Going to Sydney, which is the lively capital of New South Wales, is a big change. Still, the mood can go south if you pick the wrong community. Living options vary a lot throughout Sydney and safety and lifestyle are not the same in all neighbourhoods.
Being one of the leading removal companies in Australia with extensive experience relocating Aussies between Melbourne and Sydney or from Canberra to Melbourne, we know that choosing the right location matters a lot. That’s why we have created this guide to assist you in spotting the worst suburbs in Sydney and suburbs to avoid in Sydney.
We are here to guide you to steer clear of Sydney’s worst suburbs and help you find a suburb that suits you best.
Worst Suburbs in Sydney by Crime Statistics
When looking for locations to live or purchase property in Sydney, most people value safety above other factors. There is strong interest in finding out about the worst suburbs in Sydney and which is the least desirable place in the city. Even the safest suburbs can have crime, but certain areas always have a high crime rate which has turned them into some of the worst places in Sydney.
These results come from the NSW BOCSAR data and give you an idea of where crimes are most often and what types of crimes are usually reported, so that you can learn which areas offer less safety or information on suburbs to avoid in Sydney..
BOCSAR data show that Western Sydney mostly holds the keys to the worst suburbs in Sydney, with offence rates highest in theft, domestic violence and crimes against property. Most people consider these neighbourhoods to be among the worst areas in Sydney.
Often, the lists of most dangerous suburbs and worst suburbs in Sydney include the areas of Mount Druitt, Blacktown and Campbelltown, because of their high rates of violent crime and assault.
There have been many cases of break and enter, stealing from vehicles and drug offences in both Liverpool and Penrith, making many people think of them as dangerous suburbs in Sydney.
A lot of non-domestic assaults in Redfern and Surry Hills are also reported because of late-night activities and alcohol which are topics that come up often with discussions about the worst suburbs in Sydney.
Here is a list of Sydney’s suburbs with the most crime rates which can be found in the Suburbs Guide.
| Suburb | Population | Crime % Over Avg | Estimated Incidents/Year |
| Sydney CBD | 16,667 | ~455% | ~2,900 |
| Bankstown | 34,933 | ~78% | ~1,940 |
| Merrylands | 32,472 | ~31% | ~1,320 |
| Mount Druitt | 16,986 | ~128% | ~3,020 |
| Penrith | 17,966 | ~233% | ~1,970 |
| Campbelltown | 16,577 | ~183% | ~510 |
| Granville | 16,716 | ~28% | ~890 |
| Surry Hills | 15,828 | ~150% | ~1,410 |
| Parramatta | 30,211 | ~117% | ~1,520 |
| Liverpool | 31,078 | ~167% | ~1,100 |
| Redfern | 13,072 | ~150% | ~1,500 |
This does not imply that the suburbs are unprotected or do not hold community benefit throughout. Currently, communities are making positive changes using city reconstruction, better policing methods and community initiatives. On the other hand, residents, renters and investors ought to understand the locations where difficulties are present before moving to a new suburb.
Worst Suburbs in Sydney: Public Transport Access
Good public transport is vital in any city and in a big place like Sydney, it’s essential for a suburb to be accessible. Some neighborhoods have easy access to trains, buses and metro, while others struggle with bad transport and need to use private vehicles instead. Thus, these places are the worst suburbs in Sydney for public transport.
We will single out areas in Sydney where getting around is a serious challenge for residents. These neighborhoods lack strong rail links, little-used bus services and minimal connection to main transport hubs which makes it hard for people to commute every day.
According to reports from Transport for NSW, census travel patterns and regional planning, both North-west and south-west Sydney suffer from poor public transport, mainly in places where construction hasn’t caught up with the growth.
Oran Park, Box Hill and Marsden Park are higher on the lists of worst-connected Sydney suburbs, as their train links are weak and most people depend on cars or buses that are not always available.
Because services in Leppington and Riverstone end early and run infrequently, both are described as hard to reach by public transport in Sydney.
| Suburb | Key Issues |
| Marsden Park | Rapid population growth outpacing infrastructure; limited bus services; reliance on private vehicles. |
| Wilton | New development with no current public transport options; residents face isolation and car dependency. |
| Appin | Lack of public transport despite housing developments; residents rely heavily on private cars. |
| Kellyville | Despite the addition of the metro, internal bus services remain infrequent; residents face overcrowded buses and long commutes. |
| Carlingford | Closure of Carlingford railway line; limited bus connectivity to new light rail stations; residents face accessibility issues. |
| Rosehill | Closure of train line; limited bus services; residents face long walks to nearest stations. |
| Yennora | Limited train services; residents face long travel times and infrequent services. |
| Wheeler Heights | No rail transport; limited bus routes; residents rely heavily on private vehicles. |
| Mount Druitt | Infrequent bus services; residents face long waits and overcrowded buses. |
| Campbelltown | Limited public transport options in new developments; residents face long commutes and car dependency. |
Worst Suburbs in Sydney: Infrastructure and Congestion
Even though Sydney’s great lifestyle and beautiful coastline attract many people, its fast growth has led to major issues, especially in areas considered by many as the worst suburbs in Sydney. As well as safety problems, these places are dealing with lackluster transport means, outdated structures and more congestion.
