The Andrews Labor Government is championing fair conditions for low paid and insecure workers, negotiating improvements for security workers who play a vital role keeping the public safe.

The Labor Government has modernised its central security contract so workers at government sites will enjoy better working conditions, more opportunities and be paid above the industry award.

The updated contract improves working conditions by including tighter controls on subcontracting arrangements, comprehensive training, employment security and job rotation. It also ensures that subcontracted workers are paid at the same rate as employees of security companies.

Taking effect from 1 February 2023, the change will also require five of Australia’s largest security companies to pay security workers engaged under the State Purchase Contract six per cent above the Security Services Industry Award 2020.

The Government is one of the biggest employers of security workers in Victoria and the initiative provides a positive example to other employers to pay a fair wage and lift standards across the security industry.

Under the State Purchase Contract, security officers are employed at the National Gallery of Victoria, public housing estates and government buildings. The contracted workers provide critical services including incident response, site patrols, response to alarms and entry control.

Five companies provide services through the Security Services State Purchase Contract: G4S Custodial Services, MSS Security, National Protective Services, Securecorp and Wilson Security.