Australia’s security industry now employs 132,000 full time equivalent workers, but staffing is only part of the picture, with 42,000 crowd controllers licensed and night shift roles making up 45% of employment. At the same time, security firms face a tight operational rhythm, with an average 24% annual turnover rate and wage pressures that land security guards at AUD 1,250 per week. Let’s look at what these figures mean for workforce makeup, training, technology adoption, and risk across each state and licence category.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian security industry employs over 132,000 full-time equivalent workers as of 2023.
- Security guards number 85,000 licensed personnel in Australia in 2022.
- Employment in security services grew by 3.1% YoY to 110,500 in 2023.
- The Australian security services industry revenue reached AUD 13.4 billion in 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2018 to 2023.
- Security industry market size grew by 5.2% in 2022 due to increased demand post-COVID recovery.
- Private security expenditure by businesses in Australia totaled AUD 8.7 billion in 2021.
- All security personnel require Class 1 or higher licensing under state laws since 2007 reforms.
- NSW issues 45% of all Australian security licences annually.
- Security licences renewal rate 92% compliance in 2022.
- Australia recorded 1.2 million cyber incidents affecting physical security in 2023.
- Property crimes dropped 8% but retail theft up 15% in 2022.
- 45,000 aggravated burglaries reported nationwide in 2023.
- 65% of CCTV systems in Australia use AI analytics as of 2023.
- Biometric access control adoption rate 42% in commercial buildings 2022.
- Drone surveillance used by 18% of security firms in 2023.
Australia’s security industry employs 132,000 full time equivalents, with rapid growth driven by rising demand and technology.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment Statistics30 stats
01
The Australian security industry employs over 132,000 full-time equivalent workers as of 2023.
02
Security guards number 85,000 licensed personnel in Australia in 2022.
03
Employment in security services grew by 3.1% YoY to 110,500 in 2023.
04
Female representation in security workforce at 22% in 2022.
05
Average weekly earnings for security guards AUD 1,250 in 2023.
06
Over 18,000 security officers employed in New South Wales alone in 2022.
07
Part-time security employment accounts for 28% of total workforce in 2023.
08
Youth employment (under 25) in security industry 15% of total in 2022.
09
Security industry turnover rate averaged 24% annually in 2023.
10
42,000 crowd controllers licensed across Australia in 2023.
11
Employment growth projected at 2.8% CAGR to 2028.
12
Indigenous workers comprise 3.2% of security workforce in 2022.
13
Security trainers and assessors number 2,500 nationally in 2023.
14
Victoria security employment 28,000 full-time in 2022.
15
Average hours worked per security employee 38.2 per week in 2023.
16
7,200 managers in security industry employed in 2022.
17
Casual employment 35% of security roles in 2023.
18
Queensland security workforce 22,500 in 2023.
19
Security apprenticeships total 1,800 active in 2022.
20
Labour productivity in security industry AUD 120,000 per worker in 2023.
21
Overseas-born workers 28% of security employment in 2022.
22
Security industry added 4,200 jobs in 2023.
23
Disability employment in security 4.1% in 2023.
24
South Australia security guards 6,200 licensed in 2022.
25
Union membership in security workforce 12% in 2023.
26
Tasmania security employment 2,100 in 2023.
27
Night shift workers 45% of total security employment.
28
Security industry unemployment rate 2.8% below national average in 2023.
29
ACT security workforce 1,800 full-time equivalents in 2022.
30
Over 250,000 total licences issued to security personnel since inception.
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Despite employing over 132,000 people, Australia's security industry guards its own stability with a shaky 24% annual turnover, a reality only slightly steadied by its 3.1% growth and the fact that nearly half its workforce is braving the night shift for an average of $1,250 a week.
02 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
The Australian security services industry revenue reached AUD 13.4 billion in 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2018 to 2023.
02
Security industry market size grew by 5.2% in 2022 due to increased demand post-COVID recovery.
03
Private security expenditure by businesses in Australia totaled AUD 8.7 billion in 2021.
04
The guarding services segment accounted for 62% of total security industry revenue in 2023.
05
Australia's security technology market was valued at AUD 2.1 billion in 2022.
06
Overall security industry projected to reach AUD 18.2 billion by 2028 with 5.1% CAGR.
07
Cash-in-transit services revenue hit AUD 1.2 billion in 2023, up 3.8% YoY.