Several of Sydney’s worst suburbs have transport that is either not available or hard to count on. The buses usually run only a few times and most train stations are in need of repair or maintenance. Places like Mount Druitt, Liverpool and Blacktown, which are commonly mentioned as the worst suburbs in Sydney, suffer from the large numbers of commuters visiting each day.
| Suburb | Infrastructure Issues | Congestion Level | Urban Planning Concerns |
| Mount Druitt | Underdeveloped transport systems, bottlenecks, overcrowded trains | High | Outdated systems, limited access roads |
| Liverpool | Limited public transport, outdated infrastructure, poor traffic flow | High | Narrow roads, insufficient parking |
| Blacktown | Struggles with high commuter influx, limited connectivity | High | Poor public transport design |
| Parramatta | Strained road network, dense development, slow infrastructure upgrades | Very High | Lack of upgrades despite CBD status |
| Penrith | Traffic congestion, long commute times, poor transport coverage | Very High | Underinvested transit routes |
| Redfern | Gentrification with no infrastructure scaling, rising population pressures | Medium | No planning for rising density |
| Campbelltown | Insufficient services, poor urban planning, mismatch between demand and infrastructure | Medium | Outgrown existing infrastructure |
What is the worst suburb in Sydney that is the most crowded with vehicles and people? Although this is not set in stone, Parramatta and Penrith usually rank high because their roads are overloaded and many developments make the area busy. While they are important CBDs outside of central Sydney, they still lack much needed improvements to their infrastructure.
Several of the worst areas in Sydney also suffer from poor urban planning. Narrow streets, outdated traffic lights, and insufficient parking create daily frustrations for residents. In the worst suburb in Sydney, even essential services like hospitals and schools may be hard to reach quickly because of clogged arterial roads or limited access points.
In places like Redfern and Campbelltown, the rapid increase of gentrification causes difficulty because their infrastructure is not ready for the extra people. A growing population without proper development in these places leads to more time commuting and a worse standard of living in Sydney.
If a place doesn’t have enough green areas, little room for walking and weak stormwater drainage, it is usually a suburb to avoid in Sydney.
Many factors, including mistakes from planning and odd prioritisation in spending, have made some suburbs in Sydney the worst. Before making any major decision, make sure to research regions carefully because well-known issues and old systems can badly affect your quality of life.
Worst Suburbs in Sydney: Environmental Concerns
More than crime and trains, the overall quality of living in a Sydney suburb depends greatly on its environment. This part of the discussion studies the most affected suburbs in Sydney when it comes to concerns like air and noise pollution, areas near industrial zones and various environmental risks to residents.
Industrial Pollution
Poor air and many factories make several of Sydney’s worst suburbs rather unpleasant. Since Chullora, Botany and Wetherill Park are by major transport hubs and industrial estates, residents are put in contact with vehicle exhausts, tiny air particles and chemicals.
Such communities are usually on the lists of most polluted areas in Sydney, due to few parks and many trucks that make the area dirty and noisy. Since these rough suburbs in Sydney are so polluted, many people have to endure constant stress towards the environment.
- Homebush Bay & Rhodes
- Because these regions had a large industry for decades, lead, dioxins and other toxins were dumped into the environment.
- Since there are pollutants in the water, nobody is allowed to fish in Homebush Bay.
- Port Kembla
- With BlueScope and Port Kembla Copper operating large industrial plants, there are worries about the area’s air and soil getting polluted.
- There have been many environmental issues in the region such as lead poisoning and acid rain.
- Wetherill Park
- Hosts the Smithfield-Wetherill Park Industrial Estate, the largest industrial estate in the Southern Hemisphere.
- While the industrial sector plays a big role, the place stays green and offers plenty of trees, but it deals with problems from industrial smog.
Waterway Contamination
- Iron Cove
- Heavily polluted with copper, zinc, lead, and hydrocarbons, primarily due to stormwater runoff from surrounding roads.
- Efforts are underway to install filtration devices to prevent further contamination of Sydney Harbour.
Noise and Urban Pressure
In several of Sydney’s most run-down areas, people are often bothered by loud noise. Communities such as Mascot, Rockdale and Banksia experience a lot of noise from planes flying above and trains passing nearby. Such suburbs are often included in the roughest suburbs in Sydney because living here means dealing with noise, stress and decreasing home values.
