As professional locksmiths in Melbourne, we are sometimes asked whether it is legal to own lock picks, what happens if someone is caught with them, and whether you need to be licensed to buy or carry them. Here is a plain-English guide to where the law stands, and how it separates a professional from someone with unlawful intent.

Is lock picking illegal in Victoria?

No, the act of picking a lock is not in itself illegal in Victoria. What can be illegal is possessing or using lock-picking tools without a lawful reason.

In practice, that means:

• If you are a professional locksmith, an apprentice in training, or otherwise using the tools as part of a legitimate trade, you have a lawful reason to have and use them.
• If you have no legitimate reason for carrying those tools, particularly in public, you risk being charged with possessing an implement of housebreaking, which is a criminal offence.

The difference, as you will see, comes down to intent and lawful excuse rather than the tools themselves.

Is it legal to pick a lock if I’m locked out of my own house?

Yes. You are legally allowed to pick a lock on your own property. It is yours, and you have the authority to get into it.

The practical catch is that picking your own lock can cause damage, or draw the attention of a neighbour or passer-by who does not know it is your home, which may mean a conversation with police. In most cases it is safer, faster and cheaper to call a professional locksmith, who can usually open the door without any damage at all:

👉 How Locksmiths Open Locks Without Damaging Them
👉 What Happens When a Locksmith Can’t Open Your Lock?

What does the law actually say?

The relevant law is section 49D of the Summary Offences Act 1966 (Vic), which makes it an offence to have an “implement of housebreaking” in your custody or possession without a lawful excuse. Lock picks can fall within that description depending on the circumstances. The maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment.

Two points matter most here:

• Intent and context are central. The law is aimed at people equipped to break in, not at the tools existing.
• The burden is on the individual to prove a lawful excuse. If you are found with picks and cannot show a legitimate reason, you are the one who has to account for them.

Lock picking law at a glance

Who can legally use lock picks in Victoria?

Those who typically have a lawful reason to hold and use lock-picking tools include:

• Qualified and professional locksmiths.
• Apprentices completing formal training, such as a Certificate III in Locksmithing.
• Security technicians and authorised service agents.

If you fall outside those categories and are found with picks, rakes, tension wrenches or bump keys with no lawful excuse, you may be on the wrong side of the law. It is also worth understanding how the licensing and qualification landscape works for locksmiths in Victoria, which has changed in recent years:

👉 Are All Locksmiths Licensed in Victoria?

Are lock-picking laws the same in every state?

No. The general principle that intent plus possession can amount to an offence is consistent across Australia, but the exact wording, the relevant Act and the penalties vary from state to state. If you are outside Victoria, check your own state’s legislation rather than assuming the rules match.

Is it legal to buy lock-picking tools online?

Yes, you can generally buy lock-picking tools online legally. But ownership does not equal permission to use them anywhere. Online sellers are unlikely to ask for your credentials, particularly on large marketplaces, so being able to buy a set easily does not mean carrying it around is lawful.

Owning a set at home out of curiosity is unlikely to cause trouble. Carrying it in your car, bag or pocket without a valid reason is where the legal risk lies.

A word on lock picking as a hobby

There is a small community of enthusiasts in Australia who treat lock picking as a sport or a mental puzzle, practised on locks they own. Practising on your own locks in private is not, in itself, illegal, but hobbyists should be careful to:

• Never carry their tools outside the home.
• Never attempt locks they do not own.
• Stay aware that possession in public can be interpreted as intent, which is exactly what section 49D turns on.

Final word from a professional Melbourne locksmith

As professional locksmiths, we use lock-picking techniques every day, but only ever in authorised, lawful situations: letting someone back into their own home, rekeying after a break-in, or helping a property manager who has the authority to request it. We have the training, the insurance and the authorisation to do it safely and without legal consequences.

If you are locked out or need help with a lock, the simplest and safest option is to leave it to a professional. VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne, lawfully and without the guesswork:

👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew
👉 Residential Security Services

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297 for trusted, legal and fast assistance.

This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and can be applied differently depending on the circumstances. For guidance on your own situation, check the current legislation or speak to a qualified lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Lock Picking Laws in Melbourne appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Locks are the quiet workhorses of home security. They sit between your home and the outside world every single day, and a little care keeps them turning smoothly for years rather than seizing up at the worst possible moment. The good news is that lock maintenance is simple, quick, and mostly about doing a few small things right and avoiding one big mistake.

Here is how to keep your locks in good shape, starting with the question our locksmiths get asked more than any other.

What is the best way to lubricate a lock?

Lubrication is the single most important part of lock maintenance, and it is also where most people go wrong. So let us start with the mistake to avoid.

Do not use WD-40 or other oil sprays on your locks. It is tempting, and the lock will feel better for a day or two, but oil-based sprays attract dust and grit and slowly gum up the pins inside the cylinder. Over time the lock stiffens and can seize entirely. As a one-off cleaner to flush out an already gummy lock it has a place, but only if you then flush it and re-lubricate with a proper dry lubricant.

For actual lubrication, use a dry lubricant. Here is which type suits which lock.

How to apply it: use it sparingly. A small puff of graphite or a quick spritz of dry spray into the keyway and onto the bolt is plenty. Insert your key and work it in and out a dozen times to spread the lubricant through the mechanism, then wipe the key and the face of the lock. Once or twice a year is enough for most locks, and every three to six months for exposed or coastal ones.

More ways to keep your locks in good shape

Lubrication does most of the work, but a few simple habits keep the whole system healthy.

• Keep your locks and keys clean. Dirt and grime make a key harder to insert and turn. Wipe the lock face and the key with a damp cloth and dry them off. If the keyway itself is dirty, flush it with a dry lubricant and work the key in and out rather than poking cotton buds inside, which can leave fibres behind.
• Do not force a sticking key. A key that is getting harder to turn is telling you something. Forcing it risks snapping the key in the lock. Clean and lubricate first, and if it is still stiff, get it looked at before it fails completely.
• Avoid slamming doors. The repeated impact can knock the lock mechanism out of alignment or damage the door frame, leading to trouble locking and unlocking. Closing doors gently genuinely extends the life of a lock.
• Make sure the door is hung correctly. A dropped or misaligned door puts constant strain on the bolt and strike plate and wears the lock out early. If the door drags or the bolt does not line up cleanly, the hinges or alignment may need adjusting.
• Tighten loose hardware. Handles, strike plates and screws work loose over time. A periodic check and a turn of the screwdriver keeps everything seated and reduces wear.
• Protect your exterior locks from the weather. Melbourne’s swings from wet winters to hot summers, and salt air in bayside suburbs, are hard on outdoor locks. A silicone spray a couple of times a year helps keep rust and corrosion at bay.

