Bunnings is launching its Safer Places initiative nationally, introducing a new community grants program alongside home safety advice, community partnerships and crime prevention events to help Australians create safer homes, stronger neighbourhoods and more connected communities.

The community safety initiative follows new Bunnings research which has revealed safety considerations are increasingly shaping the everyday life of Aussies across the country. Key findings include:

• More than half of Aussies surveyed (58%) have changed at least one behaviour over the past year to feel safer in their communities, including adopting personal safety habits or installing home security.
• While Australians generally feel safe in their own communities, many are taking steps to maintain that confidence with one in three (32%) avoiding walking alone after dark, while others avoid public places (17%), steer clear of local parks (17%) or take extra steps to protect their homes, with almost one in five (19%) saying they have installed additional home security.
• Almost half of Australians (44%) have experienced a safety-related issue in their local community during the past 12 months, while youth crime (41%) and break-ins or property crime (37%) have emerged as the nation’s biggest community safety concerns.
• There are strong foundations for safer communities – nine in 10 Australians (90%) believe stronger neighbourhood connections help people feel safer, while 77% believe someone in their community would step in to help if needed.
• Australians already active in their community are more likely to team with neighbours (22% vs 14%) and join local safety initiatives (13% vs 7%) to tackle community crime prevention.
• Two-thirds of Australians (65%) have taken practical steps to improve safety – one in two (51%) have helped a neighbour, while others have installed security cameras or video doorbells (21%), upgraded locks (19%), spoken with neighbours about local safety (19%) or improved outdoor lighting (17%).

Following an initial launch in Victoria, Bunnings has established a national Safer Places program to fund necessary safety improvements and programs for local communities.

Every eligible Arlo, Eufy, Orion, Reolink and Swann security camera or video doorbell purchased at Bunnings until February `27 (unless extended) will contribute $2 towards the grants, with applications open first in Victoria from today before expanding nationally later this year.

Local community groups and organisations are encouraged to apply for grants of $5,000 and $30,000 for larger projects, to go towards improving the safety of their people and facilities.

Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider says the research reinforced the need to make it easier for Australians to take practical action to help create safer places.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and in the community,” says Mr Schneider.

“Our team members are part of the communities they work and live in, which is why we’re committed to playing a role in tackling retail crime and supporting practical initiatives that help make people feel safer, both in our stores and beyond our storefront.

“That’s exactly what Safer Places is designed to do – whether it’s improving safety around the home, supporting a local community project or simply getting to know your neighbours, everyone can play a part in creating safer places,” he said.

Many Australians also say they need support to do more with more than one-third (38%) citing cost as the biggest barrier to improving safety around their home or in their neighbourhood, while others say they do not know where to start or which improvements will have the greatest impact.

Neighbourhood Watch Australasia Chief Executive Officer Selina Otto says some of the most effective ways to improve safety are also the simplest.

“Securing doors and windows, improving visibility and reducing hiding spots can go a long way. But just as important is staying connected with neighbours, looking out for each other and reporting suspicious behaviour,” says Ms Otto.

“Research backs this up. A 2019 University of Queensland study found that 59% of active Neighbourhood Watch Queensland members felt safer in their community because they were connected to their local group.

“Across the country, community members are looking for practical advice to feel safer. Programs that support volunteer-led organisations to empower individuals is a great way to build safe, inclusive and resilient neighbourhoods.”

As part of Safer Places initiative, Bunnings will also host in-store events in October 2026 connecting customers with community groups, Neighbourhood Watch and local police to share home safety advice and practical ways to improve safety.

Australians can learn more, access practical home safety advice or apply for the Safer Places community grants by visiting bunnings.com.au/saferplaces.