General safety advice

Melbourne is a safe and friendly city, but you need to:

• be alert when crossing roads. Look both ways for cars, trams, cyclists and other pedestrians
• dial 000 in an emergency. This is a free call, 24 hours a day for fire, police and ambulance
• avoid travelling alone at night, walk in well-lit areas and avoid dark shortcuts
• turn down the volume or switch off your ipod so you are aware of your environment
• report any attack to Victoria Police

General advice from Victoria Police:

• create a network of people you know
• get to know the local area
• familiarise yourself with the public transport system
• keep emergency number 000 on speed dial

Public transport

Public Transport Victoria provides information about Melbourne's public transport operators (train, tram and buses). Their website has useful safety tips including:

• planning your trip and carrying an up to date timetable
• travelling in the first carriage of the train, directly behind the driver
• using premium stations that have staff in attendance
• catching the NightRider bus for late night services. It travels from the city to the suburbs
• if you are riding your bike, beware of tram tracks and obey laws governing road traffic
• pressing the red emergency button near train exits, which allows the driver to see you on a screen and call police if needed
• sitting in carriages with other people rather than by yourself
• keeping possessions close to you and not on view

When waiting at a station make sure you:

• stand in well lit areas
• be aware of where the cameras are located
• stand near the silver box with red and green buttons, located on the station wall. Press the red button to contact station staff

On the road

Did you know you could be fined for crossing the road in the wrong place? VicRoads reports 15 percent of deaths and 11 percent of serious injuries on our roads are pedestrian accidents. Visit the VicRoads website to find out about pedestrian safety.

For statistics and information about safe driving and road use, visit the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) website.

At home

Victoria Police provide safety tips to help keep you safe at home. The Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board advises how to keep your home safe and what to do in the event of a fire.  

In the water

The Victorian Government's 'Play it Safe by the Water' campaign helps make all Victorian residents aware of water safety.  

Remember to:  

• watch your friends when swimming
• never run, jump or dive in shallow water
• always swim at a beach patrolled by lifesavers
• swim between red and yellow flags wherever possible
• stay out of the water if you are not a confident swimmer