What to Look for When Hiring a Security Company in NSW

Not All Security Companies Are Equal
The NSW security industry is regulated — but the quality of service, professionalism and reliability varies enormously between providers. Whether you're looking for security guards, mobile patrols or alarm response, choosing the right company is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your business.
Here's a practical guide to help you evaluate any security company before you commit.
1. Verify Their Licences
This is non-negotiable. In NSW, all security companies must hold a Master Security Licence issued by the NSW Police Force, and every individual officer must hold a current Security Industry Licence.
Before signing any contract, ask for:
- The company's Master Licence number (you can verify these at nsw.gov.au)
- Confirmation that all deployed officers hold current individual licences
- Evidence that licences are renewed and up to date
Davlin Security operates under NSW Master Security Licence M/L 000102543. All of our officers hold current NSW Security Industry Licences.
2. Check Their Insurance Coverage
A legitimate security company will carry both:
- Public liability insurance — covers damage or injury caused by security personnel on your premises
- Professional indemnity insurance — covers claims arising from negligent security advice or service
Always ask for a Certificate of Currency before engaging any provider. If a company hesitates to provide this, walk away.
3. Ask About Training and Vetting
A licence is a minimum standard — it doesn't tell you much about the quality of individual officers. Ask potential providers:
- What background checking and vetting do officers undergo?
- Is ongoing training provided beyond the licence requirement?
- Do officers have experience relevant to your industry (retail, industrial, events, etc.)?
- What is the process if an officer doesn't meet expectations?
At Davlin Security, our officers are drawn from law enforcement, military and corporate security backgrounds and undergo rigorous vetting before joining our team. Learn more about us.
4. Look for Local Knowledge
A Sydney CBD-based security company dispatching officers to Campbelltown is not the same as a team that works in the region every day.
Local knowledge matters for:
- Response times — officers who are nearby respond faster
- Area familiarity — knowing local crime patterns, high-risk periods and neighbourhood dynamics
- Community relationships — working relationships with local NSW Police and emergency services
As a Campbelltown-based security company, Davlin Security has over 15 years of experience protecting businesses across the Macarthur region.
5. Evaluate Their Reporting and Communication
A professional security company should provide:
- Shift reports — documented records of what was observed and actioned during each shift or patrol
- Incident reports — detailed records of any security events, including actions taken and outcomes
- 24/7 contact — you should be able to reach a real person at any time, not just during business hours
- GPS-verified patrol records — for mobile patrol services, confirmation that visits actually occurred
Ask to see a sample report before signing a contract. Vague or incomplete reporting is a red flag.
6. Understand the Contract Terms
Before committing, review:
- Minimum contract length — be cautious of providers requiring long lock-in periods with no performance exit clauses
- Cancellation terms — what happens if the service doesn't meet expectations?
- Callout and overtime rates — what are the additional costs for emergency callouts or extended hours?
- Officer consistency — will the same officers service your site regularly, or will it change every shift?
7. Check Reviews and References
A reputable security company should be willing to provide client references, particularly from businesses in a similar industry to yours. Online reviews can also provide useful signal, though many B2B security relationships are confidential.
Look for consistent themes around reliability, communication, professionalism and responsiveness.
Why Businesses Choose Davlin Security
Davlin Security has built its reputation in Campbelltown and the Macarthur region on the foundations that matter most: licensed officers, comprehensive insurance, transparent reporting, and a genuine commitment to the businesses and communities we protect.
We offer a free, no-obligation site assessment to help you understand your security risks and design the right solution.
Contact Davlin Security today, or explore our full range of security services across mobile patrols, commercial security guards, alarm response and more.
Need Professional Security?
Talk to the Davlin Security team about protecting your business or property in Campbelltown.
Davlin Security supports clients with tailored security services and can coordinate with trusted protective service providers when additional support is required, including Partisan Protective Services.