How Safe Is Melbourne, Australia? My Honest Experience After 2 Years

How Safe Is Melbourne, Australia? My Honest Experience from a people of colour perspective (asian background immigrant)

Melbourne, Australia, is often ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world. With its vibrant culture, world-class coffee, and diverse neighborhoods, it’s no wonder why many people choose to visit or live here. But if you’re planning a trip or considering moving to Melbourne, you might be wondering: how safe is Melbourne, really?

In this article, I’ll share both general safety information and my personal experiences of living in Melbourne. Disclaimer this can be different from others' people experiences as well. It's really depend on where do you live?

Melbourne Safety Overview

Melbourne is generally considered a safe city compared to many other major cities around the world. Violent crime rates are relatively low, and the city has a strong police presence. Public spaces like the CBD, Southbank, Docklands, and popular suburbs are usually safe to walk around, even at night.

In fact there some surbubs that locals think they are red flag suburbs. Do your own research first before deciding which surbub you gonna live.

However, like any big city, Melbourne has its share of issues—particularly petty crimes such as theft, burglary, and car break-ins.

My Personal Experience: Bike Theft and Car Window Broken

While Melbourne feels safe overall, I’ve experienced firsthand that property crime can happen.

Bike stolen in my apartment: Even though my e-bicycle was locked in a hidden space in myapartment area, it was stolen. This was a frustrating experience that reminded me how common bike theft can be in the city especially e-bike. There are a big market of e-bike here in melbourne, especially food delivery industry is pretty good in Melbourne. No wonder why this profesional thieve targeted e-bike and sell it as second hand or just the part of the bike. When you lost you e-bike or bike you have to say goodbye permantently as the police usually doesnt really care unless it's a car that got stolen. I never hear the case that the police found the bike and return it. This is really frustrating as a person who loves to ride a bike daily. So many reports with cctv related to this event, but still seems like no update at all. Everyday you still can see the reports in your local neighbourhood group about stolen bike.
Car window broken: On another occasion, I discovered my car window had been smashed. Luckily, nothing valuable was inside, but it was still inconvenient and costly to repair. I joined to a local neighbourhood group as well, and I discovered so many same cases in the same week.
Racism: I believe everywhere in this world if you're the minority most likely you will experience the racism isn't it? I happened to me as well in Australia, but not particulary in Melbourne. It's in the outback, where I ride my bike and there's a young group of people start shouting at me mentioned about one specific race. But Melbourne itself is pretty multicultural.

These incidents highlight that while Melbourne is safe for people, you still need to be cautious about your belongings.

Common Safety Concerns in Melbourne

Bike theft – Unfortunately, bicycles are a common target. Always use a strong lock and avoid leaving your bike unattended for long periods.
Car break-ins – Don’t leave valuables visible in your car, especially when parked on the street.
Nightlife areas – Around nightlife spots like King Street or Chapel Street, alcohol-related incidents sometimes occur late at night.

Compare to Paris, France where I lived before for almost a year, I can say Melbourne is safer. I don't really hear about pickpocket. But you know in Paris or Europe the criminality is more extreme.

Tips to Stay Safe in Melbourne

Secure your bike properly with a heavy-duty lock, or store it inside your apartment if possible. If it's possible to put your bike inside of the unit, I would say so.
Keep valuables hidden when parking your car. Even a bag or jacket on the seat can attract thieves.
Stay alert in crowded places like Flinders Street Station or trams during rush hour.
Use well-lit streets when walking at night, especially if you’re alone.

Final Thoughts: Is Melbourne Safe?

Overall, Melbourne is a very safe city to live in and travel to, especially when it comes to personal safety. Most people feel comfortable walking around at night, and violent crime is rare.

That said, my own experiences with bike theft and a car window being broken show that property crime is something to be mindful of. By taking a few precautions, you can enjoy all the wonderful things Melbourne has to offer without major safety concerns.

If you’re planning a trip or moving here, rest assured that Melbourne remains one of the world’s safest and most liveable cities—just keep an eye on your belongings.