How much does access control cost?
Access control and intercom costs in south-east Queensland, 2026
Published · Last updated
For a home, a video intercom at the front door or gate typically costs $600 to $1,800 installed. Commercial access control is usually priced per door, often $1,500 to $4,000 a door for card or fob readers with electric locking, plus software. Automating a driveway gate is a separate job, commonly $2,500 to $6,000 including the motor and installation.
These are indicative ranges for south-east Queensland in 2026, including GST.
Typical costs
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Video intercom, single entry, installed | $600 – $1,800 |
| Keypad or fob entry, residential door | $800 – $2,000 |
| Commercial card/fob door (reader, lock, controller) | $1,500 – $4,000 per door |
| Swing or sliding gate automation | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Cloud access control subscription | $5 – $20 per door per month |
| Extra fobs or cards | $10 – $30 each |
What drives the price
The door, not just the reader
The reader is often the cheapest part. The locking hardware has to suit the door: an electric strike, a magnetic lock or a motorised lock. Glass doors, fire doors and old timber frames all need different hardware. Power and cabling back to a controller are usually the biggest labour cost, and 240V work must be done by a licensed electrician.
Cloud or on-site
Cloud-managed systems let you add and remove users from a phone and see who came in, for a monthly fee per door. On-site systems have no subscription but are managed from a local computer or keypad. For a small office or a strata building with a volunteer committee, the convenience of cloud management often justifies the fee.
Safety rules for exits
Doors on an exit path must still let people out in an emergency. Locks that release when power fails (“fail-safe”), exit buttons and links to the fire alarm are often required. Your installer should work to the National Construction Code and your building’s fire safety requirements. It is worth confirming this in writing for any commercial or strata job.
Before you choose a system
- Count every door and gate you want controlled now, and the ones you may add later
- Ask how credentials are removed when a tenant, cleaner or staff member leaves
- Check what happens to the doors during a power outage, and whether there is battery backup
- Ask whether the system can link to your CCTV, so each entry has video
Compare access control and intercom specialists serving Kenmore, Chermside and other Brisbane suburbs.