Air Pollution & Traffic-Related Concerns
- Haberfield, Ashfield & Strathfield
- People living there have noted higher measurements of fine particulate matter, mainly in areas close to schools and where construction is happening.
- People living nearby have noticed that air quality has been poorer due to the WestConnex project which might result in health concerns.
- Greendale, Luddenham & Twin Creeks
- People in these suburbs are likely to hear more airplane noise because of the future Western Sydney International Airport.
Noise Pollution from Aircraft
- Marrickville, Newtown & Camperdown
- Inner-west suburbs will have more aircraft passing through because of newly-set flight paths.
- People may have to deal with louder noise that interferes with their daily routines.
- Kurnell, La Perouse & Little Bay
- People living near the airport may hear nighttime flight noise for about 70 days as planes change their routes for maintenance work at the airport’s main runway.
- As a result, there are now worries about the effects of light on sleeping and health.
Natural Disasters and Vulnerability
There are environmental hazards that go beyond industrial activities. Sydney has some areas that are at high risk of flooding or fires. It is because of frequent flooding in recent years that Richmond and Windsor are among the worst suburbs in Sydney list for climate resilience.
If you aim for safety and stability over time, you should stay away from these suburbs in Sydney since they cannot easily deal with disasters.
Flash Flood-Prone Suburbs
Emergencies due to flash flooding in Sydney usually occur because of heavy rain, quick drainage from highlands and more buildings being built near flood-prone areas. There have been new incidents pointing out that many suburbs are at risk.
- Camden, Chipping Norton, Georges Hall, Lansvale, Milperra, Moorebank, Warwick Farm, North Richmond, Windsor: Back in March 2022, these northwest suburbs suffered from flash flooding and people were evacuated because the Hawkesbury and Nepean river levels quickly increased.
- Lansvale, Bass Hill, Bankstown, Liverpool: A lot of rain in July 2022 caused severe flooding, requiring several communities to evacuate and destroy a number of properties.
- Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley: Because of the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, rapid floods occur in suburbs along this valley when it rains heavily.
Bushfire-Prone Suburbs
Since there are bush areas close to Sydney, the city is more prone to bushfires in hot and dry weather. A number of suburbs have been labeled as places of high risk.
- North Shore Suburbs: Many of these places are susceptible to bushfires because they are surrounded by a lot of vegetation, including Chatswood West, Castle Cove, Castlecrag, St Ives Chase, East Lindfield, East Killara, West Pymble, Turramurra, Wahroonga and Linley Point.
- Hornsby, Thornleigh, Wahroonga: More than 15,000 homes in these areas are close to bushland, so they face serious danger when there is a high fire threat.
- Springwood and Blaxland (Blue Mountains): High amounts of properties are located near bushland in these places which makes them more at risk from bushfires.
- Engadine and Menai (Sutherland Shire): A large number of homes in the southern suburbs are in danger because they are close to bushland.
When you are planning to move to Sydney or are worried about environmental problems, you should study different areas and continue to follow up on any recent developments.
Worst Suburbs in Sydney: Education and Healthcare
A typical challenge for some of Sydney’s worst suburbs is the lack of well-equipped and effective schools. At many of the worst locations in Sydney such as Claymore, Auburn and Bidwill, schools meet with overcrowding, decrepit buildings and limited staff.
The quality of healthcare is very disappointing in some of Sydney’s worst suburbs. Even though there are world-class hospitals in central Sydney, other parts of the city usually have crowded clinics, inadequate staffing in emergency wards and not enough specialists for patients. Areas such as Mount Druitt, Fairfield and Campbelltown which are spoken about as the worst suburbs in Sydney, have healthcare facilities that are frequently overwhelmed.
Unlock Your Ideal Sydney Life: Let Moving Mates Handle the Rest!
Choosing a new home in Sydney is a significant decision, and while it’s important to be aware of the challenges in certain areas, it’s equally crucial to appreciate the city’s many strengths.
Any major city in the world is bound to have its complications and Sydney is no exception. Knowing crime statistics makes it possible to understand the common labels given to particular suburbs in Sydney.
Certain areas might be flagged as the worst suburbs in Sydney or suburbs to avoid in Sydney due to these challenges, but you can still find great places to live in a number of Sydney’s suburbs.
Don’t forget that working with professionals can greatly help you when moving. With Moving Mates, you can get great removalist help in Sydney and enjoy a stress-free relocation anywhere in the city. We will support you in moving with our relocation services like packing and unpacking services or small removals, so you enjoy the best parts of your new life in Sydney from the very start.
Prepared to move without any problems? Get in touch today to receive a quote without any commitment and they will help you settle in at ease to your new home in Sydney.
