Buying your first safe can seem straightforward, but focusing on price alone can leave you with a safe that is too small, offers the wrong protection or cannot be securely installed where you need it.
For Australians protecting documents, jewellery, cash and other valuables, the right safe should suit both the contents and the risks involved.
If you are looking to buy a safe in Australia, start by considering the size, security level, fire protection, lock type and installation requirements that suit what you need to protect.
Why Secure Storage Still Matters for Australian Households
Cameras, alarms and smart doorbells can help deter or detect intruders, but they do not physically secure valuables. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 196,600 Australian households experienced a break-in in 2024–25. In the most recent incidents, 69% had property stolen, with personal items such as jewellery among the commonly stolen goods.
Secure storage adds another layer of protection for documents, jewellery and cash. More specialised storage may be required for firearms, medicines, business records and digital assets such as hardware wallets or recovery information.
Step 1: Decide What You Need to Protect
Before comparing appearance or price, list what you need to secure. Your contents determine the space, burglary protection, fire resistance and access control you should look for.
This may include:
- Passports and birth certificates
- Jewellery and cash
- Property documents
- Firearms
- Cryptocurrency hardware wallets or recovery information
- Prescription medicines
- Business records
Once you know what needs protecting, you can narrow the choice to the appropriate category. Askwith’s range includes home and document safes, firearm storage, pharmaceutical safes, cash and deposit safes and commercial security products.
Step 2: Understand the Different Types of Safes
Not every safe is designed for the same job.
| Safe type | Common use |
|---|---|
| Home safe | Passports, cash and everyday valuables |
| Fire-resistant/document safe | Important papers and records |
| Gun safe | Firearms, subject to applicable storage requirements |
| Jewellery safe | Watches, jewellery and smaller high-value items |
| Cash/deposit safe | Cash handling and controlled staff deposits |
| Commercial safe | Business cash, records, keys and higher-value assets |
For first-time buyers, the best home safe is not simply the largest or most expensive option. It is one designed for the contents you are storing, the protection required and the location where it will be installed.
Fire Protection Matters More Than Most Buyers Realise
Burglary protection does not automatically mean fire protection. This matters when storing passports, certificates, property records or other difficult-to-replace documents.
Australia’s 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires destroyed 3,103 homes, according to data published by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. The National Emergency Management Agency also encourages Australians to understand their property’s individual bushfire risk.
For important papers or irreplaceable records, a fireproof home safe, more accurately described as fire-resistant or fire-rated, may be worth considering.
Check the specific fire rating and what type of contents the safe has been tested to protect rather than relying on the word “fireproof” alone.
Choosing the Right Safe Size: Buy for Tomorrow, Not Just Today
A common first-time mistake is buying only enough space for today’s valuables. Documents, jewellery and other items can quickly accumulate.
As a practical rule of thumb rather than a formal standard, allowing around 30–50% spare capacity can reduce the chance of outgrowing the safe after only a few years. Compare internal rather than external dimensions, as shelves, compartments and door mechanisms can reduce usable space.
Lock Types Explained: Which One Is Right for You?
Four common options are key locks, mechanical combination locks, digital keypads and biometric fingerprint access. Each has different advantages depending on how frequently the safe is used and how access needs to be managed.
| Lock | Main benefit | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Digital keypad | Fast access and changeable codes | Requires batteries and secure code management |
| Key lock | Simple to use | Keys can be lost or copied |
| Combination | No key or battery | Slower access and a combination to remember |
| Biometric | Convenient fingerprint access | Performance varies by model and system quality |
A digital home safe can suit frequent household use, but no lock should be judged in isolation from the safe’s construction, rating and installation.
Should You Choose a Floor Safe, Wall Safe or Freestanding Safe?
Floor safes can provide discreet storage and may be installed into concrete. Wall safes can be concealed within a suitable wall or cabinetry. Freestanding safes offer more flexibility in size and placement but still need secure anchoring.
Before choosing, consider the structure, access, door clearance, visibility and suitable fixing points. Askwith recommends bolting safes down regardless of their size or weight to reduce the risk of the entire safe being removed.
Don’t Forget Safe Ratings and Certifications
A burglary or security rating relates to resistance against forced entry, while a fire rating relates to tested protection under specified fire conditions. One does not automatically guarantee the other.
Choose ratings around what you are protecting. Jewellery and cash may justify stronger burglary protection, while documents may make tested fire protection more important. Check what any certification covers and confirm insurer requirements before purchasing.
Installation Is Just as Important as the Safe Itself
Even an expensive safe can be vulnerable if it is not properly anchored, as the entire safe may be removed.
Poor installations may use unsuitable fixings or surfaces, overlook door clearance or leave the safe unnecessarily exposed. For safe installation in Perth, Askwith provides delivery and professional bolt-down installation.
Common Mistakes First-Time Safe Buyers Make
If you are comparing home safes for sale, use the points above as a final check before choosing a model:
- Buying too small for future needs
- Assuming a heavy safe does not need anchoring
- Assuming every safe offers fire protection
- Overlooking installation and site conditions
- Ignoring insurance requirements for higher-value contents
- Choosing primarily on price rather than required protection
Which Safe Is Best for Different Types of Buyers?
| Buyer | Suitable starting point |
|---|---|
| Young families | General home safe for documents and valuables |
| Homeowners | Home safe with burglary and, where needed, fire protection |
| Apartment residents | Compact safe that can be securely anchored |
| Firearm owners | Purpose-built gun safe suited to applicable requirements |
| Small businesses | Commercial, cash or deposit safe |
| Collectors | Jewellery or higher-security safe matched to the collection |
These are useful starting points, but the value and type of contents, available space, applicable storage requirements and installation site should guide the final choice.
Questions to Ask Before Buying Your First Safe
Before purchasing, ask:
- What am I protecting?
- Do I need fire protection?
- Where will the safe be installed?
- Can it be professionally anchored?
- Will I outgrow it within five years?
- Does my insurer have any specific requirements?
These answers help narrow down the right size, lock, rating and safe category.
Why Australians Trust Askwith Company for Their First Safe
Askwith Safe Company was established in 1997 and is family-owned and operated. Founder Peter Askwith has more than 30 years of industry experience, while Richard and Mark Askwith bring documented security, locksmith and safe-installation experience to the team.
Askwith also provides delivery, professional bolt-down installation, safe relocation, maintenance, repairs and locksmith services. Based in Willetton, Perth, Askwith supplies products Australia-wide, while installation and relocation availability depends on the location and site requirements.
Buying your first safe does not need to be confusing. Whether you are protecting documents, jewellery, cash, firearms or family valuables, Askwith can help you compare the right size, security level and locking system. Call (08) 9451 7848 or visit Askwith Safe Company to discuss the right safe for your home or business.