Secure Score: Find Out How Safe Your Home Really Is
9th January 2025
Most Australians assume their home is reasonably secure. The reality, however, tells a different story. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 856,800 Australian households experienced at least one household crime in 2022–23, including more than 185,000 actual break-ins and nearly 195,000 attempted break-ins. Here in the Northern Territory, the situation is even more pressing. The NT records the highest residential break-in rate in the country, sitting at around 4% of all households.
That is why DABSCO, as your local Crimsafe Licensed Manufacturer in Darwin, is proud to support the Secure Score initiative.
What Is Secure Score?
Secure Score is a free, online home security audit tool developed jointly by Crimsafe and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia as part of their ongoing Crime Prevention Partnership. It gives homeowners a clear, personalised security rating out of 100, based on the actual security measures in and around their property.
The tool takes into account:
- Security measures visible from the street (kerb-side assessment)
- Security within your yard, fencing, and outdoor access points
- Security features inside the home, including doors, windows, and locks
Each feature, such as a sensor light, a deadbolt lock, a security screen door, or a CCTV camera, is assigned a weighted value. These values combine to produce your overall Secure Score. The higher your score, the better protected your home is against break-ins, theft, and property damage.
Ready to find out how your home rates? Check your Secure Score now.
Why Your Secure Score Matters in the Northern Territory
Australia’s national average Secure Score sits at just 56 out of 100. That means the average Australian home is leaving itself exposed to preventable risk. In the Northern Territory, where the break-in rate is consistently the highest of any Australian state or territory, taking a proactive approach to home security is not just wise, it is essential.
The good news is that many of the most effective home security improvements are straightforward and low-cost. Simple changes to how you secure your doors, light your yard, and manage access points around your property can meaningfully lift your score and deter opportunistic intruders.
Whether you live in Darwin, Palmerston, Humpty Doo, Katherine, or anywhere across the NT, your Secure Score gives you a clear picture of where your vulnerabilities are and what to do about them.
How Does the Secure Score Tool Work?
The Secure Score quiz takes around five minutes to complete. You will be asked a series of questions about your property’s current security setup, covering three main areas:
Street Level
This covers what a potential intruder sees from outside your property. Factors include perimeter fencing, gate locks, visible deterrents such as security cameras and sensor lighting, and the condition and quality of your front entry.
This covers what a potential intruder sees from outside your property. Factors include perimeter fencing, gate locks, visible deterrents such as security cameras and sensor lighting, and the condition and quality of your front entry.
Yard and Surrounds
This covers the security of your outdoor areas, including side access, rear fencing, garden lighting, and how your bin placement and garden layout might inadvertently assist or deter an intruder.
This covers the security of your outdoor areas, including side access, rear fencing, garden lighting, and how your bin placement and garden layout might inadvertently assist or deter an intruder.
Inside the Home
This covers your internal security measures, including deadbolts, window locks, security screens on doors and windows, alarm systems, and other features that protect entry points throughout the home.
This covers your internal security measures, including deadbolts, window locks, security screens on doors and windows, alarm systems, and other features that protect entry points throughout the home.
Once you complete the questionnaire, the tool generates your personalised Secure Score out of 100 along with a tailored action plan. This plan outlines the specific steps you can take to improve your score and better protect your household.
What Does a Good Secure Score Look Like?
The Secure Score scale runs from 0 to 100:
- 75 and above: Your home has strong security measures in place across most areas. Continue to maintain and upgrade your security as needed.
- 50 to 74: Your home has a reasonable level of security, but there are clear opportunities to improve. Focus on the action plan provided.
- Below 50: Your home may be vulnerable. Prioritising even a few targeted upgrades could significantly reduce your risk of a break-in.
Given that Australia’s national average sits at 56, there is plenty of room for improvement across most households. The Northern Territory’s unique climate and lifestyle mean that many homes have open, airy designs with louvres, sliding doors, and large window openings. These features are ideal for Darwin’s tropical weather, but they can also present security vulnerabilities if they are not properly protected with the right screens and hardware.
Five Ways to Improve Your Secure Score
You do not need to spend a fortune to lift your score significantly. Here are five proven home security improvements that deliver real results:
1. Install Crimsafe Security Screens on Doors and Windows
Standard fly screens offer no meaningful protection against forced entry. Crimsafe security screens are independently tested and proven to withstand cutting, impact, and lever attacks. Fitting them to your entry doors, windows, and sliding doors is one of the most effective single upgrades you can make to your home’s security. As DABSCO is a licensed Crimsafe manufacturer right here in Darwin, we can measure, manufacture, and install screens built specifically for Territory conditions.
Standard fly screens offer no meaningful protection against forced entry. Crimsafe security screens are independently tested and proven to withstand cutting, impact, and lever attacks. Fitting them to your entry doors, windows, and sliding doors is one of the most effective single upgrades you can make to your home’s security. As DABSCO is a licensed Crimsafe manufacturer right here in Darwin, we can measure, manufacture, and install screens built specifically for Territory conditions.
