Suburb Safety Checker

• Australia is generally very safe. It consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. Violent crime is rare in most areas.
• Lock your car and home. Opportunistic theft (unlocked cars, bikes left out) is the most common crime. Always lock up.
• Be aware at night. Stick to well-lit streets, especially around entertainment districts late at night. Use rideshare apps rather than walking alone.
• Watch for scams. New arrivals are often targeted by phone, email, and text scams. The ATO, Medicare, and banks will never ask for passwords or gift cards. Report scams at scamwatch.gov.au.
• Natural hazards. Be aware of bushfire risk in summer, strong UV (wear sunscreen), rip currents at beaches (swim between the flags), and snakes/spiders in some areas.
• Report crime. Don't hesitate to call police. You can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Your visa status will not be affected by reporting crime.
• Neighbourhood Watch. Many suburbs have Neighbourhood Watch programs. These are community-run groups that work with police to keep areas safe. Check nhwa.com.au for groups near you.

Each state publishes crime statistics online. Use these to research specific suburbs: