Smart Locks in Australia: 2026 Buyer's Guide (Face, Fingerprint, Palm Vein, Matter)

Last updated: 4 October 2026. Prices are from the Arklyfe store on that date and may change.

Short answer

The right smart lock depends on three things: your door (thickness and lock body), how you want to unlock it, and which app or smart home system you already use. For most Australian front doors, a fingerprint and PIN lock with a key backup is the simple, affordable choice; choose a face or palm vein lock if you want hands-free entry, a video intercom lock if you want to see who is at the door, and a Matter over Thread lock if you want it in Apple Home. Arklyfe's range runs from AU$148 (gate lock) to AU$823 (3D face lock with video intercom).

The main types of smart lock

Almost every smart lock sold in Australia combines several ways to open the door. It helps to think about them in groups:

• Fingerprint and PIN locks. The everyday workhorse. Each household member enrols a fingerprint or gets their own code, and a mechanical key stays as a backup. Good for families, renters (with consent, see below) and first smart lock buyers.
• Face recognition locks. You walk up and the lock recognises you, which helps when your hands are full. Some models use 3D face identification.
• Palm vein locks. These read the vein pattern under the skin of your palm. They are an alternative for people whose fingerprints do not read reliably.
• Card and NFC locks. A card or tag can be handed to a cleaner or tradie and cancelled later, without sharing a code.
• Video intercom locks. A camera on the outside and a screen on the inside, so you can see and talk to a visitor before opening. These are effectively a lock and a video doorbell in one.
• App-connected locks. Some locks connect to a phone app over Bluetooth or through a gateway (for example the Tuya app) for access records and remote functions. Others use Matter over Thread, which lets them join Apple Home, Google Home and other Matter platforms directly.

Smart lock comparison (Arklyfe range, October 2026)

All 13 locks in our smart lock collection, sorted by price. All except the M20 list a mechanical key as a backup.

Lock	From (AUD)	Ways to unlock	App or smart home	Video intercom
JINK Lock N400 (gate)	$148	Fingerprint, PIN, card, key	Matter over Thread	No
JINK Lock Air	$179	Fingerprint, PIN, card, key	Matter over Thread	No
TTS-06	$179	Fingerprint, card, password, app, key	Tuya app (Bluetooth)	No
Smart Lock K7	$269	Fingerprint, PIN, key	Set up on the lock	No
Smart Lock K8	$269	Fingerprint, PIN, key	Set up on the lock	No
M30	$339	Face, fingerprint, card, password, app, key	Tuya app	Yes
K11	$439	Palm vein, face, fingerprint, NFC, card, password, app, key	Tuya app	Yes
M20	$449	App and remote unlock (ask us about other methods)	Tuya app	Yes
Smart Lock A5	$469	Fingerprint, PIN, key	Set up on the lock	No
JINK Door Lock P8	$494	Face, fingerprint, PIN, NFC or card, key	Matter over Thread	No
M17	$549	Face, fingerprint, card, password, app, key	Tuya app	Yes
Smart Lock A9PRO	$599	Face, palm vein, fingerprint, PIN, key	Set up on the lock	No
JINK Lock Pro	$823	3D face, fingerprint, passcode, NFC or card, key	Matter over Thread	Yes

Which smart lock suits which home?

If you want…	Look at	Why
The simplest keyless front door	K8 or K7 (AU$269)	Fingerprint, PIN and key. The K7 adds passage mode, which keeps the door unlocked during set hours.
Many users and time-limited codes	A5 (AU$469)	Multi-level administrator settings and time-limited PINs for cleaners or trades.
Hands-free entry	A9PRO (AU$599) or P8 (AU$494)	Face recognition; the A9PRO adds palm vein, the P8 adds Matter over Thread.
To see who is at the door	M30 (AU$339), K11, M20, M17 or JINK Lock Pro	Video intercom locks with a camera outside and a screen inside. The M30 is the lowest-priced; the K11 adds palm vein.
Apple Home or another Matter platform	JINK Lock Air, P8, Lock Pro, N400	Matter over Thread locks join a Matter platform directly instead of a separate brand app.
A metal side gate	JINK Lock N400 (AU$148)	Designed for compatible metal gates; the supplier lists a 35-80 mm gate thickness.

Will it fit my door?

