Book help that fits your lock problem
In short
Choose a locksmith who services your Adelaide suburb and works on your type of lock, vehicle key or access system. South Australia's security systems licence category covers alarm and surveillance system work; do not assume a security licence establishes suitability for every locksmith job. Check relevant licences through the SA occupational register and ask Consumer and Business Services (CBS) about unclear scope. Confirm attendance, labour and parts charges before booking. If anyone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Step 1
Deal with safety and authority to enter first
Wait somewhere safe while arranging access. Avoid climbing through an upstairs window or breaking glass. A locksmith booking should not delay emergency help when a person is trapped and in danger.
Choose your first call
| What has happened | What to do first |
|---|---|
| A child or another person is trapped and in immediate danger | Call Triple Zero (000) and follow the operator's instructions. |
| A break-in is happening or people or property are in danger | Call 000. For a crime that has already happened and non-urgent police assistance, call 131 444. |
| You are locked out and everyone is safe | Check for a spare key with an authorised person, then arrange a locksmith if needed. |
| A shared entrance or building access system has failed | Contact the building manager or strata representative to establish who can authorise repairs. |
Step 2
Match the work to experience and licence scope
Ask who will attend and whether they handle your equipment: a mechanical door lock, a car key and a system connected to an alarm need different experience. Ask about locksmith qualifications, experience with the lock brand and insurance for the proposed work.
CBS lists security systems work as advice, supply, installation and maintenance of security alarm or surveillance systems. An employee-only licence does not authorise someone to run a business or subcontract that work. For work in this category, check the business and attending worker's relevant licences and conditions through the SA occupational register.
Ordinary key cutting or mechanical lock work should not be treated as automatically falling within that alarm and surveillance category. If a smart lock, shared access system or wider installation makes the boundary unclear, give CBS the proposed scope and ask which licences are needed before authorising it. Search the register by licence number, surname or trading name, and match the details to the booking.
Step 3
Give a brief that helps the locksmith prepare
Give your suburb and postcode, what has happened and whether the door is currently open or closed. Describe any broken key, visible damage or failed keypad. Send a lock photo privately if useful. For vehicle work, include the make, model, year and whether you have any working keys.
For an Adelaide CBD apartment, explain the unit door separately from the shared entrance, along with intercom access and available parking. For a rental, identify who can approve a lock change. Ask what evidence of identity and authority to enter is required, especially if your identification is locked inside. Keep keys, access codes and identity documents out of a public job description.
Step 4
Agree on the charges and method before work starts
Ask what the advertised or phone price includes. Get the attendance fee, after-hours surcharge, labour, parts and GST where applicable in writing. Establish what you owe if the locksmith attends but you decline the repair. The ACCC requires clear prices before booking and displayed total prices that include unavoidable fees and taxes.
If inspection is needed, approve the assessment fee first. Then ask for the entry or repair method and total cost. If drilling or replacing the lock is proposed, ask why, what damage is expected and whether there is another practical option. Agree to extra work and its price before it proceeds.
For lost keys or planned changes, ask whether rekeying the existing lock is suitable. Rekeying changes which key operates it; replacement changes the hardware. Compare the same scope, key quantity and parts across quotes. Confirm an arrival window and any travel charge for your address rather than relying on a general Adelaide service-area claim.
Step 5
Test the lock while the locksmith is there
With access available, test each supplied key and check that the door closes, locks and opens as intended from both sides. For a digital lock, ask how to manage users, change credentials and regain access if its battery goes flat. Confirm any old keys or credentials you wanted removed no longer provide access.
Keep the invoice, accepted quote, approved changes and parts or warranty details. If the lock still catches or access fails, contact the business with the symptoms and records so it can assess the problem.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- CBS: security and investigation licence categories
Security systems work covers alarm and surveillance systems; employee-only licences do not authorise business or subcontract work.
- SA Government: occupational licence checks
Official register entry point for checking people and businesses by licence number, surname or trading name.
- SA Police: report a crime
000 for emergencies or danger; 131 444 for non-urgent police assistance or to report crime that has already happened.
- ACCC: price displays
Clear pricing before booking and displayed totals including unavoidable fees and taxes.
