Short answer: A good home camera system starts with what you want to see: the front door, the side gate, the car space or the back lane. Next choose wired PoE cameras or Wi-Fi cameras, then decide where the footage is recorded. In NSW, keep cameras pointed at your own property and avoid recording audio of private conversations. Anyone paid to install security cameras needs a Class 2C security licence from NSW Police, so ask to see it.
Inner West homes come with their own security quirks. Think rear lanes in Marrickville and Newtown, side passages in Dulwich Hill semis, shared driveways and front doors that open straight onto the street. Cameras can help, but only if they’re in the right spots, recording the right things and installed properly. This guide covers the planning decisions before you buy anything.
Step 1: decide what each camera is for
| Spot | What you want to capture | Camera tips |
|---|---|---|
| Front door | Faces of visitors and couriers | Mount at head height or use a video doorbell |
| Side gate or passage | Anyone entering the property | Narrow field of view, good low-light performance |
| Car space or garage | Vehicles and number plates | Higher resolution, positioned to avoid headlight glare |
| Rear lane | Movement at the back gate | Weatherproof, motion zones set to your gate, not the whole lane |
| Backyard | General overview | Wide angle, with lighting for night |
Most homes need two to four cameras, not ten. One camera that clearly shows a face beats three that show a blur.
Step 2: wired or Wi-Fi?
Wired PoE (Power over Ethernet)
A single data cable carries both power and video from each camera back to a network video recorder (NVR).
- Pros: reliable, no batteries to charge, consistent image quality, keeps recording if Wi-Fi drops
- Cons: needs cable runs, which can be tricky in double brick terraces without roof access
Wi-Fi or battery cameras
- Pros: quick to set up, no cabling
- Cons: depend on Wi-Fi strength (often weak at the back of long terraces), batteries need charging, many need a subscription for cloud storage
For permanent systems, wired PoE is usually the better long-term choice. If your Wi-Fi struggles at the back of the house, see Wi-Fi dead spots.
Step 3: where the footage goes
- NVR (local recorder): footage stays in your home, with no monthly fees. You view it on your phone through the recorder’s app.
- Cloud storage: footage is stored off-site, which helps if the recorder is stolen, but usually costs a monthly fee.
- Hybrid: local recording with cloud backup of key events.
Put the recorder somewhere hidden but ventilated, with a power point and a network connection to your modem.
Step 4: stay on the right side of the law
The NSW Surveillance Devices Act 2007 covers cameras and listening devices. Based on NSW Government guidance on the Surveillance Devices Act:
- Audio is the risky part. Recording a private conversation is generally an offence unless the parties consent or a narrow exception applies. Many people simply turn audio recording off.
- Video on your own property is generally fine, but don’t install cameras on someone else’s property or vehicle without consent.
Be a good neighbour too. Use privacy masking to block out neighbours’ windows and yards. Inner West homes are close together, so this matters. In strata buildings, check your by-laws before putting cameras on common property. Woollahra Council’s guidance is a useful plain-English summary for neighbour disputes, including mediation through Community Justice Centres.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Step 5: check the installer’s licences
In NSW, installing security equipment for clients is a licensed security activity. NSW Police’s Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate says even licensed electricians need a Class 2C security licence to install security cameras for clients. Ask to see it.
Other licences may apply to parts of the job:
- new power points or hardwired power supplies need a licensed electrician
- data cabling that’s fixed into the building needs a cabler registered under the ACMA rules (see our ethernet cabling guide)
Lighting makes cameras work
Even good night-vision cameras give better footage with some light. Sensor floodlights at gates and side passages help both security and safety. Our outdoor lighting guide covers sensors and placement.
Thinking about cameras for your home or shop? See our CCTV and security cameras page, or call 0421 772 661 to talk through camera positions, cabling and recording.
Cost factors
We don’t publish camera prices because systems vary so much. What changes the cost:
- number of cameras and their resolution
- wired PoE vs Wi-Fi, and how hard the cable runs are
- recorder and storage size
- new power points or lighting
- whether existing cameras or cabling can be reused
We look at camera systems across Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield and Newtown. For shops and offices, see commercial electrical in Marrickville.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to have security cameras at home in NSW?
Generally yes, for video of your own property. Recording private conversations with audio is restricted under the Surveillance Devices Act 2007, so many people disable audio. Avoid filming into neighbours’ homes and yards.
Are wired or wireless security cameras better?
Wired PoE cameras are usually more reliable for permanent systems because they don’t rely on Wi-Fi or batteries. Wi-Fi cameras are quicker to install but depend on a strong signal.
Does a camera installer need a licence in NSW?
Yes. NSW Police says people who install security cameras for clients need a Class 2C security licence, even if they’re licensed electricians.
How many security cameras does a house need?
Most homes need two to four: front door, side or rear access, and the car space. Plan each camera around a specific job.