Car theft claims rose a significant 25 per cent in Victoria in 2025, leaving the state solely responsible for pushing the national figure higher.
Around 32,000 vehicles were stolen in Victoria last year, the highest number since 2001, in stark contrast to lower theft rates across the rest of the country.
According to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), the 25 per cent rise came on top of already record-high vehicle theft rates in Victoria and resulted in $243 million worth of insurance claims – more than every other state combined.
That was up from $173 million in Victoria the previous year, itself a staggering increase on the $46 million recorded 12 months earlier.
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“A car is stolen or broken into every 42 minutes in Victoria. This level of crime is not acceptable,” ICA chief executive Andrew Hall said in a statement.
While Victoria recorded more thefts, every other state analysed by the ICA saw lower rates, with claims down 15 per cent in Western Australia, 14 per cent in South Australia and 12 per cent in Queensland.
It also said vehicle theft rates in New South Wales fell 1.6 per cent from 2024 to 2025.
“Each year, Victoria’s numbers stand apart from the rest of the country, and that gap is widening,” Mr Hall said.
“While every other state is effectively reducing car theft, in Victoria the volume of claims and the costs involved remain at unacceptable levels and that sustained pattern is what’s most concerning.”
More than 12,500 insurance claims for vehicle theft were made in Victoria, with the majority centred on metropolitan areas.
Police have targeted organised crime rings that have focused primarily on a number of popular models, including the Toyota LandCruiser, HiLux and RAV4, prompting the automaker to take steps to improve vehicle security.
Popular vehicles such as the Holden Commodore and Subaru Impreza have also become increasingly popular targets for thieves.
Victoria’s result pushed the national vehicle theft figure higher, with claims rising 2.5 per cent to 29,000 in 2025. The ICA said that without Victoria’s increase, there would have been a 10 per cent decline in claims and an eight per cent fall in costs.
It also said theft claim frequency fell in every state apart from Victoria, where it rose 31 per cent.
Victoria Police launched Operation Nighthawk in October 2025, targeting vehicle theft in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Crime Stoppers has also run a campaign called ‘Level Up Against Car Theft’, offering motorists a range of tips to help reduce the risk of their vehicle being stolen.
MORE: The troubling numbers behind Victoria’s car theft crisis