Insights
5 minute read
Home Invasions On The Rise In Victoria
Authored by
Jane Doe
Released on
20 Oct 2025
Early this week, police charged two boys after alleged early-morning break-ins in Hawthorn. One homeowner chased and restrained a 15-year-old until officers arrived. This is one case, but it reflects a broader pattern you may be seeing in headlines across Victoria.
What the law says in simple terms
Victoria
• Section 77A creates the offence of home invasion. It is a Category 2 offence under the Sentencing Act, which generally means courts must impose a custodial order unless specific exceptions apply. The maximum penalty is 25 years. AustLII
• Section 77B creates aggravated home invasion. It is Category 1, which requires a custodial sentence. The maximum penalty is also 25 years. AustLII
New South Wales
• NSW does not use the label home invasion in legislation. Similar conduct is charged as break, enter and commit serious indictable offence under section 112, with aggravated and specially aggravated forms that carry higher maximum penalties. Guidance from the Judicial Commission explains how aggravation works under section 105A.
Home invasion vs burglary
Topic | Burglary general | Home invasion Vic s 77A | Aggravated home invasion Vic s 77B |
|---|---|---|---|
People present | Not always required | Person may be present or other specified conditions | Person present required |
Armed or in company | Not required in basic form | Being armed or in company can satisfy elements | Armed and in company with two or more others |
Maximum penalty | Varies by law and any aggravation | Up to 25 years | Up to 25 years |
Sentencing category in Victoria | Not a single category | Category 2 | Category 1 |
Sources for definitions and penalties are linked to the Victorian Act and plain-English guides.
Penalties at a glance
Where | Offence label | Top-line maximums | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Victoria | Home invasion s 77A | Up to 25 years | Category 2, custodial order expected unless special reasons. (AustLII) |
Victoria | Aggravated home invasion s 77B | Up to 25 years | Category 1, mandatory custody. (AustLII) |
New South Wales | Break, enter and commit serious indictable offence s 112 | Base 14 years, aggravated 20 years, specially aggravated 25 years | Aggravating factors defined in s 105A, with bench book guidance. (AustLII) |
How common are break-ins right now
National picture
The ABS reports 2.1 per cent of households experienced a break-in in 2023 to 2024, up from 1.8 per cent the year before. That is about 32,000 more households.
What to do during a home invasion
This is general safety guidance. Get legal advice for specific questions.
Call 000 as soon as it is safe.
Put people first. Avoid confrontation if you can.
Move to a safer room and lock the door if possible.
Stay on the line with police. Give simple details such as descriptions and last known direction.
Afterwards, get medical checks, preserve the scene for evidence, and contact your insurer.
On self-defence, Australian coverage and legal commentary stress that only force that is reasonably necessary is lawful. This area is complex and fact specific.
Prevention checklist for homes and small businesses
Start with easy wins
Lock doors and windows, even when you are home. Many break-ins exploit unlocked points. Victoria Police has a clear checklist. Victoria Police
Keep keys and wallets out of sight. Do not leave car keys near the front door.
Deadbolts and reinforced strike plates on external doors, plus window locks.
Door viewers, good letterbox security and a solid door core.
If you use smart locks or garage remotes, review access control and PIN sharing.
Lighting and visibility
Motion-sensing lights on paths and entry points.
Trim shrubs that hide doors and windows.
Video doorbells and cameras that notify you quickly.
Monitored alarms so a trained operator can triage an event and contact police. See how PeakFriend monitoring works.
Recent Victorian stories to understand the issue
These examples are allegations only. They help show what is being reported across Victoria in 2025.
13 October 2025 — Hawthorn
Two boys, 14 and 15, were charged after early-morning break-ins. A homeowner on Kinkora Road chased and restrained a 15-year-old until police arrived.
6 September 2025 — Rosebud
Four youths were charged after an alleged aggravated home invasion on Bilbul Avenue about 2.50 am, with victims threatened in a bedroom before offenders fled.
24 February 2025 — Kew
A couple on Sackville Street reportedly woke around 4 am to find masked intruders in their bedroom during an alleged home invasion. Several teens were later charged.
To Summarise
Home invasion is a serious risk because people are present. Victoria has specific offences for home invasion and aggravated home invasion, and courts treat them seriously. The best approach is layered prevention, fast detection and a calm plan for what to do if something happens. Speak to PeakFriend today about how your home can stay protected from those who wish to steal from you.