Hiring a security company isn’t like buying office supplies. The quality of your guards, the reliability of the company, and the responsiveness of their management can be the difference between a minor incident and a major business-disrupting event. Yet most business owners don’t know what to look for beyond price. Here’s the complete guide to making the right choice for your Brisbane or Queensland business.
Step 1: Verify the Licence
This sounds obvious, but it’s the step most people skip. In Queensland, every security provider — company and individual — must hold a valid licence issued by the Office of Fair Trading under the Security Providers Act 2005. Before you sign anything:
- Ask for the company’s Queensland Security Providers Licence number and verify it at the Office of Fair Trading website
- Ask for each guard’s individual licence number — a company licence does not cover untrained, unlicensed workers
- Check that the licence class matches the service type (Class 1B for crowd controllers, Class 1 for general guards, Class 2 for cash-in-transit)
Step 2: Ask About Guard Training and Turnover
Licensing is the minimum standard. The quality of guard training varies enormously between companies. Ask:
- What induction and ongoing training program do your guards complete?
- What is your guard turnover rate? (High turnover is a red flag — it often means poor conditions, poor management, or both)
- Do your guards receive crowd management training? First aid? De-escalation?
- What background checks do you conduct before hiring guards?
NHSS Security employs a rigorous guard selection process including background verification, reference checks, and competency assessments beyond the minimum licensing requirements.
Step 3: Understand Their Response Capability
A guard standing at a gate is only as good as the support behind them. Ask specifically:
- Do you have a 24/7 control room? Where is it located?
- What is your average alarm response time to my area?
- How do you coordinate with Queensland Police and emergency services?
- What happens if a guard calls in sick last minute? Do I get a replacement with no gap in coverage?
Step 4: Get a Clear, Detailed Quote
Beware of quotes that give you a single hourly rate with no breakdown. A professional security quote should specify:
- Number of guards and hours per shift
- Specific guard tasks and post orders
- Rate card (day, evening, night, weekend, public holiday)
- Control room monitoring fee (if applicable)
- Equipment costs (radios, torches, vehicles)
- Minimum engagement period
- What’s NOT included
Never sign a contract where the company won’t commit to defined service standards.
Step 5: Check Their Specialisation
Not all security companies are equally good at everything. Some specialise in events, others in mobile patrols, others in static guarding. Ask:
- How many years of experience do you have in [your specific need]?
- Can you provide references from businesses similar to mine?
- Have you worked events of my scale and type before?
Step 6: Review Their Technology
Modern security isn’t just about boots on the ground. The best companies supplement guards with technology:
- GPS tracking for patrol vehicles and guards
- Real-time incident reporting apps
- 24/7 monitoring and control room
- Electronic occurrence books accessible to the client
Step 7: Look for Cultural Fit
Your security guards represent your business. They interact with your staff, clients, and visitors. A good security company will:
- Match guard personalities to your environment (e.g., hospitality-trained guards for a hotel lobby)
- Provide consistent guard assignments where possible (familiarity builds trust and effectiveness)
- Conduct regular client check-ins and performance reviews
The Questions You MUST Ask Before Signing
- What is your Queensland Security Providers Licence number?
- How quickly can you deploy guards if I need urgent coverage?
- What is your guard turnover rate?
- Do you have a 24/7 control room? How do I contact it?
- What happens if my assigned guard is unavailable?
- Can I speak with current clients in a similar industry?
- What are your contract terms and cancellation policy?
Why Businesses Choose NHSS Security
NHSS Security is a fully licensed Queensland security company with guards deployed across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, and regional Queensland. We offer:
- 24/7 control room with real-time monitoring
- GPS-tracked mobile patrols with verified visit logs
- Licensed, professionally trained guards with ongoing development
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Flexible short-term and long-term contracts
Explore our security guarding services →
