Category: Home Security & Safety

Before leaving your Melbourne home for more than 2 weeks, cover five areas: security (locks, alarms, lights on timers), water (turn off the mains or isolate appliances), electrical (switch off non-essential circuits), garden (irrigation timer, pot plants covered), and admin (t…

Mice and rats enter Melbourne homes through gaps as small as 6mm (mice) or 20mm (rats) — typically around pipes, cables, roof joins, subfloor vents and garage doors.

Solar-powered security cameras do work reliably in Melbourne — the city averages 2,500+ hours of sunshine per year, enough to keep most solar cameras charged year-round.

Smart locks are worth it for Melbourne homeowners who want keyless entry, remote access, and access logs — especially useful for Airbnb, tradespeople access, or households with kids. A quality smart lock costs $150–$450 installed, versus $80–$200 for a quality deadbolt.

Yes, you can use a webcam as a security camera in Melbourne, but purpose-built IP security cameras are almost always the better choice.

Most SE Melbourne suburban homes need 3–5 security cameras for solid coverage: front door/driveway (1–2 cameras), back door/rear access (1 camera), garage (1 camera), and optionally the side gate or backyard.

You can build a solid home security setup in Melbourne for under $500 without a professional monitoring contract. A basic setup — 2 outdoor cameras, a smart doorbell, door/window sensors, and a siren — typically costs $250–$450 in hardware.

In Victoria, you can legally install security cameras covering your own property, driveway, and public areas (footpath, street).

CCTV (wired PoE or analogue) is best for permanent, high-reliability coverage with no ongoing fees — ideal for main entries, driveways, and garages.

The best home security cameras for Australian homes in 2026 are the Reolink Argus 3 Pro (best wireless, ~$130) and Reolink RLC-810A (best wired, ~$90). Both offer 4K resolution and local storage with no mandatory subscription.