Australia isn’t renowned for having a high crime rate, but it's worth seeing which areas may be susceptible to a higher incidence of crime in your state.
The safety of your neighbourhood and your bricks and mortar are crucial factors to consider when deciding where to settle down, so it’s worth knowing which states have higher crime rates and unemployment trends than others.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found a lull in the rate of major offence categories across the nation including homicide, robbery, kidnapping/abduction, unlawful entry with intent, and motor vehicle theft.
What is concerning, however, is the rise in victims of sexual assault. In particular, South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) saw an increase in female assault victims of 11%, 3% and 8% respectively from 2013 to 2014.
The NT saw the sharpest rise in the number of robbery victims which was up by 17% from 2013-2014.
Interestingly, the NT, TAS and the ACT saw increases in the number of unlawful property entries with intent which increased by 7.4%, 7.0% and 7.3% respectively.
As unemployment is an indicator of criminal activity (according to the motivational theory), we take the recorded crimes within each state and pair this with unemployment data to reveal the suburbs that may have a higher prevalence of crimes in each state.
Then, using the available data from each state government website, we break-down the crime statistics at the suburb level. However, there is variation in the way that the available data is calculated, categorised and represented.
State-by-state comparison of crime
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
ACT
NT
New South Wales (NSW)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
85
75
-10
Sexual assault
8,121
8,192
+71
Kidnapping/abduction
305
305
0
Armed robbery
1,984
1,772
-212
Unlawful entry with intent
49,902
46,229
- 3,673
Motor vehicle theft
15,114
14,110
-1004
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
Many of the major offence categories took place in residential dwellings. In 2014, there were: 50 murders, 5,776 sexual assault incidences, 127 kidnapping/abduction incidences, 197 armed robbery cases, and 23,223 unlawful entries that took place within residential property.
The latest ABS unemployment data from the December 2015 quarter shows that the NSW suburbs with the highest unemployment rates include Yarrabah (55.3%), Bidwell- Hebersham- Emerton region (20.7%), Lethbridge Park (20.3%), Tamsworth (19.9%), and Cessnock (17.4%).
So if you’re thinking of buying in NSW, you may want to steer clear of these suburbs.
Assault
The NSW Crime Mapping Tool allows you to see which regions have a high crime rate (per 100,000 people) for different offences from October 2014 to September 2015.
The NSW rate per 100,000 population for assault is 852.6 and the two year trend is described as “stable”. Here are some regions with the highest assault rate per 100,000.
Area
Rate (per 100,000)
Two year trend
Bourke
7,301.0
Stable
Walgett
4,354.2
Stable
Moree Plains
3,287.4
Stable
Coonamble
2,361.3
Stable
Cobar
2,000.0
Stable
Bogan
1,916.7
Stable
Homicide
The NSW rate per 100,000 population for homicide is 1.4 per 100,000. Here are some areas with the highest homicide rates.
Area
Rate (per 100,000)
Two year trend
Bogan
99.1
N/A
Cobar
40.8
N/A
Bourke
33.0
N/A
Murray
27.4
N/A
Wakool
24.8
N/A
Gunnedah
15.9
N/A
Robbery
The NSW rate per 100,000 population for robbery incidents is 39.6. Below are some of the regions with the highest rates of robbery.
Area
Rate (per 100,000)
Two year trend
Bourke
99.1
N/A
Blacktown
95.1
Stable
Moree Plains
84.8
N/A
Parramatta
80.7
Down 22.2% per year
Fairfield
66.0
Stable
Penrith
65.8
Stable
Sexual Offences
The NSW rate per 100,00 population for sexual offences is 153.5. Here are some of the areas with the highest rate of sexual offences.
Area
Rate (per 100,000)
Two year trend
Bourke
958.0
Stable
Cabonne
563.8
Stable
Bogan
429.6
N/A
Walgett
426.6
Stable
Wentworth
410.5
Stable
Lachlan
371.2
N/A
Theft
The NSW rate per 100,000 for theft is 3,262.9. Below are some regions with the highest rate of theft.
Area
Rate (per 100,000)
Two year trend
Bourke
13,809.1
Stable
Moore Plains
9,013.8
Stable
Walgett
6,752.0
Up 21.1% per year
Cobar
5,816.3
Stable
Armidale Dumaresq
5,206.1
Stable
Wagga Wagga
5,031.9
Stable
Victoria (VIC)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
46
58
+12
Sexual assault
3,920
4,169
+249
Kidnapping/abduction
138
122
-16
Armed robbery
1,365
1,142
-223
Unlawful entry with intent
44,915
44,457
-458
Motor vehicle theft
12,051
13,227
+1176
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
In 2014, there were several offences committed on VIC residential property. There were; 41 murders, 2,665 sexual assault cases, 45 kidnaps/abductions, 131 armed robberies, and 30,309 unlawful entries.
