What the CompTIA Security+ Exam Actually Costs in 2026

The hidden costs most people forget

The voucher is the most visible cost. The realistic total spend across the certification pathway includes study materials, practice exams, and a possible retake.

Study materials

Most Australian candidates spend $0 to $150 AUD on study materials. The free path (Professor Messer plus practice tests) is genuinely sufficient for passing if you are disciplined. Cost rarely correlates with pass rate.

Practice exams

Practice exams are the highest-value paid study material. They reveal weak areas before the real exam.

A reasonable budget is $100 to $250 AUD for one good practice-exam subscription.

Retake (if needed)

If you do not pass on the first attempt:

• A new voucher is needed: another $599 AUD from Mindset Cyber, or included if you bought the $799 Retake Assurance bundle.
• CompTIA mandates a 14-day waiting period between the second and third attempt.
• Extra study time, typically 2 to 4 weeks of focused weak-area work.

If you suspect you might need a retake (for example, this is your first cert and you have not studied formally in years), the $799 AUD Retake Assurance bundle effectively prices the second voucher at $200. Half the standalone voucher price. Worth the extra spend if there is any doubt.

A separate but related fact: Mindset Cyber's refund policy on unused unredeemed vouchers is 7 days from purchase, less a 10% admin fee. The 14-day retake gap above is a CompTIA-mandated wait between attempts. Not a refund window.

Is it worth it: what Security+ changes for Australian candidates

Adding Security+ to your CV in Australia typically correlates with:

• ✓
  A step up in pay when moving from generalist IT into a cybersecurity role

  the size varies by city and employer, so check current advertised ranges on Seek before you decide.

• ✓
  Access to cyber analyst and SOC roles

  that would not have screened you in without it.

• GOV
  Eligibility for Australian government and defence cybersecurity roles

  where Security+ is a baseline credential.

Net financial calculation: a cert that costs around $820 to $1,300 AUD to obtain is small next to the pay difference between a generalist IT role and a cybersecurity role, so it pays back quickly once it enables that move. The ROI is among the highest of any IT certification on the Australian market.

GST and employer expense claims

Mindset Cyber issues Australian buyers an AUD tax invoice under an Australian ABN with 10% GST itemised. If you buy elsewhere, check what documentation the seller issues before you rely on it for a claim.

This matters for:

• Employer reimbursement. Most Australian finance teams want a Tax Invoice showing the ABN and the GST.
• GST credit claim if your employer is GST-registered.
• Personal tax deduction under D5 (work-related self-education) on individual tax returns. You will need the GST tax invoice as substantiating documentation.

For employees claiming Security+ as a work-related self-education deduction, the ATO's general rules apply: the certification must have a sufficient connection to your current income-producing activities. If you are already working in IT or cyber, the connection is straightforward. If you are using Security+ to enter cyber for the first time, the ATO typically does not allow the deduction.

Talk to your accountant before claiming. Mindset Cyber does not provide tax advice. The above is general information only.