Recent data from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) indicates a significant divergence in motor vehicle theft trends across the country.
While most states recorded a drop in motor theft claims during the last financial year, Victoria experienced a notable surge.
According to Insurance Statistics Australia (ISA), Victoria saw a 59% increase in the number of theft claims and a 70% rise in related costs – amounting to over 12,000 claims and $223 million in losses for the year ending June 2025.
Metropolitan areas in Victoria accounted for the bulk of these claims, with figures showing a 70% increase in claim numbers and an 80% rise in insured losses compared to the previous year. This translated to approximately 10,000 claims and $183 million in insured losses in metro Victoria alone.
Crime Statistics Agency’s (CSA) 2024 figures showed that 28,922 vehicles were reported stolen in Victoria, the highest number in more than 20 years and up 41% from 2023.
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has responded to the rise in thefts by urging vehicle owners to review their security measures.
“Opportunistic thieves will break into or enter a car and take possessions that are easily visible from outside the vehicle, often using the opportunity to steal the car itself,” said Jeff Ames, general manager of motoring products at RACV.
CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley noted that vehicle-related offences are among several crime categories reaching record levels.
“These increasingly prevalent theft offences can be opportunistic in nature and may be linked to cost-of-living pressures,” she said. “Younger alleged offenders tend to be involved in theft offences involving motor vehicles.”
The data also revealed that the highest numbers of thefts were recorded in Melbourne, Casey, Hume, and Wyndham – with Whittlesea experiencing the largest year-on-year increase.
Most thefts occurred either on public roads or at private residences, while a smaller proportion took place in public carparks and shopping centres.
On a national scale, the total number of motor theft claims increased by 11% to 30,000 in 2025, with incurred losses rising 20% to $466 million.
However, Queensland saw the most significant improvement, with an 11% reduction in claims and a 10% decrease in losses.
Western Australia and South Australia each posted a 10% drop in claims, and New South Wales recorded a 3% decrease.
The frequency of theft claims per policy fell in all states except Victoria, where the rate in metropolitan areas rose from 0.26% to 0.45%.
Across the board, the number of comprehensive and third-party motor vehicle policies grew by 1.4% in the 2025 financial year.
ICA CEO Andrew Hall noted that motor theft claims have risen steadily over the past 10 years. He pointed out that, although these claims represent a minor portion of all motor insurance claims, the upward trend is becoming a notable issue.
“Everyone pays for car theft, through increased costs of policing, courts, and ultimately insurance. We cannot accept this level of car crime as normal in Australia,” he said.
NRMA Insurance has highlighted the evolving tactics used by car thieves, particularly targeting vehicles with keyless entry and digital systems.
The insurer’s research indicated that offenders are increasingly bypassing traditional security by accessing onboard diagnostic ports or intercepting wireless key signals.
“With keyless and connected car technologies now the norm, anti-theft devices have evolved to protect cars’ data signals and maintain the integrity of onboard computer systems,” said Shawn Ticehurst, manager at NRMA’s Research Centre.
He pointed to OBD Port Locks and Faraday pouches as effective tools, and noted that fob-sleeping batteries are being explored as an additional safeguard.
