Parcel theft in Australia — what the numbers actually say.

Parcel theft — colloquially known as porch piracy — has become one of the most commonly experienced property crimes in Australia. It is opportunistic, difficult to prosecute, and almost entirely preventable. Yet millions of Australians continue to lose parcels every year, largely because the simplest solutions remain underutilised.

Understanding the scale and nature of the problem is the first step to protecting yourself from it.

How big is the parcel theft problem in Australia?

The numbers are striking. According to Finder research published in early 2025, 21% of Australians — an estimated 4.2 million people — had a parcel lost or stolen in the past year alone. The estimated annual financial loss from missing parcels across Australia sits at approximately $540 million, based on an average parcel value of $129.

Looking at the longer term, the Penn Elcom Global Parcel Theft Report found that 36% of Australians — more than one in three — have had a package lost or stolen at some point in their lifetime. Australia recorded the second-largest increase in parcel theft of any country surveyed globally, behind only the United Kingdom.

The rate of theft as a proportion of total deliveries has climbed consistently. In 2016, parcel theft represented 0.06% of all deliveries. By 2024, that figure had reached 0.154% — meaning 154 out of every 10,000 parcels delivered in Australia are now stolen. While that percentage sounds small, at the scale of Australia's parcel delivery volume, it represents millions of individual losses annually.

Which suburbs are worst affected?

Parcel theft does not distribute evenly across Australia. Analysis from Fast Courier and other logistics data providers consistently shows that the highest incidence of parcel theft occurs not in central business districts but in inner-city and suburban residential areas — particularly those with high proportions of homes with easy street frontage, minimal natural surveillance, and above-average delivery volumes.

In New South Wales, Prestons and Padstow in Sydney's southwest have consistently ranked among the worst-affected suburbs. Prestons recorded a 39.5% increase in parcel theft rates over a 12-month period, averaging 23 claims per month. In Victoria, Wandana Heights has emerged as a significant hotspot. Greater Adelaide recorded the sharpest citywide increase, with nearly a third of residents having a parcel stolen or lost in a single 12-month period.

The peak risk periods are predictable — Black Friday and Christmas account for the highest rates of theft, coinciding with the surge in online orders and the higher value of items typically ordered during these periods.

Who is most at risk?

Gen Z shoppers are the most likely generation to have had a parcel go missing, with 26% reporting a missing parcel and 7% having been direct victims of theft. This reflects their higher online shopping frequency rather than any specific targeting. Gen X has the highest average value for missing parcels at $178, making their losses the most financially significant.

Properties most vulnerable to parcel theft share common characteristics: street-facing letterboxes or front doors with no screening, no surveillance cameras, no natural foot traffic from neighbours, and consistent delivery patterns that alert opportunistic thieves to when parcels arrive.

What are the most common items stolen?

Amazon deliveries account for 47% of stolen parcel reports in Australia, reflecting the platform's dominance in Australian online retail. eBay and Temu deliveries each account for around 21% of reported thefts. Electronics, clothing and household goods represent the most frequently stolen categories.

Notably, almost half of parcel theft victims — 49% — do not report the theft to authorities. This means official crime statistics significantly understate the true scale of the problem, and the actual number of affected Australians is likely higher than survey data suggests.

Are stolen parcels covered by insurance?

Generally, no. Contents insurance policies typically cover items stolen from inside your home, not from your doorstep. According to Adrian Taylor of Compare the Market, stolen goods ordered online are rarely covered by a standard contents insurance policy. Retailer or carrier insurance may cover the replacement of lost items in transit, but once marked as delivered, the responsibility typically falls to the buyer.

Credit card purchase protection may offer some coverage — if you paid with a credit card that includes purchase protection, you may be entitled to a refund for items that go missing after delivery. Check the terms of your specific card.

What actually prevents parcel theft?

The most effective prevention measures are physical rather than digital. A secure parcel box — one with a one-way drop mechanism and a properly locked retrieval door — eliminates the opportunity for porch piracy entirely. A parcel that cannot be seen and cannot be extracted without a key or code is not a target.

Security cameras and video doorbells deter some opportunistic theft and provide evidence when theft does occur, but they do not prevent it. Only 38% of Australians who regularly receive deliveries have cameras installed. Active tracking of parcels reduces the window of opportunity by ensuring you know when a delivery has been made, but does not secure the parcel while you are away.

The combination of a well-installed parcel box and a security camera represents the most comprehensive residential solution currently available. The box secures the parcel. The camera documents anyone who approaches. Together, they remove both the opportunity and the anonymity that make porch piracy so prevalent.