Smart Lock FAQ
Australia

A smart lock replaces or supplements your existing mechanical lock with electronic access methods — keypad PIN, fingerprint, RFID card, Bluetooth app, or facial recognition — while typically retaining a physical key override. The core mechanism (deadbolt, latch, or mortice) is the same as a conventional lock. The electronics control who can operate it, when, and how. Smart locks do not make a door physically stronger — they manage access to an existing door. See Chapter 01 for a full breakdown of lock types, bolt types, and access methods.

A quality smart lock provides equivalent physical bolt security to a conventional lock of the same mechanical grade — because the bolt is the same. The electronics manage who can open the door; they don't make the door harder to force. Smart locks add practical security advantages: each user has a unique credential that can be instantly revoked without rekeying, an audit trail records every entry, and compromised PINs are changed in seconds — not locksmith visits. The weakest point of most residential doors is not the lock — it's the door frame. Before installing any lock, check your strike plate uses 75mm+ screws reaching the stud.

Six main methods — most locks support two or more simultaneously: PIN keypad (works offline, most versatile), fingerprint biometric (fastest entry, works offline), RFID card/fob (tap to unlock, works offline, no battery in card), Bluetooth app (phone within ~10m, works offline), WiFi via gateway (remote access from anywhere, requires internet), facial recognition (completely hands-free, advanced models only). Never rely on a single access method — configure at least two, with a physical key stored securely as a final backstop. See Chapter 03 for the full comparison table.

Battery-powered smart locks — which includes almost all residential models — are completely unaffected by mains power outages. The lock's battery operates independently of the grid. Your WiFi gateway will go offline when power fails, so remote access and push notifications stop. Local access via fingerprint, PIN, Bluetooth, and RFID continues to work. A physical key override works regardless of power or battery state. The only exception is a hardwired commercial lock with no battery backup — uncommon in residential applications.

Most smart locks give audible beeps and app warnings starting two to four weeks before the battery is critically low. When completely flat, the lock cannot operate electronically. Most models have a 9V battery jump-start terminal or USB-C emergency port on the exterior — press a standard 9V battery against the contacts for enough power to enter your PIN and unlock. Replace all batteries immediately. Always keep a physical key stored securely off-site as a final backstop.

6–12 months is typical for a residential door used 10–20 times per day on quality AA alkaline batteries. WiFi-connected locks use 30–50% more battery than offline locks. Battery life also depends on: auto-lock frequency, door alignment (a misaligned door causes the motor to strain on every cycle), ambient temperature, and battery quality. Use Duracell, Energizer, or equivalent quality alkaline batteries. Avoid lithium batteries in Queensland heat — they can overvoltage some lock electronics. Replace at the first low-battery warning — don't wait for the flat.

Any internet-connected device has some theoretical vulnerability. In practice, smart lock security exploits in residential settings are extremely rare in Australia. The overwhelming majority of residential break-ins involve physical attacks — door kicking, window breaking, forcing a weak frame. Sensible precautions: use strong, unique PINs, don't share admin credentials, keep app firmware updated, buy from brands with active security update programs, and purchase from Australian stock with Australian warranty support (not direct imports without RCM certification).

Most smart locks have an internal thumb turn or snib that manually bolts the lock from inside — useful for privacy. The risk: if someone engages the internal snib and you then try to enter from outside, the lock may appear to respond normally (lights flash, motor runs) but the bolt won't move because the internal snib is overriding it. This can feel like a fault but is by design. To avoid being locked out: understand where the internal snib is on your lock before installation, and consider whether the Secure Lock / anti-hacking lockout feature (which engages after multiple incorrect PIN attempts) is configured appropriately for your household.

Turn Tamper Alert off entirely. Tamper Alert is not supported by the hardware of any smart lock sold in Australia — including TTLock-based locks (McGrath, Lockton, Austyle, and others) where the setting appears in the app. The sensor required to distinguish genuine tampering from normal vibration is absent from Australian-spec hardware. As a result, Tamper Alert fires on any vibration — traffic, wind, a nearby door closing, even thermal expansion. It cannot be calibrated or made useful. The correct alternative is door-open/close event notifications — these are event-triggered (bolt movement detected) rather than vibration-triggered, and are genuinely useful for monitoring access.

No. PIN codes, fingerprint, RFID, and Bluetooth all work completely offline — no internet required. WiFi (via a gateway hub) adds remote access from outside Bluetooth range, real-time notifications, and cloud audit trail. Igloohome's algoPIN technology takes offline operation further: time-limited access codes are generated in the app and validated locally on the lock without any internet at the property — meaning Airbnb guests always get in even if property WiFi is down. Many households run smart locks with zero connectivity and are entirely satisfied. Evaluate your actual needs before adding gateway complexity.

The most common cause is router band steering. Most McGrath, Lockton, and TTLock-based gateways operate on 2.4GHz WiFi only. Modern routers often merge 2.4GHz and 5GHz under one network name and steer devices to the 5GHz band — which the gateway cannot use. The fix: log into your router and give the 2.4GHz band its own dedicated SSID, then connect the gateway to that network. The McGrath G5 gateway (dual-band 2.4GHz + 5GHz) solves this entirely — it connects to either band without manual splitting. See Chapter 08 for the full gateway comparison.

Some do. Yale has the strongest Apple HomeKit integration currently available in Australia — multiple Yale models work natively with the Home app. Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatibility varies by brand and requires a gateway. Important caveats: HomeKit remote access requires an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a home hub; all smart home integrations require a connected gateway; and platform integrations change with software updates — confirm the current status of the specific model before purchasing. See Chapter 10 for Yale's HomeKit detail.

