Security camera systems for homes and small businesses in Australia

A security camera system can help protect a home or small business, but getting one right involves more than picking a camera. This page explains the main types of camera and recorder in general terms, how to plan what you cover, who is allowed to do the electrical, cabling and security installation work, what privacy, surveillance and workplace surveillance laws say, how to keep internet-connected cameras secure, what the Australian Consumer Law gives you, and how to avoid scams, with links to official Australian sources.

This is a free, non-commercial reference page. It sells nothing and does not list, review or recommend any camera, recorder, app, cloud service, brand, shop or installer. It is general information, not legal, electrical, security or privacy advice. Laws and licensing differ between states and territories and change over time, so check current details with the official websites linked below. This page is not affiliated with any business or government body, and listing is not an endorsement.

The guide

From camera and recorder types and planning coverage, through who can install and the privacy, surveillance and workplace laws, to cyber security, consumer rights and scams.

Types of camera

Cameras differ mainly in how they get power and send video. Wired cameras run a cable back to a recorder; with Power over Ethernet (PoE), a single network cable carries both power and data. Wireless cameras send video over Wi-Fi but usually still need a power point or power cable nearby. Battery cameras need no power cable and are easy to place, but must be recharged or have batteries replaced, and often record only when triggered by motion. Doorbell cameras combine a camera with a doorbell. Think about where each camera will go, how it will be powered, how reliable your Wi-Fi is at that spot, and whether it needs to work outdoors.

Recorders and cloud storage

Footage has to be stored somewhere. A network video recorder (NVR) records from network (IP) cameras, while a digital video recorder (DVR) records from analogue cameras over coaxial cable. Some cameras record to a memory card inside the camera, and many send footage to a cloud service run by the manufacturer, often for an ongoing fee. Ask how long footage is kept, who can access it, where it is stored, whether the system still records if the internet drops out, and what happens to your footage and account if you stop paying or the service closes.

Planning coverage

Start with what you want the system to do: see who is at the door, watch a driveway, a shopfront, a cash register, a stockroom or a back gate. Walk the property and note entry points, lighting at night, glare from the sun, and where cables or power can reach. Aim cameras at your own property rather than at neighbours' homes, yards or windows, and think about what microphones will pick up. If you run a business, also consider which areas staff and customers use, and keep cameras out of private areas. Planning first usually means fewer cameras, better placement and fewer disputes later.

Electrical work needs a licensed electrician

Plugging a camera into an existing power point is not electrical work, but adding power points, wiring into the mains or hard-wiring lights and cameras is. NSW Government guidance says you must have an electrical licence before undertaking any electrical wiring work in NSW, regardless of the cost or type of work. The SA Government says that by law you must use a licensed electrician for all electrical work on your property apart from a short list of simple tasks. Energy Safe Victoria says to always engage a registered electrical contractor, that doing your own electrical work is illegal and can be deadly, and that licensed electricians must give you a Certificate of Electrical Safety.

Data and communications cabling needs a registered cabler

Network, data and alarm cabling inside a home or business is regulated separately from electrical wiring. The ACMA says a registered cabler must perform telecommunications, fire, security and data communications cabling, and advises always using a registered cabler for work on phone, internet or alarm cables in your home or workplace. It suggests asking to see the cabler's registration card, checking it is current with their registrar, and expecting a signed completion form at the end of the job. The ACMA's 'find a registered cabler' page explains how to search and lists the registrars.

Security licensing for installers

In several states, people who install or service security equipment for others must hold a security licence, in addition to any electrical or cabling licence. The NSW Police Security Licensing and Enforcement Directorate says a Class 2C Security Equipment Specialist licence covers selling, installing, maintaining, repairing and servicing security equipment, including CCTV cameras and alarm systems. Victoria Police's Licensing and Regulation Division says all private security activities are licensed and that security equipment installers include those who install security camera or audio systems. In South Australia, installing and maintaining security systems requires a security agent's licence. WA Police Licensing Services issues a Security Installer licence for alarms and CCTV.

Privacy law for businesses

The OAIC says the Privacy Act 1988 covers Australian Government agencies and organisations with an annual turnover of more than $3 million, and some smaller businesses regardless of turnover, such as health service providers and businesses trading in personal information. If the Act covers your business, personal information collected by a security camera must be handled under the Australian Privacy Principles: you must tell people their image may be captured before they are recorded, keep recordings secure, and destroy or de-identify them when no longer needed. The OAIC notes that state and territory surveillance laws can apply whether or not the Privacy Act does.

Surveillance devices laws: audio, filming and neighbours

Each state and territory has its own surveillance devices law, and audio is usually treated more strictly than video. In NSW, the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 makes it an offence to use a listening device to record a private conversation you are not a party to, with limited exceptions, and to install or use a camera where that involves entering premises without consent. In South Australia, the Legal Services Commission's Law Handbook says it is generally prohibited, without consent, to use a listening device to record a private conversation or a camera to record a private activity. The OAIC says the Privacy Act does not cover cameras run by individuals in a private capacity; if a neighbour's camera worries you, talk to them first, then try mediation, your council or strata by-laws, and police if you feel unsafe.

