour
• Security officer level 3: $29.73 per hour
• Security officer level 4: $30.23 per hour
• Security officer level 5: $31.20 per hour

These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a higher rate (including a casual loading). Penalty rates apply for Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, and night work.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median weekly earnings for full-time Security Officers and Guards is $1,818, based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That equates to roughly $94,536 annually before tax. The median hourly earnings are $42 per hour.

Where Does the Safety Officer Salary Fit?

A safety officer (often a Work Health and Safety role) is not covered by the Security Services Award. Safety officers may be covered by other awards or enterprise agreements, and their pay varies significantly by industry, experience, and location. The search results do not provide a specific figure for safety officers, so it is best to check your specific award or negotiate based on your qualifications.

From Gross Salary to Take-Home Pay

Understanding your take-home pay is critical. For a security officer earning the median $1,818 per week (about $94,536 annually), here is how the numbers break down for 2026–27:

• Gross annual salary: $94,536
• Income tax: Using the resident tax rates, tax on $94,536 is $4,020 plus 30c per dollar over $45,000 = $4,020 + ($49,536 × 0.30) = $4,020 + $14,860.80 = $18,880.80. Then subtract the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): at $94,536, LITO is $325 minus 1.5c per dollar over $45,000 = $325 – ($49,536 × 0.015) = $325 – $742.04 = $0 (since it cannot go negative). So tax is $18,880.80.
• Medicare levy: 2% of $94,536 = $1,890.72 (full rate applies as income exceeds $35,013).
• Take-home pay: $94,536 – $18,880.80 – $1,890.72 = $73,764.48 per year, or about $1,418.55 per week, $2,837.10 per fortnight.

This is a resident estimate only and excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. It is not a tax assessment.

Super and Salary Packaging

Job advertisements often quote a salary "plus super". From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% on earnings up to $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it is paid on top by your employer. If your salary is quoted as a package including super, your take-home will be lower because super is part of the total cost to your employer.

Salary packaging (e.g., for a car or laptop) can reduce your taxable income, increasing take-home pay. Use our Take-home pay guide to estimate your net income.

Medicare Levy Thresholds

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for most residents. For 2026–27, the latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading-in rate of 10c per dollar applies. Full-time salaries typically pay the full 2%.

Key Takeaways

• The term "safety officer salary" is often confused with security officer pay. Use the correct award for your role.
• Security officer award rates start at $28.42 per hour (level 1) and go up to $31.20 (level 5). Median weekly earnings are $1,818.
• Take-home pay depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and whether super is included in the quoted salary.
• For a precise estimate, use our Tax and Medicare calculator.

Always check your specific award or employment contract. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the official pay guides, and the Australian Taxation Office sets tax rates.