Possibly — but do not order without confirming compatibility first. Australian security screen doors (Crimsafe, SecureView, Diamond Grill, and similar) have non-standard stile dimensions, non-standard lock positions, and a gap between screen and main door that limits which lock bodies physically clear. The McGrath UltraSecua is designed specifically for Australian security screen doors. Send us your screen door brand, measurements (stile width, gap clearance), and a photo before selecting anything. Incompatible orders are the most common and most avoidable cause of smart lock returns.

Yes — but only a smart lock with a valid AS1905.1-2015 fire test certificate covering your specific door core type (E-Core, Firecore, Pyropanel). A standard smart lock on a fire door is a building code violation. Two important rules apply to fire doors that many people don't know:

One-penetration rule: You cannot add a secondary deadbolt to a fire door. One certified locking device only — a second lock penetration voids the fire certification.
Hardware must be certified for your specific door core: A lock certified for E-Core is not automatically certified for Firecore or Pyropanel.

Our primary certified recommendations: McGrath Hamilton Disabled Fire Rated (AS1905.1-2015, DDA compliant) and Yale Unity Entrance Lock Fire Rated DDA. Confirm your door core type against the fire rating certificates before ordering.

Possibly — and there are now three confirmed risk windows, including one covering doors installed as recently as mid-2025:

Risk Window 1 — Pre-1990: Buildings constructed before January 1990 may have fire doors with asbestos-containing thermal insulation in the core.
Risk Window 2 — Korab/Pyrokor 1993–1998: Doors supplied between 1 January 1993 and 3 September 1998 were recalled by the federal government for failure to meet fire ratings and for containing asbestos. Primarily southern Queensland and northern NSW.
Risk Window 3 — Pyropanel FRB 2021 to May 2025: The Australian Border Force detected chrysotile asbestos in Fire Rated Boards (FRBs) branded Pyropanel, imported by ASSA ABLOY Australia from China. WorkSafe QLD, WorkSafe Victoria, WorkSafe WA, and the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities have all issued alerts. Official guidance: treat any Pyropanel FRB door from this period as asbestos until confirmed otherwise by NATA-accredited laboratory testing.

Why it matters for lock installation: Drilling a fire door with asbestos-containing core is an asbestos disturbance event. A locksmith who says "I need to check this before I drill" is exercising proper risk control.

Measure your stile width before looking at any product. For stiles 50–70mm: McGrath A210 (slimline body) or A231 are the primary recommendations. For stiles 70mm and above, the full lock range opens up. For stiles below 50mm, contact us before ordering — options are very limited. Never order a standard-body lock for an aluminium door without measuring — the lock body physically cannot fit most aluminium stiles. See Chapter 02 for measurement instructions and Chapter 04 for door type compatibility.

Yes — this is one of the most practical everyday benefits of a smart lock. Issue a unique PIN valid only during a specific date and time window (e.g. Wednesday 9am–11am). The code deactivates automatically when the window ends. Some systems also support single-use codes that expire immediately after first use. No need to be home, no key to hand over, no risk of key copying. The audit trail records exactly when the code was used — useful for confirming a cleaner visited and for resolving any access disputes. Most TTLock-based and Igloohome locks support up to 100 unique user codes simultaneously.

Highly suitable — smart locks are now standard practice on well-managed Australian short-stay rentals. Our primary recommendation is Igloohome with algoPIN technology: offline time-limited codes are generated in the app and validated by the lock without any internet at the property. Guests always get in even if WiFi is down or the NBN fails. Igloohome also has Airbnb Connect certification — automatic guest code generation when a booking is confirmed, with no manual work required per booking. For multi-property operators using PMS platforms (Hospitable, Uplisting, RemoteLock), McGrath/TTLock locks with a G-series gateway enable full automation. See Chapter 07 for the complete guide.

The Disability Discrimination Act and AS1428.1 require controls on accessible routes to be operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting. Any keypad, fingerprint, RFID, or facial recognition access method satisfies this for the entry action. The handle must also comply — D-type lever, 900–1100mm height, 20mm return, 35–45mm clearance. The McGrath Albion is independently tested and certified for DDA lever compliance. The McGrath Hamilton Disabled Fire Rated satisfies both DDA and fire door requirements simultaneously. For NDIS applications, smart locks frequently qualify as assistive technology — work with an OT to document functional need. See Chapter 09 for the full accessibility guide.

Not always — but more often than the marketing material suggests. DIY is reasonable when: your door is standard timber with a matching backset, you're replacing an existing deadbolt of the same prep size, and the manufacturer provides clear instructions. A locksmith is required for: fire-rated doors (legally mandated), mortice lock replacement (chiselling required), aluminium narrow-stile doors, security screen doors, and any situation requiring door prep modification. Even where DIY is technically possible, professional installation ensures correct alignment — a misaligned deadbolt strains the motor on every cycle and is the most common cause of smart lock failure. Terry's installations include full demonstration, app setup, and configuration of all access methods.

Two different things to consider. The physical key cylinder in smart locks that include a key override can be rekeyed by a locksmith to match your existing house keys. The electronic access methods (PIN, fingerprint, RFID) are "rekeyed" by changing or deleting credentials in the app — instant, free, no locksmith required. If a PIN is compromised, delete it and create a new one in seconds. This is a significant practical advantage: traditional rekeying requires a locksmith visit and new keys for every household member. With a smart lock, credential revocation is immediate and unlimited.

This is almost always a door alignment issue, not a lock fault. The bolt is binding against the strike plate because the door has shifted — very common in Queensland where timber moves seasonally with heat and humidity. Test by manually rotating the thumb turn — if the bolt feels stiff or binding, the door is the issue. Adjust the strike plate position (loosen screws, shift slightly, re-tighten) and test again. If the door hang has shifted significantly, a locksmith can assess whether rehinging is needed. The other possibility is the internal snib being engaged — see Q08 above.