For a sense of what a locksmith visit costs if you would rather have it done professionally, our Melbourne guide breaks it down:

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?

When maintenance is not enough

Maintenance extends a lock’s life, but it cannot revive one that is worn out. Here is the honest rule of thumb: if a lock stays stiff even after you have cleaned and lubricated it, the key or the internal cylinder is probably worn, and lubricant is only masking the problem. At that point, forcing more life out of it usually ends in a snapped key or a lockout.

A few signs it is time to repair, rekey or replace rather than maintain:

• The key sticks or catches even after cleaning and lubricating.
• The lock turns roughly, grinds, or the key has to be jiggled to work.
• There is visible rust, damage, or play in the cylinder.
• You have lost a key, moved into a new home, or suspect the lock has been interfered with.

If any of those ring true, rekeying is often the most cost-effective fix, and it is worth knowing the difference between rekeying and replacing:

👉 When to Change or Rekey Your Locks
👉 How to Tell if a Lock Has Been Tampered With

Keeping your locks healthy in Kew and greater Melbourne

Good lock maintenance is not about security alone; it is about getting the most out of the hardware you already have. A dry lubricant, a clean key, gentle doors and a well-hung frame will keep most locks turning smoothly for years.

When a lock is past saving, or you would simply rather leave it to a professional, VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne on lock repairs, rekeying, replacements and broader home security:

👉 Residential Security Services
👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297 for advice, a service, or a lock that has finally given up.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Tips for Maintaining Your Locks appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Have you ever found yourself searching the house for your keys, rummaging through drawers and retracing your steps? You are far from alone. Losing your keys is one of those small disasters that can throw out your whole morning.

As locksmiths, a good share of our callouts come down to lost keys, so we wanted to put together a practical list of ways to stop it happening. From smart trackers to simple habits, here are ten that actually work, and at the end, what to do if you have already lost a set.

The top 10 ways to prevent losing your keys

• Establish a dedicated key spot. Designate one place in your home, a hook or tray near the front door, and put your keys there the moment you walk in. Most lost-key panic comes from having no default home for them.
• Use a key tracker. A small Bluetooth tracker attaches to your keyring and lets you ring your keys from your phone, or see where you last had them. It is the single most effective gadget for chronic key-losers. See the comparison below for which one suits your phone.
• Build a leaving routine. Make it a habit to check for your keys before you leave home, the office or a cafe. A quick, consistent pat-down catches a huge proportion of would-be losses.
• Attach a bright or unique keychain. A bold, distinctive keychain makes your keys easier to spot on a bench, in a bag or down the side of the sofa.
• Make them big and bulky. The larger and heavier your keyring, the harder it is to lose and the more obvious it is to feel in a pocket or bag.
• Use smart locks at home. A smart lock lets you enter with a code, phone or fingerprint, reducing your reliance on a physical key altogether. We have covered how they work, and whether a locksmith can help if one fails, here.
• Check the health of your key accessories. Make sure keyrings and split rings are in good condition and not worn, since a failing ring is a quiet, common way to lose a key without noticing.
• Keep a spare key in a secure place. A spare with a trusted neighbour or family member is a lifesaver if you lose your main set. Just do not leave it under the mat, which is the first place an intruder looks.
• Add useful accessories to your keyring. Attaching something you reach for often, like a small torch or a multi-tool, means you handle your keys more deliberately and notice sooner if they are missing.
• Consider wearable keys. Keeping keys on your person, clipped to a belt loop or a lanyard, keeps them with you rather than left on a random surface.

👉 Can a Locksmith Open a Smart Lock?

Which key tracker suits your phone?

If you only take one tip from this list, make it a tracker. The right one depends mostly on the phone you carry, because that determines which finding network you can tap into.

The quick rule: iPhone owners are best with an AirTag, Samsung owners with a SmartTag 2, and mixed households with a Chipolo or Pebblebee that works on both networks. Any of them turns a twenty-minute hunt into a thirty-second one.

What to do if you have already lost your keys

Prevention is ideal, but if the keys are already gone, here is the sensible order of things.

• Retrace and check the obvious spots first, including bags, pockets, and the last places you visited.
• If they are genuinely lost or were stolen, treat your locks as compromised. Whoever has your keys may also know where you live, so the safe move is to have your locks rekeyed or changed so the missing keys no longer work.
• If you are locked out, a mobile locksmith can get you back in, usually without any damage.
• If your keys were stolen, report it and consider whether it affects your home insurance.

Rekeying is usually the most cost-effective fix, since it keeps your existing hardware while making the lost keys useless:

👉 Do I Need to Rekey or Replace My Locks After Moving House?
👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?

Never lose sleep over lost keys again in Kew or greater Melbourne

Whether it is adopting a tracker and a smart lock, or just building the simple habit of a dedicated key spot, the trick is choosing the methods that fit your lifestyle. And if the worst happens, it is not the end of the world.

VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne for lockouts, rekeying, lock changes and smart lock advice, so a lost set of keys is a quick fix rather than a crisis. For broader peace of mind, our residential team can help you tighten up home security overall:

👉 Residential Security Services
👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, whether you want advice on prevention or you are standing outside a locked door right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post How to prevent losing your keys appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Most locksmith jobs are far quicker than people expect. A mobile locksmith will usually reach you across metro Melbourne in around 30 to 45 minutes, and once on site, a standard lockout takes about 10 minutes, a lock change 20 to 30 minutes, and cutting a key just a few minutes. The timing depends on your location, the type of lock, and how busy the day is.

If you are locked out or need a lock changed, waiting is the worst part, so here is a clear breakdown of how long each stage actually takes, from a locksmith reaching your door to unpicking a lock, changing it, or cutting a new key.

How long does a locksmith take? A quick reference

How long does a locksmith take to arrive?

The time it takes a locksmith to reach you depends mostly on where you are and how busy the roads are. Across metro Melbourne, most mobile locksmiths aim to arrive within around 30 to 45 minutes, with inner suburbs often quicker and outer areas or peak-hour traffic pushing it towards the longer end.

A few things affect the wait:

• Your location and distance from the locksmith’s current job or base.
• The time of day, with weekday peak hours (roughly 7 to 9am and 5 to 7pm) and major events slowing travel.
• Whether it is after hours, as availability can differ late at night, on weekends and on public holidays.
• Demand on the day, since a locksmith already on a job has to finish it first.

Our locksmiths operate day and night and aim to be with you as quickly as possible, and a good locksmith will give you a realistic time of arrival when you call rather than leaving you guessing. If your situation is urgent, it is worth understanding the difference between a standard mobile callout and an emergency one:

👉 Mobile Locksmith vs Emergency Locksmith: What’s the Difference?
👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew

How long does a locksmith take to unpick a lock?

Here is a fact that surprises people: it can take anywhere between 7 seconds and 45 minutes for a locksmith to pick a lock. That huge range comes down to the lock itself.

The time depends on factors such as multiple locking mechanisms, whether the lock has anti-picking or anti-bumping protection, its age, and how it is positioned. In most cases, though, a locksmith can unpick a standard house lock in around 10 minutes.

The other scenarios vary a little:

• Cars are a different job, and a trained locksmith can usually unlock a vehicle in a few minutes, safely and without causing damage.
• Businesses depend on the lock, but many are similar to a front-door lock and take around 5 to 10 minutes.

Speed matters, but so does doing it without wrecking the door, which is exactly what a skilled locksmith is trained for:

👉 How Locksmiths Open Locks Without Damaging Them

How long does a locksmith take to change a lock?

Changing a standard door lock usually takes a locksmith around 20 to 30 minutes. That covers removing the old lock, disassembling the cylinder, fitting the new hardware and cutting keys to suit.

More complex jobs take longer. High-security locks, multiple doors, or a full security upgrade will add time, though the locksmith can give you a clear estimate once they see what is involved. If you have recently moved house, changing or rekeying the locks is one of the most common jobs we see:

👉 Do I Need to Rekey or Replace My Locks After Moving House?

How long does a locksmith take to make a key?

If you have lost your keys and a locksmith has let you back in, it is a good idea to have your locks changed and fresh keys cut so the missing keys can’t be used.

Most locksmiths cut keys on site, which saves time, so you can usually expect a few minutes for each key. It is common now for homeowners to want a single key for every entry, so cutting several keys to one design (known as being “keyed alike”) is a popular option that cuts down the number of keys you carry and could lose.

Put together, a new locking mechanism plus additional keys can typically be completed in under 2 hours.

Locksmith timing in Kew and greater Melbourne

o there you have it: cutting a key takes a few minutes, unpicking a lock around 5 to 10 minutes, changing a lock 20 to 30 minutes, and reaching you across Melbourne usually around 30 to 45 minutes. Most jobs are done and dusted far faster than the stress of a lockout would suggest.

VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne, day and night, for lockouts, lock changes, rekeying and key cutting, and we will give you a realistic time of arrival when you call. For a clear idea of costs alongside timing, our Melbourne pricing guide breaks it down:

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?
👉 Do Locksmiths Charge Call-Out Fees in Melbourne?

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, and we will let you know how quickly we can be there.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post How Long Does a Locksmith Take? appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Most Melbournians hire a locksmith in a hurry, locked out, dealing with a break-in, or moving into a new home and wanting the locks changed ASAP. That urgency is exactly when mistakes happen, because a stressed customer is far more likely to take the first locksmith that answers the phone without asking the questions that matter.

The overwhelming majority of locksmiths in Melbourne are skilled, honest tradespeople who just want to get you back inside and on with your day. But the trade does attract a small number of bad actors, and a little knowledge protects you from them. Here are the five mistakes we see customers make most often, and how to avoid each one.

The five mistakes, at a glance:

• Not checking qualifications and accreditation.
• Not getting a clear price in writing up front.
• Ignoring reputation and track record.
• Not confirming the locksmith is insured.
• Choosing on price alone.

1. Not checking qualifications and accreditation

The most common mistake is assuming that anyone who turns up with a van and a drill is a trained locksmith. They might not be. A qualified locksmith in Australia has typically completed an apprenticeship and holds a Certificate III in Locksmithing, and many belong to the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA), membership of which involves police checks, insurance and a code of ethics.

Licensing is worth understanding too, because it has changed. Victoria significantly reformed its private security licensing from 2025, with new rules phased in through to mid-2026, and the framework is still settling (you can see the current position via Victoria Police). Because licence status varies and shifts, the most reliable thing you can do is check for verifiable qualifications and MLAA membership before the locksmith starts work on your property. A good locksmith won’t mind the question.

👉 Are All Locksmiths Licensed in Victoria?

2. Not getting a clear price in writing up front

There are plenty of stories online of a call-out locksmith quoting one figure on the phone, then presenting a far larger bill once the work is done and the customer feels they have no choice but to pay. Don’t put yourself in that position.

Always ask for a price estimate in writing before any work begins, and make sure it covers the call-out fee, the labour, and any after-hours or weekend surcharge. A trustworthy locksmith will happily give you that clarity, because transparent pricing is part of doing the job properly.

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?
👉 Do Locksmiths Charge Call-Out Fees in Melbourne?

3. Assuming the locksmith is local when they’re not

Not every “Melbourne locksmith” you find online is actually in Melbourne, or even a locksmith.

One of the most common traps is the call-centre operation: a flood of cheap online listings, often advertising a headline rate like $29, that route your call to a national or overseas call centre rather than to a local tradesperson. The centre dispatches whoever is nearest, frequently someone unqualified, in an unmarked car, who then bumps the price up steeply once they are at your door and you are already locked out. The advertised price is the bait, and the real bill can run into the hundreds or thousands. Consumer Affairs Victoria and the ACCC’s Scamwatch field these complaints regularly.

The protection is to make sure you are dealing with a genuine local locksmith, not a faceless dispatcher.

Before you book, check that you can speak to the actual locksmith or someone who clearly knows the area, that they have a real local service area and phone number, that they will give you a price range over the phone, and that they arrive in a marked vehicle and can identify themselves.

A suspiciously low “and up” headline price, a call-taker who will not share any detail, and a reluctance to quote are the classic warning signs.

4. Not confirming the locksmith is insured

Opening a stuck lock or forcing entry after a break-in occasionally carries a risk of damage to the door or surrounding hardware. If something does go wrong and your locksmith isn’t insured, the cost can land on you.

Confirm the locksmith carries public liability insurance before they start. This is often a non-issue with MLAA members, since cover is part of membership, but it’s always worth a quick question. For context, a skilled locksmith usually opens locks with little or no damage in the first place:

👉 How Locksmiths Open Locks Without Damaging Them

5. Choosing on price alone

If a quote looks and sounds too good to be true, it usually is. A suspiciously low headline price is one of the oldest tricks in the trade: it gets the locksmith to your door, and the final bill bears little resemblance to the figure that won your booking.

The cheapest option can also be an unqualified one, which is a false economy when your home’s security is on the line.

