Solar CCTV vs security guards: which protects your site better?
For overnight and weekend cover on a construction site, monitored solar CCTV costs a fraction of a guard and watches the whole site at once. Guards still make sense in some situations. Here is an honest comparison.
What a guard costs
Under the Security Services Industry Award, the minimum a Level 1 security officer in Queensland is paid is $28.42 an hour ($35.53 for casuals) from 1 July 2026, with higher rates on weekends and nights (source). Covering a site from 6 pm to 6 am every night is 84 hours a week, so the guard's base wage alone is over $2,300 a week, before night and weekend penalties, super and the security company's margin.
Side by side
| Monitored solar CCTV (VSG) | Security guard | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Whole site at once, 24/7 | One area at a time; blind spots while patrolling |
| Detection | AI person and vehicle detection | Depends on alertness through the night |
| Deterrence | Strobe, siren and control-room escalation | Physical presence |
| Evidence | Recorded footage for police and insurers | Written incident report |
| Power and setup | Solar, no site power; setup in 1–2 business days | Needs amenities and a roster |
| Cost | Weekly hire with monitoring included | Hourly, with night and weekend penalties |
When a guard is the right call
- Managing a gate with live deliveries or traffic control.
- Sites with valuable plant that must be physically checked.
- Short, high-risk periods such as a major delivery or handover.
Many builders use both: CCTV for nights and weekends, and a guard or patrol for specific high-risk windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is CCTV as good as a security guard?
For overnight cover, monitored CCTV sees the whole site at once and records everything. A guard adds a physical presence for gates and deliveries.
What happens if someone enters the site at night?
The AI detection flags them, the strobe and siren trigger, and the Grade A1 control room reviews the footage and escalates.
Can I see my site myself?
Yes, live on your phone, any time.
Related: What site camera hire costs in QLD · Construction site security checklist
Compare it for your site
Tell us about your site and we will send a custom proposal. Minimum hire is 8 weeks.
