In 2020 there were 1,093 road deaths in Australia (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 4.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 2.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2020.
In general, Australia is a very safe country to visit, or live in, with crime levels as low as those of most Northern European countries. According to the gov.uk foreign travel advice website, the level of crime in Australia is no higher than in Britain.
Crime rates
The homicide rate in Australia in 2021 was 0.86 per 100,000, which was lower than New Zealand's 1.0 per 100,000 and 1.3 per 100,000 in the United Kingdom. In comparison to North America in 2021, the United States and Canada had homicide rates of 3.8 and 2.2 per 100,000, respectively.
Australia is generally a very safe and welcoming place to live and study, consistently ranking among the safest countries in the world. But it is still important to look after yourself and be aware of the risks that exist - and ways to minimise them.
Known for its wide-open lands and unique wildlife, the sixth-largest country on Earth is also one of the safest in both Oceania and the world. Australia is a popular tourist destination, with more than 7.5 million visitors annually.
Australia ranked second safest country in first-ever global Child Online Safety Index. International think-tank the DQ Institute launches the world's first real-time Child Online Safety Index on Safer Internet Day 2020, after surveying 145,426 children and adolescents in 30 countries over the last three years.
Crime rate in Australia – an overview
In the Global Peace Index, an annual ranking of which countries in the world are the safest, conducted by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Australia ranked 13th out of 163 countries for the year 2020.
Sydney prides itself on safety, deep culture, and friendly communities. It is considered the fifth safest city in the world and Australia's safest city. Like any other city, there is crime, just not as much. It is no secret that Sydney is a major city with a population of 5.2 million.
Australia is home to a number of dangerous animal species. Crocodiles, jellyfish and sharks, venomous insects, spiders and snakes are found in many parts of the country.
One of the most prevalent crimes in Australia is sexual assault, with the largest proportion of victims being female.
Australian cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the world. Democratic. Australia is one of the world's most economically strong and politically stable democracies, where individual freedoms are valued, and a strong and transparent system of law and government protects the rights of citizens and visitors.
In fact, according to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand is the second safest country in the world, behind only Iceland. There are several reasons why New Zealand is such a safe place to live. For one, it has a relatively small population and a low crime rate.
Australia scored highly in the United Nations' 2022 World Happiness Report, ranking as the 12th happiest country out of 156 countries – ahead of Canada (15th), the United States (16th) and the United Kingdom (17th).
But overall, people in Australia seem to have a better work-life balance than in other developed countries. They are also, much like New Zealand, very open to long sabbaticals or time off earned so you can do gap years abroad without having to pay for price-y tickets home in between.
Many British people struggle in Australia, while others are thriving. These two places are so diverse that the final decision will depend on your personal preferences. The weather is indeed better in Australia. Yet, Australia is best to live a quiet life; the UK is best to seek opportunities.
The crime rate in Australia is much lower than in the United States of America. As Australia ranks 47th while the USA ranks on 30th according to their crime rates.
“The friendliest city in Australia awards goes to Perth, thanks to its lively locals, engaging social scene and ease of access for first-time visitors.
Australia is a very safe country to visit. The country has a stable political system and a low crime rate, and Australians generally experience a safe lifestyle. However, you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would when travelling anywhere, whether at home or overseas.
Key statistics
The mortality rate remained low in 2021 (507.2 per 100,000 people). Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death.
The suburb with the lowest crime rate is The Patch - 39 km east of the CBD in the foothills of the Yarra Range with 1.03 incidents per 100 residents. The median house price in The Patch in 2020 was $825,000, with a median weekly household income $1,583.
The index ranks cities according to personal security, infrastructure security, health security and digital security. Sydney and Melbourne share the same rankings in the latter three categories. But Sydney's edge on the issue of personal security is enough to give the Harbour City a five-spot edge in the rankings.