Victoria accounted for about $243 million in payouts across 12,500 insurance claims for stolen vehicles last year, a 37% increase in payouts and 25% more claims, surpassing all other states combined.

Melbourne recorded more insured vehicle theft claims than all other Australian capital cities combined, cementing Victoria as the national leader in car theft according to Insurance Council of Australia data.

Families affected by car theft share emotional losses and describe precautionary measures such as aluminum-lined key boxes, steering-wheel locks, and vehicle tracking systems.

Criminal activity involves both adult offenders and younger individuals recruited by networks, with teenagers sometimes hired to steal cars.

The surge is driven in part by criminals using key-cloning devices to override security systems, with roughly 10,000 cars stolen last year through this method.

Around 32,000 vehicles were stolen in Victoria in 2025, the highest yearly tally since 2001, with more than 12,500 theft-related insurance claims concentrated in metropolitan areas.

Authorities have targeted organized crime rings stealing popular models like the Toyota LandCruiser, HiLux, and RAV4, prompting automakers to bolster security features.

Experts urge preventive steps for owners—install anti-theft devices, park off-street, and lock doors and windows—alongside calls for tougher penalties and bail-law reforms to deter theft.

Thefts also frequently target models such as Holden Commodore and Subaru Impreza, indicating shifting patterns in vehicle preference among thieves.

In response, Victoria Police launched Operation Nighthawk in late 2025 to curb theft in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, while Crime Stoppers promoted the Level Up Against Car Theft campaign with practical prevention tips.

Victoria’s theft trend outpaced other states, where Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales saw declines or only modest increases in theft claims (New South Wales alone down 1.6% from 2024 to 2025).

ICA notes that if Victoria’s higher claims were excluded, national theft claims would have fallen about 10% and overall costs would have dropped roughly 8% in 2025.