What is the typical private investigator salary in Australia?

The median weekly earnings for private investigators are not published by the ABS, but the occupation is covered by the Security Services Industry Award. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, which for a 38-hour week gives $1,004.90 per week or about $52,266 per year. Award rates may be higher depending on classification and experience.

Do private investigators get casual loading?

Yes, if employed as a casual under the Security Services Industry Award, private investigators are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, the casual rate equivalent to the National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements.

How is superannuation calculated for a private investigator?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a full-time private investigator earning $52,266 per year, the super contribution would be about $6,272 per year, added to your gross pay.

Private Investigator Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide for 2026-27

Based on the Security Services Industry Award and the National Minimum Wage, a private investigator earning $26.44 per hour (38-hour week) would gross approximately $52,266 annually before tax and super.

Private Investigator Salary: From Hourly to Annual

If you're exploring the private investigator salary in Australia, you'll want to know how an hourly rate translates into weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay. Whether you're an employer setting a rate or an employee checking an offer, this guide uses official sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, around 570 people work as private investigators (ANZSCO 442214), with a median age of 52 and about 50% working full-time. Full-time private investigators average 41 hours per week. The occupation falls under the Security Services Industry Award [MA000016].

The Basic Conversion Formula

To convert an hourly rate to annual gross pay, use:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a standard 38-hour week unless stated otherwise. For a private investigator earning the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026):

Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.90
Fortnightly: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80
Annual: $1,004.90 × 52 = $52,266 (rounded)

This is the minimum before tax and super. The minimum wage page has more details.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most private investigators are covered by the Security Services Industry Award. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increase by 4.75%. The award has different classifications (e.g., Security Officer Level 1, 2, etc.) with higher rates than the National Minimum Wage. Always check the relevant pay guides for your classification.

If you're a casual private investigator, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that's $33.05 per hour. See casual loading for more.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. Using the weekly figure above, a private investigator on the National Minimum Wage would receive $2,009.80 gross each fortnight. If you're on an award rate, multiply your hourly rate by 76 hours (38 × 2) to get the fortnightly gross.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026), paid on top of your gross pay, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a private investigator earning $52,266 per year, the employer adds about $6,272 to super. This is not deducted from your pay. Learn more about super and packaging.

Tax on Your Private Investigator Salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption). For a $52,266 annual salary, the tax (including Medicare) would be approximately $6,067, leaving a take-home pay of about $46,199 per year. Use the take-home pay calculator for your exact situation.

Using the Hourly to Annual Timesheet

Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate. If you're casual, check the 'casual loading' box to add 25% on top automatically. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading—the tool handles it for you. The timesheet then shows your weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated tax and super.

What the Figures Don't Include

These calculations assume you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. They also assume you're a full-time or part-time employee (not a contractor). For award-specific penalties and allowances, refer to the Security Services Industry Award pay guide.

Summary

A private investigator salary starts at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 casual), but award rates are typically higher. Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 to estimate annual gross, then add 12% super on top. Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home pay. For a precise calculation tailored to your situation, explore our hourly conversion and job pay pages.