OSCA occupation

OSCA 452238: Security Officer

Patrols and guards industrial and commercial property and other facilities. This record sits in Security Officers and Guards. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 4 is attached to this occupation record.

Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?

OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.

Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.

Check the current ABS guidance on OSCA and ANZSCO use

Official ANZSCO correspondence

ANZSCO 442217 Security Officer Partial correspondence in the ABS table

Role overview

Patrols and guards industrial and commercial property and other facilities.

Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.

Occupation facts

Skill level: 4
Major group: 4 Community and Personal Service Workers
Sub-major group: 45 Protective Service and Security Workers
Minor group: 452 Security Workers
Unit group: 4522 Security Officers and Guards

Tasks

Undertakes patrols to ensure the security and safety of property and personnel, including checking doors, windows and gates for unauthorised entry, and watching for irregularities such as fire hazards, malfunctioning equipment and property damage
Operates security equipment, such as CCTV cameras and alarm systems
Responds to alarms, investigates and records disturbances, and reports any suspicious activities or incidents to appropriate authorities
Enforces security policies and procedures to maintain a secure environment, and conducts regular inspections of premises to identify and address security risks
Monitors and controls access and exit of persons and vehicles from premises, and monitors individuals and crowds for suspicious or disruptive behaviour
Provides assistance and support to staff and visitors during emergencies or security incidents
May use alarm, restraint and duress systems to manage, control and prevent aggressive and violent incidents, and ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors in health service settings

Skill level guidance

Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.

How to use this occupation page

Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.

The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.

Related occupations

Industry context

Alternative titles

Security Guard

Compare before choosing

Compare OSCA 452238 with related occupations

Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.

Comparison point	Current code452238 Security Officer	452231 Alarm, Security or Surveillance Monitor	452232 Cash In Transit Officer
Official role definition	Patrols and guards industrial and commercial property and other facilities.	Monitors security alarms, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and other surveillance equipment, and contacts supervisors, police or fire brigades if security is breached or fire is detected.	Provides escort for transportation and delivery of cash and other valuables.
Skill level	Skill Level 4	Skill Level 4	Skill Level 4
Key tasks	Undertakes patrols to ensure the security and safety of property and personnel, including checking doors, windows and gates for unauthorised entry, and watching for irregularities such as fire hazards, malfunctioning equipment and property damage Operates security equipment, such as CCTV cameras and alarm systems Responds to alarms, investigates and records disturbances, and reports any suspicious activities or incidents to appropriate authorities Enforces security policies and procedures to maintain a secure environment, and conducts regular inspections of premises to identify and address security risks	Monitors security alarms, CCTV and other surveillance equipment Contacts supervisors, police and fire brigades by radio or phone if security is breached or fire is detected Observes and reports any suspicious activities or incidents Maintains accurate records of security breaches and incidents	Collects and ensures the safe transportation and delivery of cash, payrolls and valuables Follows established procedures and protocols for the handling and transportation of cash and valuables Monitors and maintains communication with control centre or base during transportation Conducts regular inspections of vehicles and equipment to ensure they are in proper working order
Alternative titles	Security Guard	Not stated	Not stated

Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.

Compliance risk score

4 of 4 factors passing

10 / 10

✓

Verified official source

- ABS OSCA occupation record present

✓

Previous edition migration

- OSCA to ANZSCO correspondence attached

✓

Complete hierarchy

- Major, sub-major, minor and unit group links are present

✓

Legacy crosswalk

- Legacy ANZSCO correspondence attached

How we calculate this score →

In this section

452231 Alarm, Security or Surveillance Monitor 452232 Cash In Transit Officer 452233 Crowd Controller 452234 Private Investigator 452235 Protective Services Officer 452236 Retail Loss Prevention Officer 452237 Security Consultant452238 Security Officer452241 Security Screening Officer

Frequently asked questions

What does OSCA 452238 do?

Security Officer is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.

How should I read the skill level?

The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.

Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?

Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.

Source and trust

Official source: ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
Last reviewed: 2026-04-17

This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.

Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.

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