A recent study conducted by B&D Garage Doors has highlighted the safest and least safe cities across Australia, providing insights for potential homebuyers and residents considering a relocation.
Victoria emerged at the forefront of the ranking as the safest state, boasting a perfect Safety Score of 100. Cities within Victoria, such as Bacchus Marsh and Castlemaine, were recognized for their low crime rates. Bacchus Marsh achieved a Safety Score of 96.1. Other Victorian cities like Warrnambool, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, and Melbourne also made it to the top ten, each displaying strong public safety measures and community programs.
B&D stated, “Victoria’s got it right with its public safety measures and strong community programs. If you’re thinking of buying a home or moving somewhere safer, these areas in Victoria should be on your radar.”
Contrastingly, Queensland was identified as having the lowest safety score among states. Specifically, Mount Isa in Queensland was pointed out as one of the least safe cities, with a Safety Score close to zero and an alarmingly high crime rate of 306 crimes per 1,000 residents. Townsville and Rockhampton also featured in the bottom rankings, underscoring the safety challenges within Queensland.
“Queensland’s got some real challenges with safety. If you’re moving there, you need to be extra cautious and do your homework,” advised the experts from B&D Garage Doors.
In light of Queensland being labelled as the crime capital of Australia, the importance of robust safety measures is more pronounced. The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated that in 2023, Queensland had the highest number of assaults and home break-ins in the country, with 289,657 residents falling victim to crimes.
South Australia, meanwhile, was home to the country’s safest town, Mount Barker, and the safest capital city, Adelaide. Mount Barker topped the list with a Safety Score of 100.0, showcasing low rates across various crime categories including theft, property damage, and acts intended to cause injury. Adelaide also featured prominently with a Safety Score of 90.4.
While Victoria leads in safety, South Australia’s strong showing with cities like Mount Barker and Adelaide provides potential residents with additional secure options.
On the flip side, SA also landed in the top 3 of the least safe cities, with Port Augusta receiving a safety score of 3.7.
B&D highlights that for individuals and families considering a move, it is essential to look beyond crime statistics alone. The presence of strong public safety programs and a robust safety workforce are indicative of a safer living environment.
“Look beyond the numbers. Check out specific crime types and the presence of public safety programs. A city with a strong safety workforce and engaged community often means a safer place to live,” added B&D experts.
Top 10 Safest Cities in Australia
| Rank | City | Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | Crimes against the person per 1,000 residents | Property and deception offenses per 1,000 residents | Drug, Public order & security, and Other offenses per 1,000 residents | Workforce in Public Administration and Safety sector per 1,000 residents | Top 3 Crime Types | Safety Score |
| 1 | Mount Barker, SA | 28 | 6 | 0 | 22 | 48 | Theft and related offenses, Property damage and environmental, Acts intended to cause injury (Assault) | 100.0 |
| 2 | Bacchus Marsh, VIC | 41 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 56 | Theft, Property damage, Assault and related offenses | 96.1 |
| 3 | Castlemaine, VIC | 44 | 8 | 4 | 32 | 47 | Theft, Property damage, Assault and related offenses | 94.7 |
| 4 | Warrnambool, VIC | 57 | 14 | 12 | 32 | 71 | Theft, Assault and related offenses, Property damage | 92.3 |
| 5 | Bendigo, VIC | 66 | 13 | 10 | 42 | 70 | Theft, Property damage, Assault and related offenses | 91.3 |
| 6 | Ballarat, VIC | 74 | 11 | 9 | 54 | 69 | Theft, Property damage, Assault and related offenses | 91.1 |
| 7 | Adelaide, SA | 64 | 12 | 0 | 52 | 45 | Theft and related offenses, Property damage and environmental, Acts intended to cause injury (Assault) | 90.4 |
| 8 | Sydney, NSW | 45 | 12 | 9 | 23 | 38 | Theft, Assault, Malicious damage to property | 90.3 |
| 9 | Geelong, VIC | 74 | 14 | 12 | 48 | 73 | Theft, Assault and related offenses, Property damage | 89.4 |
| 10 | Melbourne, VIC | 55 | 10 | 9 | 37 | 35 | Theft, Assault and related offenses, Property damage | 89.3 |
10 Least Safe Cities in Australia
| Rank | City | Crime Rate per 1,000 residents | Crimes against the person per 1,000 residents | Property and deception offenses per 1,000 residents | Drug, Public order & security, and Other offenses per 1,000 residents | Workforce in Public Administration and Safety sector per 1,000 residents | Top 3 Crime Types | Safety Score |
| 47 | Mildura, VIC | 119 | 26 | 22 | 71 | 55 | Theft, Assault and related offenses, Property damage | 7.1 |
| 48 | Rockhampton, QLD | 149 | 21 | 34 | 94 | 77 | Other Theft (excl. Unlawful Entry), Unlawful Entry, Drug Offences | 5.7 |
| 49 | Tamworth, NSW | 131 | 33 | 21 | 77 | 73 | Theft, Malicious damage to property, Assault | 5.3 |
| 50 | Bairnsdale, VIC | 116 | 27 | 22 | 66 | 38 | Theft, Property damage, Assault and related offenses | 5.3 |
| 51 | Townsville, QLD | 138 | 28 | 28 | 82 | 68 | Other Theft (excl. Unlawful Entry), Unlawful Entry, Assault | 5.1 |
| 52 | Lismore, NSW | 103 | 35 | 18 | 51 | 19 | Theft, Assault, Malicious damage to property | 4.2 |
| 53 | Karratha, WA | 167 | 53 | 29 | 85 | 58 | Assault, Stealing, Burglary/Break and enter | 3.9 |
| 54 | Port Augusta, SA | 220 | 57 | 0 | 162 | 77 | Property damage and environmental, Theft and related offenses, Acts intended to cause injury (Assault) | 3.7 |
| 55 | Geraldton, WA | 206 | 57 | 31 | 118 | 12 | Stealing, Assault, Property Damage | 2.9 |
| 56 | Mount Isa, QLD | 306 | 86 | 63 | 157 | 55 | Assault, Other Theft (excl. Unlawful Entry), Other Property Damage | 0.0 |
Methodology
To create the overall index, they evaluated four key categories:
- Crime against People (double weight)
- Property and Deception Offenses
- Drug, Public Order & Security, and Other Offenses
- Workforce in Public Administration and Safety (half weight)
Each category is measured by the number of events or people per 1,000 residents and scored on a scale of 0 to 100.
Data Sources:
- Crime Metrics: Sourced from AU Crime Rate (https://aucrimerate.com), focusing on cities with populations of 10,000 or more.
- Workforce in Public Administration and Safety: Sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, covering occupations such as police, security officers, and regulatory officers.
This methodology ensures a comprehensive assessment of safety and public order in various cities.
The full data set is available from B&D on request.
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