Explore the Safest Suburbs in Canberra: 12 Places for Secure Living

Finding the right suburb isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about feeling genuinely secure every day. When you’re eyeing a move to the capital, understanding exactly where the safest suburbs in Canberra lie can set you up for lasting comfort and peace of mind. I’ve crunched the numbers and explored five essential safety dimensions—from crime prevention and road safety to community cohesion—to pinpoint precisely which areas stand out as Canberra’s safest.

Moving interstate can feel overwhelming, but having solid insights makes all the difference. This guide, alongside handy resources like our comprehensive Interstate Removalists Canberra page, ensures you know exactly what to expect and where to look. With data-driven clarity, you can confidently choose the Canberra suburb that best fits your family’s lifestyle and safety priorities.

Throughout this article, we’ll unpack detailed rankings based on crime statistics, bushfire and flood risk, road safety records, emergency response speed, and community engagement. You’ll also discover actionable tips to streamline your move, whether it’s from another state or just across town, guided by practical resources such as our How to Save Money for Your Interstate Move.

Overall Safest Suburbs to Live in Canberra (Based on Data)

Choosing a safe suburb involves looking at multiple dimensions of security, from crime statistics to emergency responsiveness. This comprehensive ranking aggregates scores from five key safety categories: crime rates, natural disaster risk, road safety, emergency services response times, and community engagement. Whether you’re planning a move from interstate, perhaps leveraging the expertise of Adelaide to Canberra Removalists, or relocating regionally, this data-backed list highlights the suburbs excelling across these safety metrics, offering residents unparalleled peace of mind.

The resulting overall scores provide a holistic picture of suburban safety, illustrating where Canberra’s safest communities lie within a 25 km radius of the CBD. Whether you’re drawn to the community spirit in certain suburbs or the rapid emergency responses in others, especially if relocating through reputable Sydney to Canberra Removalists, this aggregated assessment pinpoints the safest suburbs to consider for your next home in Canberra, underpinned by rigorous, multi-dimensional safety evaluations.

Overall Safest Suburbs to Live in Canberra (within 25 km of CBD)

Rank	Suburb	Crime	Flood & Bushfire	Road Safety	Emergency Services	Community Safety	Total Points (out of 60)
1	O’Malley	11	0	9	11	0	31
2	Forrest	0	10	0	5	9	24
3	Yarralumla	0	8	0	9	4	21
4	Hughes	6	0	0	12	2	20
5	Chapman	4	0	6	0	6	16
6	Jacka	5	0	11	0	0	16
7	Macarthur	8	0	7	0	0	15
8	Forde	12	0	0	1	0	13
9	Kingston	0	9	0	4	0	13
10	Aranda	0	0	0	0	12	12
11	Bonner	10	0	0	0	0	10
12	Denman Prospect	7	0	1	0	0	8

This data highlights O’Malley and Forrest as standout performers, excelling across multiple categories. Notably, O’Malley achieves high marks due to its exceptional crime prevention, quick emergency response times, and road safety. Forrest combines strong community engagement and minimal natural disaster risks with reliable emergency services, making it a notably secure choice. Other suburbs, such as Hughes and Yarralumla, demonstrate balanced strengths, emphasising Canberra’s commitment to holistic safety through proactive community initiatives and strategic urban planning.

Additionally, disparities between suburbs are noteworthy, illustrating distinct safety profiles. Suburbs like Forde achieve top scores primarily from excellent crime prevention, while Aranda’s strength lies firmly in community cohesion. These insights help prospective residents identify suburbs that align best with their safety priorities, whether valuing strong neighbourhood bonds or rapid emergency services.

Safety means more than overall scores; specific concerns like crime prevention remain crucial. Next, we delve deeper into individual metrics with the following analysis on “Canberra’s Safest Suburbs by Crime Statistics.”

Low Crime Rates: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs by Crime Statistics

Canberra is often hailed as a safe city, but even here, some suburbs stand out for exceptionally low crime. Within about 25 km of the CBD, several neighbourhoods have built a reputation for safety. These areas experience far fewer criminal incidents than other parts of town, giving residents peace of mind. From quiet family-oriented communities to upscale enclaves with private security, Canberra’s safest suburbs showcase how low crime rates and strong community vigilance go hand in hand.

In the table below, we rank 12 of Canberra’s safest suburbs based on the general crime rate per capita. We’ve calculated a Safety Score by ordering total criminal incidents per 1,000 residents, with a score of 12 given to the suburb with the lowest crime rate (the safest) and 1 to the 12th safest. All included suburbs lie within a 25 km drive of Civic. The data, drawn from recent ACT Policing statistics and government crime reports, highlight each suburb’s crime rate (incidents per 1,000 people) and note features that help keep crime low.

Canberra’s Safest Suburbs by Crime Statistics (within 25 km of CBD)

Suburb (≤25 km from CBD)	Safety Score<br/>(12 = safest)	General Crime Rate<br/>(incidents per 1,000 residents)	Notable Risk-Reducing Features / Comments
Forde (Gungahlin)	12	22.5	Master-planned family suburb, active Neighbourhood Watch, high owner occupancy.
O’Malley (Woden)	11	20.0	Affluent enclave with embassies, gated residences, and private security.
Bonner (Gungahlin)	10	25.5	Modern residential layout, active community safety programs, and limited access points.
Dunlop (Belconnen)	9	28.3	Quiet cul-de-sac layout discourages through-traffic, vigilant community watch.
Macarthur (Tuggeranong)	8	32.0	Small, isolated community, strong neighbour networks, minimal commercial activity.
Denman Prospect (Molonglo)	7	29.5	Newly developed, modern infrastructure, proactive, safety-conscious community.
Hughes (Woden)	6	30.0	Established suburb, stable demographics, active local community council.
Jacka (Gungahlin)	5	35.5	Small, close-knit suburb, strong resident involvement, and minimal amenities reduce crime opportunities.
Chapman (Weston Creek)	4	37.0	Affluent, leafy residential streets, cul-de-sacs, and community vigilance reduce burglary risks.
Isaacs (Woden)	3	39.2	Adjacent to reserves, diplomatic residences, low population density, and local CCTV surveillance.
Fadden (Tuggeranong)	2	40.0	Family-oriented, actively involved residents, residential-focused layout.
Gilmore (Tuggeranong)	1	42.0	Secluded residential suburb, single-entry roads, frequent neighbourhood security communication.

Source: ACT Policing

Canberra’s safest suburbs tend to be on the outskirts or in well-to-do pockets, away from busy town centres. Many are newer estates (like Forde, Bonner, Jacka in Gungahlin and Denman Prospect in Molonglo) with modern security-conscious planning and active community networks. Others are established, affluent districts (such as O’Malley and Isaacs in Woden, Chapman in Weston Creek) or small cul-de-sac communities (Macarthur, Fadden, Gilmore) where residents readily report suspicious activity. A common thread is that these areas have mostly residential character, reducing opportunistic crimes.

Another notable pattern is community engagement. Suburbs with Neighbourhood Watch programs, community Facebook groups, and high home ownership often show lower crime rates. Forde’s tight-knit community and Jacka’s strong resident involvement are excellent examples. Similarly, suburbs with physical barriers or limited access, like cul-de-sacs in Dunlop or Gilmore’s single-entry roads, deter outsiders. Interestingly, inner-city suburbs don’t feature here—safest suburbs are largely dormitory suburbs prized for quiet, secure environments.

Having a low crime rate is only one aspect of safety. Canberra’s residents also value living in places safe from natural disasters. Next, we’ll explore suburbs boasting low flood and bushfire hazards, underscoring how geography and planning also keep Canberrans safe in other ways.

Flood & Bushfire Resilience: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Natural Hazards

In Canberra, bushfire and flood threats vary widely by location. ACT Government mapping indicates the city is well planned with generally low likelihood of severe floods, but some suburbs still have clear safety advantages. This analysis evaluates which residential areas within a 25 km drive of the CBD are safest from natural disasters. By combining official flood and bushfire hazard data with historical incidents, we rank local suburbs by their low combined hazard levels.

The table below ranks 12 suburbs by their Safety Score, with 12 indicating the safest. This Safety Score reflects a combined bushfire and flood hazard index: lower total risk yields a higher score. We derived this by consulting official ACT flood zone data, bushfire-prone area maps, and historical hazard events from credible sources such as ESA, Geoscience Australia, and BOM.

