Event Security Cost Melbourne 2026: Real Prices Revealed

How Much Does Event Security Cost in Australia? 2026 Melbourne Pricing Guide

February 11, 2026

Planning a wedding, festival, concert or corporate seminar in Melbourne this year? You already know safety matters but the real question every event organizer asks is: “How much will event security actually cost me in 2026?”

Current rates for licensed event security guards in Melbourne sit between $55 and $95 per hour per guard (including GST), with most real-world quotes landing in the $65–$85 bracket. Prices swing higher for high-risk nights, weekends, public holidays, or events with alcohol and large crowds.

Security Guard Services quotes thousands of events every year across Victoria, so we see exactly where the money goes and how to keep your budget tight without cutting corners.

This guide shows you transparent 2026 event security pricing, real cost breakdowns by event type, and exactly what you get when you hire event guards with us.

What Actually Determines Your Event Security Price in Melbourne?

After a thorough research, market experience and user reviews, our team have found these four main factors that decides your final event security bill. Understand them and you can save hundreds or even thousands $$$.

Event type and risk level

Low-risk daytime weddings need different coverage than late-night festivals with 10,000+ people. Higher risk = more guards + higher hourly rates.

Number of guards and shift length

Most companies enforce a 4–8 hour minimum. A 6-hour wedding with 2 guards costs far less than an 12-hour festival with 12 guards.

Venue and location

Melbourne CBD, Docklands, or Crown venues add travel and compliance fees. Outdoor parks or remote wineries can require extra vehicles and radios.

Day and time premiums

Friday/Saturday nights, public holidays, and after 6 pm attract 20–50% loading. Sunday rates often exceed Saturday.

2026 Average Event Security Costs in Melbourne

Here are the most common rates we quote right now (January–February 2026 data):

Event Type	Typical Guards Needed	Hourly Rate per Guard (GST inc.)	8-hour Shift Cost (example)	Full Event Estimate
Small Wedding / Birthday	2–4	$60–$80	$960–$1,280	$2,000–$5,500
Corporate Seminar / Gala	3–6	$65–$85	$1,560–$2,040	$3,500–$9,000
Nightclub / Nightlife Event	4–8	$70–$90	$2,240–$2,880	$4,000–$12,000
Music Festival / Concert	8–20+	$70–$95	$4,480–$6,080	$15,000–$60,000+
Sports Event / Stadium	10–25+	$65–$90	$5,200–$7,200	$20,000–$80,000+

Real Cost Breakdown by Event Type

1. Wedding Security Guards Pricing

A typical 150-guest wedding at a Yarra Valley vineyard or South Yarra venue needs 2–4 guards for 6–8 hours. Expect $2,500–$5,500 total. Guards handle guest parking, bag checks, late-night departures, and any alcohol-related issues.

→ Hire professional wedding security guards from us that blend in and keep your special day stress-free.

2. Birthday Party Security Guards Pricing

Smaller gatherings at home (50–120 guests) usually require 2 guards. Total cost $1,800–$3,800. Our party security guards manage gatecrashers, noise complaints, and ensure parents relax.

3. Music Festival Security Guards Pricing

A 5,000–15,000 person festival needs 1 guard per 100–150 attendees. 12-hour shift with 10–18 guards easily reaches $25,000–$55,000. Includes perimeter patrol, stage security, and medical liaison.

→ Book experienced festival guards for managing crowd who understand crowd flow and emergency response.

4. Concert Security Guards Pricing

Indoor arenas (e.g. Margaret Court Arena) or outdoor amphi-theatres need 8–15 guards for concerts. Expect $12,000–$35,000 depending on artist profile and ticket sales.

5. Sports Events Security Guards Pricing

Local footy matches to major AFL games require layered coverage. A 20,000+ crowd event as cricket matches starts at $25,000 and climbs fast. → Secure your next match with specialist sports event security guards in Melbourne.

6. Nightlife & Nightclub Events Security Pricing

Clubs and warehouse parties run 10 pm–5 am. Rates sit at $75–$95/hr because of alcohol, high energy, and licensing requirements. Weekend night with 8 guards often totals $8,000–$14,000. → Protect your venue and patrons with trusted nightclub events security Melbourne.

7. Corporate Seminars & Events Security Pricing

Daytime conferences (200–800 delegates) need 3–6 guards for access control and VIP movement. Total $3,500–$9,000, usually the most budget-friendly event type. See more details about our corporate event security services.

Hidden Costs Most Event Organizers Forget (and How They Add Up Fast)

After quoting over 1,200 events in Melbourne last year alone, we’ve seen the same surprise charges catch even experienced organizers off guard. These extras rarely appear on the first quote you receive, but they almost always show up on the final invoice. Here’s exactly what to watch for in 2026.

Public holiday & peak-period loading

If your event falls on a public holiday, the Friday or Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, New Year’s Eve, or any long weekend, most companies automatically add 50–100% to every guard’s hourly rate. A standard $75/hr guard can jump to $120–$150/hr without warning. We’ve had clients lose $4,000–$6,000 on a single day just because they didn’t realise the loading applied.

Travel and mobilization fees outside the inner city

Anything beyond a 20 km radius of the Melbourne CBD usually triggers a travel fee of $80–$180 per guard plus a vehicle charge. Venues in Werribee, Mornington Peninsula, the Dandenongs, or even parts of Geelong regularly attract these surcharges. One client’s 8-guard team at a winery near Healesville added $1,200 just in travel.

Overtime after 8 hours

Most licensed security providers pay guards time-and-a-half after 8 hours and double time after 10 hours (Fair Work rules). If your event runs 30–60 minutes longer than planned — which happens at almost every wedding and festival — you’ll suddenly see those extra hours at $110–$180 per guard. A 2-hour overrun with 10 guards can add $2,000–$3,500 in one night.

Specialised equipment & vehicles

Metal detectors, walk-through scanners, traffic management barriers, golf buggies for large outdoor sites, extra radios, or even a dedicated supervisor vehicle all come at extra cost — usually $150–$450 per item per day. Many organisers only discover this when the quote comes back with a long list of “optional extras” that aren’t actually optional for compliance.

Insurance, licensing & compliance paperwork

Some cheaper providers charge extra for public liability certificates, police checks, or the mandatory “event security plan” that venues now demand. At Security Guard Services we include every single certificate, full insurance proof, and the risk assessment document at no extra charge — because we know how frustrating it is when these appear as surprise line items.

The good news? When you work with us as Melbourne’s best security company, we flag every single one of these costs upfront in your fixed-price quote. No surprises on the day, no last-minute invoices, and no awkward conversations with your client or venue manager.

Why Hire Security Guard Services For Your Major Events Security

We are fully licensed, insured, and Victoria Police vetted. Every guard holds a current Security License and has event-specific training. Clients return because we: