Is Brisbane safe?
Safe and relaxed. Petty theft and drunk behaviour in the Valley at weekends are the main issues; weather is the larger hazard.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Brisbane at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag and phone theft in the CBD and Valley, car break-ins, and occasional fights around late-night venues. |
| At night | The center is quiet by midnight except the Valley. Trains end around midnight; use Uber or the night bus afterwards. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Stick to well-lit routes at night, and use app rides from the Valley rather than walking. |
| Other risks | Severe storms and flash flooding, Nov–Mar; Strong UV year-round; Cyclone remnants and river flooding in some summers |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking for a bond before any viewing
- Toll and parcel text messages with payment links
Take care
- Fortitude Valley late at night: drunk fights and spiked drinks
- Flooded roads and creeks during storms
Calmer areas to stay
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)
How Brisbane compares 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 Brisbane safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Stick to well-lit routes at night, and use app rides from the Valley rather than walking.
Is Brisbane safe at night?
The center is quiet by midnight except the Valley. Trains end around midnight; use Uber or the night bus afterwards.
What is the crime rate in Brisbane?
Bag and phone theft in the CBD and Valley, car break-ins, and occasional fights around late-night venues. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Brisbane?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Brisbane
Going to Brisbane solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- TransLink Queensland
- Brisbane Airport
- Visit Brisbane
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.