Most of us like to think of our homes as our personal sanctuaries, a safe place where we can leave our laptops on the dining table and our jewellery on the nightstand without a second thought. But recent data suggests that depending on your postcode, you might be a little more vulnerable to uninvited guests than you think.
On a national scale, Australia records an unlawful entry rate of roughly 577.60 per 100,000 people. It is a sobering statistic, but it gets more interesting when you look at where those numbers are concentrated. The team at Compare the Market recently ran the numbers, combining break-in rates with local safety scores to reveal the nation’s biggest burglary hotspots.
The results? They might just prompt you to check your locks tonight.
Paradise With a Catch
When you think of Cairns, you probably picture tropical weather, relaxed locals, and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. What you probably do not picture is a burglary hotspot. Yet, Cairns took the number one spot on the risk index, recording a massive 948.8 incidents per 100,000 people. Paired with a relatively low perceived safety score of 37.8, the northern tourist hub earned the highest total risk score of 1.86 out of 2.
Townsville was hot on its heels in second place, sharing the exact same burglary rate but with a marginally better safety score. Darwin rounded out the top three, proving that the top end of the country is currently facing some serious security challenges.
Interestingly, major metropolitan hubs like Sydney and Canberra sat comfortably at the very bottom of the top 15 list. Canberra residents, in particular, seem to be enjoying the most peace of mind, boasting the lowest burglary rate (403.7) and the highest safety score (73.25) of the group.
| Rank | Location | Burglary Rate per 100,000 | Safety Score | Total Score (Max 2) |
| 1 | Cairns | 948.8 | 37.8 | 1.86 |
| 2 | Townsville | 948.8 | 38.22 | 1.84 |
| 3 | Darwin | 577.9 | 36.79 | 1.72 |
| 4 | Geelong | 559.8 | 39.13 | 1.54 |
| 5 | Gold Coast | 948.8 | 52.73 | 1.48 |
| 6 | Perth | 685.1 | 58.22 | 1.26 |
| 7 | Brisbane | 948.8 | 62.64 | 1.26 |
| 8 | Wollongong | 419.6 | 51.68 | 1.16 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 559.8 | 56.1 | 1.12 |
| 10 | Newcastle | 419.6 | 51.94 | 1.12 |
| 11 | Sunshine Coast | 948.8 | 71.75 | 1.06 |
| 12 | Hobart | 577.9 | 66.15 | 1.04 |
| 13 | Adelaide | 570.5 | 67.12 | 0.92 |
| 14 | Sydney | 419.6 | 65.8 | 0.76 |
| 15 | Canberra | 403.7 | 73.25 | 0.46 |
Ditching the Decoys: What Actually Deters Thieves
So, how do you make sure your home does not become part of next year’s statistics?
According to Defence Service Homes Australia, a lot of what we think works is actually useless against a modern, opportunistic thief. If you bought a plastic dummy camera online or tacked a generic “Beware of the Dog” sign to your front gate, you can probably take them down. Burglars see right through them.
Instead, the experts recommend practical, physical security measures. A vacant-looking property with a full mailbox and unmoved rubbish bins is a neon welcome sign for a thief. To protect your space, you need to rely on the basics: do not leave cash, jewellery, or expensive electronics in plain sight through the windows.
If you want to step up your security game, install multiple locks (including a solid deadlock) and invest in real technology. Genuine cameras, working alarm systems, and video doorbells are highly effective deterrents.
One of the most surprising tips? Cut back your hedges. While privacy is great, tall shrubs and overgrown trees provide the perfect hiding spot for someone trying to pry open a window. Trim them down and let your good neighbours keep an eye out for you. Speaking of neighbours, building a good relationship with the people next door is still one of the most effective neighbourhood watch tactics available.
Protecting Your Home, and Your Wallet
Burglary does not just cost you your possessions and peace of mind; it can also cost you money on your insurance premiums.
Adrian Taylor, Executive General Manager at Compare the Market, notes that where you live directly impacts your wallet. “Your local safety can affect your general peace of mind,” he says. “To prevent incidents as best as possible, consider investing in home security options such as video doorbells and burglar alarms, and always ensure that your windows and doors are locked and secure.”
Taylor also points out that neighbourhood safety plays a major role in calculating your home and contents insurance prices. If you live in one of the higher-risk areas, it is incredibly important to shop around. “You might find a better deal for the same level of cover, and it’s easy to switch over and start saving money,” he adds.
At the end of the day, we cannot completely control the crime rates in our cities. But by ditching the fake cameras, trimming the hedges, and making sure our insurance is actually working for us, we can make our homes a whole lot less appealing to opportunistic thieves.
