fbpx

Car Theft Statistics in Australia – 2023 Report

Learn how many vehicles are stolen annually across Australia
  Written by 
Adrian Edlington
Adrian Edlington is PR & Communications Manager at Savvy. With a keen interest in personal finance, car loans, the mortgage industry, cost of living pressures, electric vehicles and renewable technology, Adrian's research includes conducting primary data surveys and analysis of up-to-the-minute secondary Australian data sources. His work on behalf of Savvy has been featured on ABC.net.au The Conversation, the Sydney Morning Herald, AFR, News.com.au, The Age, Herald Sun, Adelaide Now, SBS On The Money, 7News, Car Expert, Which Car, Drive.com.au, Auto Talk, CleanTechnica, The Latch, Newcastle Herald, The Examiner, Illawarra Mercury, Professional Planner, New Idea, Canberra Times, Bendigo Advertiser, The Courier, Evee.com.au, MSN, The Australian, Stockhead, Yahoo Lifestyle, Smart Company, Yahoo Finance, Money Management, Proactive Investors, Glam Adelaide, Your Life Choices, Investor Daily, Real Estate Business, Homely.com.au, Money Mag, Yahoo News, Elite Agent, The West, Crikey.com.au, Yahoo Sports, AIB.edu.au, Domain.com.au, Nine.com.au, Mortgage Business, The New Daily, MPAMag, and NestEgg.com.au. In his spare time, Adrian enjoys mountain biking and business podcasts.
Our authors
 
  Commentary by 
Roland Rivero

Guest Contributor

Roland Rivero
Currently serving as the General Manager of Product Planning at Kia Australia. An integral member of the Senior Management Team for past 8 years, having played a pivotal role in shaping the product portfolio and driving market share expansion, and profit growth. With over 20 years of experience in the Automotive Industry, with previous roles in Hyundai, Toyota and Lexus.
Our authors

Published on September 22nd, 2023

Last updated on April 4th, 2024



Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.
Thief breaking into a car at dusk in a car park

At Savvy, our mission is to empower you to make informed financial choices. While we maintain stringent editorial standards, this article may include mentions of products offered by our partners. Here’s how we generate income.

In this article

Savvy looks at the latest data to learn about car theft in different states and territories around Australia.

  • Approximately one passenger/light commercial vehicle is stolen every 11 minutes in Australia.
  • Queensland had the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021, with over 11,000 cases.
  • The Northern Territory had the highest rate of car thefts, averaging 4.15 thefts per 1,000 registrations.
  • Storing car keys out of sight or in unobvious places at night can reduce likelihood of “sneak thefts” – stolen in an opportunistic burglary.

Are you curious about the prevalence of car theft in Australia? Well, buckle up with Savvy, as we explore the alarming statistics surrounding car theft in the country.

You'll be shocked to learn that every 11 minutes, a passenger or light commercial vehicle is stolen, resulting in a staggering 38,187 thefts in 2021 alone.

Queensland takes the unfortunate lead with over 11,000 incidents reported.

So, get ready to uncover the shocking reality of car theft statistics in Australia.

Car theft rates in Australia

In Australia, car theft is a significant issue, with a passenger/light commercial vehicle being stolen approximately every 11 minutes. Car theft prevention is crucial in combating this problem. Advances in security technology have made it nearly impossible to hotwire modern cars, debunking the popular belief that hot-wiring is still a common method used by thieves.

When it comes to car theft demographics, Queensland had the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021, with over 11,000 cases. In contrast, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest totals of car theft, likely due to their smaller populations.

Interestingly, the impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates has been significant. In 2021, the theft of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles decreased significantly, likely due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The restrictions imposed during the pandemic may have limited opportunities for thieves to steal cars, resulting in a decrease in car theft incidents.

Car theft statistics in Australia - Infographic

Most stolen car models in Australia

The Holden Commodore VE MY06_13 is the car model that's stolen the most in Australia for three consecutive years.

When it comes to car theft, there are common methods that thieves use to target vehicles.

The impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates has been significant, with the number of stolen cars decreasing due to lockdowns and restrictions. However, regional variations in car theft still exist, with Queensland having the highest number of individual car thefts in 2021. Coincidentally, the state also had a high number of road fatalities and accidents within the same period. 

To prevent car theft, it's important to take measures such as adequately protecting your keys and storing them out of sight. It's also crucial to avoid putting personal details on your keys, as this can provide thieves with access to your address and belongings.

Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (All motor vehicels)

State / TerritoryThefts 2019/2020% of TheftsThefts 2020/2021% of Thefts% change
NSW11,77721.0%10,896 22.8%-7.5%
Vic16,75929.8%12,65126.5%-24.5%
Qld14,40625.6%12,97727.1%-9.9%
WA6,84512.2%5,63511.8%-17.7%
SA3,4886.2%2,8025.9%-19.7%
Tas1,1392.0%9962.1%-12.6%
NT6431.1%6701.4%4.2%
ACT1,1312.0%1,1762.5%4.0%
AUS56,188100.0%47,803100.0%-14.9%

Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21

Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Passenger / light commercials)

State / TerritoryThefts 2019/2020% of TheftsThefts 2020/2021% of Thefts% change
NSW9,30820.7%8,525 22.3%-8.4%
Vic13,99831.2%10,16326.6%-27.4%
Qld11,82926.3%11,05929.0%-6.5%
WA4,72110.5%3,92410.3%-16.9%
SA2,6305.9%2,1115.5%-19.7%
Tas8681.9%7802.0%-10.1%
NT5451.2%5951.6%9.2%
ACT1,0012.2%1,0302.7%2.9%
AUS44,900100.0%38,187100.0%-15.0%

Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21

Factors contributing to car theft

To protect your vehicle from being stolen, it's important to understand the factors that contribute to car theft.

Here are four key points to consider:

  1. Common car theft prevention measures: Taking simple steps like locking your doors, parking in well-lit areas, and keeping your car keys in an unexpected or out of the way place within your home.
  2. Impact of COVID-19 on car theft rates: The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have actually led to a decrease in car theft rates. With people staying at home more often, there are fewer opportunities for thieves to target vehicles.
  3. Role of technology in reducing car theft: Advanced security systems and immobilisers have made it much harder for thieves to steal cars. Features like GPS tracking and remote locking systems provide an added layer of protection.
  4. Regional variations in car theft rates: Car theft rates can vary significantly depending on the region. Factors such as population density, socioeconomic conditions, and law enforcement efforts can all influence the likelihood of car theft.

Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Motorcycles)

State / TerritoryThefts 2019/2020% of TheftsThefts 2020/2021% of Thefts% change
NSW1,91221.2%1,82823.7%-4.4%
Vic2,06022.9%1,94025.2%-5.8%
Qld1,95021.6%1,47019.1%-24.6%
WA1,91521.2%1,54620.1%-19.3%
SA7838.7%6077.9%-22.5%
Tas2062.3%1261.6%-38.8%
NT770.9%610.8%-20.8%
ACT1111.2%1231.6%10.8%
AUS9,014100.0%7,701100.0%-14.6%

Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21

Motor vehicle theft summary – Australia (Other)

State / TerritoryThefts 2019/2020% of TheftsThefts 2020/2021% of Thefts% change
NSW55724.5%54328.4%-2.5%
Vic70130.8%54828.6%-21.8%
Qld62727.6%44823.4%-28.5%
WA2099.2%1658.6%-21.1%
SA753.3%844.4%12.0%
Tas652.9%904.7%38.5%
NT210.9%140.7%-33.3%
ACT190.8%231.2%21.1%
AUS2,274100.0%1,915100.0%-15.8%

Source: Carsafe.com.au Dashboard, 1.1 Aus Motor vehicle theft summary, 2019/20 to 2020/21

Car theft survey results in Australia

Did you know that nearly 70% of Australians have never had their car or any belongings from their car stolen?

According Budget Direct’s 2021 Car Theft Survey of 878 Australians, only 7.4% of Australians have had their car stolen, while 18.2% have had their belongings stolen from their car.

The survey also revealed interesting demographic trends, with respondents aged 18-24 years having the least experience with car theft. Men were more likely than women to have their belongings stolen, possibly due to women storing their car keys out of sight.

Regional differences in car theft rates were also evident, with Queensland having the highest number of individual car theft cases, while Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory had the lowest totals due to their smaller populations.

Interestingly, the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a significant decrease in car thefts in 2021.

Despite these statistics, public perception of car theft risks remains a concern, with many Australians still believing that hot-wiring is a common method of car theft, despite advances in security technology making it nearly impossible.

Roland Rivero, General Manager, Product Planning at Kia Australia;

“Australia as a mature market in the Automotive Industry is better placed to combat car theft, than other regions around the world due to Government legislation and advancements in technology and features. Under ADR 82/00 it has been compulsory for all new cars sold in Australia to be equipped with an engine immobiliser since 2001. The same cannot be said for other regions like the United States where there was recently an uplift in Car Thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia cars produced without an engine immobiliser.”