Based on the suburbs with the highest unemployment rates in VIC (as at December 2015), you may want to avoid purchasing real estate in Dandenong (21.9%), Broadmeadows (21.7%), Doveton (21.1%), Campbellfield - Coolaroo (19.7%) and Meadow Heights (18.4%).
Location break-down
The following data has been obtained from the Victoria Police 2013/2014 Crime Statistics “Summary of Offences Recorded” report.
Eastern Region
Offence
2012/2013 (rate per 100,000)
2013/2014 (rate per 100,000)
% Change
Homicide
2.2
2.9
34.1
Assault
668.2
729.3
9.1
Robbery
29.8
28.3
-5.1
Abduction/kidnap
8.4
10.3
23.3
North West Metro
Offence
2012/2013 (rate per 100,000)
2013/2014 (rate per 100,000)
% Change
Homicide
4.2
3.4
-19.7
Assault
912.7
896.2
-1.8
Robbery
86.2
73.2
-15.2
Abduction/kidnap
16.3
13.0
-20.0
Southern Metro
Offence
2012/2013 (rate per 100,000)
2013/2014 (rate per 100,000)
% Change
Homicide
2.3
2.2
-5.0
Assault
783.7
760.0
-3.0
Robbery
44.7
42.3
-5.3
Abduction/kidnap
11.6
9.9
-14.3
Western Region
Offence
2012/2013 (rate per 100,000)
2013/2014 (rate per 100,000)
% Change
Homicide
3.7
2.7
-27.2
Assault
946.1
896.5
-5.2
Robbery
22.8
21.7
-4.8
Abduction/kidnap
12.1
9.5
-21.7
Queensland (QLD)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
39
53
+14
Sexual assault
4,019
4,063
+44
Kidnapping/abduction
54
31
-23
Armed robbery
989
729
-260
Unlawful entry with intent
41,289
33,857
-7432
Motor vehicle theft
10,434
8,507
-1927
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
In QLD residential property there were; 38 murders, 2,783 sexual assaults, 16 kidnaps/abductions, 114 armed robberies and 17,070 unlawful entries that involved the taking of property.
The areas with the highest unemployment rate in QLD as at December 2015 are; Aurukun (57.6%), Palm Island (53.6%), Kowanyama - Pormpuraaw (29.1%), Mount Morgan (26.2%) and Logan Central (24.0%), so think twice before buying a property in these regions.
Location breakdown
The following data has been obtained from the Queensland government “District Reported Offence Rates”.
Darling Downs
Offence
Dec 2014 (rate)
Dec 2015 (rate)
Change
Homicide (Murder)
0
0
N/A
Assault
25.01
28.46
+3.45
Robbery
0.42
1.65
+1.23
Abduction/kidnap
0
0
N/A
Gold Coast
Offence
Dec 2014 (rate)
Dec 2015 (rate)
Change
Homicide (Murder)
0
0
N/A
Assault
23.28
31.57
+8.29
Robbery
2.93
2.53
- 0.4
Abduction/kidnap
0.73
1.26
+0.53
Logan
Offence
Dec 2014 (rate)
Dec 2015 (rate)
Change
Homicide (Murder)
0
0.30
+0.30
Assault
27.60
35.40
+7.8
Robbery
3.0
2.65
0.35
Abduction/kidnap
1.20
0.59
-0.61
North Brisbane
Offence
Dec 2014 (rate)
Dec 2015 (rate)
Change
Homicide
0
0.14
0.14
Assault
26.69
26.91
+0.22
Robbery
2.68
2.22
-0.46
Abduction/kidnap
0.42
0.14
-0.28
South Australia
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
21
11
-10
Sexual assault
1,359
1,545
+186
Kidnapping/abduction
68
67
-1
Armed robbery
778
737
-41
Unlawful entry with intent
14,351
13,070
-1281
Motor vehicle theft
3,636
3,319
-317
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
A total of 6 murders, 1,091 sexual assaults, 38 kidnaps/abductions, 53 armed robberies, 6,591 unlawful entries occurred on SA residential property in 2014.
In terms of the suburbs with the highest unemployment rates in SA, you may want to be skeptical about buying property in Elizabeth (33.6%), APY Lands (24.9%), Elizabeth North (24.3%), Hackham West - Huntfield Heights (22.3%), and Christie Downs (21.5%).
