Suburb · VIC · 2026 data

Bellbrae, VIC

In 2026, police recorded 31 offences in Bellbrae, or 23.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.3× the VIC rate.

1,346 residents · estimated 50.8 km² +47.6% vs 2025
Crime rank within VIC
8 out of 100
Very low crime

Higher weighted crime rate than 8% of 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).

Violent
9
Property
6

Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07

All offences
31
2026 · ▲ +47.6%
Crimes / 1,000
23.0
VIC avg 76.5
Violent / 1,000
4.5
6 offences · avg 11.8
Property / 1,000
8.9
12 offences · avg 44.0
Harm-focused / 1,000
20.8
excl. justice & regulatory · avg 63.7
Violent crime, roughly
1 in 224residents per year
VIC: 1 in 85
Property crime, roughly
1 in 112residents per year
VIC: 1 in 23

By crime type, 2026

Bellbrae VIC average Line = 2021–2026

Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.

Crimes against the person

4.5 / 1,000 VIC 11.8 · National 11.8
Assault and related offences
1.49
0.2×
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour
1.49
0.8×
Other crimes against the person
1.49
4.7×

Property & deception

8.9 / 1,000 VIC 44.0 · National 44.0
Theft
4.46
0.2×
Property damage
1.49
0.3×
Burglary/Break and enter
1.49
0.3×
Deception
1.49
0.4×

Drug offences

5.9 / 1,000 VIC 4.1 · National 4.1
Drug use and possession
5.20
1.5×
Drug dealing and trafficking
0.74
1.8×

Public order & weapons

1.5 / 1,000 VIC 3.8 · National 3.8
Weapons and explosives offences
0.74
0.3×
Public nuisance offences
0.74
1.1×

Justice procedures

2.2 / 1,000 VIC 12.6 · National 12.6 administrative
Breaches of orders
2.23
0.2×
View as table
GroupOffence typeCountPer 1,000VIC per 1,000
Crimes against the personAssault and related offences21.496.44
Crimes against the personStalking, harassment and threatening behaviour21.491.80
Crimes against the personOther crimes against the person21.490.32
Property & deceptionTheft64.4628.52
Property & deceptionProperty damage21.495.83
Property & deceptionBurglary/Break and enter21.495.24
Property & deceptionDeception21.494.00
Drug offencesDrug use and possession75.203.45
Drug offencesDrug dealing and trafficking10.740.41
Public order & weaponsWeapons and explosives offences10.742.17
Public order & weaponsPublic nuisance offences10.740.68
Justice proceduresBreaches of orders32.2310.81

Trend

TotalViolentPropertydashed = projection
016332021202220232024202520262027

Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.

Vs state & national

per 1,000 residents
BellbraeState
All offences
Bellbrae
23.0
State
76.5
Violent
Bellbrae
4.5
State
11.8
Property
Bellbrae
8.9
State
44.0

Nearby suburbs

  1. Bells Beach0.0 km not ranked compare
  2. Jan Juc0.0 km 6 compare
  3. Torquay0.0 km 22 compare
  4. Freshwater Creek7.2 km not ranked compare
  5. Mount Duneed8.6 km 56 compare
  6. Armstrong Creek10.2 km 68 compare
  7. Belmont10.6 km 77 compare
  8. Grovedale10.6 km 70 compare

Housing, rent and growth

Housing & rent

ABS Census 2021

Median rent is 24% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark

MeasureValuevs other VIC suburbs
Median rent$380/week higher than 82%
Median household income$1,556/week higher than 48%
Rent as a share of income24% higher than 88%
Median mortgage repayment$2,300/month higher than 91%
Homes that are rented6% higher than 22%
Owned outright50% higher than 70%
Social housing0% higher than 35%
Average household size2.5 people higher than 53%

2021 Census figures: rents and incomes have risen since, so compare suburbs rather than reading today's prices. The rent share uses the median rent and the median income of all households (owners included), so it is a guide, not the share any one renter pays. The 30% benchmark is a common convention.

Growth & new homes

ABS Regional Population · Building Approvals
MeasureValuevs other VIC areas
Population growth, 5 years
2020–2025
+13.9% higher than 88%
Population growth, last year
2024–2025
+0.8% higher than 47%
New homes approved, 12 months
12 months to Aug 2026
182 higher than 86%
New homes approved per 1,000 residents
12 months to Aug 2026
6.8 higher than 72%

ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Torquay”, which contains this suburb. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.

Common questions about Bellbrae

Is Bellbrae a high-crime area?

Bellbrae falls in the “very low crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 8% of 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026). Rankings use a severity-weighted rate per resident, so serious offences count more than minor ones.

What is the crime rate in Bellbrae?

In 2026, 31 offences were recorded in Bellbrae, or 23.0 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.3× the VIC rate of 76.5.

What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Bellbrae?

Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 224 for violent crime and 1 in 112 for property crime. Recorded crime includes offences against visitors and businesses, so this overstates risk for residents.

Where does this data come from?

Official recorded-crime statistics published by state police and crime statistics agencies, divided by 2021 Census or ABS population estimates. See the methodology page for details.

Data notes

  • Population is estimated (medium confidence) from the ABS 2021 Census.
  • Recorded crime counts offences reported to or detected by police where they occurred. That includes offences against visitors and businesses, so busy centres score higher than their resident risk.
  • States classify offences differently, so ranks compare areas within the same state.