Neighbourhood Watch began in South Australia on 1 May 1985, with the launch of the pilot Flinders Park Neighbourhood Watch Area.

• Excerpt from The Advertiser 28 April 1986 - “The bare statistics are compelling. Housebreakings in the area have slumped dramatically, down 30% on the previous 12 months”.

The success of the pilot meant the initiative was soon expanded into other suburbs and towns.

In the early 2000s, the Neighbourhood Watch Board of Management was formed, and in 2007 the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Association of South Australia Inc commenced.

In 2012, the Holden Hill Neighbourhood Watch Area received a Federal Award for Innovation for work related to internet safety, the theft of electronic equipment, and security of personal property when shopping.

In 2016, Neighbourhood Watch SA launched its statewide Facebook page and in 2024, the first Neighbourhood Watch Private Facebook groups were launched.

In 2025, the program celebrated its 40^th anniversary with a grants program that enabled 15 groups around the State to undertake projects to support the development of safe and connected communities.