Choosing a CCTV camera for your Perth home is only part of the job. Even high-quality cameras can miss the moment that matters if nothing faces the right corner, the recorder isn’t set to keep footage long enough or the power goes off.
This guide walks anyone comparing security cameras in Perth through the decisions around the cameras, in the order an installer makes them. For camera specs, see our guide to choosing the best security cameras for Perth homes.
Quick answer: For many Perth family homes, four to six wired cameras recording to an NVR (network video recorder), with viewing on your phone, is a practical starting point. The right number and placement depend on your layout, entry points, lighting and how long you need footage kept, so have a WA-licensed installer assess the property, and check your council’s rebate rules before you buy.
What should your home CCTV system cover?
Start with how your household uses the property, then list the three or four things you most want your CCTV system to capture, such as deliveries at the front door, cars entering the driveway or someone testing the side gate at 3am. Check whether one camera can cover more than one of those areas or whether each needs its own viewpoint. Your layout and priorities, not the package size, should set the camera count.
Your routine shapes the list:
- Nobody home during the day: cover the front door and driveway, with motion alerts set to your path and driveway rather than the street.
- Several ways in: cover the routes people actually use, not every corner.
- Often away: prioritise reliable recording and secure phone access.
Check each position at midday and after dark, as low sun and unlit paths change what a camera sees. Our guide on how to plan better surveillance coverage for Perth properties covers mounting height and blind spots.
Should you choose wired or wireless security cameras?
For most whole-house systems, wired. When you weigh up wired vs wireless security cameras for a permanent installation, reliability is usually the deciding factor. With PoE (Power over Ethernet), one network cable carries both power and video from each camera to the recorder, so recording doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi strength or batteries.
That’s why every HomeSafe package pairs 6MP cameras with a network video recorder, cabled and set up by our technicians. We install weather-resistant night vision cameras with motion alerts, and every package includes app viewing on iPhone and Android, so you can watch live or replay footage.
Where is your CCTV footage stored?
Footage records to a surveillance hard drive inside the NVR at your home: 2TB in our four-camera packages and 4TB in our six-camera packages. It keeps recording if the internet drops, and there’s no monthly storage fee.
When the drive fills, the recorder normally overwrites the oldest footage, so the figure to ask about is how many days it holds. That depends on camera count and whether cameras record continuously or on motion, so ask for it to be set to the history you want, and keep the recorder out of sight. New to terms like NVR? Our beginner’s guide to home and business CCTV explains each part of a system.
How many CCTV cameras does a Perth home need?
Many Perth family homes are well covered by four to six cameras. Just as important is room on the recorder, so adding a camera later doesn’t mean replacing it.
| Four-camera package | Six-camera package | |
| Cameras | 4 × 6MP | 6 × 6MP |
| Recorder | 4-channel NVR (all channels used) | 8-channel NVR (2 spare) |
| Hard drive | 2TB | 4TB |
| Brands | EZ-IP, HiLook, Dahua or Hikvision | EZ-IP, HiLook, Dahua or Hikvision |
| Price (excl. GST, single-storey) | $1,350 (EZ-IP) to $2,150 (Hikvision) | $1,950 (EZ-IP) to $3,200 (Hikvision) |
A four-camera system may suit a compact property with few entry points, while six can add coverage for side access, a separate garage or shed, or a more complex layout. Base the number on what each camera needs to see, not on the size of the house. The four-camera recorder has no spare channels, so a fifth camera means a bigger recorder, while the six-camera package leaves room for two more. Prices are for a standard single-storey install; two-storey homes and extra cabling are quoted separately. See our current CCTV packages and prices for what each package includes.
On a commercial job, our 10-camera Dahua and Ajax installation in Mandurah, we fitted a 16-channel recorder to allow for growth; a home system follows the same principle on a smaller scale.
What CCTV system suits your type of Perth home?
CCTV cameras in Perth homes face different challenges by property type, from strata approvals to long cable runs on bigger blocks. Start with this table, then fine-tune it on site.
| Home type | What to plan for |
| Apartment or unit | Strata approval for common property; a video intercom may be enough |
| Townhouse or villa | Check strata by-laws; angle cameras away from shared areas |
| Single-storey | The simplest job; cable runs through the roof space |
| Double-storey | High eaves need extra access; quoted separately |
| Corner block | Two street frontages, so often more cameras than a mid-street block |
| New build | Have data cable run before the plasterboard goes on |
| Semi-rural block | Long cable runs to sheds and gates are planned at the site inspection |
| Rental | Tenants request it from the landlord as a minor modification (Form 26); landlords can set conditions |
A typical four-to-six-camera job takes a day on site; bigger and two-storey homes take longer. Here’s how a CCTV installation runs from quote to setup.