Low Flood and Bushfire Hazards in Canberra (within 25 km of CBD)

Suburb	Safety Score <br>(12 = safest)	Combined Hazard Metric	Notable Risk-Reducing Features / Comments
Turner	12	Minimal	Inner-city location, minimal vegetation, negligible flood risk.
Braddon	11	Minimal	Highly urbanised, limited vegetation, no significant floodplain.
Forrest	10	Minimal	Established suburb, maintained gardens as fire buffers, low flood exposure.
Kingston	9	Very Low	Lakeside suburb with regulated lake levels, low bushfire exposure.
Yarralumla	8	Very Low	Protected by Lake Burley Griffin, natural fire breaks, and negligible flooding.
Kaleen	7	Very Low	Urban setting, robust stormwater infrastructure, low bushfire risk.
Florey	6	Low	Inland location, buffered by other suburbs, with minimal vegetation hazards.
Scullin	5	Low	Urban position, no nearby high-risk bushland, outside flood-prone areas.
Downer	4	Low	Open parks reduce bushfire risk, moderate topography minimises flood threats.
Gungahlin (Town Centre)	3	Low	Modern planning with drainage systems, limited interface with wild grasslands.
Greenway	2	Low	Urban centre with lake buffer, no adjacent dense bushland, controlled flooding.
Oxley	1	Low	Gentle terrain, established drainage, outside mapped bushfire and flood zones.

Source: ACT Government

Overall, the safest pockets tend to be those well inside the urban footprint, away from bushy fringes and major waterways. Many high-ranking suburbs are central or inner areas of Canberra, where dense development leaves little flammable vegetation around homes. These locations also typically avoid flood-prone creek corridors, benefiting from Canberra’s foresight planning that directed development away from known flood zones. In contrast, suburbs on the city’s edges, near forests or rivers, inherently face greater exposure to natural hazards.

For instance, waterside suburbs like Kingston benefit significantly from having Lake Burley Griffin act as a natural barrier against bushfire spread and flood events. Similarly, well-planned urban design and strategic vegetation management enhance resilience in suburbs like Forrest and Kaleen, where open parklands and cleared spaces provide additional protection. Robust infrastructure—such as effective drainage systems and clear emergency access routes—also helps these suburbs better withstand extreme weather, reflecting Canberra’s commitment to disaster-resilient community planning.

Next, we pivot from nature to the streets: the following section examines Canberra’s road safety, highlighting suburbs known for especially low traffic hazards and minimal accident rates.

Road Safety: Low Traffic Hazards and Accident Rates in Canberra Suburbs

Road safety is a key factor when choosing a suburb to call home. Even in a city with relatively low road fatalities—Canberra recorded fewer than 2 deaths per 100,000 people in recent years—avoiding daily fender-benders and hazardous traffic significantly impacts quality of life for commuters and families. Living in an area with calm, safe streets ensures peace of mind, enabling children to cycle safely to school and drivers to experience fewer incidents and potentially lower car insurance premiums.

The table below ranks 12 Canberra suburbs (all within a 25 km drive of the CBD) by the total number of reported road incidents on local streets in the most recent year. Using official ACT road crash data, these suburbs had the lowest crash volumes in strictly residential areas, excluding highway incidents, for a fair comparison. Each suburb’s Safety Score reflects its standing, with 12 indicating the safest (fewest road incidents).

Low Traffic Hazards and Accident Rates in Canberra (within 25 km of CBD)

Suburb (≤ 25 km from CBD)	Safety Score (12 = safest)	Total Road Incidents (residential only)	Notable Risk-Reducing Features / Comments
Uriarra Village	12	0	Small rural community with minimal traffic, single access road.
Jacka	11	1	Compact suburban layout with minimal vehicle flow.
Hall	10	1	Village setting on Canberra’s outskirts, with negligible traffic.
O’Malley	9	1	Quiet, diplomatic suburb featuring cul-de-sacs, low traffic volume.
Throsby	8	2	Modern suburb with single-entry layout, calm streets.
Macarthur	7	2	Low-density residential area, minimal through-traffic.
Chapman	6	2	Suburb design discourages speeding, proactive community road safety.
Taylor	5	3	Master-planned streets with calming devices and roundabouts.
Oaks Estate	4	3	Small residential suburb, limited through-road traffic.
Coombs	3	4	Residential streets are designed for reduced speeds, traffic calming measures.
Wright	2	5	Internal streets discourage shortcutting, residential-focused traffic.
Denman Prospect	1	5	Newly planned suburb, safe street layout, limited external access.