2. Add Motion-Sensor Lighting Around Your Property
Intruders prefer darkness. A well-lit property is a significant deterrent. Motion-activated sensor lights on your driveway, pathways, and rear yard are affordable and easy to install, and they have a direct positive impact on your Secure Score.
Intruders prefer darkness. A well-lit property is a significant deterrent. Motion-activated sensor lights on your driveway, pathways, and rear yard are affordable and easy to install, and they have a direct positive impact on your Secure Score.
3. Upgrade Your Locks
Many residential locks offer surprisingly little resistance to forced entry. Upgrading to quality deadbolt locks on all external doors and ensuring your gate hardware is equally solid closes a gap that many homeowners overlook entirely.
Many residential locks offer surprisingly little resistance to forced entry. Upgrading to quality deadbolt locks on all external doors and ensuring your gate hardware is equally solid closes a gap that many homeowners overlook entirely.
4. Secure Side and Rear Access
The majority of break-ins in Darwin occur via side gates and rear access points rather than the front door. Fit solid padlocks to your gate, consider adding roller shutters or security folding doors to vulnerable openings, and ensure your fencing discourages easy access.
The majority of break-ins in Darwin occur via side gates and rear access points rather than the front door. Fit solid padlocks to your gate, consider adding roller shutters or security folding doors to vulnerable openings, and ensure your fencing discourages easy access.
5. Reduce Concealment Around Your Property
Overgrown hedges, large bins placed against the house, and cluttered side passages all give intruders cover. Keeping your yard tidy and visible from the street removes hiding spots and makes your property a less attractive target.
Overgrown hedges, large bins placed against the house, and cluttered side passages all give intruders cover. Keeping your yard tidy and visible from the street removes hiding spots and makes your property a less attractive target.
Secure Score and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia
The Secure Score tool was co-developed with Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, the country’s longest-running volunteer-based community crime prevention organisation, with more than 40 years of experience keeping Australian neighbourhoods safe.
Neighbourhood Watch groups operate throughout the Northern Territory. Joining your local group is a free and practical way to stay informed about crime trends in your area, connect with neighbours who share an interest in community safety, and contribute to the collective resilience of your suburb.
You can find your nearest Neighbourhood Watch group through the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia website.
Crimsafe Security Solutions Available from DABSCO Darwin
DABSCO has been part of the Darwin community since 1966. We manufacture and supply a full range of Crimsafe security products right here in the Northern Territory, meaning shorter lead times, locally appropriate solutions, and a team that genuinely understands the Territory’s climate, architecture, and lifestyle.
Our Crimsafe product range includes:
- Security screen doors (single, double, and sliding configurations)
- Security screen windows (including louvre screens and sliding windows)
- Stacker and bi-fold security screen systems
- Custom configurations for commercial and residential applications
Every Crimsafe product we manufacture uses the patented Screw-Clamp technology and 304 stainless steel mesh, delivering protection that goes far beyond what standard aluminium screens or decorative grilles can offer.
To learn more about our full product range, visit our windows and doors page or our security systems page.
Check Your Secure Score Today
Your home is one of your most important assets. Knowing where it stands against a credible security standard is the first step toward protecting it properly.
The Secure Score tool is free, takes around five minutes, and gives you a personalised action plan based on your property’s actual setup. There are no sales pitches and no obligations. Just practical, evidence-based insight into how secure your home really is.
Take the quiz now: securescore.crimsafe.com.au
If your results highlight security screen doors, window screens, or other protective hardware as priority upgrades, contact the DABSCO team. We offer free measure and quote appointments across Darwin and the wider Northern Territory, and we will help you work out the most practical and cost-effective path to a higher Secure Score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Secure Score tool free to use?
Yes. Secure Score is completely free. There is no registration required and no cost to receive your score or your personalised action plan.
Yes. Secure Score is completely free. There is no registration required and no cost to receive your score or your personalised action plan.
How long does the Secure Score quiz take?
The quiz takes approximately five minutes to complete.
The quiz takes approximately five minutes to complete.
What happens after I get my score?
Once you receive your score, the tool generates a tailored action plan with specific recommendations for your property. You can then use this to prioritise your home security upgrades.
Once you receive your score, the tool generates a tailored action plan with specific recommendations for your property. You can then use this to prioritise your home security upgrades.
Does my postcode affect my score?
Your postcode is used to provide local crime context, helping to make your action plan more relevant to your area.
Your postcode is used to provide local crime context, helping to make your action plan more relevant to your area.
Can I improve my score over time?
Absolutely. As you add or upgrade security features, you can retake the quiz to track your progress and see how your score improves.
Absolutely. As you add or upgrade security features, you can retake the quiz to track your progress and see how your score improves.
Where can I get Crimsafe security screens fitted in Darwin?
DABSCO is your local licensed Crimsafe manufacturer in Darwin. Contact our team for a free measure and quote.
DABSCO is your local licensed Crimsafe manufacturer in Darwin. Contact our team for a free measure and quote.
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