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How much does a security system installation cost?

A basic wireless home alarm usually costs about $500 to $1,500 installed, and a four-camera CCTV system about $1,500 to $4,000. Professional alarm monitoring typically adds $15 to $60 a month.

Basic wireless alarm (hub, a few detectors, siren):$500–$1,500 per job

Updated 19 October 2026 · 2 min read · GST basis not confirmed by sources. Check GST on every quote.

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On this page
  1. How a security system installer works out the price
  2. What it costs, by scenario
  3. What changes the price
  4. What's usually included, and what isn't
  5. Metro and regional differences
  6. Licensing and compliance
  7. Before you accept a quote, check
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. Sources and method

How a security system installer works out the price

A security installer usually quotes a fixed price for the equipment and the installation together, then adds a monthly fee if you want monitoring. Equipment covers the control panel or recorder, sensors or cameras, and any siren or keypad. Labour depends on how many devices go in and how hard the cable routes are. One supplier's guide puts installer labour at $110 to $260 an hour as a planning span. Monitoring is a separate, recurring charge from a monitoring company.

  1. Site visit or photos to plan the number and position of sensors or cameras
  2. Equipment: control panel, keypad, sensors, siren, or cameras and a recorder
  3. Installation labour, including cabling, drilling and set-up
  4. App set-up, testing and a walk-through of how to use the system
  5. Monitoring plan, if you want a company to respond to alarms (a monthly fee)
  6. GST on the total

Worked example: Four-camera CCTV system, straightforward home with easy cable routes (illustrative, not a quote)

Four cameras
$900
Recorder and storage
$400
Installation labour, cabling and set-up
$1,200
Total
$2,500 total (illustrative)

What it costs, by scenario

Low, typical and high prices. Built on 19 October 2026 from one marketplace cost guide, two security suppliers' published cost guides and state licensing pages. Where a source gives no typical figure we use the middle of the range, and several scenarios rest on one source; GST basis is not confirmed by the sources. No award rate is used because the sources do not tie installer pricing to one award.

  • Basic wireless alarm (hub, a few detectors, siren) (per job)

    One marketplace guide puts wireless systems at $500 to $1,000, and one supplier puts a compact wireless system at $900 to $1,500. The two sources overlap only at $900 to $1,000, so the range spans both.

    Low
    $500
    Typical
    $900
    High
    $1,500

  • Full home alarm, hardwired or hybrid, suburban house (per job)

    The $800 low is a marketplace guide's hardwired figure ($800 to $1,600). The $1,800 to $3,200 is one supplier's range for a typical suburban home with six to eight zones. Sources do not agree closely, so get several quotes.

    Low
    $800
    Typical
    $1,800
    High
    $3,200

  • Four-camera CCTV system, installed (per job)

    One supplier gives $1,500 to $4,000 installed, and another puts a full alarm and camera system at $2,000 to $4,500. The typical is the middle of the first range. Brick, double-storey or difficult cable routes sit at the top.

    Low
    $1,500
    Typical
    $2,500
    High
    $4,000

  • Six-camera CCTV system, installed (per job)

    One supplier's planning range, $2,200 to $5,000; the typical is the middle. Only one source gives this figure.

    Low
    $2,200
    Typical
    $3,600
    High
    $5,000

  • Wired video intercom, one entry panel and one or two monitors (per job)

    One supplier's range for a wired residential video intercom, with $1,600 as its typical complete plan. Multiple entries or gate release run to $3,000 to $6,500. Only one source gives these figures.

    Low
    $900
    Typical
    $1,600
    High
    $2,200

  • Alarm monitoring, professional plan (per month)

    Three sources give a top of $60 a month. Two give $15 as the bottom, and one supplier puts a typical complete plan at $45. Setup, SIM or data and call-out charges can be separate.

    Low
    $15
    Typical
    $45
    High
    $60

  • Installer labour, if charged by the hour (per hour)

    One supplier's planning span of $110 to $260 an hour; the typical is the middle. After-hours work costs more. Most installers quote a fixed price instead.

    Low
    $110
    Typical
    $185
    High
    $260
Low, typical and high prices by scenario
ScenarioLowTypicalHigh
Basic wireless alarm (hub, a few detectors, siren) (per job)One marketplace guide puts wireless systems at $500 to $1,000, and one supplier puts a compact wireless system at $900 to $1,500. The two sources overlap only at $900 to $1,000, so the range spans both.$500$900$1,500
Full home alarm, hardwired or hybrid, suburban house (per job)The $800 low is a marketplace guide's hardwired figure ($800 to $1,600). The $1,800 to $3,200 is one supplier's range for a typical suburban home with six to eight zones. Sources do not agree closely, so get several quotes.$800$1,800$3,200
Four-camera CCTV system, installed (per job)One supplier gives $1,500 to $4,000 installed, and another puts a full alarm and camera system at $2,000 to $4,500. The typical is the middle of the first range. Brick, double-storey or difficult cable routes sit at the top.$1,500$2,500$4,000
Six-camera CCTV system, installed (per job)One supplier's planning range, $2,200 to $5,000; the typical is the middle. Only one source gives this figure.$2,200$3,600$5,000
Wired video intercom, one entry panel and one or two monitors (per job)One supplier's range for a wired residential video intercom, with $1,600 as its typical complete plan. Multiple entries or gate release run to $3,000 to $6,500. Only one source gives these figures.$900$1,600$2,200
Alarm monitoring, professional plan (per month)Three sources give a top of $60 a month. Two give $15 as the bottom, and one supplier puts a typical complete plan at $45. Setup, SIM or data and call-out charges can be separate.$15$45$60
Installer labour, if charged by the hour (per hour)One supplier's planning span of $110 to $260 an hour; the typical is the middle. After-hours work costs more. Most installers quote a fixed price instead.$110$185$260

