A MAN who claimed he'd killed his parents and threatened to kill himself and police sparked a lockdown at apartments near a Brisbane university overnight.

But extensive door-knocking at the Kelvin Grove apartment block amid the suburb's Queensland University of Technology campus led police to believe it was a hoax call.

Streets surrounding the building, which has retail and food outlets, and a supermarket on the ground floor and units on top, were locked down about 3.40am as police declared an emergency.

"About an hour and a half later we were able to establish there was no risk," a police spokesman said.

He said there weren't any evacuations but officers checked all units in the complex and weren't able to find the caller, which was believed to be a hoax.

Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.

More on this at Brisbanetimes.com.au