Retailers across Australia are calling for urgent government action in response to a sharp increase in retail crime and abuse against staff, revealed at the 2025 Retail Crime Symposium in Melbourne.
The latest figures show more than half of retail workers report being physically abused at least once a month, while nearly 90% experience verbal abuse. Victoria has seen the most significant spike, with threats and serious incidents rising by 52% and 38% respectively.
Retailers are demanding tougher penalties, uniform laws across all states, and the establishment of dedicated retail crime police units. They’re also calling for the national rollout of protective laws similar to Queensland’s Jack’s Law and the ACT’s Workplace Protection Orders.
Retail staff are under siege, with some major chains removing knives from shelves, introducing personal alarms, and using body-worn cameras to protect employees. Woolworths alone has 13 protection orders in place against high-risk individuals.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny announced that tougher laws against assaulting retail workers will be introduced in Victoria by year’s end.
The push comes as over 800,000 retail crimes were reported nationally last year — a number industry leaders warn will only grow without a coordinated national strategy.