Location break down
The following data was taken from the South Australian government website.
Elizabeth (Local Service Area)
Offence
Dec 2015
Murder
0
Aggravated sexual assault
24
Abduction, harassment and other offences
10
Aggravated robbery
9
Serious criminal trespass (residence)
117
Hackham West - Huntfield Heights (South Coast Local Service Area)
Offence
Dec 2015
Murder
0
Aggravated sexual assault
9
Abduction, harassment and other offences
16
Aggravated robbery
9
Serious criminal trespass (residence)
51
Christie Downs (South Coast Local Service Area)- as above
Offence
Dec 2015
Murder
0
Aggravated sexual assault
9
Abduction, harassment and other offences
16
Aggravated robbery
9
Serious criminal trespass (residence)
51
Western Australia (WA)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
35
31
-4
Sexual assault
1,825
1,942
+117
Kidnapping/abduction
19
23
+4
Armed robbery
765
648
-117
Unlawful entry with intent
35,439
35,004
-435
Motor vehicle theft
8,701
8,067
-634
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
In 2014, the following offences were committed on WA residential premises; 18 murders, 1,399 sexual assaults, 7 kidnaps/abductions, 160 armed robberies, 18,466 unlawful entries.
The locations with the highest unemployment rate include; Halls Creek (35.9%), Derby - West Kimberley (25.5%), Girrawheen (24.4%), Balga - Mirrabooka (24.3%), and Roebuck (22.0%) in December 2015, so carefully consider your need to buy real estate in these areas.
Location break-down
The following data was obtained from the Western Australia Police Service Monthly Verified Crime Statistics 2015-2016.
Metropolitan region
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
7
0.3
Recent sexual assault
197
9.7
Burglary (dwelling)
2,004
99.1
Motor vehicle theft
608
30.1
Regional WA region
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
4
0.7
Recent sexual assault
54
9.8
Burglary (dwelling)
546
99.0
Motor vehicle theft
150
27.2
Central Metropolitan District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
1
0.2
Recent sexual assault
38
9.3
Burglary (dwelling)
444
108.9
Motor vehicle theft
127
31.2
North West Metropolitan District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
N/A
N/A
Recent sexual assault
47
7.2
Burglary (dwelling)
460
70.3
Motor vehicle theft
163
24.9
South Metropolitan District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
6
1.2
Recent sexual assault
42
8.2
Burglary (dwelling)
454
88.7
Motor vehicle theft
149
29.1
Kimberly District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
1
2.6
Recent sexual assault
13
33.2
Burglary (dwelling)
105
268.5
Motor vehicle theft
49
125.3
Pilbara District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
2
2.9
Recent sexual assault
4
5.7
Burglary (dwelling)
47
67.1
Motor vehicle theft
11
15.7
South West District
Offence
Dec 2015 (number)
Dec 2015 (rate per 100,000)
Homicide
N/A
N/A
Recent sexual assault
7
1.7
Burglary (dwelling)
91
51.3
Motor vehicle theft
23
13.0
Tasmania (TAS)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
8
6
-2
Sexual assault
187
216
+29
Kidnapping/abduction
0
0
0
Armed robbery
73
52
-21
Unlawful entry with intent
3,460
3,703
+243
Motor vehicle theft
1,130
1,249
+119
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
In 2014, 6 murders, 147 sexual assault, 0 kidnapping/abductions, 19 armed robberies, 1,972 unlawful entries occurred on TAS residential property.
The highest unemployment suburbs in TAS are; Bridgewater - Gagebrook (24.3%), Ravenswood (21.9%), Rokeby (15.6%), Risdon Vale (14.3%), and East Devonport (31.1%) which may represent areas that have a higher crime rate than other TAS locations.
Location break-down
The following data was obtained from the Tasmanian Police Annual (June) 2015 Corporate Performance Report.
