House break-ins in Australia: How to stay safe and reduce risk

House break-ins are one of the most common property crimes in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the rate of home break-ins and motor vehicle theft rose over the past year, jumping from 1.8% in 2022-23 to 2.1% in 2023-24.

For many Australians, their home is the most significant asset they own. It's also the number one place where you're meant to feel safe, which is why break-ins can take a significant emotional toll.

The best way to stay protected is to understand your risk and manage it accordingly.

What is a house break-in?

While we all know what exactly is a 'house break-in', let's cover all our bases, anyway. Breaking and entering or a house break-in is defined as the unlawful entry into a dwelling or building with the intent to further commit a criminal act, such as theft.

"Burglary," "home invasion" and "break and enter" are common terms that get thrown around when we talk about house break-ins, but they don't all necessarily mean the same thing.

Breaking and entering refers to the unlawful entering of a building without permission. Under this definition, unlocking someone else's door without consent can count as "breaking in."

Burglary follows the same point of breaking and entering with the addition of intent to commit a further crime inside. A home invasion involves a violent confrontation where home invaders unlawfully enter a home while its occupants are present.

How common are house break-ins in Australia?

In 2023-24, approximately 9.0% of households (952,000) experienced one or more household crimes, including break-ins, attempted break-ins, motor vehicle theft, malicious property damage or other theft.

Because the total number of households changes, "how many" in absolute terms shifts over time. But broadly speaking, about 1 in every 40–50 households is burgled each year.

Of the households that experienced a break-in, only 75% reported the incident to the police. The two common reasons why other households did not report the crime was because they believed the incident was trivial or unimportant (9.2%) or that there was nothing the police could do (8%).

Who is most at risk and when do break-ins happen?

It's difficult to pinpoint who exactly is at risk of a home break-in, as burglary rates vary across different states. Recent statistics have shown that QLD had the highest number of attempted break-ins between 2023-24 at 66.2k, followed by NSW (43.7k), VIC (35.3k), WA (22.5k), SA (11.7k), the ACT (6k) and the NT (4.5k).

Some studies show that residential burglaries are most common during the early morning (12:00am to 6:00am), with 40% of robberies occurring during this timeframe. This was followed by afternoons with 20% of burglaries occurring between 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

Not surprisingly, burglaries and attempted break-ins also most commonly occur during the holiday season, as many homes are more likely to be filled with gifts, merchandise and food. A study conducted by the ABC also investigated why burglars choose specific homes to break into.

Respondents confessed to selecting properties that were easy to access, looking out for unlocked windows or doors as well as homes that had large shrubbery or trees they could hide behind. The report also found that burglars no longer fall for "old-school" tricks, like leaving the lights or TV on after you leave.

This means that more than majority of the time, thieves are opportunistic, rather than devising a well-thought out plan.

What burglars actually target and how they get in

According to Oz Roller Shutters, the front and backdoor are two of the most common entry points for thieves, taking an average of 8 minutes to break in and rob a house. Some of the most common items burglars love to pinch include smaller, more valuable items, such as cash, jewellery, laptops, phones and car keys.

Multi-point locking systems, stainless steel mesh or industry-strength hinges are some of the solutions homeowners can implement to ward off thieves, as homes with visible security doors are 40% less likely to be targeted.

The emotional and financial impact of a house break-in

Having your home broken into is a massive invasion of privacy and can take just as much of an emotional toll as a financial one. For many, they no longer feel safe in their own home and can fall under an enormous amount of stress as they try to recoup their losses and regain a sense of comfort and security.

The average person loses $2,129 worth of belongings from a burglary with 14% of incidents experiencing losses upwards of $5,000.

What to do if your home has been broken into — a step-by-step approach

• Make sure everyone is safe and call 000

If anyone might still be inside or you suspect the intruder is nearby: leave immediately and go somewhere safe (neighbour, car, public place).

Call 000 to make a report of the crime. They will also search the property to check whether the intruder is still present. Take down the officer's name, badge/ID number and the crime reference number; you'll need this for insurance and records.

Say exactly what you found, and point out anything suspicious, including signs of forced entry, specific stolen items or damaged doors or windows.

Don't re-enter the house until police say it's safe.

• Document everything

Take clear photos of: points of entry, all damaged property and every stolen item if you can identify it by location.

Make an inventory of missing/damaged items: describe each item, brand, model, serial number, approximate value, and any receipts you have. Also make note of the date and time you discovered the break-in and the condition you found the home in.

If your home requires urgent repairs, get a couple of quotes for temporary repairs and keep the receipt/invoice of the work to pass onto your insurer for reimbursement.

• Contact your home insurer and file a claim

When you're ready, you should then get in touch with your home insurer to make a claim. It's important to also review your home and contents insurance policy to confirm that you're covered against theft. Most of the time, theft or damage is covered, but it's better to double-check before filing a claim. If your home has extensive damage and is no longer livable, also confirm whether temporary accommodation is also covered.

In order to make a claim, you'll need your policy number, date and time of the incident, the police or crime reference number, a list of all stolen/damaged items and accompanying photos, plus copies or receipts of these items (if possible).