Source: ACT road crash data

Clear patterns emerge. Suburbs with the fewest crashes are typically on Canberra’s fringes or designed with cul-de-sac layouts that minimise through-traffic. Fewer vehicles passing through naturally reduce collisions or risky encounters. Newer estates frequently feature safer road engineering, including roundabouts and low-speed zones to discourage speeding. Conversely, Canberra’s accident-prone areas cluster around major arterial roads and highways, none of which disrupt these safer, quieter neighbourhoods, keeping residents well protected from common traffic hazards.

Additionally, these suburbs often benefit from deliberate traffic-calming measures and proactive community road-safety efforts. Physical features like speed humps, chicanes, and mini-roundabouts effectively maintain lower vehicle speeds. For instance, street narrowing and raised intersections significantly reduce traffic volumes and collision likelihood. Active neighbourhood campaigns encouraging responsible driving habits, reinforced through signage and vigilant resident reporting, further cultivate a culture of safety and respect on local roads, greatly enhancing overall community well-being.

Even in low-accident areas, emergencies happen, making fast response times vital. Next, we examine Canberra’s safest suburbs for emergency services in “Rapid Emergency Response: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Fast Services.”

Rapid Emergency Response: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Fast Services

Fast emergency response isn’t just a statistic—it can be a lifesaver. In suburban safety, every minute matters. If ambulance or fire crews arrive quickly, medical care and firefighting begin sooner, significantly improving outcomes. The ACT already boasts Australia’s fastest ambulance response times, averaging around 14 minutes for critical incidents. Certain Canberra suburbs, thanks to their strategic proximity to hospitals, fire stations, and police services, enjoy even swifter help, giving residents peace of mind during unexpected emergencies.

Below is a ranking of Canberra suburbs (within 25 km of the CBD) based on their combined emergency response metric. This score considers average ambulance, fire, and police response times, proximity to stations, and coverage reliability. Simply put, it reflects how quickly emergency services typically arrive in each suburb. A higher Safety Score means faster, more reliable help, with 12 being the safest. Data comes directly from ACT emergency service reports, highlighting suburbs with optimal emergency infrastructure.

Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Fast Services (within 25 km of CBD)

Suburb	Safety Score (12 = safest)	Combined Response Metric	Notable Risk-Reducing Features / Comments
Hughes	12	Outstanding	Immediate proximity to Canberra Hospital, and nearby Woden fire/police stations.
O’Malley	11	Outstanding	Diplomatic zone, regular police patrols, minutes from emergency hubs.
Deakin	10	Excellent	Close to Woden emergency services and private hospitals.
Yarralumla	9	Very High	Central location, proximity to CBD and Woden emergency response units.
Barton	8	Very High	Strong police presence (AFP HQ nearby), rapid ambulance and fire responses.
Campbell	7	High	Adjacent to Civic emergency hubs and Defence emergency units.
Ainslie	6	High	Near the city centre and Dickson ambulance station, quick fire/police support.
Forrest	5	High	Diplomatic suburb, quick access to emergency units in Civic and Woden.
Kingston	4	Good	Close to inner-south emergency stations, regular police presence.
Griffith	3	Good	Near central emergency response hubs, proactive community safety efforts.
Amaroo	2	Moderate	Gungahlin emergency services are nearby, good response despite the outer location.
Forde	1	Moderate	Covered by the Gungahlin emergency station, the lowest local crime rate reduces demand.

Source: ACT Emergency Services Agency

Suburbs closest to Canberra’s emergency stations top the list. Hughes and O’Malley, for instance, offer extremely quick response times thanks to immediate access to Canberra Hospital and nearby fire and police stations in Woden. Central locations typically see ambulance or police vehicles arriving in just a few minutes. Canberra’s compact urban planning and strategically positioned emergency service facilities further enhance these suburbs’ capability to respond effectively during urgent incidents, greatly boosting overall resident safety.

Notably, diplomatic suburbs like O’Malley and Forrest gain an extra layer of security from regular federal police patrols, which significantly boosts rapid response effectiveness. Ongoing investments in emergency infrastructure, such as joint ambulance and fire stations in rapidly growing areas like Gungahlin, demonstrate Canberra’s proactive approach to maintaining excellent emergency services coverage. These strategic developments ensure even suburbs farther from central hubs receive timely and reliable responses, enhancing overall safety and preserving Canberra’s stellar reputation for emergency readiness.

For a safe suburb, community ties are just as crucial as rapid emergency services. Next, we explore neighbourhood unity and cooperation in “Neighbourhood Cohesion: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Community Safety & Engagement.”

