The frequency of violent crime and home invasion stories has Melbourne home owners looking for new ways to feel safe at home.
Melbourne homebuyers are seeking AI surveillance, panic buttons and more as they take responding to the city’s home invasion crime wave into their own hands.
Buyers worried about machete-wielding youths seen in news reports are seeking gated communities with camera systems that can recognise when outsiders are in the complex, as well as concerning behaviour such as loitering.
One of the state’s biggest home builders has revealed a 38 per cent increase in home security inquiries in the past year with demand for AI surveillance and panic buttons rising on buyers’ wishlists.
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And almost half of RACV Trades installations are now for CCTV, up from 38 per cent a year ago.
The developer behind a Brunswick project is promoting it as having fortress-like security including options for panic buttons and even to have a panic room installed as part of the build.
Beulah founder Adelene Teh said while clients had always had questions around security “in recent months it’s become far more important”.
“While Australia remains a relatively safe country, recent reports of a rise in home invasions and carjackings has made people more conscious in the security of their homes,” Ms Teh said.
“A lot of the buyers, particularly downsizers and families, are saying they want to feel safe.”
The Brunswick Established development is using its heritage brick walls to create a fortress-like barrier to the outside world, with limited entry points.
Inside the development will have mews-style links to foster local community connections and provide clear line of site.
Many buyers have requested things such as digital locks, but also on offer are added extras such as panic buttons, or to convert spare space in the floorplan into a panic room if desired.
“Some of the townhouses have a flexible room and it’s kind of detached from the main building of the home … if people are wanting to they could have this customised,” Ms Teh said.
“And there are others with multipurpose rooms, and if people want to convert those to a panic room, or a study or a cinema, we can do that.”
She added that a tense global atmosphere was also likely driving buyers to seek out a home environment that provided peace of mind through heightened security.
Latest crime stats show Merri-Bek, the municipality that hosts Brunswick, has a crime rate per 100,000 people below the state wide average — suggesting buyers are responding to wider concerns over crime, rather than localised issues.
Elevated living spaces provide another layer of security, getting residents off ground level.
While putting a wall up to the outside world, the complex will still embrace colourful gardens to give residents a natural outlook.
The Brunswick Established gated community at 23 Hodgson St’s 23 homes will be guarded by AI-enhanced surveillance, smart gate entry systems and a complex designed to encourage neighbours to get to know each other and to have unbroken lines of sight within the heritage brick walls that enclose the homes.
While technologies are becoming more affordable and available, Ms Teh said a big part of the increased demand was people putting more value in home security — particularly those who had embraced online shopping and wanted to be able to ensure deliveries when they weren’t home.
“And being able to detect anomalous activity, such as people loitering, also provides confidence as it alerts residents in real time, and that’s happening hand-in-hand with the passive design of the village.”
Concerns over home invasions, often staged by machete-wielding crims, has Melbourne homebuyers prioritising safety.
The project is about 70 per cent sold, and expected to have residents moving in late in 2026.
Metricon’s 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 per cent of homes in housing estates and more than 50 per cent of those built in place of demolished homes in existing suburbs now have security features built in from the start.
“This surge is being driven by recent crime coverage and growing public awareness, with buyers now placing a much higher priority on the safety and peace of mind their homes provide,” Ms Barnett said.
“When it comes to what people are installing in Metricon home builds, CCTV leads the way, up 42 per cent, followed by video doorbells at 35 per cent and alarms at 29 per cent.”
Ms Barnett said families were spending an average $3200-$4500 for the features.
Metricon’s Riviera build has had significant demand for safety enhancements from security conscious buyers.
“Some homes are now including AI surveillance, panic buttons, remote access control, smart lighting, motion sensors and resident dashboards. These features are giving homeowners a new level of confidence and control over their security.”
Charter Keck Cramer research national executive director Richard Temlett said single women had long pursued apartments for added security and safety, but that this had become a factor for families and downsizing couples this year.
“I’m sad to say I’m hearing that for a number of southeast suburbs projects, more buyers are asking about what the security features are,” Mr Temlett said.
“They love their detached house, but they know it doesn’t have the security that the apartment blocks do.”
He said he was aware that many developers were now putting in more security features, including number-plate recognition in secure carparks.
“I do see this interstate too, but I have seen a noticeable increase in Melbourne recently,” Mr Temlett said.
RACV Trades stats show that CCTV installations is the main home security feature being installed by homeowners.
RACV Trades spokesman Adrian Steidle said CCTV installations now accounted for 50 per cent of their installation work, rising from 38 per cent a year ago.
“RACV Home Security data indicates heightened demand in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, inner east, and inner north, as well as in Geelong and several emerging growth corridors,” Mr Steidle said.
“These areas have seen increased interest in both new installations and upgrades to existing systems.”
One of the more noteworthy developments they have encountered is the appearance of “Active-Deterrence” cameras that use flashing red and blue lights and emit alarms in response to suspicious movement.
“Many RACV Trades customers are prompted by recent incidents – either personal experiences or those affecting friends and neighbours, with burglary often a catalyst,” he said.
“Additionally, new homeowners are proving especially proactive, seeking to secure their investment and belongings from day one.”
High tech home solutions that let homeowners keep an eye on their neighbourhood and residence via their phone have also become more popular.
Prominent buyer’s agent and Property Investment Professionals of Australia chair Cate Bakos said while single female buyers had security and safety as a significant concern, and the question might come up in more built-up areas such as St Kilda, it wasn’t at the top of most buyers’ shopping lists for established homes.
“But I do think that it’s only a few more scary news articles and it will be on the radar a lot more,” she said.
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