Your insurer will keep you updated on the status of your claim by informing you of next steps, including a timeline for repairs (if applicable).

• Get support if you need it

A house break-in can really shake someone up and bring on waves of anxiety and discomfort. If you find yourself struggling emotionally, consider reaching out to friends and family for support. You can also look into professional help, like counselling, to help you process the situation and feel safe at home again.

Will a house break-in increase my premium?

Unfortunately, yes. Even though you were not at fault for the incident, any claim made against your insurance policy will increase your premium. A claim for a break-in can also push your property into a higher-risk category, as insurers track crime rates and other risk factors when determining a customer's premium.

If you upgrade stolen items after the break-in, this can also inflate your premium.

8 practical ways to reduce your risk of a break-in

• Strengthen entry points

The most effective way to reduce break-ins is to reinforce your doors and windows. Install deadbolts on all exterior doors, use reinforced strike plates with long screws and replace any hollow-core doors with solid-core versions. Windows should have proper locks, and adding security film or window bars can make forced entry much harder.

• Improve visibility around your home

Good visibility discourages burglars because it removes places to hide. Motion-activated lights at entrances and side paths make it difficult for someone to approach unnoticed. Keeping bushes trimmed and avoiding clutter around windows ensures that intruders can't use landscaping as cover. Visible security cameras also serve as a major deterrent.

• Upgrade home security systems

Modern security systems significantly lower the risk of break-ins. Installing an alarm with a loud siren, adding smart locks or using a video doorbell gives you better real-time awareness of who approaches your home. Even simple alarm signs and stickers can deter intruders before they attempt entry.

• Make breaking in noisy or difficult

Burglars avoid anything that slows them down or attracts attention. Adding gravel paths near entry points creates noise when stepped on. Window sensors, glass-break detectors and hinge bolts increase the effort needed to force entry. Sliding doors can also be reinforced with a security bar or dowel rod.

• Increase neighbourhood awareness

An alert neighbourhood is a safer one. Staying connected with neighbours through chats or local groups helps everyone spot unusual behaviour. Letting trusted neighbours know if you'll be away for more than a day gives them a chance to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

• Take extra precautions when travelling

Homes are more vulnerable when the occupants are away. Before leaving, pause mail deliveries or ask someone to collect them and avoid posting holiday updates on social media until you return.

• Avoid making common mistakes

Many break-ins happen because of simple oversights. Spare keys should never be hidden outside, as burglars check all common hiding spots. Always lock windows, even on upper floors, and store tools, ladders and bins securely so they can't be used to gain access.

• Perform regular security maintenance

Home security isn't "set and forget." Regularly check locks, alarms, cameras and motion lights to ensure they're working correctly. Replacing bulbs, updating batteries and adjusting camera angles helps maintain strong protection over time.

Frequently asked questions

• How many house break-ins are there each year in Australia?

  According to the ABS, in 2023-24 roughly 2.1% of Australian households (about 217,600 households) experienced a break-in.

• Which Australian state has the most home break-ins?

  While no definitive public ranking is available, QLD had the largest number of attempted break-ins between 2023-24 at 66.2k.

• What time of day do most house break-ins happen?

  Fridays and Saturdays were the most common days for burglaries recorded, with 40% of robberies occurring between 12:00am and 6:00am.

• Do security cameras actually deter burglars?

  Yes, there's evidence that security cameras (or even visible signs of security systems) can deter burglars. Homes that appear monitored or protected tend to be considered higher-risk by thieves, who generally prefer easy, low-risk targets.

• What should I do immediately after a break-in?

  First, ensure everyone's safe, leave the house if you suspect the intruder may still be near and call 000 to file an official report. Photograph any damage and take an inventory of missing or damaged items (with approximate values and serial numbers if possible). Finally, report the incident to your home insurer.

• Does home insurance always cover burglary?

  Not always. Whether your burglary is covered depends on the policy terms, the security standards required by your insurer and whether you comply with those conditions. Many home and contents policies do cover theft or break-in, but you usually need to meet certain security or documentation requirements.

• Will a break-in increase my insurance premium?

  Most of the time, yes. A burglary claim may lead your insurer to view your home as higher risk, which can push up premiums. But the impact depends on the insurer and your history. Factors such as how often you claim, how much was stolen, whether you improve security afterwards and overall crime rates in your area may influence future premium amounts.

• How can I make my home less attractive to thieves?

  You can reduce your risk by making your home less easy and less appealing as a target. Use strong, secure locks on doors and windows and add deadbolts. Install visible deterrents like security cameras, alarms or motion-activated lights.

  It's also a good idea to keep landscaping neat by trimming shrubs near windows, and to never leave spare keys in obvious hiding spots.

Written by

Ceyda Erem

Senior writer

Ceyda Erem is Finder’s senior writer for insurance and has almost 10 years of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a copywriter for several business and finance clients, Ceyda has written hundreds of articles, guides, blogs and more to ensure Australians stay in the loop about how to best manage their money. She has a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Writing from Macquarie University. See full bio

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