What a safety officer salary looks like against the national line

What does "safety officer salary" mean?

When you search for a safety officer salary, you are likely looking at roles in occupational health and safety (OHS). These professionals help organisations comply with workplace health and safety laws, conduct risk assessments, and develop safety policies. The keyword is often confused with "security officer," but the two are very different. Security officers guard premises; safety officers protect people from workplace hazards.

Public salary data for safety officers is not as straightforward as for some other occupations. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not list a "safety officer" classification. Instead, safety officers are covered by various modern awards depending on their industry and duties. For example, a safety officer in a factory may fall under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, while one in a corporate office might be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020. Enterprise agreements often set higher rates.

How the salary index applies

Salary Index uses the national line of 100 to represent full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from May 2026 is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings of $2,083.70). To understand where a safety officer salary sits, you compare the annual gross pay to that figure.

For example, if a job advertisement offers $120,000, the index is 111 (above the national average). If it offers $95,000, the index is 88 (below average). The index helps you compare offers across industries and states without getting lost in dollar amounts.

Industry context

Safety officers are employed across many industries, and pay varies significantly. The industries page shows that Mining has an index of 154.7, while Retail trade is 75.9. A safety officer in mining can expect a much higher salary than one in retail or hospitality. Professional, scientific and technical services (index 114.7) is another common sector for safety consultants.

State differences

Where you work also matters. The states page shows that Western Australia (index 106.9) and the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) have higher average earnings than Tasmania (88.6) or South Australia (94.6). A safety officer job in Perth or Canberra will likely pay more than one in Hobart or Adelaide, even for the same role.

Comparing offers

When you read a job ad for a safety officer, look beyond the headline salary. Consider:

• Award coverage: Is the role covered by a modern award? If so, the minimum hourly rate is set by that award. For example, under the Manufacturing Award, a Level 4 employee (which may include some safety officers) earns around $28–$30 per hour. But many safety officers are paid above award.
• Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. On a $120,000 salary, that adds $14,400 per year to your total remuneration.
• Take-home pay: Use the tax rates from the on-site reference to estimate net income. For a $120,000 gross, after tax and Medicare levy (2%), you'd take home about $88,000–$90,000 depending on deductions.
• Casual or permanent: Casual roles include a 25% loading (e.g., $33.05/hr for the national minimum wage casual rate). That can push the hourly rate higher but lacks leave benefits.

Using the index to compare

Let's say you have two offers: one in a Melbourne manufacturing plant at $105,000 (index 97) and one in a Perth mining site at $135,000 (index 125). The index tells you the Perth offer is 28 points higher relative to the national line. But also factor in cost of living and roster conditions.

Where to find more information

• Salary Index explains the methodology behind the numbers. How the index works details how we calculate the national line and state/industry indexes.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each modern award. You can search for the award that covers your specific safety officer role.
• For broader salary trends, the Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes Average Weekly Earnings by industry and state, but not by occupation at this level.

Caveats

The search conducted for this article returned data on Security Officers and Guards (ANZSCO 4422), not safety officers. Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of $1,818 for that occupation (index ~90.7). That is not a proxy for a safety officer. Do not use security officer data to estimate a safety officer salary. Always verify with the relevant award or employer offer.

If you cannot find a precise figure from a public source, the salary index gives you a framework to evaluate any offer.

FAQs

What is the difference between a safety officer and a security officer?

A safety officer (occupational health and safety) focuses on workplace hazards, risk assessments, and compliance with WHS laws. A security officer (ANZSCO 4422) provides physical security, patrols, and access control. They are covered by different awards and have different pay structures. The web search returned security officer data, not safety officer.

How can I estimate a safety officer salary using the salary index?

The salary index compares annual gross ordinary-time earnings to the national line of 100 ($108,352). If you have a job offer, divide the annual salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a $120,000 offer gives an index of 111. You can then compare to industry benchmarks: mining index 154.7, professional services 114.7. Without a specific offer, use award rates or industry averages as a guide.

Which modern award covers safety officers?

Safety officers are often classified under the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, the Professional Employees Award 2020, or industry-specific awards (e.g., Mining Industry Award 2020). The classification depends on duties and industry. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for the correct award. There is no single 'safety officer' award.