SECURITY BUYER’S GUIDE
How to Choose a Security Company in Australia (2025 Guide)
A practical guide to evaluating security providers — what questions to ask, what red flags to avoid, and what every contract should include.
- Verify every officer holds a current, appropriate licence under your state’s private security legislation.
- Check that the company holds ASIAL membership — a recognised industry standard for compliance and professional conduct.
- Require at minimum $20 million public liability insurance and current workers compensation coverage.
- Ask for GPS-verified patrol reports and incident reporting capability before you sign anything.
- Read the exit clause — the standard in Australia is 30–90 days notice, not six months.
Step 1: Verify Licensing Before Anything Else
This is non-negotiable. In every Australian state and territory, security companies and their officers must hold current licences under the relevant private security legislation. In Victoria, that is the Private Security Act 2004, administered by Victoria Police’s Licensing and Regulation Division.
There are two types of licences to check:
- Individual officer licence — every security officer who steps foot on your property must hold a current individual licence in the correct class for the work they are performing
- Security firm registration — the company itself must hold a current registration as a security business
Both can be verified online. Victoria’s register is at the Victoria Police website. A reputable provider will proactively supply their firm’s registration number and be happy for you to verify it.
Step 2: Understand What ASIAL Membership Actually Means
The Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL) is the peak national body for the security industry. ASIAL membership imposes additional compliance obligations on members:
- Members must hold all applicable licences and registrations
- Members must maintain minimum levels of insurance
- Members agree to ASIAL’s code of practice and ethics
- Members are subject to ASIAL’s dispute resolution process
ASIAL membership matters because it gives you a dispute resolution pathway that exists independently of the licensing authority. Verify ASIAL membership at asial.com.au — the member directory is searchable and shows current membership status.
The 10 Questions to Ask Every Provider
Red Flags to Watch For
Cannot Provide Licence Numbers Immediately
A legitimate provider knows their registration number. If they need to “look it up,” treat that as a warning sign.
No Written Post Orders
Post orders define exactly what each officer must do on each shift. No post orders means no accountability.
Paper-Based Reporting Only
In 2025, email-only reporting is not acceptable for professional security services. Insist on real-time digital reports.
Excessive Lock-in Periods
A 12-month contract with a 6-month exit notice period is designed to trap clients. Reasonable terms allow 30–90 days notice after any initial period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cheapest security quote always the worst option?
Not necessarily — but it requires scrutiny. Very low quotes often indicate undisclosed subcontracting, below-award wage payments to officers, or inadequate insurance. Ask how the provider achieves their pricing and what they are not including.
Do I need to check that individual guards are licensed, or just the company?
Both. The company must hold a current security firm registration. Each individual officer must also hold a personal licence in the appropriate class. It is the client’s legal exposure if an unlicensed officer causes harm on their property.
How long should a security contract be?
For an initial engagement, 6–12 months is reasonable. Shorter initial terms (3 months) are fair for trial arrangements. Be cautious of any contract that requires more than 60 days notice to exit after the initial term expires.
Understanding Security Service Types
Before you can choose the right security company, you need to understand which service type matches your needs. The main categories of security services available in Australia are:
Static Guard Security
A uniformed security officer stationed on-site for a defined shift. Appropriate for retail environments, reception security, access control at entry points, or any situation that requires a continuous, visible human presence. Static guards are the most labour-intensive and therefore most expensive security option.
Mobile Patrol Security
A licensed officer in a marked vehicle who visits your site multiple times per shift. Patrols can be scheduled (predictable times) or randomised (variable times to improve deterrence). Mobile patrol is cost-effective for large sites, industrial properties, and multi-site portfolios where continuous on-site coverage is not required.
Event Security and Crowd Control
Specialised security for public and private events. In Victoria, any event involving licensed premises or significant crowd management risk requires licensed Crowd Controllers under the Private Security Act 2004. This is a distinct licence class from a standard security guard licence — always verify your provider holds the correct licence for your event type.
Alarm Monitoring and Response
Remote monitoring of your security alarm system, with dispatch of a response officer when an alarm is triggered. Can be bundled with mobile patrol or provided as a standalone service. Ensure you understand whether the monitoring centre is in Australia and what the after-hours response protocol is.
Corporate and Concierge Security
Presentation-grade security for corporate environments, including reception duties, visitor management, and access control. Officers for this role typically require additional training in customer service and conflict de-escalation compared to standard guard roles.
Matching the right service type to your specific risk profile is the first step. A good security provider will conduct a site risk assessment before recommending a service mix. Legion Security Group provides mobile patrol security, static guard services, event and crowd control security, construction site security, corporate security, and industrial security across Victoria.
Talk to a Licensed Victorian Security Company
Legion Security Group — ASIAL member, Licence Z75-631-30S. We answer every question on this list and provide references from comparable clients.