What is the typical cybersecurity salary in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via Jobs and Skills Australia), the median full-time weekly earnings for ICT Security Specialists (ANZSCO 262112) is $2,284 before tax, or about $59 per hour. This is a survey average, not a legal minimum. Actual salaries vary by experience, location, and employer.

Which award covers cybersecurity professionals?

Many cybersecurity roles fall under the Professional Employees Award 2020 if the employee performs professional engineering or IT duties and the employer is in an industry covered by that award. However, many cybersecurity employees are award-free and covered only by the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) or an enterprise agreement. The Security Services Industry Award does not cover cybersecurity professionals—it applies to security officers and guards.

Is superannuation included in the cybersecurity salary figures?

No. The median earnings from the ABS and the national minimum wage are before tax and before superannuation. Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (as of 2026-27). So a $2,284 weekly salary would attract an additional $274 in super, making total employment cost about $2,558.

Cybersecurity salary in Australia: award coverage versus award-free rates

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, but most cybersecurity roles are covered by the Professional Employees Award or are award-free, with median full-time earnings of $2,284 per week.

Cybersecurity salary: legal minimums and market averages

When searching for a "cybersecurity salary" in Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum pay floor and typical market rates. Cybersecurity roles are classified under ANZSCO 262112 (ICT Security Specialists), and the available data shows that these professionals earn well above the national minimum wage. However, the applicable pay floor depends on whether a modern award covers the role or if the employee is award-free.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum $33.05 per hour. This rate applies to award-free employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less under specific rules (see Which minimum wage applies for details).

Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. The national minimum is set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Award coverage for cybersecurity roles

Many cybersecurity professionals are covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if they perform professional IT duties (such as designing, developing, or maintaining computer systems and networks) and work for an employer in an industry that falls under that award. This award sets minimum classification rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a Level 1 professional employee (graduate) has a minimum rate above $26.44, and more senior levels are higher still. The exact rates are published in the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database.

However, not all cybersecurity roles are covered by an award. If the employer is not in an industry covered by the Professional Employees Award (or another relevant award), the employee may be award-free. In that case, the national minimum wage is the only legal minimum, unless an enterprise agreement applies.

It is a common misconception that the Security Services Industry Award 2020 applies to cybersecurity workers. That award covers security officers, guards, and patrol personnel—not IT security specialists. The classification definitions in that award (Security Officer Level 1 to 5) relate to physical security tasks, not cybersecurity.

Market rates for cybersecurity specialists

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (using ABS data), the median full-time weekly earnings for Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (a combined group) is $2,284 before tax, with median hourly earnings of $59. This is a survey average for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is not a legal minimum but reflects typical pay in the industry.

The same source shows that 94% of workers in this occupation work full-time, averaging 41 hours per week. The median age is 42, and 24% are female. The top industries are Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Public Administration and Safety; and Financial and Insurance Services.

Comparing the floor to the average

The chart above shows how the median cybersecurity salary compares with the national minimum wage. The median weekly earnings of $2,284 are more than double the national minimum of $1,004.90. However, entry-level or junior cybersecurity roles may be closer to the award minimum, especially for graduates covered by the Professional Employees Award.

How to determine the correct pay rate

To find the correct minimum wage for a cybersecurity role:

Check if a modern award applies. The Professional Employees Award 2020 is the most likely. Use the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database to find classification definitions and minimum rates.
If no award applies, the national minimum wage is the floor.
An enterprise agreement may set higher rates and different conditions.
Always add superannuation of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

For more detailed rate tables, see Rate tables. Our Guides section explains how to classify employees under awards.

Key takeaways

The legal minimum for award-free cybersecurity employees is $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026).
Most cybersecurity professionals are covered by the Professional Employees Award, which has higher minimum rates.
The median cybersecurity salary is around $2,284 per week, before tax and super.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.
The Security Services Industry Award does not apply to cybersecurity roles.

Always verify the applicable award or agreement, as pay rates can vary significantly. For a full explanation of how the figures work, visit How the figures work.