The frequency of stories of violent crimes and home burglaries has Melbourne homeowners looking for new ways to feel safe at home.
Melbourne homebuyers are looking to AI surveillance, panic buttons and more as they take the response to the city’s home invasion wave into their own hands.
Buyers concerned about machete-wielding young people in the news are looking for gated communities with camera systems that can recognize when outsiders are in the complex, as well as behavior such as loitering.
One of the state’s largest homebuilders has revealed a 38 percent increase in home security investigations over the past year, with demand for AI monitoring and panic buttons on buyers’ wish lists soaring.
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And almost half of RACV Trades installations are now dedicated to CCTV, up from 38 percent a year ago.
The developer behind a Brunswick project is promoting it as having fortress-like security, including options for panic buttons and even having a panic room installed as part of the construction.
Beulah founder Adelene Teh said customers always had questions about security, but it has “become much more important in recent months.”
“While Australia remains a relatively safe country, recent reports of an increase in home burglaries and carjackings have made people more aware of the security of their homes,” Ms Teh said.
“Many buyers, especially smaller households and families, say they want to feel safe.”
![Brunswick Founded by Beulah - for Herald Sun Real Estate](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1280 720"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Brunswick Established project uses its historic brick walls to create a fortress-like barrier to the outside world, with limited entry points.
Stable-style links will be present within the development to promote connections with the local community and provide a clear site line.
Many buyers have asked for things like digital locks, but extras are also offered, such as panic buttons, or to convert the free space in the floor plan into a panic room if desired.
“Some townhouses have a flexible room and it is a bit separate from the main house… if people want that, they can have it custom made,” Ms Teh said.
“And there are others with multi-purpose rooms, and if people want to convert them into a panic room, or a study room or a cinema, we can do that.”
She added that a tense global atmosphere also likely caused buyers to look for a home environment that offered peace of mind through increased security.
The latest crime statistics show that Merri-Bek, the municipality that is home to Brunswick, has a crime rate per 100,000 residents that is below the national average – suggesting that buyers are responding to broader concerns about crime, rather than local issues.
Elevated living areas provide an extra layer of security, bringing residents off ground level.
Although the complex erects a wall to the outside world, it will still embrace colorful gardens to give residents natural views.
The Brunswick-based gated community at 23 Hodgson St’s 23 homes will be monitored by AI-enhanced surveillance, smart gate access systems and a complex designed to encourage neighbors to get to know each other and have uninterrupted sight lines within the historic brick walls that enclose the homes.
As technologies become more affordable and available, Teh said much of the increased demand has to do with people placing more value on the security of their homes – especially those who have embraced online shopping and want to be able to guarantee deliveries when they are away from home.
“And being able to detect abnormal activity, such as people loitering, also provides confidence because it alerts residents in real time, and that happens hand-in-hand with the passive design of the village.”
Concerns about home invasions, often staged by machete-wielding thugs, are causing Melbourne homebuyers to prioritize security.
The project is approximately 70 percent sold and residents are expected to move in by the end of 2026.
Metricon retail product and Studio M manager Andrea Barnett said they had recorded a 38 per cent increase in home security inquiries in Victoria over the past year.
More than 60 percent of homes in residential areas and more than 50 percent of homes built in existing suburbs to replace demolished homes are now equipped with security features from the start.
“This increase is driven by recent crime reporting and growing public awareness, with buyers now placing a much higher priority on the security and peace of mind their homes provide,” Barnett said.
“When it comes to what people are installing in Metricon residential developments, CCTV leads the way, with an increase of 42 percent, followed by video doorbells at 35 percent and alarms at 29 percent.”
Ms Barnett said families spent an average of $3200-$4500 on the features.
Metricon’s Riviera build has generated significant demand for safety improvements from security-conscious buyers.
“Some homes now include AI surveillance, panic buttons, remote access control, smart lighting, motion sensors and resident dashboards. These features give homeowners a new level of confidence and control over their security.”
Richard Temlett, national executive director of Charter Keck Cramer Research, said single women had long looked to apartments for extra security and safety, but this had become a factor for families and downsizing couples this year.
“I am sorry to say that I am hearing that a number of developments in the south-eastern suburbs are seeing increasing numbers of buyers asking about security features,” Mr Temlett said.
“They love their detached house, but they know it doesn’t offer the security that the apartment complexes do.”
He said he was aware that many developers are now introducing more security features, including license plate recognition in secure car parks.
“I see this highway too, but I’ve seen a noticeable increase in Melbourne recently,” Mr Temlett said.
RACV Trades statistics show that CCTV installations are the most important home security feature installed by homeowners.
RACV Trades spokesperson Adrian Steidle said CCTV installations now account for 50 percent of their installation work, compared to 38 percent a year ago.
“RACV Home Security data indicates increased demand in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, east and north, as well as Geelong and several emerging growth corridors,” Mr Steidle said.
“In these areas, interest in both new installations and upgrades of existing systems has increased.”
One of the most notable developments they have encountered is the rise of ‘active deterrence’ cameras that use flashing red and blue lights and sound alarms in response to suspicious movements.
“Many RACV Trades customers are motivated by recent incidents – personal experiences or those involving friends and neighbors, where burglary is often a catalyst,” he said.
“Additionally, new homeowners are very proactive and try to safeguard their investments and assets from day one.”
High-tech home solutions that allow homeowners to monitor their neighborhood and home via their phone have also become more popular.
Cate Bakos, a prominent buyer’s agent and chair of Property Investment Professionals of Australia, said while single female buyers see security and safety as a key concern, and the question could arise in more built-up areas such as St Kilda, this was not at the top of most buyers’ shopping lists for established homes.
“But I do think it’s just a few more scary news articles and it will be on the radar a lot more,” she said.
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