Oceania
Is Australia safe?
L1Exercise normal precautions
Is Australia safe?
One of the safest countries for solo travel. Crime is low; serious harm usually comes from rip currents, sun and heat, bushfires and floods, and long remote drives.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
- Solo women: Safe for solo women with normal city precautions at night; be cautious with rides, hitchhiking and job offers in remote areas.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Rip currents: swim between the red and yellow flags
- Extreme UV and heat, especially inland in summer
- Bushfires, floods and northern cyclones depending on season
- Fatigue and wildlife collisions on long outback drives
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking for a bond before any viewing
- Toll, parcel and parking text messages with payment links
- Backpacker farm or hostel jobs with illegal pay deductions
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
Safety by place in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Australia safe for tourists?
One of the safest countries for solo travel. Crime is low; serious harm usually comes from rip currents, sun and heat, bushfires and floods, and long remote drives.
Is Australia safe for solo female travelers?
Safe for solo women with normal city precautions at night; be cautious with rides, hitchhiking and job offers in remote areas.
What is the emergency number in Australia?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Electronic Travel Authority, Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Border Force
- RBA: removal of card payment surcharges
- UK FCDO travel advice: Australia
- Speedtest Global Index: Australia
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.