Weigh the whole package, qualifications, insurance, a clear quote and a solid reputation, not just the dollar figure. Knowing the typical cost of a locksmith in Melbourne gives you a baseline to judge a quote against, so you can spot both the rip-offs and the too-good-to-be-true bait.

Your quick pre-hire checklist

Before you commit, run through this. A good locksmith will pass it comfortably.

Hiring a locksmith in Kew or greater Melbourne

Hiring a locksmith doesn’t have to be a gamble. A few questions about qualifications, pricing, reputation and insurance will tell you almost everything you need to know, and a good locksmith will welcome every one of them.

VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne, with transparent pricing, professional service and straightforward answers to exactly these questions, whether you need an emergency lockout, a rekey, or a full security upgrade.

👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew
👉 Residential Security Services

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, and ask us anything from this list before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Locksmith appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Last updated: June 2026

A locksmith in Melbourne typically costs $130 to $250 for a standard call-out during business hours, with the final price depending on the job, the time of day and any parts required. Simple lockouts sit at the lower end of that range, while emergency, after-hours and automotive work costs more.

Whether you’re locked out, upgrading your home security, or simply planning ahead, one of the first questions people ask our locksmiths is how much does a locksmith cost? The honest answer is that it varies, but there are clear benchmarks that tell you what’s reasonable and what might be a red flag.

This guide breaks down typical locksmith costs in Melbourne in 2026, service by service, and shows you how to avoid overpaying.

Typical locksmith cost in Melbourne

For a standard call-out during business hours, most locksmiths in Melbourne charge $130 to $250 for attendance. That usually covers travel to your property, an initial assessment, and basic labour for a simple job. It typically does not include parts, replacement locks, or more complex work, and it may not cover unusual times such as a public holiday or after hours.

The table below sets out typical Melbourne ranges across the most common jobs. Treat these as planning figures rather than fixed quotes, since every job differs, and a good locksmith will confirm the price before starting.

If you want a deeper breakdown of how call-out fees work and why they exist, see:
👉 Do Locksmiths Charge Call-Out Fees in Melbourne?

What affects locksmith pricing?

Locksmith costs aren’t fixed because each job is different. The final price is influenced by:

• Urgency. Emergency and after-hours services cost more than a planned, business-hours visit.
• Time of day. Evenings, weekends and public holidays attract higher rates.
• Type of lock. Standard locks are quicker and cheaper than high-security or smart locks.
• Complexity. A simple lockout is far less involved than a damaged or failed lock.
• Materials. Replacement parts and new hardware add to the labour cost.

For example, unlocking a door during business hours is far simpler and cheaper than replacing a damaged lock after a break-in at midnight.

Cost of a home locksmith (residential)

For residential services, pricing typically starts with the standard call-out fee, and simple jobs sit at the lower end (around $130 to $165). From there:

• Lockouts are usually the cheapest job when non-destructive entry is possible.
• Rekeying or lock changes increase the cost depending on the number of locks involved.
• Installing new locks or upgrading security adds hardware costs on top of labour.

If you’ve recently moved into a property, rekeying is often the most cost-effective option, since it keeps your existing hardware while locking out anyone who held an old key:
👉 Do I Need to Rekey or Replace My Locks After Moving House?

For a broader look at protecting your home, our residential team can advise on the right level of security for your property:
👉 Residential Security Services

Cost of an emergency locksmith

Emergency locksmith services cost more than a planned visit, mainly because of urgency and round-the-clock availability. You can expect:

• Higher call-out fees, often from around $200 and rising late at night.
• Increased labour rates outside business hours.
• Possible weekend and public holiday surcharges.

Emergency situations include lockouts late at night, break-ins, or a lock that can no longer secure your property. One practical tip: if it’s mid-afternoon and not truly urgent, calling before the after-hours window can save you a meaningful amount. If you’re not sure whether your situation counts as an emergency, this guide explains the difference:
👉 Mobile Locksmith vs Emergency Locksmith: What’s the Difference?

We cover urgent lockouts across Kew and the inner suburbs day and night:
👉 Emergency Locksmith in Kew

Cost of a commercial locksmith

Commercial locksmith work is often more complex than residential, so costs vary more. The price depends on:

• The number of doors or access points involved.
• The type of locks, with restricted or master-key systems costing more than standard locks.
• Key systems and access control requirements, which may need planning and setup.

For businesses, rekeying or installing restricted systems involves additional design and setup, which increases the overall cost but pays off in control and accountability. If you’re reviewing access across a site, it’s worth understanding when rekeying is enough and when replacing locks makes more sense:
👉 Business Locksmith Services

How much does a locksmith cost for a car?

This is where a single figure is most misleading, because “automotive locksmith” covers everything from a thirty-second lockout to programming an encrypted smart key. It helps to separate them out.

The big cost driver is the key type. A simple unlock is inexpensive, but a modern proximity or transponder key contains an encrypted chip that has to be programmed to your specific vehicle with specialised, often brand-specific equipment, which is why luxury and European models sit at the upper end. Ignition lock problems and auto lock repairs add labour on top.

The bottom line for cars: tell the locksmith the make, model, year and what’s gone wrong, and you’ll get a far more accurate quote than any general range can offer.

How to avoid overpaying

One of the biggest worries customers have, especially in an emergency, is being overcharged. To protect yourself:

• Always ask for pricing upfront and get the total, not just the call-out fee.
• Confirm call-out fees before booking, including any after-hours or travel surcharges.
• Be cautious of unusually low advertised prices, which can balloon once the locksmith arrives.
• Choose a reputable, established and licensed locksmith rather than the cheapest unknown.

A suspiciously cheap quote is one of the most common traps, and it’s far from the only one:
👉 Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Locksmith

Locksmith pricing in Kew and greater Melbourne

Locksmith pricing in Melbourne varies with the job, but most standard services begin with a call-out fee in the $130 to $250 range, with extra costs based on labour and materials. The best protection against overpaying is a clear quote before any work starts.

VicLocks offers transparent pricing and professional service across Kew and greater Melbourne, whether you need a lockout, rekeying, a security upgrade, or help with a car key. Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297 for a clear quote and practical advice tailored to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne? (2026 Price Guide) appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Can a locksmith open a smart lock?

In most cases, yes, a locksmith can open a smart lock and get you back inside. It’s a common myth that a smart lock puts you beyond a locksmith’s help. In reality, the vast majority of smart locks can be opened, repaired or worked around, and a dead battery or a jammed bolt (the two most common reasons people get locked out) is usually a quick fix for an experienced locksmith.

If you’re standing outside your home right now, locked out your Melbourne property thanks to a smart lock, the short version is this: call a locksmith, because you almost certainly have options.