Cameras in the workplace

If you employ staff, workplace surveillance laws may apply. In the ACT, the Workplace Privacy Act 2011 requires employers to give workers written notice at least 14 days before optical surveillance starts (unless a worker agrees to less), to consult in good faith, to keep cameras clearly visible, and to put signs at each workplace entrance; surveillance in toilets, change rooms, showers, parent rooms, prayer rooms, sick bays and first-aid rooms is prohibited. NSW has its own Workplace Surveillance Act 2005. Check the law in your state or territory before installing cameras where staff work, and tell staff in writing what is being recorded and why.

Cyber security of connected cameras

Internet-connected cameras can be hacked if left with weak settings. The Australian Cyber Security Centre warns that default usernames and passwords are collected and posted online, and advises replacing them with a strong passphrase, applying updates promptly, replacing devices that no longer get updates, securing your Wi-Fi, putting smart devices on a separate guest network, limiting remote administration, and erasing data and resetting a device before disposing of it. The Department of Home Affairs says security standards for smart devices under the Cyber Security Act 2024 commenced on 4 March 2026: in-scope consumer devices made from then must have unique or user-set passwords, a published way to report security issues, and a published support period for security updates.

Consumer guarantees and product safety

The ACCC says consumer guarantees apply automatically when you buy from a business, including online: products must be of acceptable quality, fit for any purpose you made known, and match their description, and installation services must be carried out with due care and skill. For a major problem you can choose a refund or replacement; for a minor problem the business must fix it for free. Change of mind is not covered unless the business has its own policy, and most guarantees do not apply to one-off private sales. Search Product Safety Australia's recalls before buying, and for battery cameras follow its lithium-ion battery advice on charging, storage and disposal.

Scams and buying online

Scamwatch warns about online stores with prices far below other retailers, glowing reviews with no detail, no terms and conditions, ABN or privacy policy, and requests to pay in unusual ways such as money orders, pre-loaded cards or multiple PayIDs or accounts. The ACCC says overseas businesses selling directly to Australians must follow the Australian Consumer Law, but getting a remedy can be difficult, and on marketplaces your rights are against the seller, not the platform. If you have been scammed, contact your bank straight away and report it to Scamwatch; report cybercrime to police through cyber.gov.au.

Directory

Official Australian sources on installer licensing, cabling, privacy, surveillance and workplace surveillance laws, cyber security, consumer law, product safety and scams, instead of a list of shops, brands or installers. Each entry was checked against its own official website.

What is listed. Only government bodies, regulators and official legal information services whose page could be fetched and checked are included, and each link goes to that body's own page. The list is not complete, not every state and territory is covered for every topic, and it is in no particular order. No shops, brands, installers or cloud services are listed.

Not an endorsement. Listing is not a recommendation. This page is not affiliated with any organisation below and does not review, rank or recommend any camera, recorder, app, installer, seller or platform.

Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement. Links are to official websites as published at the time of checking.

Questions to ask before you buy or book an installer

Plain questions worth putting to a seller or installer, and checking against official sources, before you hand over money for a camera system or its installation.

Who will do the electrical work, and are they licensed?

Wiring into the mains, new power points and hard-wired fittings need a licensed electrician; ask to see the licence and for the compliance certificate your state requires.

Will a registered cabler run the network or data cables?

The ACMA says security and data communications cabling must be done by a registered cabler. Ask for their registration card and a signed completion form.

Does the installer hold a security licence where my state requires one?

NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia license people who install or service security equipment. Check the licence on the regulator's register.

Where is footage stored, for how long, and who can see it?

Ask whether recordings stay on a local recorder or go to a cloud service, whether there is an ongoing fee, and how footage is protected and deleted.

Can I set my own password, and how long will the camera get security updates?

The ACSC advises changing default passwords and replacing devices that no longer receive updates. Ask the seller for the published support period.

Will the cameras record audio, or film neighbours, the street or staff?

Surveillance devices laws generally restrict recording private conversations and activities, and workplace laws may require notice and signs. Plan placement and audio settings before installing.

Is the seller a business, and has the product been recalled?

Consumer guarantees apply when you buy from a business but generally not in a one-off private sale. Search Product Safety Australia's recalls first.

How does the seller want to be paid?

Scamwatch warns about very low prices, sites with no ABN or terms, and requests to pay by money order, pre-loaded card or multiple accounts.

About this page

securitycamerasystem.com.au is a free, non-commercial reference page published by Radiant Life Distributors Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Despite the domain name, it sells nothing and does not list, review or recommend any camera, recorder, app, cloud service, brand, shop or installer. It is general information, not legal, electrical, security or privacy advice, and it is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any organisation listed; listing is not an endorsement. Information was checked against official websites in October 2026; laws and licensing rules change, so confirm current details with the organisations linked above.