It’s great to be handy around the home and DIY – but sometimes, it’s safer to leave it to a qualified tradesperson. These are the jobs around the home that you should not tackle.
Property
Locked out, lost keys and broken locks: when to call a locksmith
Whether you’re locked out, your key has snapped or a lock has stopped working, here’s when it’s worth calling a professional locksmith.
We've all felt that panic the microsecond before your front door snaps shut, knowing full well that the keys are sitting on the kitchen bench and you’re now locked out.
The last thing you should do is turn into a would-be lockpick and try to train yourself via YouTube tutorials. The security of your home or place of work is far too important to damage the lock with an amateur effort that will likely do more damage than good.
Shane McBride, of Casey Locksmiths, a provider for RACV Trades, says accidental lockouts are the most common reason for emergency calls. In 2025, 4791 people contacted RACV Emergency Home Assist and were helped back inside, with technicians safely removing the key if it was stuck in the lock.
Read on to find out when to call a locksmith - and when you might need to ring Triple 0 instead.
Access emergency locksmiths on call 24/7 with RACV Emergency Home Assist.
Reasons you should call a locksmith
1. When you accidentally lock yourself out
The most common reason to call a locksmith is when you find yourself stuck outside after absent-mindedly pulling the door closed behind you with your keys still inside.
“It happens at any hour, and it could be something as simple as they’ve gone to put the bins out and the door swings shut behind them,” McBride says.
“But it’s most common during peak times, from about seven in the morning to 10am, when people are rushing off to work or on the school run, then from around 5pm until 8pm, when people are getting home from school, work or a night out, only to realise they don’t have their keys on them.”
More: The most common home emergencies for calls to tradies
2. Because of wear and tear
A good locksmith will ensure that both the mechanism and the key are sturdy enough to last the distance, but from time to time, natural wear and tear can take its toll on a lock.
"A lot of it comes down to maintenance," McBride says. "I always recommend lubricating your locks regularly, and that can sometimes be a quick fix before you call out a locksmith."
Certain door locks are more prone to wearing out. "Your front door is going to wear out a lot quicker than, say, a laundry door at the side of the house,” McBride says. "It's the high-traffic doors you really have to watch."
More: Guide to the best locks for front doors and other entrances
A professional locksmith can repair, replace or upgrade locks to help keep your home secure.
3. You have a poor-quality or repeatedly copied key
McBride also recommends investing in a quality key. “Sometimes it’s not the lock that’s the problem,” he says. “If you get a soft metal key, it can easily break off in the lock. We get quite a few calls for that.”
Also beware of getting too many cheap copies made. “A copied key is basically like a photocopy,” McBride says. “The quality fades every time, and you transfer any wear and tear onto the next key.”
Sometimes it’s not the lock or the key, but the door itself. “It could be a problem with faulty hinges, or even a warped frame, so you want to check this stuff before you call us out. You might actually need a carpenter,” McBride says.
More: How to maintain your locks and keys
4. When you want to upgrade the security of your home or business
While customers tend to think of a locksmith call-out as an emergency, there are plenty of situations where you might want to be proactive about changing a lock.
“We get a lot of calls from people who have just moved into their homes and want to upgrade their security,” McBride says. “So you might be looking at putting in better, sturdier locks to make sure your house is as safe as it can be. You get what you pay for.”
More: Guide to the best locks for front doors and other entrances
A worn or poor-quality key can cause problems with your lock over time, but getting help is easy.
5. When you need a restricted key
Restricted key systems are more commonly used by businesses, but are sometimes installed in apartment blocks too.
“If you have a standard key system, you can get a spare cut at Bunnings any time,” McBride says. “But with a restricted key system, you must be an authorised person and come to us to get a new one cut. There may also be a limit on the number of copies. It just adds another level of security.”
This is not all that common in a domestic setting, but can be useful for short-term rentals like Airbnb.
More: Essential tips for better apartment security
6. After a break-in or burglary
McBride also gets calls from customers who have experienced a break-in and want to replace their locks, often upgrading them so they’re harder to target.
“It’s not necessarily personal,” McBride adds. “If there has been a spate of break-ins in a neighbourhood, someone might proactively call because they’re on edge and want the peace of mind that a better lock, like a deadlock, can bring.”
A professional locksmith can carry out a thorough security evaluation on your property.
Home security starts with a reliable key and a lock that works properly.
7. When your safe isn't working
Security is incredibly important for many Australians, with consumers increasingly turning to home safes as a way to secure their most treasured possessions, such as family heirlooms, jewellery and important documents.
As ever, McBride says if you want the utmost peace of mind, invest in a top-of-the-range safe over a budget one. “Some of the mass-market safes around $200 can be opened easily with a rubber mallet,” he says.
But what happens when the good ones fail? “Before you call us, replace the batteries," McBride recommends. "Because in seven out of 10 callouts, that’s all it takes. Again, it’s worth investing in good-quality batteries, too."
When there is a mechanical failure, a good locksmith will still be able to help. "In the industry, we can still get into them," McBride says. "If your safe is for high security or fire protection for documents, it might take us a little bit longer."
More: The ultimate guide to the best home safes for valuables
8. When you've had a troublesome tenant
If you're a rental provider, you might consider calling a professional locksmith when a tenant moves out, particularly if there were issues during the tenancy or the tenant was evicted. In that case, changing the locks can help protect the property before it is leased again.
"Getting the locks changed can be part of the eviction process,” McBride says.
"There's also new legislation that you must provide a key for all tenants, so you might arrange a locksmith call-out to make sure you have the necessary amount cut for new tenants."
More: Five things landlords in Victoria should consider before renting out a property
Apartment locks and restricted key systems can add another layer of security, especially where multiple people need controlled access.
9. When you want to make life simpler
One often overlooked reason to call a locksmith is to reduce the number of keys you need to carry.
Some people like the convenience of having one key that works in almost every lock in their home,” McBride says. “So we’ll sometimes get proactive calls to change several locks so they can all use the same key, reducing the number of keys you need.
10. When not to call a locksmith
While calling a professional locksmith is the best option in the situations listed above, there are times when you may need emergency help sooner.
“With many of our call-outs, we can be there in 20 minutes or so, but if we’re really busy or the customer is further away, it could take an hour or so,” McBride says.
“If someone in a vulnerable situation finds themselves locked in – say, a young child, someone with health complications or an older person – you might need help urgently. In that circumstance, dial 000 and ask for the fire brigade.”
RACV Trades is a trading name of RACV's trade partner, Club Home Response Pty Ltd (Victorian registered domestic building practitioner number CDB-U 100178). All works are performed or arranged by Club Home Response Pty Ltd. trading as RACV Trades. Read the RACV Trades Terms and Conditions.