08
Electronic security installations contributed AUD 4.3 billion to industry revenue in 2022.
09
Security industry GDP contribution stood at 0.45% of Australia's total GDP in 2021.
10
Manned guarding market size estimated at AUD 7.9 billion for FY2023.
11
Security services exports from Australia totaled AUD 156 million in 2022.
12
Industry profit margin averaged 6.2% in 2023 for security firms.
13
Video surveillance market in Australia valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2023.
14
Access control systems revenue grew to AUD 950 million in 2022.
15
Total security industry investment in R&D was AUD 245 million in 2021.
16
Security services imports reached AUD 420 million in 2023.
17
Alarms monitoring services generated AUD 1.1 billion in revenue FY2022.
18
Industry average enterprise number was 15,200 security firms in 2023.
19
Security retail sales (equipment) hit AUD 650 million in 2022.
20
Projected industry revenue growth of 4.8% for 2024.
21
Cybersecurity services within physical security hybrid market at AUD 3.2 billion in 2023.
22
Event security services revenue AUD 890 million in 2022 post-lockdowns.
23
Security industry capital expenditure totaled AUD 1.4 billion in 2021.
24
Remote monitoring services market size AUD 750 million FY2023.
25
Industry wage bill reached AUD 5.6 billion in 2023.
26
Biometric security market in Australia valued at AUD 180 million in 2022.
27
Security consulting services revenue AUD 420 million in 2023.
28
Total assets of security industry firms AUD 9.8 billion in 2022.
29
Per capita security spend in Australia AUD 510 in 2023.
30
Security industry concentration: top 4 firms hold 25% market share in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Australia's security industry is booming with such confidence that you'd think it's guarding Fort Knox itself, yet it operates on surprisingly slim margins, as if it's doing its own books with a watchful eye on the bottom line.
03 · Category
Regulatory and Licensing30 stats
01
All security personnel require Class 1 or higher licensing under state laws since 2007 reforms.
02
NSW issues 45% of all Australian security licences annually.
03
Security licences renewal rate 92% compliance in 2022.
04
Mandatory training hours for security guards: 160 initial + 20 annual CP.
05
1,250 unlicensed operators prosecuted in 2023 across states.
06
Private Security Act 2007 (NT) regulates 2,500 licences.
07
Fingerprinting mandatory for all new licences since 2018.
08
Security firm registration fee AUD 1,200 average nationally.
09
98% of licences digitally issued via state portals in 2023.
10
Prohibited weapons seizures from security personnel: 340 in 2022.
11
National Police Checking Service processes 50,000 security checks yearly.
12
Licence suspension rate 1.8% for misconduct in 2023.
13
Crowd control endorsements required for 25% of guards.
14
Security training providers audited 450 times in 2022.
15
Interstate licence recognition under Mutual Recognition Act for 15% of applicants.
16
Use of force training mandatory every 2 years per regulations.
17
72% compliance with body-worn camera policies in regulated firms 2023.
18
Security Industry Act 1997 (NSW) amended 12 times since inception.
19
Annual licence fees average AUD 280 per individual.
20
Working with Children Check required for 40% of security roles.
21
Regulator fines total AUD 2.1 million for breaches in 2022.
22
Master licence holders must display publicly: 100% compliance audited.
23
Security dogs handlers require special endorsement in all states.
24
Online licence application processing time reduced to 5 days in 2023.
25
5,200 licence cancellations for criminal convictions 2018-2023.
26
Code of Practice breaches: 890 cases investigated in 2022.
27
National registration database covers 95% of licences since 2020.
28
Armoured vehicle operators need Category M endorsement.
29
Privacy Act compliance mandatory for CCTV operators.
30
2-year licence validity standard across 80% of jurisdictions.
Interpretation
Regulatory and Licensing Interpretation
Australia's security industry stands as a heavily regulated fortress, where a 92% renewal rate and digital efficiency meet the stern reality of 1,8% suspensions and million-dollar fines, proving that while the gatekeepers are well-licensed and tracked, the system itself is watching them just as closely.
More related reading
04 · Category
Security Threats and Incidents27 stats
01
Australia recorded 1.2 million cyber incidents affecting physical security in 2023.
02
Property crimes dropped 8% but retail theft up 15% in 2022.