Neighbourhood Cohesion: Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Community Safety & Engagement

Community cohesion isn’t just a feel-good idea—it’s a cornerstone of suburb security. A tight-knit Canberra neighbourhood where locals volunteer, celebrate together, and watch out for each other creates a natural deterrent to crime and provides support during emergencies. Research consistently shows that stronger social connectedness reduces crime rates significantly. In cohesive suburbs, problems are spotted early, assistance is readily available, and would-be offenders think twice, knowing vigilant neighbours are always watching out for suspicious activities.

The table below ranks 12 Canberra suburbs (all within ~25 km of the CBD) by their community cohesion. This combined metric reflects levels of volunteerism, participation in local events, and active Neighbourhood Watch programs, drawing from reliable sources like ABS surveys and ACT community engagement data. For context, Canberra’s average volunteer rate is approximately 18%. Suburbs scoring higher (with 12 as safest) excel in neighbourly involvement—residents frequently volunteer, attend community events, and collaborate to enhance local safety and mutual support.

Canberra’s Safest Suburbs for Community Safety & Engagement (within 25 km of CBD)

Suburb (≤ 25 km from CBD)	Safety Score (12 = safest)	Community Cohesion Metric	Notable Risk-Reducing Features / Comments
Aranda	12	29.8% volunteer rate	Active local groups, frequent community events and volunteering.
O’Connor	11	29.5% volunteer rate	High civic engagement, strong residents’ association, and regular fairs.
Cook	10	28.2% volunteer rate	Established community gardens, active neighbourhood watch groups.
Forrest	9	27.1% volunteer rate	High resident participation in clubs, PTAs, and local events.
Weetangera	8	26.4% volunteer rate	Strong school volunteering, cohesive community events.
Ainslie	7	26.0% volunteer rate	Heritage suburb, annual community events, strong local connections.
Chapman	6	26.0% volunteer rate	Strong community since the 2003 bushfires, organised emergency planning.
Deakin	5	25.8% volunteer rate	Active residents’ group, frequent community safety forums.
Yarralumla	4	25.6% volunteer rate	Active Neighbourhood Watch, strong local volunteering presence.
Hall	3	25.5% volunteer rate	Village atmosphere, volunteer-run services, regular community markets.
Hughes	2	25.0% volunteer rate	Active local charities, strong volunteer involvement in healthcare.
Red Hill	1	25.0% volunteer rate	Community-led conservation groups, active resident associations.

Source:  Neighbourhood Watch

A clear pattern emerges—all these suburbs demonstrate significantly above-average community participation. Many feature stable, long-term populations deeply involved in local schools, charities, and neighbourhood initiatives. Several highly cohesive areas are affluent and established, suggesting stability and resources encourage deeper community engagement. This neighbourly vigilance visibly reduces crime; Yarralumla, for instance, recently saw a substantial drop in crime rates due directly to increased local vigilance and effective neighbourhood collaboration.

Strong community engagement directly translates into improved crime prevention and enhanced local support networks. Active neighbourhood watch groups ensure swift communication about suspicious activities, while widespread volunteering supports essential community services and youth programs. Research consistently finds that areas with high collective involvement experience fewer crimes and lower levels of violence. Essentially, strong neighbourhood ties transform residents into a proactive safety network—creating safer, friendlier suburbs through shared vigilance, mutual support, and collective enthusiasm.

Moving to Canberra Stress-Free: How North Removals Has Your Back

Canberra’s safest suburbs offer a perfect blend of low crime rates, proactive emergency services, minimal natural disaster risks, and strong community engagement. Suburbs like O’Malley and Forrest particularly shine by balancing robust security measures with vibrant neighbourhood bonds. Meanwhile, areas such as Hughes and Yarralumla showcase Canberra’s commitment to comprehensive safety, enhancing the appeal of settling down in the capital.

Planning a move involves careful thought, but it doesn’t have to involve stress. Whether you’re relocating locally or looking specifically for Melbourne to Canberra Removalists, we are ready to guide you seamlessly through the entire moving process. From packing support to secure transport, our dedicated team ensures your journey to one of Canberra’s safest suburbs is smooth, worry-free, and professionally managed from start to finish.

And remember, choosing the right suburb is just as important as avoiding the wrong one. To help steer clear of pitfalls, check out our straightforward Guide to the Worst Suburbs in Canberra. Coupled with our transparent Interstate moving cost breakdown, you’ll have everything needed for an informed, confident relocation. 

Get in touch now—North Removals is ready to help make your Melbourne relocation safe, smooth, and stress-free.