The rest of this guide explains:

• how a locksmith actually opens a smart lock,
• the few situations where it’s harder,
• and how to set your lock up so you’re never stuck in the first place.

Can a locksmith open a smart lock if I’m locked out?

Usually, yes. A smart lock is still a physical lock on a physical door, and that gives a locksmith several ways in depending on what’s gone wrong.

• Mechanical key override. Most quality smart locks include a hidden keyhole for a traditional key, designed for exactly this situation. If you’ve lost or never cut that key, a locksmith can often pick or operate that mechanical cylinder the same way they would any standard lock.
• Power and reset. If the lock is dead or glitching, the fix can be as simple as restoring power or resetting the unit. Many models have an external contact for emergency power, and a locksmith will know where to find it.
• Diagnosis and repair. A misaligned deadbolt, a worn motor or a firmware fault can stop a smart lock mid-cycle. A locksmith can diagnose the fault and, in many cases, repair or replace the failed part on the spot.
• Working the door itself. As a last resort, the locksmith addresses the physical opening rather than the electronics, in the same careful, mostly non-destructive way they’d open any locked door.

The key point: a smart lock doesn’t take a locksmith out of the picture; it just changes the job. A locksmith who works with electronic hardware will first diagnose the cause, then choose the least invasive way back in.

👉 How Locksmiths Open Locks Without Damaging Them

Why am I locked out of my smart lock?

Smart lock lockouts almost always come down to a handful of causes, and most of them are very fixable. Here’s what tends to go wrong and what a locksmith can do about each one.

If your lock is simply faulty rather than locked, it may be a sign it’s time to repair or upgrade the hardware:

👉 When to Change or Rekey Your Locks

When is a smart lock harder to open?

Honesty matters here, so here’s the flip side. A small number of smart locks are genuinely difficult to open without destructive entry. High-security electronic locks with no mechanical override, and fully integrated units with no external power contact, give a locksmith fewer non-destructive options. In those cases, the focus shifts to the door and the lock body itself, which may mean the lock is replaced rather than reopened.

The harder cases tend to share a feature rather than a brand:

• a fully keyless design with no mechanical key override,
• and no external emergency power contact.

Some Samsung, Yale and Lockly models are sold in exactly this key-free form, as are many unbranded online keypad deadbolts, and high-security commercial locks such as Salto or Abloy are built to resist bypass by design. In our experience, if your lock has no keyhole and no emergency power port, it’s worth having a backup plan before you need one.

This is also where the reassurance is worth stating plainly: if a locksmith does need to take a more forceful approach, that isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a deliberate choice when a particular lock leaves no gentler option, and a good locksmith will explain it before doing it, not after.

For a sense of what a smart lock callout might cost in Melbourne, including how callout fees work:

👉 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost in Melbourne?

How to avoid getting locked out of your smart lock

A smart lock is a convenient, secure choice when it’s set up well. A few habits keep you on the right side of the door.

Keep the mechanical override key somewhere accessible

If your lock came with a backup key, don’t leave it inside the house. Keep it with a trusted neighbour, or somewhere you can reach when the battery dies, which is the moment you’ll actually need it.

Stay on top of batteries and firmware

A dead battery is the single most common smart lock lockout. Replace batteries before they fully drain, and keep the firmware updated, since manufacturers push updates to fix faults and close security gaps. Outdated firmware can leave the lock both glitchy and less secure.

Use strong, individual access codes

Set a code that isn’t easy to guess (1-2-3-4 defeats the point), and give each household member their own code so the access log tells you who came and went. A password manager such as 1Password makes it easy to store and rotate codes. And don’t share codes by text or email.

Lock your phone

With a smart lock, your phone is your key. Many apps can unlock your door from anywhere, so a phone that falls into the wrong hands without a passcode is a serious risk. A locked phone is good practice generally and essential here.

Don’t forget the door itself

Any lock, smart or not, is only as strong as the door it’s fitted to. A solid door and frame are part of a sensible home security setup, not an afterthought:

👉 Residential Security Services

Locked out of a smart lock in Kew or Greater, Melbourne?

If you’re locked out right now, the worst thing you can do is assume nothing can be done. In most cases, a locksmith can open, reset or repair your smart lock and have you back inside, often without any damage at all. VicLocks works across Kew and greater Melbourne on smart lock lockouts, repairs and installs, alongside everyday lockouts, rekeying and broader home and business security.

Contact VicLocks today or call 0418 397 297, and tell us the brand of lock and what it’s doing (or not doing) so we can arrive ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Can a Locksmith Open a Smart Lock? appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

It’s the question every homeowner should consider before they buy: Can a smart lock actually be hacked?

The short answer is yes, in theory, but in practice, the risks are different from what you might imagine. The dramatised version we’ve seen in movies, that of a stranger remotely cracking a smart lock from a laptop in a basement, is unlikely. The realistic ones are more mundane: weak passwords, compromised email accounts, badly secured home Wi-Fi, and old firmware that never gets updated.

The good news is that Australia now has a regulatory framework specifically designed to address these risks. The Cyber Security (Security Standards for Smart Devices) Rules 2025 took effect on 4 March 2026, introducing mandatory minimum security standards for most consumer smart devices sold in Australia, including smart locks.

For the first time, manufacturers can’t legally ship cheap devices with generic default passwords or no plan to issue security updates.

This post explains the genuine risks, sets out the new rules in plain English, and walks through the practical steps you can take to make a smart lock about as safe as the locks on the doors around it. We’re going to draw on guidance from the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Home Affairs.

Let’s dive in.

How smart locks actually get attacked

Most “smart lock hacks” you read about don’t involve attacking the lock itself. They take a different path. The realistic threats fall into four categories.

1. Compromised app accounts

Your smart lock is controlled through an app, which means it’s controlled through the account behind that app. If your password is weak, reused from another site that’s been breached, or harvested through a phishing email, an attacker doesn’t need to “hack” the lock. They just log in. This is by far the most common real-world attack on smart home devices.

2. Insecure home Wi-Fi

A smart lock is one device on your home network. If the network itself is poorly secured (default router password left unchanged, outdated firmware, an open guest network), an attacker who gains access to the network can probe everything attached to it. The Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends running a separate Wi-Fi network for IoT devices as one of the most effective things you can do.

3. Out-of-date firmware

Like any computer, a smart lock runs software. When manufacturers find vulnerabilities, they patch them by issuing updates. A lock that hasn’t been updated for two years is running with whatever holes have been discovered in the meantime. This is why a manufacturer’s commitment to updates matters more than any single feature on the spec sheet.

