Site guarding and patrol security business
Win regular contracts to guard or patrol shops, building sites and storage yards, with a small team of licensed guards.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A security company providing static guards and mobile patrols for commercial premises, construction sites and yards. Work includes locking up, alarm response, checking sites overnight and writing incident reports.
Your first three steps
- Check your state or territory licensing body for the business licence and guard licences needed, and the training required
- Price your start-up needs: insurance, uniforms, a vehicle, radios and reporting tools
- Approach local builders, property managers and shopping centres with a short proposal and ask to quote on a trial contract
Who pays
Retail centres, builders and construction firms, warehouses, body corporates, storage yards and small businesses.
How it makes money
Contracts are billed per guard hour or as a set price per patrol or per month. Regular contracts give steadier income than one-off bookings.
Skills that help
- Reliable and trustworthy
- Report writing and record keeping
- Sales and quoting to business clients
- Managing rosters and staff
Watch out for
- Security licensing rules differ by state and territory, so confirm the business and individual licences you need before you start
- Public liability insurance, and check whether you need more cover for contract work
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire, plus award wages and super obligations for employees
- Contracts can be lost quickly, so avoid depending on one client
- Overnight and solo work carries safety risks, so plan check-in procedures
- Check any vehicle signage and use rules in your state
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: site guarding and patrol security
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a security patrol company?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your vehicle, equipment, insurance and how many guards you take on. Check whether you need more insurance cover for contract work.
How much can a site guarding and patrol business earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the contracts you win and how many guards and patrols you run. Contracts can be lost quickly, so avoid depending on a single client.
What licences and rules should I check before starting?
Security licensing rules differ by state and territory, so confirm the business and individual licences you need before starting. Also check public liability and contract cover, workers compensation, award wages and super once you hire, and any vehicle signage rules in your state.
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