Check these five things before buying:

1. Door thickness. Most of our mortise locks (K11, M17, M20, M30, TTS-06) are listed by the supplier for 45-120 mm doors, and the P8 for doors up to 120 mm. Measure the door edge.
2. Lock body (mortise). Many of these locks use a 6068 or 6085 mortise. If your door already has a different lock body, the door may need extra routing, or a different model may be a better match.
3. Handle style. Lever locks (JINK Lock Air, TTS-06) suit doors with a lever handle; tall vertical locks (P8, M17, M30) need enough clear face on the door.
4. Exposure. Some locks, such as the TTS-06, should not be installed in an exposed or wet location. If your front door faces the weather with no porch, tell us before ordering.
5. Glass or aluminium doors. Narrow-stile aluminium and frameless glass doors usually need a different lock type. Send us a photo first.

The easiest way to check is to send us photos of both sides of the door and the door edge through a free consultation.

Power: batteries and backups

Smart locks run on batteries, not mains power, so most installs do not need an electrician. What differs is the battery type:

• Rechargeable lithium: the K11, M17, M20 and M30 use a rechargeable 4200 mAh lithium battery; the JINK P8 and Lock Pro also use lithium batteries.
• AA batteries: the JINK Lock Air runs on four AA batteries (6 V).
• Backups: most of our locks give a low-battery warning and keep a mechanical key. Many also have a USB emergency power port, so you can power the lock from a power bank if the battery goes flat.

Cameras, screens and face recognition draw more power than a keypad alone, so check the battery level in the app or on the lock regularly.

Matter over Thread vs Bluetooth and Tuya locks

Matter over Thread locks (the JINK range) are added to a Matter platform with a setup code. In Apple Home, Apple says Thread-enabled Matter accessories need a Thread-enabled home hub, such as HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet (Apple Support). Once added, the lock can sit in the same scenes and automations as Matter switches and sensors, for example turning on the hallway lights when the door unlocks. If you are new to this, our guide to setting up Apple Home with Matter over Thread walks through it.

Tuya and Bluetooth locks (TTS-06, M-series, K11) use the lock maker's app for access records, temporary codes and, depending on the setup, remote unlocking. They are a good choice if you just want a phone app for the lock and do not need it inside Apple Home. Exact app and remote functions depend on the supplied configuration, so ask us if a particular feature matters to you.

Locks marked "set up on the lock" (K7, K8, A5, A9PRO) are managed on the keypad itself, with no app needed.

Renting? Check before you change the lock

In Victoria, a renter who wants to change a lock must get the rental provider's consent first, pays for the change, and must give new keys to the rental provider and other renters as soon as possible. Consent cannot be unreasonably refused. Renters with a family violence intervention order or similar order do not need permission to change external door locks (Consumer Affairs Victoria). Rules differ in other states, so check with your state's tenancy authority.

Installation in Melbourne

Arklyfe supplies smart locks Australia-wide (free standard shipping on eligible orders of AU$199 or more) and installs them across Greater Melbourne, from our Mitcham showroom out to Box Hill, Doncaster, Ringwood, Balwyn, Glen Waverley, Camberwell and surrounding suburbs. A typical visit covers checking the door and lock body, fitting the lock, enrolling your fingerprints, faces or cards, and, for Matter locks, adding the lock to your Apple Home or other Matter platform. If you are planning more than a lock, see our smart home installation service, or read what a smart home costs in Australia. The showroom is by appointment; call 1300 306 739 or book a free consultation.

Smart lock FAQ

Do smart locks still have a key?

Almost always. Every lock in the Arklyfe range except the M20 (whose full entry methods we are still confirming) lists a mechanical key as a backup, and many also have a USB emergency power port in case the battery runs flat.

Which smart locks work with Apple Home?

In our range, the JINK Lock Air, JINK Door Lock P8, JINK Lock Pro and JINK Lock N400 use Matter over Thread and can be added to Apple Home. You need a Thread-enabled home hub such as a HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet.

Do I need an electrician to install a smart lock?

Usually not. The locks in our range are battery powered, so fitting is carpentry and hardware work rather than electrical work. The door may need routing if the existing lock body is a different size.

What is the cheapest smart lock with a video intercom?

In our range it is the M30 at AU$339 (October 2026). It has a 2 MP camera, a 4.5 inch indoor screen, two-way intercom, face recognition, fingerprint, card, password, app and key access.

Can I install a smart lock in a rental?

In Victoria you need the rental provider's consent first, and you must give them a key to the new lock. Consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

Will a smart lock fit my door?

Check the door thickness (many of our locks are listed for 45-120 mm), the lock body (often 6068 or 6085 mortise) and the handle style. Send us photos of the door and we will tell you which models fit.

Related reading

• Shop all smart locks
• Best Matter over Thread light switches in Australia (2026)
• Matter vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave in Australia
• Project: Rochester Residence, Balwyn