More than two-fifths of all thefts (excluding motor vehicles) occurred at a retail location, making up 43 per cent – or 247,425 victims – in 2025.
This is according to new stats from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which come out amid ongoing pushes for state governments across Australia to crack down harder on retail crime.
The Australian Retail Council (ARC) has been pushing for Victoria and New South Wales to legislate workplace protection orders, similar to those in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. Victoria passed a WPO bill recently, and New South Wales has just tabled its own bill.
The ABS data shows retail theft is higher compared to street or footpath theft, with the latter making up 30 per cent of theft.
Despite the starkly high numbers, victims of theft (excluding motor vehicles) and robbery recorded by police in 2025 fell for the first time since declines in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
ABS head of crime and justice statistics Samantha Hall said the drops in 2020 and 2021 were driven by COVID-19 restrictions.
“Nationally, in 2025 the number of robbery victims dropped by 8 per cent from the previous year to 10,591 victims, while theft victims fell by 2 per cent to 581,209 victims,” Hall said.
Robbery and theft numbers declined in most states and territories. Queensland recorded the largest decrease in robbery (down 403 victims or 13 per cent), followed by New South Wales (down 255 victims or 11 per cent).
Western Australia recorded the largest fall in theft (10,405 victims or 13 per cent), followed by South Australia (5,301 victims or 11 per cent).
Meanwhile, the number of motor vehicle thefts recorded by police increased nationally, reaching a 17-year high in 2025 at 66,625 victims.
“The rise in national motor vehicle thefts was driven by an 11 per cent increase in Victoria and a 3 per cent increase in New South Wales, while other jurisdictions saw a fall in motor vehicle theft,” Hall said.