"Furthermore, OEMs in Australia are continuously enhancing and advancing their products. In addition to alarm systems which are essentially standard on all new vehicles, more brands are increasing vehicle safety and security features. For instance, Telematics or “Connected Car” technology is becoming more prevalent amongst vehicle makes, which include vehicle tracking features. Other advanced features include fingerprint recognition as seen on the Kia EV9, and Sentry Mode on Tesla which activates cameras to begin recording should a threat be detected.

"At the end of the day, the in-car safety and security features can only do so much, and there remains a responsibility on behalf of customers to keep car keys secured."

Recovery and insurance after car theft

If your vehicle or belongings are stolen, there's a chance you may never receive anything back, as over 70% of Australians have experienced this. It can be a devastating experience, leaving you feeling violated and hopeless.

Here are four key points to consider when it comes to car theft recovery and insurance claims:

1) Stolen vehicle tracking: Utilising advanced technology, stolen vehicle tracking systems can help authorities locate and recover your stolen car more quickly.

2) Insurance claims: It's crucial to have comprehensive car insurance that covers theft. This will provide financial protection and ease the burden of replacing your stolen vehicle or belongings.

3) Car theft prevention: Taking proactive measures to secure your vehicle, such as installing after-market immobilisers on older vehicles, and parking in well-lit areas. Always secure your keys, as these are needed to start and drive modern vehicles.

4) Stolen vehicle investigation: Report the theft to the police immediately. They'll conduct an investigation and gather evidence to increase the chances of recovering your stolen vehicle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the car theft statistics in Australia are alarming, with a vehicle being stolen every 11 minutes. Queensland has the highest number of reported cases, while the Northern Territory has the highest rate of thefts per 1,000 registrations.

Inadequate key protection and sneak thefts contribute to the high rates. It's crucial for car owners to take necessary precautions to protect their vehicles.

Recovery and insurance rates are also important factors to consider in addressing this issue.

Did you find this page helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
  Written by 
Adrian Edlington
Adrian Edlington is PR & Communications Manager at Savvy. With a keen interest in personal finance, car loans, the mortgage industry, cost of living pressures, electric vehicles and renewable technology, Adrian's research includes conducting primary data surveys and analysis of up-to-the-minute secondary Australian data sources. His work on behalf of Savvy has been featured on ABC.net.au The Conversation, the Sydney Morning Herald, AFR, News.com.au, The Age, Herald Sun, Adelaide Now, SBS On The Money, 7News, Car Expert, Which Car, Drive.com.au, Auto Talk, CleanTechnica, The Latch, Newcastle Herald, The Examiner, Illawarra Mercury, Professional Planner, New Idea, Canberra Times, Bendigo Advertiser, The Courier, Evee.com.au, MSN, The Australian, Stockhead, Yahoo Lifestyle, Smart Company, Yahoo Finance, Money Management, Proactive Investors, Glam Adelaide, Your Life Choices, Investor Daily, Real Estate Business, Homely.com.au, Money Mag, Yahoo News, Elite Agent, The West, Crikey.com.au, Yahoo Sports, AIB.edu.au, Domain.com.au, Nine.com.au, Mortgage Business, The New Daily, MPAMag, and NestEgg.com.au. In his spare time, Adrian enjoys mountain biking and business podcasts.
Our authors
 
  Commentary by 
Roland Rivero

Guest Contributor

Roland Rivero
Currently serving as the General Manager of Product Planning at Kia Australia. An integral member of the Senior Management Team for past 8 years, having played a pivotal role in shaping the product portfolio and driving market share expansion, and profit growth. With over 20 years of experience in the Automotive Industry, with previous roles in Hyundai, Toyota and Lexus.
Our authors

Published on September 22nd, 2023

Last updated on April 4th, 2024



Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.

The content on our website is produced by experts in the field of finance and reviewed as part of our editorial guidelines. We endeavour to keep all information across our site updated with accurate information.

In this article

Share this article

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on pinterest

Smart money saving tips

Subscribe to our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy

About Savvy

Savvy is one of Australia’s largest online financial brokers, focusing on personal and commercial financial products. Founded in 2010, the firm has seen rapid growth, a testament to their provision of market leading rates and reaching customers with the latest in media and technology. Savvy is a proud supporter of Kids Under Cover, a charity assisting homeless and at-risk youth to strengthen their bonds to community and education. Savvy was named one of BRW’s fastest growing companies in 2015.

Latest media releases

Want to receive offers, deals and finance tips from Savvy?
Sign up below
Thief breaking into a car at dusk in a car park

We'd love to chat, how can we help?

By clicking "Submit", you agree to be contacted by a Savvy Agency Owner and to receive communications from Savvy which you can unsubscribe from at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.