States and territories · 2024-25
Which Australian state has the highest crime rate?
In 2024-25, the Northern Territory had the highest recorded violent crime rate of any Australian state or territory compared here, 4,574 offences per 100,000 residents against 1,308 nationally, followed by Western Australia (2,095) and Queensland (1,440). The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest, 806.
| # | State or territory | Violent | Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Territory | 4,574 | 9,101 |
| 2 | Western Australia | 2,095 | 5,041 |
| 3 | Queensland | 1,440 | 4,868 |
| 4 | South Australia | 1,303 | 4,618 |
| 5 | New South Wales | 1,134 | 2,726 |
| 6 | Victoria | 1,057 | 5,330 |
| 7 | Tasmania | 867 | 2,555 |
| 8 | Australian Capital Territory | 806 | 2,568 |
| Australia | 1,308 | 4,260 |
Violent offences per 100,000 by state
How to read these figures
Each state's figure adds up the offences its police recorded across its council areas and divides by their population; Western Australia and Tasmania publish only state totals, used as they are. A release that leaves out an offence group (a state total of zero assaults, say) counts as missing rather than as zero. Rates are per 100,000 residents (ABS estimated resident population) in the national offence categories: violent crime is homicide, assault, sexual offences and robbery; property crime is break-ins, vehicle theft, other theft and property damage.
Questions
Which Australian state has the highest crime rate?
In 2024-25, the Northern Territory had the highest recorded violent crime rate of any Australian state or territory compared here, 4,574 offences per 100,000 residents against 1,308 nationally, followed by Western Australia (2,095) and Queensland (1,440). The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest, 806.
Which state has the lowest crime rate?
The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest recorded violent crime rate in 2024-25, 806 offences per 100,000 residents, with Tasmania next (867).
Which state has the most break-ins?
The Northern Territory recorded the most break-ins per person in 2024-25: 1,721 per 100,000 residents, against 309 in New South Wales.
Is crime rising in Australia?
Recorded violent crime rose over the five years to 2024-25 in 6 of the 7 states and territories with a five-year series, most in Queensland (+111%). Part of any rise reflects more reporting and changes in how police record offences, not only more crime.
Why compare one year and not the latest?
States publish on different timetables. 2024-25 is the latest financial year with complete figures from every state and territory, so every number on this page covers the same twelve months. Council and postcode pages have each state's newer releases.
Can crime rates be compared between states?
With care. Each police force records and counts offences its own way, and Western Australia and Tasmania publish state totals rather than council figures. The rates use ABS estimated resident population and the national offence categories, which removes the biggest differences, but small gaps between states should not be over-read.
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