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What changes the price

  • Number of devices. Each extra sensor, camera or keypad adds equipment and labour. One marketplace guide puts add-on sensors at about $15 to $60 each.
  • Wired or wireless. Hardwired systems need cabling and wall work, so labour costs more than a wireless system.
  • Building and access. Brick, masonry, double-storey homes and long cable routes take more time and sometimes more equipment.
  • Camera quality and storage. Higher resolution, low-light or analytics cameras and longer storage cost more than basic cameras.
  • Monitoring. A monitored alarm adds a monthly fee. Self-monitoring can avoid it, but you may pay for cloud storage.
  • Location. Wages, travel time and demand differ across cities and regions. One marketplace guide shows Brisbane alarm averages well above Sydney and Melbourne.

What's usually included, and what isn't

Usually included

  • Supply of the agreed equipment (panel, sensors, cameras or intercom)
  • Installation labour and basic cabling
  • Set-up, testing and app or keypad training
  • A warranty on the installer's work, as stated in the quote

Often extra

  • Monitoring fees, unless the quote bundles a plan
  • Making good of walls, paint and ceilings after cabling
  • Mains electrical work such as a new power point, which needs a licensed electrician
  • Extra sensors, cameras or cloud storage added after the quote
  • A maintenance visit, which one marketplace guide puts at around $100

Metro and regional differences

Metro: Capital cities have the most installers and the most competition for standard jobs, but higher wages and travel time keep labour rates up. Apartment and townhouse jobs can be quick, while older terraces may need harder cable routes.

Regional: Our sources do not give separate regional figures, so treat the ranges as a national guide. Outside the cities, a longer drive can add to the price, and fewer installers means fewer quotes to compare. Larger properties can mean more cameras and longer cable runs.

Licensing and compliance

Installing alarms, CCTV and similar security equipment is a licensed activity in most states, and the rules differ.

New South Wales: NSW Police Force, through the Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate (SLED), where the Class 2C subclass covers installing security equipment such as CCTV and alarms under the Security Industry Act 1997.

Victoria: the Licensing and Regulation Division of Victoria Police, where installing, repairing, servicing or maintaining security equipment is a licensed private security activity under the Private Security Act 2004.

Queensland: the Office of Fair Trading, where a security equipment installer licence is needed to install, repair, service or maintain security equipment.

Western Australia: WA Police, which issues the Security Installer Licence (Class 2 covers alarms and CCTV), and employees must work for a licensed security agent while a sole trader needs an agent licence.

South Australia: Consumer and Business Services, where installing and maintaining security systems requires a security agent licence.

ACT: Access Canberra, where the security employee licence subclass 2E covers installing, maintaining, monitoring, repairing or servicing security equipment.

Tasmania: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services licenses security agents under the Security and Investigations Agents Act 2002, but the page we read lists crowd control, guarding and commercial agent work, among other licence classes, and does not mention alarm or CCTV installers, so we could not confirm a requirement.

Northern Territory: we could not confirm a requirement; an industry summary lists NT licences for firms, security officers and crowd controllers and does not mention installers.

Separately, any work on mains power needs a licensed electrician.

Ask for the installer's licence number and check it on the regulator's public register where one exists.

Before you accept a quote, check

  • Does the quote list every device (panel, sensors, cameras, recorder, storage) and the brand?
  • Is the price fixed, and does it include cabling and set-up?
  • Is monitoring included, what does it cost per month, and what is the minimum term?
  • Are call-out charges or false-alarm fees extra?
  • Does the installer hold the security licence your state requires, and can you check it on the register?
  • Does the quote say whether GST is included, and what the warranty covers?

Frequently asked questions

How much does a home alarm system cost to install?

About $500 to $1,500 for a basic wireless system and about $800 to $3,200 for a fuller hardwired or hybrid system, based on one marketplace guide and one supplier. Prices rise with the number of sensors and how hard the wiring is.

How much does CCTV installation cost?

One supplier puts a four-camera system at about $1,500 to $4,000 installed and a six-camera system at about $2,200 to $5,000. Brick walls, double-storey homes and long cable routes push the price up.

How much does alarm monitoring cost per month?

Most sources put professional monitoring at about $15 to $60 a month, with one supplier's typical complete plan at $45. Ask about setup, SIM or data fees and any minimum term.

Does a security installer need a licence?

In most states, yes. Rules differ by state and we could not confirm a licence for alarm or CCTV installers in Tasmania or the Northern Territory. See the licensing section for what each regulator's page said.

Can I install a wireless system myself?

Many wireless systems are sold for self-installation, but that is not covered in our sources. If you pay someone to install, the licensing rules apply to them, so check their licence.

Is a video intercom cheaper than an alarm?

Not usually. One supplier puts a wired residential video intercom at about $900 to $2,200 installed, which overlaps with a basic alarm. Multiple entries or gate release cost more.

Sources and method

Built on 19 October 2026 from one marketplace cost guide, two security suppliers' published cost guides and state licensing pages. Where a source gives no typical figure we use the middle of the range, and several scenarios rest on one source; GST basis is not confirmed by the sources. No award rate is used because the sources do not tie installer pricing to one award. How we calculate our guides.

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