CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is the world's most widely recognised entry-to-mid Cybersecurity certification. For Australians wanting to break into cybersecurity — one of the country's most critically understaffed professions — Security+ is the credential that appears most consistently in job ads, required by the most employers and respected by government agencies and banks alike. Here is our complete review.

What Is CompTIA Security+?

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral cybersecurity certification from CompTIA, a US-based non-profit technology association. Vendor-neutral means the knowledge it validates applies to any organisation's environment — unlike certifications tied to specific products (Cisco, Microsoft, AWS), Security+ knowledge works wherever you work.

The current version, SY0-701, was released in November 2023 and reflects the modern threat landscape including cloud security, zero trust architecture and the increasingly governance-heavy security environment that Australian organisations face under the Essential Eight framework and the expanded Privacy Act.

The exam consists of up to 90 questions over 90 minutes. Questions include multiple choice, performance-based questions (simulations of real security tasks) and multiple-response questions. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100–900.

Is Security+ Recognised by Australian Employers?

More than any other entry-level cybersecurity credential. Searching SEEK and LinkedIn for cybersecurity roles in Australia, Security+ appears specifically by name as preferred or required in job ads across banking (Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, ANZ, NAB), telecommunications (Telstra, Optus), professional services (Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Accenture) and government (ASD, Defence, Home Affairs, Services Australia).

The certification is DoD-8570 approved — accepted by the United States Department of Defence as a baseline credential. Australian government cybersecurity teams treat this approval as a quality signal and Security+ is effectively expected for entry-level government security roles.

For Australian government roles specifically, Security+ is more valuable than any alternative entry-level credential including CEH or eJPT. The formal recognition by defence and intelligence community frameworks makes it the standard baseline expectation for government cyber candidates.

How Hard Is the Exam?

Harder than most candidates expect. The pass rate is not published by CompTIA but industry estimates place it at 60–75% for well-prepared candidates on first attempt. The exam tests scenario-based judgment rather than memorisation — questions present realistic security situations and ask what the practitioner should do, which requires understanding the reasoning behind security controls rather than just knowing their names.

Performance-based questions (PBQs) require you to actually configure network devices, analyse logs or perform security tasks in a simulated environment. These are time-consuming and should be attempted first if you feel confident, or last if you want to ensure you answer the multiple-choice questions first — a strategy debate that persists in the Security+ community.

The SY0-701 version has significantly increased its coverage of governance, risk and compliance topics — Domain 5 now accounts for 20% of the exam. Candidates from purely technical backgrounds often underestimate this section. Understanding the Australian regulatory context (Essential Eight, Privacy Act, Security of Critical Infrastructure Act) adds genuine practical relevance to this material.

Study Resources We Recommend

Primary course (Udemy): Professor Messer's free Security+ course at professormesser.com is free, comprehensive and highly regarded. The Jason Dion course on Udemy (usually $15–$35 AUD on sale) is excellent for exam-focused preparation with strong practice question integration. Mike Chapple's course on LinkedIn Learning is another strong option.

Practice exams — non-negotiable: Sitting the real exam without completing multiple full-length practice exams first is the most common reason for failure. Dion's practice exams on Udemy and the PocketPrep app are widely recommended by Australian Security+ candidates. Target 80%+ on practice exams consistently before booking the real thing.

Jason Dion's exam tips and Mike Chapple's Security+ study guide: The physical study guide is valuable for understanding the conceptual framework of security architecture. The acronym list in any Security+ guide is worth memorising — the exam includes many acronym-based questions.

How Long Does It Take to Prepare?

Most candidates with 1–2 years of IT support experience spend 60–120 hours preparing. At 8–10 hours per week, this means 6–15 weeks of focused preparation. Candidates with less IT background typically need toward the higher end of this range, as foundational networking and operating systems knowledge underpins much of the security content.

What Does the Exam Cost in Australia?

The exam costs approximately $430–$480 AUD at Pearson VUE testing centres in Australia. Online proctored testing is also available at the same price through Pearson VUE's OnVUE platform. Pearson VUE test centres operate in Sydney (multiple locations), Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and some regional centres.

Australian Cybersecurity Salaries After Security+

Entry-level SOC Analyst and Junior Cybersecurity Analyst roles with Security+ and 1–2 years of IT experience: $80,000–$105,000. Mid-level Security Analyst (2–4 years): $105,000–$130,000. Senior Cybersecurity roles: $140,000–$200,000+. Government cybersecurity roles in Canberra typically offer structured salary progression, excellent job security and comprehensive professional development support for continuing certifications.

Security+ vs Google Cybersecurity Certificate

These are complementary, not competing. The Google Cybersecurity certificate provides hands-on practical skills in Linux, Python and SIEM tools that Security+ does not cover. Security+ provides the formal, vendor-neutral certification that government and enterprise employers require by name. Together they create an entry-level profile that is significantly stronger than either credential alone and achievable within 8–9 months from a standing start.

Our Verdict

Rating: 4.7/5 — Essential for Government and Enterprise Cybersecurity Entry

CompTIA Security+ is the most important credential for Australians seeking to enter cybersecurity in government, banking, telecommunications or professional services. It is harder than most candidates expect, requires genuine preparation investment, and the exam cost is significant. But it is genuinely respected by the employers that matter most in Australian cybersecurity and provides career mobility that no other entry-level credential can match.