4. The lock or device itself

True hardware or protocol attacks on a smart lock (intercepting Bluetooth signals, exploiting a flaw in the lock’s chip) exist but require proximity, skill, and equipment. They’re not the typical Melbourne break-in. Opportunistic burglars don’t carry signal interceptors; they look for unlocked back doors and open windows.

👉 How to tell if a lock has been tampered with

Australia’s new smart device security rules, explained

From 4 March 2026, most smart devices manufactured for the Australian consumer market, including smart locks, must meet three mandatory minimum standards. These come from the Cyber Security (Security Standards for Smart Devices) Rules 2025, made under the Cyber Security Act 2024.

In plain English, the three rules are:

• No generic default passwords. Devices can’t be shipped with a shared password like “admin” or “0000.” Each unit must have a unique password from the factory, or require the owner to set one before use.
• A public vulnerability disclosure process. Manufacturers must publish a clear way for researchers and users to report security flaws, so they can be fixed rather than left unaddressed.
• A defined security update period. Manufacturers must publicly state the minimum length of time a device will receive security updates and support. No more “buy now, abandoned in six months.”

Devices that meet the standards come with a Statement of Compliance, which is the document you can ask for or look up before buying. The framework is closely aligned with the international ETSI EN 303 645 standard, which is the global baseline for IoT cyber security.

Two important caveats.

1. First, the rules apply to devices manufactured on or after 4 March 2026. A smart lock made in 2024 isn’t required to comply, which is a real consideration when you’re looking at clearance stock or older models still on sale.
2. Second, the rules set a minimum, not a ceiling. A device that just scrapes the requirements isn’t automatically the most secure choice.

How big is the actual risk?

This is where it’s worth being honest. For a typical Melbourne home with a properly chosen and properly set up smart lock, the cyber risk is low and the convenience benefit is high.

Most break-ins remain opportunistic, physical, and focused on unlocked back doors, dodgy window latches, and forced entry to easier-looking properties down the street.

The cyber attack surface of a smart lock is real, but it’s manageable, and most of the management is the same boring-but-effective advice that applies to your email and banking: strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, software updates installed promptly, and a healthy scepticism about emails asking you to verify things.

The risk goes up if any of these apply:

• You’re using a very cheap, no-name smart lock with no manufacturer behind it.
• You haven’t changed the default password on your home router in years.
• You reuse the same password across multiple accounts, including your smart home app.
• You don’t update your phone, your lock app, or your router firmware.
• You manage rental properties or short-term lets and share access codes loosely.

If two or more of those describe your setup, the cyber risk meaningfully outpaces the physical risk, and the fixes below are worth working through.

A practical checklist: how to lock down a smart lock

Most of this checklist is drawn from the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s own IoT advice, with the smart lock specifics filled in.

What about Bluetooth-only locks?

A Bluetooth-only smart lock has no internet connection, which removes a big chunk of the remote attack surface. There’s nothing for a distant attacker to log into, because the lock isn’t reachable from anywhere except the phone in your pocket. That’s a genuine advantage if you don’t need remote access.

It doesn’t make a Bluetooth lock immune to all attacks; proximity-based attacks on Bluetooth exist, and the app account is still a potential weak point if it syncs through the cloud, but it does narrow the threat model significantly. If your priority is “secure, simple, no internet involved,” a Bluetooth-only lock from a reputable manufacturer is a defensible choice.

The convenience side: don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

It’s worth saying clearly: a properly chosen smart lock, set up with the basic precautions above, is meaningfully more secure than a traditional key for many households. Keys get lost. Keys get copied without your knowledge. Keys get left under doormats. Keys hang on hooks in unlocked cars. A smart lock with a unique PIN, multi-factor authentication, and the ability to revoke access instantly closes several real-world security gaps that a traditional key opens.

The honest framing is that smart locks change the security trade-offs rather than worsening them. Some risks go down (lost keys, unauthorised copies, no audit trail of who entered when). Some risks shift (account compromise, firmware vulnerabilities). The net position for most homeowners, with the practical steps above in place, is positive.

VicLocks for smart lock advice in Kew and greater Melbourne

VicLocks helps homeowners across Kew and greater Melbourne choose, fit, and set up smart locks that suit their doors and their household. We can talk through the realistic security trade-offs in plain language, recommend models with strong manufacturer support, fit them so the physical side is sound, and walk through the basic account and network setup so you’re not leaving obvious gaps.

If you’ve inherited a smart lock with a previous owner’s account, or aren’t sure how to lock it down, a quick consultation is better than a guess.

Contact VicLocks today on 0418 397 297 to talk through a smart lock for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Can smart locks be hacked? What Australian homeowners need to know appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

Smart locks are everywhere now: keypad entry, fingerprint readers, app control, the lot. The problem most Melbourne homeowners face isn’t choosing between features. It’s discovering, often after the lock has already arrived in the post, that the thing simply doesn’t fit an Australian door.

This happens because a large share of the smart locks sold online are designed for the American market, where the standard front door uses a separate cylindrical latch and deadbolt.

Australian doors are often different. Most use a mortice lock, a single lock body recessed into the edge of the door, and the measurements that matter here are not the ones an imported lock is built around.

The good news: plenty of smart locks are built specifically for Australian doors, and most existing Australian doors can take one with the right model and a proper install. This guide walks through what actually determines compatibility, what the connectivity options mean in plain terms, and how to avoid buying a lock you can’t fit.

Why so many smart locks don’t fit Australian doors

Australian residential doors are generally built around locksets that comply with AS 4145.2, the Australian Standard for locksets.

In practice, that means two common configurations: a mortice lock (a one-piece lock body, combining the latch and deadbolt, recessed into the door edge) and a Euro cylinder system (a replaceable cylindrical lock core, common in apartments and newer builds).

Imported smart locks, particularly the cheaper ones aimed at the US market, are built for a different setup entirely. They assume a separate deadbolt with a specific cutout, and they often don’t account for the lever-handle hardware that’s standard here. Drop one of those onto a typical Australian mortice door, and the holes don’t line up, the spindle is the wrong length, and the handing is wrong.

So the first rule of choosing a smart lock in Australia is simple: buy one designed for the Australian market, or confirm compatibility with your exact door before you order. Brand reputation matters less than fitment.

The three measurements that decide compatibility

Before you look at a single feature, measure your door. Three numbers decide whether a given smart lock will physically fit.

1. Door thickness

Most smart locks are designed for doors between 35 mm and 50 mm thick. Many Australian timber entry doors sit comfortably in that range, but solid period doors and some custom doors can be thicker, and very slim aluminium-framed doors can be thinner. A door outside the supported range may need spacers or may simply not be compatible. Measure the door edge with a tape or vernier before buying.

