Guide, Australia

Home security for renters in Australia: what you can add without drilling

How we wrote this: researched from the official sources listed at the end and checked on 1 November 2026. General information, not legal advice. Check your own state's tenancy authority and your lease. Last checked 1 November 2026.

As a renter, you can add security without drilling: plug-in cameras, removable adhesive door and window sensors, a battery video doorbell on a no-drill mount, and motion lights. Whether you need your rental provider's permission depends on your state and your lease, so read that first.

Last reviewed: 1 November 2026. We sell these items, and we say so up front. Here is how Holdline Provisions chooses: we describe what each item does and how it fits, and we leave the permission question to the pages that govern it. Check the supplier's notes on the surfaces an adhesive mount is made for.

Start with your lease and your state

Queensland. The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) says a tenant needs "written permission from the property manager/owner before installing" a security system or camera. On locks, outside domestic and family violence situations, it says "both parties must agree and neither party may unreasonably withhold their consent". Otherwise locks can change in an emergency or by a QCAT order. The owner must supply and maintain all locks and give the tenant keys.

New South Wales. The NSW Government says tenants can make changes if the lease allows it or the landlord gives written permission. A landlord "cannot unreasonably refuse consent for minor changes", though a refusal can still stand if it is reasonable, and disputes can go to NCAT. Its examples of minor changes include "installing a wireless removable outdoor security camera". Strata property has some restrictions and exclusions. On locks, landlords must provide and maintain them, and either party can change them with the other's consent or on reasonable grounds, such as an emergency or an NCAT order. The new key must go to the other party "as soon as they reasonably can and no later than 7 days". Changing locks outside those cases "is an offence and a breach of the tenancy agreement".

Victoria. Consumer Affairs Victoria (page last updated 13 October 2026) lists changes renters can make without consent, including a wireless doorbell, and removable safety devices such as alarm systems or security cameras, as long as they do not affect neighbours' privacy, are easily removable and are not hardwired. It says a rental provider cannot refuse a security system without good reason if an invoice naming the installer is provided when consent is requested. The system must be installed by a suitably qualified person and must not impact on the privacy of neighbours. It lists reasonable security measures in the same group. On a short-term agreement, 5 years or less, a renter must not make changes without the rental provider's permission.

Everywhere else. We did not read the pages for other states and territories, so we do not state their rules. Check your state's tenancy authority and your lease.

Queensland and New South Wales each carry separate rules for tenants affected by domestic and family violence. Read them on the source pages.

How to ask

In Queensland, use the RTA's Form 23, "Request for approval to attach fixtures or make structural changes". The form says the property owner must respond within 28 days after receiving the request. If they do not respond in that time, the tenant does not have permission to proceed. The form then points to free dispute resolution through the RTA, and after that to QCAT. It also has a section for body corporate approval, and it tells you not to send it to the RTA: give it to your owner and keep a copy.

The form asks you for a detailed description of what you want to attach, including materials, dimensions and intended purpose. It also asks for the proposed location and the reason for the request. The form's notes say that if the matter reaches QCAT, the tribunal will consider whether the change would improve the safety, security and accessibility of the property, and whether it can be removed at the end with the property restored. Answer those points in your request and you have done most of the work.

In other states, ask in writing and keep a copy. Here is a 3 line request you can adapt:

> Hi [name], I would like to add [item, for example a battery video doorbell on a removable mount] at [address]. > It needs no drilling, and I will take it with me when I move out. > Could you confirm in writing that this is fine?

Options by effort

Option	What it does	Change to the property	Check first
Plug-in camera on a shelf	Records and sends alerts to your phone	None, if it sits on a surface	Camera rules below
Removable adhesive door and window sensors	Sound an alert when a door or window opens	Adhesive only	Surface notes from the supplier
Battery video doorbell, no-drill mount	Shows who is at the door and records	Mount only, no wiring	Your lease and state
Motion lights	Switch a light on when they sense movement	Battery or plug-in, depending on the model	Your lease and state
Locks and window locks	Replace or add to what is fitted	Yes	Agreement of both parties in Queensland and NSW

The options, one at a time

Plug-in cameras. A camera that plugs into a power point and sits on a shelf or a windowsill changes nothing on the property. It still follows the camera rules below, and in Queensland your state's page says a camera needs written permission.

Removable adhesive sensors. These stick to a door or window and its frame, and they sound an alert when the door or window opens. Surfaces differ, so read the supplier's notes on what the adhesive is made for. Victoria's rules list removable alarm systems among changes renters can make without consent, with the conditions above.

Battery video doorbells on a no-drill mount. These replace the need for wiring. They show who is at the door and record it, so the camera rules apply. Consumer Affairs Victoria names a wireless doorbell as a change a renter can make without consent.

Motion lights. A battery light that switches on when it senses movement is the simplest option here. Check your lease for how it is fixed.

Locks and window locks. These need agreement in Queensland and New South Wales, as above. If your landlord or agent is happy for you to change them, get it in writing, and in New South Wales remember the 7 day key rule.

Cameras and privacy

Point cameras at your own space. Victoria Police advice is: "Ensure CCTV cameras only cover your property." Audio is separate. In Queensland, the Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 makes it an offence, at section 43, to use a listening device to overhear, record, monitor or listen to a private conversation, with exceptions including where the user is a party to the conversation. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner said in 2014 that cameras run by individuals are not covered by the federal Privacy Act but "may be covered by State or Territory law". That page is old, so treat it as background.

Shared properties add one more layer. RACV says problems in shared spaces should be reported to the owners corporation, and that tenants "will need to seek permission from your rental provider for any installations". Form 23 in Queensland has a body corporate approval section. For cameras in detail, see security cameras in a rental.

Apartment, house or share house

Apartment. RACV advises that external apartment doors have deadbolt or digital locks and that you keep your front door closed and locked. It says renters "should get the rental provider's permission first" before changing locks. More in apartment security.

House. You control more of the outside, but the permission rules above still apply. For locks, see door locks for renters.

Share house. Talk to your housemates first, and check whose name is on the lease. The permission question goes to the owner or manager.

Taking it with you when you move

Choose things that come off. Form 23 asks whether a fixture will be removable and whether repairs will be needed on removal, so the question is a fair one to answer in advance. Keep the original mounts, take photos of the spot before and after, and put everything back as your lease says.

FAQ

Can the owner refuse? Yes, in some cases. Form 23 has an "Approved" and a "Denied" box, and the tenant acknowledges the owner may set reasonable conditions. In New South Wales, a refusal of a minor change can stand if it is reasonable, and NCAT can hear a dispute. In Victoria, some changes cannot be refused without good reason.

What if there is no response? In Queensland, Form 23 says that if the owner does not respond within 28 days, the tenant does not have permission to proceed. You can consider the RTA's free dispute resolution. Elsewhere, check your state's authority.

Can I change the locks? In Queensland, both parties must agree, with the exceptions listed above. In New South Wales, either party can with the other's consent or on reasonable grounds, and changing locks outside those cases is an offence and a breach of the tenancy agreement.

Next step: Shop renter-friendly security. For the wider picture, read our home security guide.