Personal Safety, Australia An estimated 8 million Australians (41%) have experienced violence (physical and/or sexual) since the age of 15, including: 31% of women and 42% of men who have experienced physical violence.
One of the most prevalent crimes in Australia is sexual assault, with the largest proportion of victims being female.
The crime rates in NSW are the greatest in Australia, based on the figures that break down the states. Nonetheless, there was a 6% decrease from 2019/20, when authorities prosecuted 116,924 offenders in NSW, to 2020/21. The crime rate rose from 1,642 per 100,000 people to 2,077.
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. It is so rare for police officers to carry guns due to the low crime rate.
Australia is ranked third highest of the fourteen countries in terms of overall victimisation, behind the other two non-European countries, the USA and Canada. In assaults involving force, sexual incidents, burglary and motor vehicle thefts, Australia ranked highest of all countries surveyed.
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. Driving laws and regulations differ in each state/territory.
1. Iceland. Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is also the safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index. With a low homicide rate, low level of violent crime, and limited access to small arms, Iceland is truly a peaceful country for its residents and visitors.
1. Canberra – Australia's Capital City. Nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is not only the capital but also Australia's safest city. With a low crime rate and a small-town vibe, Canberra offers an attractive blend of city living and peaceful suburban life.
Is Canada Safer Than Australia? Canada and Australia are considered safe countries with low crime rates. However, Canada has a lower crime index and a higher rate of safety for walking alone at night, according to numbeo.com.
Australia consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. Violent crimes, homicides, physical assaults and muggings are lower than in many countries. It's safe to walk alone at night in most places.
Northern Territory is the top region by homicide rate in Australia. As of 2022, homicide rate in Northern Territory was 8.9 per 100,000 population. The top 5 regions also includes Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, and New South Wales. The description is composed by our digital data assistant.
Overall, the national homicide rate has dropped steadily from a rate of 1.88 per 100,000 people in 1992-93 to 0.82 in 2020-21 – a decrease of 55% over nearly 30 years. When it comes to the type of homicides occurring in Australia, domestic killings were the most common in 2020-21, accounting for about 36% of incidents.
Iceland is the safest place to live in the world.
Even better, it's held that same position for the last decade. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) releases its Global Peace Index every year (We'll update this article once the latest 2023 index gets released).
The safest place in the world is Iceland, which ranks number one on the 2022 Global Peace Index. Iceland, with a score of 1.107, has held this position on the GPI for over a decade.
With its borders naturally protected by its isolation, geographically 1,000 mi from any other country, New Zealand has a relatively small population for its landmass (5M) with very low gun crime, mugging and violent crime.
The Safest Continent in the World
Most notable are the Nordic countries of Europe. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland are not only among Europe's safest countries, they are among the top 25 safest countries anywhere on Earth.
Australia has lots to offer British newcomers, including a shared language and culture, and a close relationship with the UK (despite being so far apart geographically). It boasts scorchingly sunny weather, great quality of life and beautiful beaches, along with friendly people and lots of space for outdoor living.
Australians are very friendly and approachable people and will be happy to answer any questions you have.
In 2021, the National Australian Bank's study, 'Life in the Lucky Country', found that 94 per cent of Australians still find this island nation a great place to live.