2. Backset

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the lock cylinder or spindle. This is the measurement that catches people out most often. Australian mortice locks commonly use a 60 mm backset, but other sizes exist, and sliding and narrow-stile doors use much smaller backsets (around 28 mm to 35 mm). If the smart lock’s backset doesn’t match your door, the handle ends up too close to or too far from the edge, and it won’t sit correctly. Good Australian smart lock suppliers offer multiple backset options or a calculator to match your door.

3. Mortice body length and width

If you’re replacing or working around an existing mortice lock, the new lock body has to fit the pocket already cut into the door. Standard Australian mortice bodies are generally 160 mm to 180 mm long and no more than about 30 mm thick. Imported “wide-body” locks (often over 60 mm wide, common in some overseas markets) won’t fit an Australian mortice pocket without major modification to the door.

The Australian-specific gotcha: screen doors

Here’s a constraint almost every overseas buying guide ignores, and one that trips up a lot of Melbourne homeowners. Many Australian homes have a security screen door fitted directly in front of the main entry door, with only a narrow gap between the two.

A chunky smart lock with a thick external escutcheon (the plate that sits on the outside of the door) may physically collide with the screen door when it’s closed, or leave too little clearance to operate the keypad.

If you have a screen door, measure the gap between it and your entry door, and look specifically for a slim-profile smart lock.

Some Australian manufacturers make low-profile models as narrow as around 30 mm deep specifically to solve this problem.

Connectivity: what Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and Matter actually mean

Once you’ve confirmed a lock will physically fit, the next decision is how to connect it. This is where the marketing gets noisy, so here’s the plain-English version of each option.

• Bluetooth. The lock talks to your phone over a short range (roughly 10 metres). It works without internet and without a hub, but you have to be near the lock to manage it. No remote access from work or while away. Fine for a basic keyless front door; limiting if you want to let someone in remotely.
• Wi-Fi. The lock connects straight to your home router, so you get remote access and notifications from anywhere with no separate hub. The trade-offs are higher battery drain (Wi-Fi is power-hungry) and reliance on your home internet being up.
• Zigbee / Z-Wave. Low-power mesh protocols that need a compatible hub. Reliable and battery-friendly, but they tie you to a particular smart-home ecosystem and an extra piece of hardware. For locks specifically, these are becoming less common as the market shifts.
• Matter (usually over Thread). The newer open standard designed so a lock works across Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings at once, with local control. For a brand-new purchase in 2026, a Matter-capable lock is the most future-proof option, though it typically needs a Matter controller or Thread border router in your home to unlock the smart features.

For most homeowners who just want keyless entry and the ability to check the door from their phone, a Wi-Fi or Matter-capable lock hits the sweet spot.

If you don’t care about remote access at all, a Bluetooth lock is cheaper and perfectly secure for what it does.

Access methods: how you’ll actually open the door

Modern smart locks offer a stack of entry methods. More isn’t always better; pick the ones you’ll use.

• PIN keypad. The workhorse. Easy to give a temporary code to a cleaner, tradie, or guest, then delete it later.
• Fingerprint. Fast and convenient for the household. Reliability varies between models and can drop in very wet or cold conditions, so it’s best as one option among several rather than the only one.
• App / Bluetooth eKey. Unlock from your phone, and send a digital key to family members.
• RFID card or fob. Useful for kids or older family members who find a phone or PIN fiddly.
• Mechanical key override. The one to insist on. A physical key backup means a flat battery or a software glitch never locks you out of your own home. Avoid any lock that has no mechanical override.

What to check before you buy: a quick comparison

Here’s the buying checklist in a single view. If a lock fails on the first three rows, the rest doesn’t matter, because it won’t fit.

Renting or living in an apartment? Read this first

If you rent, you generally can’t permanently modify the door without the rental provider’s consent, and changing a lock has its own rules in Victoria.

A retrofit smart lock that fits over the existing internal thumb-turn (without replacing the whole lock) is often the renter-friendly option, because it leaves the original hardware intact.

Even so, check your agreement and get consent before fitting anything.

For apartments and strata properties, an external smart lock may interact with a building master key system or owners corporation rules.

Confirm what’s allowed before you buy, since a lock change on a master-keyed door can affect the whole system.

👉 When to change or rekey your locks

Why professional installation is worth it

Plenty of smart locks are sold as DIY, and for a straightforward like-for-like swap on a compatible door, a confident homeowner can manage. But the failure modes are expensive: a misaligned strike means the lock won’t engage properly, a wrong-backset install leaves the handle sitting awkwardly, and a poorly fitted external door is a security gap rather than an upgrade.

A licensed locksmith brings three things to the job: confirming the lock actually suits your door before anything is cut or drilled, fitting it so the latch and strike align cleanly, and making sure the mechanical override and the rest of your door’s security still work as they should. In our experience, the most common smart lock callout is a homeowner who bought online, found it didn’t fit, and needs it sorted properly.

👉 Top 5 mistakes to avoid when hiring a locksmith

VicLocks for smart lock advice and installation in Kew and greater Melbourne

VicLocks helps homeowners across Kew and greater Melbourne choose and fit smart locks that actually suit their doors. We can assess your door before you buy, recommend a model that fits the backset, thickness, and any screen-door clearance, and install it so it’s secure and properly aligned. If you’ve already bought a smart lock and aren’t sure it fits, bring us in before you start drilling.

Contact VicLocks today on 0418 397 297 to talk through a smart lock for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Call 0418 397 297 or contact us through the website to book.

The post How to Choose a Smart Lock That Works on Australian Doors appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.

A tenant hands back two keys and the agent’s spare. The lease ends, the bond is cleared, and the property is ready for the next renter. But you don’t actually know whether those two keys are ALL of the keys. Tradies, friends, ex-partners, cleaners, the share-house mate who moved in halfway through, any of them may have had a copy cut at some point over the past twelve or twenty-four months.

For Melbourne landlords and property managers, that uncertainty is reason enough to think carefully about what happens to the locks between tenancies.

The legal position in Victoria is more relaxed than many rental providers assume, but the security case for rekeying is strong, and the cost is modest compared with the consequences of a break-in or an insurance dispute.

This guide covers the legal context, the practical workflow, what it costs in Melbourne, and the situations where rekeying moves from “good idea” to “do it now”.

What Victorian law actually says about locks between tenancies

Victoria does not legally require rental providers to rekey a property between tenancies. That sometimes surprises landlords who assume it is mandatory. Under Section 70 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), the obligations sit elsewhere.

