Results of a three-year investigation into the variability of 55 Parkes sources at 13 cm are presented. Thirty-six of the sources comprise a complete sample of QSS with fluxes exceeding 2 flux units. The remaining sources include most other known or likely variables stronger than 2 flux units. The relationship between spectra and variability in QSS is investigated and it is confirmed that variables generally have flat low frequency spectra. A possible relationship between redshift and specific types of intensity variations is considered. Limits on the secular change in the intensity of non-variable QSS are set and are generally found to be ± 1.5% p.a. at 13 cm. Results for the remaining 19 sources are discussed and some preliminary findings of an extension patrol to include weaker sources in the range 1-2 flux units are given.