[Riley]

Emergency exits are typically alarmed here in the States. Is the same true in Oz?

[naturalman1975]

It’s common, but not universal in my experience.

[matt04]

When I worked retail (in the US) all the emergency exits had hardware similar to this on them

You could use the key to "bypass" the alarm on the door and use it as a regular door. Typically only managers had the key and it was used if it was used in back rooms where drivers or employes may need to enter/exit for routine business such as removing trash or delivery drivers but you don't want employees to have free uncontrolled access to outside.