The duties most relevant to landlords (now formally called residential rental providers) are:

• External doors and windows must have working locks. Locks must be provided on all external doors and on every window capable of having one fitted.
• Whoever changes a lock must hand over a key. If the rental provider or the renter changes any external door or window lock during a tenancy, they must give a key to the other party as soon as practicable.
• Consent is required for changing locks in a master key system, and that consent cannot be unreasonably withheld.
• Locks must be maintained. A non-functioning external lock is treated as an urgent repair under the Act.

Notice what is absent. There is no clause saying “the rental provider must rekey or replace locks at the end of every tenancy”. Some other jurisdictions have written that into law, but Victoria has not. The decision sits with the rental provider.

That makes rekeying a risk management decision, not a compliance one. Which is exactly why it deserves a clear process rather than an ad-hoc call at the end of each tenancy.

👉 Are all locksmiths licensed in Victoria?

Why rekeying between tenancies is still the sensible default

In our experience working with rental providers and property managers across Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell, and the inner east, the same handful of reasons come up again and again.

• You don’t actually know how many keys are out there. Standard residential keys can be cut at most hardware stores and shopping-centre kiosks for under $10. Over a two-year tenancy, copies multiply quietly and informally.
• The exit condition report rarely covers key history. It records the keys returned, not the keys that were ever cut.
• Insurers may scrutinise “no forced entry” claims. If a burglary occurs without signs of forced entry, the insurer may look closely at who had access. Demonstrating that locks were rekeyed at turnover is a strong signal of reasonable care.
• Your duty of care to the incoming tenant. A new renter is entitled to assume the property is secure for them, not for the previous six people who held a key.
• Marketing value. “Locks rekeyed before move-in” is a small line on a listing that quietly signals a well-managed property and tends to attract a better-quality applicant.

For most standard residential rentals, the full rekey cost sits well below one week’s rent. Weighed against the alternative of explaining to an incoming tenant why their predecessor’s plumber still has a working key, it is an easy call.

👉 When should you change or rekey your locks?

Rekeying vs replacing locks: which makes sense for a rental?

Both options achieve the same headline result, namely that old keys stop working. The right choice depends on the lock you already have, its age, and how the property is being positioned in the market.

For most well-maintained rentals, rekeying is the right call. It costs less, takes less time, and the security outcome is the same, provided the existing lock is sound. Replacement makes sense when the locks are nearing the end of their life, were chosen by a previous owner with no thought to standards, or when you want to bring the property up to an insurer-friendly specification.

A licensed locksmith can usually advise on the spot which is the better economic choice for any given property.

👉 Rekey or replace locks after moving house

What rekeying a rental property costs in Melbourne

Melbourne rekeying prices in 2025 have stayed broadly stable for the past two years. As a guide:

• Standard residential cylinder: around $100 to $200 per lock during business hours, including the call-out.
• High-security or restricted-key cylinder: around $120 to $250 per lock.
• Multiple locks at the same address: most locksmiths will discount the second and subsequent locks because the call-out is already covered by the first.
• After-hours work: expect a surcharge of $100 to $300 if you need the job done outside normal trading hours, which is rarely necessary for a planned changeover.

A typical Melbourne rental with a front door, a back door, and a side gate or laundry door usually lands somewhere between $250 and $450 to rekey all external locks in one visit. That is a fraction of one fortnight’s rent on most properties.

For property managers running a portfolio, the smart approach is to book rekeying on the same day as the exit clean, so the property is empty and the locksmith is not waiting around. That keeps the cost towards the lower end of the range.

👉 How much does a locksmith cost in Melbourne?

A practical workflow for property managers and landlords

The cleanest way to handle rekeying is to make it part of the standard turnover routine. A workable sequence:

1. Record the key count at lease signing. Note the number of keys handed over to the renter on the entry condition report.
2. Reconcile the key count at exit. At the exit inspection, count the returned keys against the entry record. Document any shortfall in writing.
3. Book the rekey before the new tenant’s start date. Aim for the gap between the cleaner finishing and the new tenant taking possession. A day or two is plenty for most homes.
4. Use a licensed Victorian locksmith. Locksmiths in Victoria operate under the security industry licensing administered through the Victoria Police Licensing and Regulation Division. Ask for the licence number if it is not displayed on their vehicle or invoice.
5. Get fresh keys cut as a matched set. Order the right number on the day, including a labelled spare for the agency or owner.
6. Update the property file. Replace the old key tags, retire any unreturned key records, and note the rekey date.
7. Hand over to the new tenant with a signed receipt. This closes the loop and supports any future insurance position.

This sequence works for both privately managed and agent-managed properties, and it scales cleanly across a portfolio.

When rekeying moves from “good idea” to “do it now”

There are a handful of situations where rekeying is no longer just a default best practice and becomes the obvious next step:

• A key was not returned at exit, and the tenant cannot confirm where it is.
• The tenancy ended in dispute, particularly where a renter has been evicted or has left under contested terms.
• A family violence intervention order affects the property or a former occupant. The Residential Tenancies Act has specific provisions in this area, and rekeying may be required quickly and confidentially.
• The property was sublet or share-housed informally, and you cannot establish how many copies of the keys were cut.
• The lock is part of a master key system in a multi-unit building, and the previous renter had a master or sub-master key.
• The previous tenancy was long, say more than three or four years, and the key history is unclear.

In these cases, treat the rekey as part of the close-out, not the next preparation, and have it done before the next tenant attends an inspection.

Working with a licensed Victorian locksmith

Locksmithing in Victoria sits within the broader private security regulatory framework, and any locksmith who fits, changes, or rekeys locks should be licensed accordingly. A quick check on the Victoria Police Licensing and Regulation Division website is good practice for any property professional engaging trades.

A good locksmith will also be a member of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA), which sets industry standards above the regulatory floor and gives you a clear point of reference if anything goes wrong.

👉 How locksmiths open locks without damaging them

The bottom line for Melbourne landlords

Victorian law does not force rekeying between tenancies, but the security, insurance, and reputational case for doing it is strong, and the cost is low. Build it into the standard exit-to-entry workflow, use a licensed locksmith, and document the change on the property file. A few hundred dollars and an hour on-site is a small price for clean key history and a tidy paper trail.

VicLocks works with landlords, property managers, and self-managing owners across Kew and greater Melbourne on tenancy-change rekeying, full lock replacements, master keying for multi-unit properties, and broader residential security upgrades. We turn up when we say we will, we explain the options before we start work, and we leave the property in better security shape than we found it.

Contact VicLocks today for a rekey quote or to set up a standing arrangement for tenancy changeovers across your portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post What Landlords Need to Know About Re-Keying After Tenants Move Out appeared first on Vic-Locks Security.