How to roster security staff
A complete guide to rostering security guards in Australia, including Security Services Award compliance, roster cycles, break requirements, and 24/7 coverage strategies.
Written by
Georgia Morgan
General information only – not legal advice
This guide provides general information about rostering under the Security Services Award. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Security break requirements
Key break requirements under the Security Services Award.
Between shifts
Minimum: 8 hours
Overtime until 8-hour break achieved
Long break
Minimum: 48 consecutive hours
After every 48 ordinary hours in roster cycle
Meal break
Minimum: 30 minutes unpaid
After 5 hours of work
Rest break
Minimum: 10 minutes paid
Per 4 hours worked
6 steps to security staff rostering
Follow these steps to create compliant and effective security rosters.
Understand roster cycle requirements
Plan rosters within allowable roster cycles of 2-8 weeks.
Key requirements:
- Full-time: 38 hours per week (or average over roster cycle)
- Roster cycles can be 2-8 weeks
- Maximum 48 ordinary hours without a 48-hour long break
- Advance notice required for rosters
Plan minimum break requirements
Ensure adequate rest between shifts to comply with fatigue management rules.
Key requirements:
- Minimum 8 hours between shifts
- Less than 8 hours = overtime until 8-hour break taken
- Maximum 48 ordinary hours without 48-hour long break
- Consider travel time when planning turnarounds
Handle broken shifts correctly
Apply broken shift rules when splitting shifts across the day.
Key requirements:
- Broken shifts: up to 2 periods of duty per day
- Minimum 3 hours for each period of duty
- Broken shift allowance must be paid
- Employee agreement may be required
Apply penalty rates for 24/7 coverage
Calculate correct rates for night, weekend, and public holiday shifts.
Key requirements:
- Saturday: 150% (full-time/part-time)
- Sunday: 200% (full-time/part-time)
- Night shift (midnight-6am): Additional loadings
- Public holidays: 250%
Manage roster changes properly
Follow notice requirements when changing shifts.
Key requirements:
- 7 days' notice for roster changes (or shorter if agreed)
- Without proper notice: overtime rates apply
- Document all roster change agreements
- Consider impact on employee's other commitments
Plan for 12-hour shifts if required
Understand how to implement 12-hour rosters compliantly.
Key requirements:
- 12-hour rosters possible via regular overtime or IFA
- Ensure adequate breaks within 12-hour shifts
- Monitor fatigue indicators
- Consider 4 on/4 off or similar patterns
Streamline security rostering
RosterElf helps security firms manage licence compliance, site assignments, and 24/7 shift coverage. Built for Australian small businesses.
Security penalty rates
Key penalty rates under the Security Services Award.
| Period | Full-time/Part-time | Casual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday-Friday (ordinary) | 100% | 125% | Base rate |
| Saturday | 150% | 175% | All hours |
| Sunday | 200% | 200% | All hours |
| Public Holiday | 250% | 275% | + substitute day for FT |
| Night shift (midnight-6am) | +15% | +15% | Loading on base rate |
| Afternoon shift (6pm-midnight) | +10% | +10% | Loading on base rate |
Common security shift patterns
Typical shift structures for security operations.
Day shift
6:00am - 2:00pm / 7:00am - 3:00pm
Duration: 8 hours
Standard day coverage
Afternoon shift
2:00pm - 10:00pm / 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Duration: 8 hours
Attracts afternoon loading after 6pm
Night shift
10:00pm - 6:00am / 11:00pm - 7:00am
Duration: 8 hours
Attracts night loading midnight-6am
12-hour day
6:00am - 6:00pm
Duration: 12 hours
Requires overtime/IFA arrangement
12-hour night
6:00pm - 6:00am
Duration: 12 hours
Requires overtime/IFA, night loading applies
Security rostering tips
Strategies for effective and compliant security rostering.
Use roster cycles
Plan rosters in 4-week cycles to balance hours and ensure long breaks are scheduled.
Monitor fatigue
Track consecutive shifts and turnaround times to manage fatigue risks.
Cross-train guards
Train guards across multiple sites to provide flexibility and coverage.
Maintain casual pool
Build relationships with licensed casual guards for emergency coverage.
Track licensing
Monitor security license expiry dates and ensure all guards are current.
Plan for events
Build capacity for events and peak periods requiring additional guards.
Common security rostering mistakes
Avoid these costly errors in security staff rostering.
Insufficient break between shifts
Consequence: Overtime payable until 8-hour break achieved
Solution: Build minimum 8-hour gaps into roster templates, account for travel time
Exceeding 48 hours without long break
Consequence: Breach of roster cycle requirements
Solution: Track cumulative hours in roster cycle and schedule 48-hour breaks
Not paying shift loadings
Consequence: Underpayment for afternoon (10%) and night (15%) work
Solution: Apply correct loadings for all hours worked in loading periods
Roster changes without notice
Consequence: Overtime rates payable for hours outside original roster
Solution: Give 7 days' notice or obtain written agreement for shorter notice
Broken shift minimum not met
Consequence: Must pay for 3 hours even if worked less
Solution: Ensure each broken shift period is at least 3 hours
Related guides
Learn more about rostering and compliance.
Frequently asked questions
- Under the Security Services Award, full-time employees must work an average of 38 ordinary hours per week over a roster cycle of 2-8 weeks. This allows flexibility to work longer weeks balanced by shorter weeks. Within any roster cycle, you cannot roster more than 48 ordinary hours without a long break of at least 48 consecutive hours.
- While the weekly average must be 38 hours (full-time), guards can work more in individual weeks as long as it averages out. The key limits are: maximum 48 ordinary hours without a 48-hour break, minimum 8 hours between shifts, and compliance with fatigue management requirements.
- Employers must give 7 days' notice for roster changes, unless a shorter period is agreed. If insufficient notice is given, any time worked outside the previously notified starting and finishing time must be paid at overtime rates.
- Yes, but the employee must agree to the shorter notice period. If they don't agree and work the changed hours anyway, overtime rates apply. Document all short-notice roster changes and employee agreements.
Regulatory sources
This guide is aligned with official Australian workplace regulations.
Simplify your rostering today
Join thousands of Australian businesses using RosterElf to create compliant rosters in minutes. Built for Australian small businesses.