Does CCTV keep recording when the power or internet goes out?
Because footage records to the NVR at home, an internet outage won’t stop recording. Viewing from outside the home stops until the connection is back, although on compatible systems you may still be able to watch over your home network. A power cut is different: the recorder and the cameras it powers switch off until power returns. Ask your installer to show you how your system behaves in each case at handover.
What are you allowed to film, and how do you keep cameras secure?
Point each camera at the parts of your property you need to watch. A driveway or front-gate camera will often take in part of the street, and council rebates and Cam-Map WA are built around public-facing cameras like these. What to avoid is recording into a neighbour’s bedroom, courtyard or other private space. The Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA) sets separate rules for visually recording private activities and for recording private conversations, so check the requirements before turning audio recording on, and get legal advice if you’re unsure about a particular view.
Most smart devices for household use manufactured from 4 March 2026, home security cameras included, must ship without a universal default password and publish how long they’ll get security updates. Older stock may predate the rules, so set a unique password, turn on two-step login and keep firmware current.
Give each person in your household their own app login, so access can be removed without changing everyone’s password.
Do you need a licensed installer for CCTV camera installation in Perth?
In WA, installing security alarms and CCTV for security purposes is licensed work, covered by the Class 2 Security Installer licence issued by WA Police. Some homeowners consider fitting their own cameras, but professional installation helps with camera positioning, cable routing, recording settings and system testing. Before you go ahead, check the installer’s licence and any rebate conditions; Melville’s rebate, for example, isn’t available for owner-installed systems.
When comparing quotes for CCTV camera installation in Perth, ask each installer four questions. Did anyone visit the property? Can you see what each item costs? Is their security licence number on the quote? Will they show you how to find and export a clip before they leave? Prices depend on camera count, brand, storage and cable runs; our 2026 CCTV installation price guide for Perth breaks them down.
Can You Get a CCTV Installation Rebate in Perth?
Some Perth local councils offer CCTV installation rebates to eligible homeowners. Depending on your location, financial assistance may be available for qualifying security camera systems installed by appropriately licensed professionals.
Rebate conditions can vary between councils, including requirements for camera specifications, recording storage, installation and application approval. Some schemes require homeowners to apply before purchasing or installing equipment.
Before choosing your CCTV system, check your local council’s official website for current rebate availability and eligibility requirements. This can help you plan your installation budget and avoid purchasing equipment that does not qualify.
Why do Perth homeowners choose HomeSafe Securities?
At HomeSafe Securities, we provide professional CCTV installation services for homeowners across Perth and surrounding areas. Our focus is on helping you choose a reliable security system that suits your property and budget.
- Licensed Installers: Professional CCTV installation and system setup.
- Customised Solutions: Camera placement based on your home’s layout and security needs.
- Quality CCTV Systems: Dahua, Hikvision, HiLook and EZ-IP camera options.
- Transparent Pricing: Clear packages with equipment and installation details.
- Local Support: Assistance with mobile viewing and system operation.
From selecting the right cameras to completing installation, HomeSafe Securities helps make protecting your home simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Register My CCTV with WA Police?
Cam-Map WA registration is voluntary. It helps WA Police identify public-facing cameras that may have recorded an incident without giving police direct access to your footage.
Are Wired CCTV Cameras Better Than Wireless for Perth Homes?
Wired CCTV cameras generally offer more stable connectivity for permanent installations. Wireless cameras can suit areas where cabling is difficult, provided reliable Wi-Fi coverage and power are available.
Can CCTV Cameras Record Without an Internet Connection?
Yes. CCTV systems with a local NVR can continue recording without internet access, provided the cameras and recorder have power. Remote internet viewing may be temporarily unavailable.
How Much Does CCTV Camera Installation Cost in Perth?
HomeSafe Securities’ four-camera packages start at $1,350 + GST, while six-camera packages start at $1,950 + GST. Final pricing depends on equipment, property layout and installation requirements.
Ready to plan your system?
Not sure whether your home needs four cameras, six or a larger setup? Book a free, no-obligation site check for home CCTV camera installation. We’ll walk your property, look at entry points, lighting and how long you need footage kept, then give you a fixed, itemised quote. Call 0469 880 624 or contact us online.