03
45,000 aggravated burglaries reported nationwide in 2023.
04
Cyber-physical attacks on infrastructure rose 28% YoY.
05
Organized crime groups involved in 22% of security breaches 2022.
06
Terrorism threat level stable at 'probable' since 2020.
07
ATM ram raids increased 320% in NSW 2023.
08
Data breaches costing businesses AUD 1.25 million average 2023.
09
Street-level assaults up 12% in major cities 2022.
10
Insider threats account for 34% of security incidents.
11
Fuel theft from sites rose 18% amid energy crisis.
12
Active shooter incidents: 7 events in 5 years to 2023.
13
Ransomware attacks on security firms: 210 cases 2022.
14
Public transport assaults 14,200 incidents annually.
15
Construction site thefts cost AUD 1.1 billion yearly.
16
Domestic violence calls requiring security: 65,000 in 2023.
17
Port security breaches: 180 incidents intercepted 2022.
18
Vandalism to CCTV: 2,400 cases reported 2023.
19
Human trafficking detections at borders: 320 in 2022.
20
Festival crowd crushes risks led to 12 enhanced deployments.
21
Copper cable thefts 8,500 incidents costing AUD 45m.
22
Phishing attacks targeting security personnel up 40%.
23
Hospital security incidents 22% rise due to aggression.
24
Wildlife park intrusions 450 cases amid tourism boom.
25
Data center physical intrusions prevented: 1,200 alarms 2023.
26
School lockdowns from threats: 890 in 2022.
27
Logistics warehouse break-ins up 25% supply chain strains.
Interpretation
Security Threats and Incidents Interpretation
In 2023, Australia's security landscape became a surreal seesaw where cyber-attacks rampantly targeted our physical locks, even as old-fashioned smash-and-grabs staged a noisy comeback, proving that while criminals have enthusiastically upgraded their tools, they haven't abandoned their core job description.
05 · Category
Technology and Innovation30 stats
01
65% of CCTV systems in Australia use AI analytics as of 2023.
02
Biometric access control adoption rate 42% in commercial buildings 2022.
03
Drone surveillance used by 18% of security firms in 2023.
04
Cloud-based security management systems market grew 22% YoY to AUD 450m.
05
Facial recognition deployment in retail security at 35% penetration 2023.
06
IoT security devices installed: 2.1 million units in 2022.
07
AI-powered threat detection software used by 52% of large firms.
08
Wireless alarm systems account for 68% of new installations 2023.
09
Cybersecurity integration in physical security: 75% of enterprises 2022.
10
Video analytics market size AUD 320 million in 2023.
11
Mobile patrol apps adopted by 61% of mid-sized firms.
12
5G-enabled security cameras rolled out in 15% urban sites 2023.
13
Blockchain for access logs piloted in 8% government facilities.
14
Robotic security guards deployed in 120 sites nationwide 2023.
15
Smart glass tech in secure facilities: 12% adoption rate.
16
Gunshot detection systems installed in 45 high-risk venues.
17
AR/VR training modules used by 28% training providers 2022.
18
Edge computing in CCTV reduces latency by 40% in 55% systems.
19
Quantum-resistant encryption adopted by 3% top-tier firms.
20
License plate recognition cameras: 180,000 units operational 2023.
21
Predictive analytics for patrols: 37% efficiency gain reported.
22
Wearable tech for guards (panic buttons) 82% penetration.
23
Hyperspectral imaging for perimeter security trialed in 20 mines.
24
Digital twins for facility security modeling in 14% large sites.
25
NFC/RFID tags in access: 91% of new corporate installs.
26
Voice biometrics verification in call centers: 22% security ops.
27
Autonomous vehicle patrols tested in 5 airports 2023.
28
Multi-factor auth via biometrics mandatory in 60% banks.
29
LiDAR sensors in perimeters: 250 installations 2022.
30
Holographic displays for secure briefings emerging in 2% C-suite.
Interpretation
Technology and Innovation Interpretation
Australia’s security industry is becoming a sentient, data-hoarding entity, where your face is scanned, your car is tracked, AI predicts the mischief you haven't even done yet, and a robot guard with a panic button might be watching from the cloud while it trains in VR and updates a blockchain log.
Reference
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Australia Security Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-security-industry-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Australia Security Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-security-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Australia Security Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-security-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
69 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level