Types of keys a locksmith can cut
Not all keys are equal. Standard house and door keys are the most common — a locksmith or hardware store can duplicate these in minutes from the original key. Do Not Copy (DNC) keys carry a stamp requesting locksmiths not duplicate them, but this is not legally enforceable in Australia — any locksmith can cut them unless the key belongs to a patented restricted system.
Restricted keys (Bilock, EVVA, Abloy Protec, Mul-T-Lock) are patented and can only be cut by an authorised dealer with the property owner's permission card. These offer genuine duplication control. Transponder car keys contain an electronic chip that must be programmed to the vehicle — cutting the key profile is only half the job.
Laser-cut and track-cut keys (used in modern vehicles and some high-security residential locks) require specialist milling equipment and are not available at hardware stores.
Pattern cutting vs code cutting
Pattern cutting (duplication) is the standard process — your original key is placed in a machine that traces its profile and cuts a matching blank. The quality of the copy depends on the precision of the original: a worn key produces a worn copy. For best results, always duplicate from the least-worn key you have.
Code cutting is used when no original key is available. The key code — stamped on the lock barrel, lock card, or sourced via the vehicle's VIN — tells the machine the exact cut depths to use. The result is a factory-fresh key, often more accurate than a copy of a worn original.
For restricted key systems, code cutting is typically the only option: the locksmith works from the manufacturer's key records rather than duplicating a physical key. This is why the permission card is essential.
Key cutting costs on the Central Coast
Standard house / door key
$5 – $15 per key
High-security standard key
$15 – $30 per key
Do Not Copy (DNC) key
$80 – $140 per key
Restricted key (Bilock / EVVA)
$160 – $240 per key
Car key (basic, no chip)
$20 – $60 per key
Transponder key (cut + program)
$180 – $395 per key
Mobile locksmith callout fee
$50 – $100
Prices are indicative for the Central Coast, NSW. Restricted key costs depend on the system brand and whether blanks need to be ordered. Transponder key programming costs vary by vehicle make and model. Get quotes via WhatsApp for exact pricing.
Key management for property managers
Key control is one of the most common pain points for Central Coast property managers. Every time a tenancy ends, there's uncertainty about whether keys were copied — and standard keys offer no protection against hardware store duplication.
Restricted key systems solve this problem. When you issue tenants restricted keys, they cannot be duplicated without your authorisation and permission card. At the end of a tenancy, you can be confident your key register is accurate — eliminating the need to rekey between every tenancy and saving hundreds of dollars per property per year.
For strata and commercial properties, a locksmith can design a key management plan that specifies which key types suit each door, how many authorised copies exist, and a system for tracking issued keys. Ask your locksmith about restricted key systems compatible with your existing deadbolts — in many cases, only the cylinder needs replacing.
