Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Australia. Australia is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Tue, 18 Aug 2026
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Is Sydney safe? 🇦🇺
Australia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Sydney scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Sydney remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors with low violent crime and strong infrastructure. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Sydney 🇦🇺
Australia · Assessed 16 October 2026
85
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime72/100GoodCrime index 33.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment85/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability86Good
Health89Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:24:13Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Australia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-14T07:40:23.3953561-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
5.6M residents
46
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Australia0.9World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
95
Robbery / mugging
LowRobbery is rare and not a significant concern for visitors; incidents mainly occur in quiet laneways near nightlife zones after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs in very crowded tourist spots such as Circular Quay, Central Station, and busy beaches during peak times
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
85/100
Reported feel80Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling safe walking alone in daylight and using public transport, with high confidence in emergency services and low day-to-day safety concerns
Yes. Sydney remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors with low violent crime and strong infrastructure.
Sydney's homicide rate is 0.9 per 100k and violent crime is rare, though pickpocketing occurs in crowded tourist areas and scams target visitors. Nightlife zones like Kings Cross and Oxford Street see alcohol-related incidents late at night, but overall safety is high due to effective policing and emergency services.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026NSW police commissioner made a last-minute bid to hold closed-door hearings into Sydney anti-Herzog protest— The Guardian
- Sep 2026Clashes and riots erupted as pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested the Israeli president's visit in Sydney— Ynetnews
- Jun 2026Australian police uncovered a record stash of 3 tons of cocaine buried underground— CBS News
- Feb 2026Arrests and clashes with police occurred during protests against the Israeli president's Sydney visit— Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Common scams
- Fake police officer scams
- Taxi meter fraud
- Online-booking traps
- Beach theft via distraction
Full briefing
Sydney is statistically one of the safest large cities you can visit, with violent crime rare and emergency services responsive. Pickpocketing remains the most common visitor risk, particularly in crowded areas like Circular Quay, Central Station, and popular beaches during daylight hours. Scams such as fake police officers and taxi meter fraud are reported, so verify identities and agree on fares before travel. Nightlife zones including Kings Cross and Oxford Street see alcohol-related incidents late at night, especially on weekends, so avoid isolated laneways and parks near pubs after dark. Recent protests related to international visitors have caused localized disruptions, but these are isolated and do not affect general tourist safety. Keep valuables concealed, use hotel safes, and stay alert on public transport. Overall, Sydney offers a secure environment for travelers who exercise standard urban awareness.
Was this Sydney, Australia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Sydney districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Sydney safety map.
RedfernavoidHigher incidence of property crime and occasional gang-related activity; avoid station and surrounding areas late at night, especially for solo travelers.
The RockscautionGenerally safe by day; exercise caution late at night due to alcohol-related incidents and past reports of robberies in quiet laneways.
Kings CrosscautionNightlife area with higher risk of alcohol-fuelled assaults and robberies late at night; avoid isolated streets after dark.
Oxford StreetcautionPopular nightlife spot; petty crime and scams increase after dark, especially on weekends; remain alert in crowds.
ParramattacautionWestern commercial hub; generally safe by day, but some areas near station see youth-related incidents at night; avoid poorly lit zones after dark.
Sydney CBDsaferVery safe during day with strong police presence; watch for pickpockets in crowds near Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Bondi BeachsaferSafe beach with lifeguards; standard precautions for sun, rips, and unattended belongings apply.
ManlysaferSafe beachside suburb with good patrol; watch for pickpockets on ferries and in crowded areas during peak times.
07 · After Dark
Is Sydney safe at night?
Robbery is rare and not a significant concern for visitors; incidents mainly occur in quiet laneways near nightlife zones after dark
After dark, be most careful around Redfern, The Rocks, Kings Cross, Oxford Street. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Sydney safety FAQ (2026)
Is Sydney safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Sydney remains one of the world's safest major cities for visitors with low violent crime and strong infrastructure. Sydney's homicide rate is 0.9 per 100k and violent crime is rare, though pickpocketing occurs in crowded tourist areas and scams target visitors. Nightlife zones like Kings Cross and Oxford Street see alcohol-related incidents late at night, but overall safety is high due to effective policing and emergency services. (Assessed 16 October 2026.)
Is Sydney safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Sydney report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Sydney should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Redfern as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Sydney (2026)?
- Fake police officer scams
- Taxi meter fraud
- Online-booking traps
- Beach theft via distraction
How does Sydney compare with other places in Australia (2026)?
Sydney ranks #9 of 9 Australia destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the Australia safety overview for the full list.
How is this sydney safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: sydney.json (CC BY 4.0).