Hobart
Offence
Last YTD
This YTD
Change
Robbery
19
19
0%
Property offences
3,074
3,123
1.6%
Burglary
236
262
11.0%
Property damage
576
493
-14.4%
Stolen motor vehicles
181
223
23.2%
Kingston
Offence
Last YTD
This YTD
Change
Robbery
5
3
-40.0%
Property offences
1,008
1,142
13.3%
Burglary
118
197
66.9%
Property damage
192
140
-27.1%
Stolen motor vehicles
53
49
-7.5%
Bridgewater
Offence
Last YTD
This YTD
Change
Robbery
7
8
14.3%
Property offences
1,798
1,740
-3.2%
Burglary
183
129
-29.5%
Property damage
303
316
4.3%
Stolen motor vehicles
172
120
-30.2%
North-east
Offence
Last YTD
This YTD
Change
Robbery
2
1
-50.0%
Property offences
552
630
14.1%
Burglary
39
37
-5.1%
Property damage
106
77
-27.4%
Stolen motor vehicles
14
25
78.6%
Devonport
Offence
Last YTD
This YTD
Change
Robbery
5
2
-60.0%
Property offences
2,017
2,287
13.4%
Burglary
142
145
2.1%
Property damage
343
342
-0.3%
Stolen motor vehicles
40
103
157.5%
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
0
0
0
Sexual assault
237
183
-54
Kidnapping/abduction
6
4
-2
Armed robbery
74
86
+12
Unlawful entry with intent
2,078
2,230
+152
Motor vehicle theft
676
752
+76
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
108 sexual assaults, 0 kidnaps/abductions, 11 armed robberies, and 1,083 unlawful entries were committed on residential property in the ACT in 2014.
In December 2015, the suburbs with the highest unemployment rates in the ACT were the ACT - East (16.4%), Chamwood (12.4%), Reid (12.2%), Florey (9.5%), and Scullin (8.8%), so ensure that you fully evaluate the safety of these areas before you settle down.
Location break-down
The following data has been obtained from the Australian Federal Police Crime Statistics online mapping tool. The source used is the ACT Policing PROMIS and Autocite as of 1 March, 2013. There is no rate information available as the population is under 350 persons. The data is only available for the below regions.
Gungahlin
Offence
2013
Homicide
0
Sexual assault
1
Burglary
6
Property damage
12
Motor vehicle theft
2
Belconnen
Offence
2013
Homicide
0
Sexual assault
0
Burglary
23
Property damage
89
Motor vehicle theft
17
Northern Territory (NT)
Offence
2013
2014
Change
Murder
17
9
-8
Sexual assault
366
373
+7
Kidnapping/abduction
0
0
0
Armed robbery
32
46
+14
Unlawful entry with intent
3,101
3,331
+230
Motor vehicle theft
771
953
+182
(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) “Recorded Crime- Victims, 2014)
For NT offences, the following were committed in 2014 on residential property; 132 sexual assaults, 4 armed robberies, and 921 unlawful entries.
The regions with the highest unemployment rate, and which you might want to exclude from your location radar include; Thamarrur (19.7%), Sandover Plenty (18.2%), Yuendumu - Anmatjeve (18.0%), Barkly (15.3%), East Arnhem (13.3%), and West Arnhem (13.3%).
Location break-down
The following data was obtained from the Northern Territory Police government website.
Darwin
The Darwin region comprises Darwin city and the associated suburbs from Buffalo Creek, Berrimah and East Arm westwards.
Offence
01/02/14 - 31/01/15
01/02/15 - 31/01/16
% change
Sexual assault
136
133
-2.2
House break-ins
760
586
-22.9
Property damage
2,490
2,327
-6.5
Motor vehicle theft
1,191
933
-21.7
Palmerston
The Palmerston region consists of Pinelands and Yarrawonga south to the Elizabeth River, closely approximating the Palmerston Local Government Area.
Offence
01/02/14 - 31/01/15
01/02/15 - 31/01/16
% change
Sexual assault
41
31
-24.4
House break-ins
263
247
-6.1
Property damage
783
746
-4.7
Motor vehicle theft
521
432
-17.1
Alice Springs
The Alice Springs area includes the surrounding areas corresponding to the Alice Springs Local Government Area.
Offence
01/02/14 - 31/01/15
01/02/15 - 31/01/16
% change
Sexual assault
60
74
23.3
House break-ins
396
416
5.1
Property damage
1470
1566
6.5
Motor vehicle theft
289
338
17
Tennant Creek
The Tennant Creek region comprises the township and surrounding area.
Offence
01/02/14 - 31/01/15
01/02/15 - 31/01/16
% change
Sexual assault
9
5
-44.4
House break-ins
22
42
90.9
Property damage
126
156
23.8
Motor vehicle theft
21
11
-47.6
Katherine
The Katherine region comprises the township and surrounding rural area closely approximating the Katherine Local Government Area.
Offence
01/02/14 - 31/01/15
01/02/15 - 31/01/16
% change
Sexual assault
30
23
-23.3
House break-ins
74
84
13.5
Property damage
396
238
-39.9
Motor vehicle theft
110
92
-16.4