Millions of Aussies believe crime is getting worse, with a rise in most states of Australia, according to a poll by Roy Morgan.

The current level of concern at 66 per cent has risen three points from this time last year, and has risen from 51 per cent during the pandemic.

“The last time concerns about crime were at this level, or higher, for a sustained period was back in 2005-2006 around 20 years ago, and before that in 2001-2002 after the September 11 bombing of the World Trade Centre,” Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.

Residents in Queensland had the greatest worry around crime, with 77 per cent surveyed expressing concern with the levels of crime in their state.

Levine said this was reflected in their state election at the end of last year.

“Then Opposition Leader David Crisafulli vowed to take several measures to reduce crime and won a convincing victory,” she said.

“Crisafulli’s new LNP Government passed the ‘Making Queensland Safer Act’ in early 2025 which expanded on the ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ legislation passed in late 2024 designed specifically to crack down on youth crime.”

Victoria has seen the biggest increase in crime concern in the last decade, rising to 72 per cent from 51 per cent during the pandemic.

This has put Premier Jacinta Allan and her Labor government under pressure ahead of next year’s state election, where in response she has introduced tougher bail laws and bans on machetes in the state.

Concern in New South Wales has grown 13 per cent in the last five years; however the state has the second lowest level of concern in all states, and only the ACT has a lower crime concern.