Where to Place Security Cameras: The Ultimate Guide

Date Published: November 10, 2025, Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by David Briggs

Knowing where to place security cameras could be the difference between a secure property and an invitation to burglars. In Australia, approximately 218,000 homes were broken into during 2022-2023, with money, jewellery, clothing, and sporting equipment being the most commonly stolen items.

Whether you want to deter intruders or monitor your property while you’re away, strategic camera placement ensures your system captures what matters most. Before installing, walk around your property to identify entry points, blind spots, and valuable areas worth protecting.

Our expert home security system and CCTV installation specialists will walk you through helpful tips on how to choose the right cameras, where to place them for maximum coverage, and how to avoid common installation mistakes.

Call Briggs Electrical on 1300 300 222 to book your professional CCTV installation and protect your home or business with confidence.

Step 1: Choose the Right Camera Type

Your choice of camera influences where it should be placed. Each type has its strengths and limitations, so select what fits your property layout and security goals.

Common types of CCTV cameras include:

• Bullet cameras – Highly visible and great for driveways, gates, and entryways.
• Dome cameras – Discreet, ceiling-mounted, and tamper-resistant for indoor areas.
• Turret (eyeball) cameras – Versatile and easy to install on walls or ceilings.
• PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras – Ideal for large open spaces that need flexible coverage.

When choosing, think about visibility, coverage range, image quality, and how easily the camera can connect to power and Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Best Outdoor Camera Locations

Outdoor security cameras form your property’s first line of defence. Focus on areas where intruders are most likely to approach.

Key outdoor camera spots include:

• Front door – Around 34% of burglars enter here. Mount your camera 2.4–3m high to capture faces and avoid tampering.
• Back and side doors – Another 20% of break-ins happen here. Cover every door leading inside.
• Off-street windows – Rear or side windows hidden from the street are common access points.
• Driveways and garages – Capture vehicles and movement leading to your home.
• Yard corners – Use corners to achieve overlapping fields of view and eliminate blind spots.

Tip: Mount cameras under eaves or overhangs to protect them from glare and weather. A real camera is a proven deterrent, keep them visibile.

Step 3: Best Indoor Camera Locations

Indoor cameras give you visibility inside your home, allowing you to monitor movement and check in remotely.

Best areas for indoor cameras include:

• Main entryway or foyer – Capture anyone who makes it past exterior cameras.
• Hallways and stairs – Track movement between rooms and levels.
• Living areas and home offices – Protect high-traffic areas and valuables.

Avoid placing cameras in bedrooms or bathrooms to maintain privacy, and use high corners for wider coverage.

Step 4: Placement Fundamentals

Camera height and angles matter more than most people realise. Aim for around 2.4–3 metres high and tilt slightly downward. Test before final mounting to make sure your camera captures faces and activity clearly.

Also, clean lenses and avoid aiming directly at bright lights or reflective windows, these cause glare that can obscure footage.

Step 5: Power, Connectivity & Legal Considerations

Before CCTV installation, check that your camera location has adequate power and Wi-Fi signal strength. For reliable setups, Power over Ethernet (PoE) provides both power and data through a single cable.

If you’re in Victoria, ensure your system complies with the Surveillance Devices Act 1999. Record within your property boundaries and avoid capturing private areas of neighbouring properties. Always inform others if audio recording is active.

For more expert tips and advice on CCTV system installation in Melbourne, check out our blog for practical guides and insights.

Step 6: Maintain and Optimise Your CCTV System

Over time, dust, weather exposure, and even cobwebs can affect performance and image quality. Follow these simple maintenance tips:

• Clean lenses regularly using a soft cloth to remove dust or water spots.
• Check connections and mounts to make sure cables and brackets remain secure.
• Test your cameras monthly to confirm recording and motion alerts are working correctly.
• Review footage quality; lighting or environmental changes might require angle adjustments.
• Update firmware when available to improve performance and strengthen system security.

For larger or commercial setups, schedule a professional inspection once a year to check for blind spots, software issues, or camera misalignment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Placing Home Security Camera Systems

Even with good equipment, poor planning can reduce effectiveness. Before mounting your cameras, keep these common mistakes in mind to ensure your system performs at its best:

• Mounting cameras too high or too low (missed faces or easy tampering).
• Forgetting to test angles and connectivity before drilling.
• Overlooking blind spots — ensure camera views overlap slightly.
• Neglecting maintenance after installation.

A simple walk test (have someone move through your property while you monitor feeds) helps verify coverage and motion detection accuracy.

Get Expert Help with Your CCTV Installation in Melbourne

Proper camera placement is key to reliable security, but achieving full coverage takes more than guesswork. A professional installer can assess your property, identify blind spots, and ensure every camera is positioned for maximum protection and performance.

If you’re ready to secure your home or business, trust the licensed electricians at Briggs Electrical. Our team designs and installs tailored CCTV and security systems across Melbourne, helping you protect what matters most.

Call 1300 300 222, or submit an enquiry today.