Services explained · Guide
Mobile patrols vs static guards: which does your site need?
A static guard suits busy or high-risk sites that need a person there all shift. Mobile patrols suit quiet sites that need checks at random times overnight, at a lower cost. Many Melbourne sites combine both.
By [author name], Operations Manager
Published · Updated · 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Static guards stay on one site all shift; patrol officers visit several sites a night.
- Guards suit busy or high-risk sites; patrols suit quiet or closed sites.
- Guards cost more because you pay for every hour, not every visit.
- Many sites combine both, with alarm response on top.
What is a static security guard?
A static security guard is a licensed officer who stays at one site for the whole shift. They control who comes in, watch for risks, deal with incidents on the spot and log everything that happens.
Static security guard: also called a security officer or site guard. In Victoria every guard needs an individual security licence from Victoria Police.
Because the officer never leaves, a static guard is the strongest deterrent you can put on a site. It is also the most expensive option, because you pay for every hour of the shift.
What is a mobile security patrol?
A mobile patrol is a licensed officer in a marked vehicle who visits several sites during a shift, at scheduled or random times. On each visit the officer checks doors, gates, lights and alarms, then reports what they found.
Mobile patrol: also called a security patrol or random patrol. Patrols are often combined with alarm response, so the same officer can be sent when an alarm goes off.
You share the officer with other sites, so you pay per visit rather than per hour. The trade-off is that nobody is on your site between visits.
How do mobile patrols and static guards compare?
A static guard gives constant presence and an instant response. Mobile patrols give regular, unpredictable checks at a lower cost. The table compares them on six points.
| Factor | Static guard | Mobile patrol |
|---|---|---|
| Time on site | The whole shift | A few short visits per shift |
| Response to an incident | Immediate, the officer is already there | At the next visit, or sent from the control room |
| Deterrence | Constant, visible presence | A marked vehicle arriving at unpredictable times |
| Best for | Busy, high-value or public-facing sites | Quiet, closed or empty sites |
| Relative cost | Higher: paid for every hour | Lower: paid per visit |
| Reporting | A log for the whole shift | A report after every visit |
Which sites need a static guard?
A static guard suits sites where something can go wrong at any minute, or where people need to be managed face to face.
- Shops and shopping centres during trading hours
- Office and apartment lobbies that need a front desk
- Construction sites with high-value plant or materials on site
- Sites with repeated break-ins or a current threat
- Events, venues and licensed premises
Which sites suit mobile patrols?
Mobile patrols suit sites that are closed or empty for long periods and mainly need someone to check that everything is still secure.
- Warehouses and yards that close overnight
- Construction sites between shifts and over weekends
- Car parks and vacant buildings
- Strata properties that need lock-up and common-area checks
What does each option cost?
A static guard costs more than mobile patrols because you pay for every hour rather than every visit. The final price for either depends on the six factors below.
| Factor | How it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Hours or visits | More hours, or more visits per night, cost more |
| Number of officers | Each extra officer adds a full shift or visit rate |
| Weekends and public holidays | Award penalty rates apply, so these shifts cost more |
| Site risk | Higher-risk sites may need more experienced officers |
| Contract length | Longer agreements usually lower the rate |
| Extras | Keyholding, alarm response and reports on demand are priced separately |
For a fixed written price, ask for a site assessment. Our guide to security guard costs explains each factor in detail.
Why do sites switch from patrols to a static guard?
Most sites move from patrols to a static guard after incidents start happening between visits. The other common reasons are an insurer asking for full cover, or the site getting busier.
- Break-ins or damage keep happening between patrol visits
- An insurer requires a guard during certain hours
- High-value stock or equipment arrives on site
- The site opens to the public or starts running at night
It works the other way too. When a site goes quiet, for example after a building is handed over, patrols are often enough.
How do you choose between patrols and a static guard?
Choose by matching the level of cover to when and how your site is at risk. These five steps take less than a week.
- List what you are protecting. Note stock, equipment and people, and the hours each is most at risk.
- Check your incident history. Break-ins, alarms and damage over the last year show where the gaps are.
- Ask your insurer. Some policies set the level of security a site must have.
- Book a site assessment. A supervisor walks the site and recommends guards, patrols or a mix, with a fixed written quote.
- Review after 30 days. Patrol reports and incident logs show whether the cover is enough.
Can you combine mobile patrols and a static guard?
Yes. Many Melbourne sites use a static guard during the busiest hours and mobile patrols overnight, with alarm response on top. You get full presence when it matters and lower-cost checks when the site is empty.
Combining services under one provider also means one supervisor, one set of site instructions and one report format.
What else do people ask about patrols and guards?
Four quick answers to the questions we hear most after this comparison.
How many patrol visits does a site need each night?
It depends on risk, site size and incident history. A site assessment sets the number, and patrol reports show whether it is enough.
Are mobile patrol officers licensed?
Yes. In Victoria every security officer needs an individual licence from Victoria Police, whether they patrol or stay on one site.
Can a patrol officer respond to my alarm?
Yes, if you add alarm response. The control room sends the nearest patrol officer to inspect and secure the site.
Is a static guard worth it for a small site?
Only if the risk is high during the hours you need cover. For most small sites, patrols plus alarm response give strong protection at a lower cost.
What sources does this guide use?
Licensing facts come from Victoria Police and the Private Security Act 2004. Pay rules come from the Security Services Industry Award 2020.
- Victoria Police, Licensing and Regulation Division: security licences (opens in a new tab)
- Private Security Act 2004 (Vic) (opens in a new tab)
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Security Services Industry Award 2020 (opens in a new tab)
Who wrote this guide?
[author name] is Bluestone’s Operations Manager, with [number] years in Victorian security and Victoria Police licence [no.]. [Name], Control Room Supervisor, reviewed this guide.
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