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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Melba has an estimated 3,426 residents, up from 3,383 at the 2021 Census — a change of 43 people, or 1.3%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years, slower than 84% of areas nationally. That puts 1,483 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
AreaSearch indicates that Melba has a population of approximately 3,426 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 43 individuals (1.3%) from the 2021 Census, when the population was recorded at 3,383 people. This trend is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 3,424 combined with 6 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Consequently, the population density stands at 1,483 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure for locations analyzed nationally. The 1.3% growth rate of Melba since the census lags by 2.9 percentage points behind the broader SA3 area (4.2%), yet it maintains competitive growth metrics.
The population increase was mostly driven by overseas migration, which made up about 68.3% of the total demographic growth in recent times. ABS and Geoscience Australia projections published in 2024 using 2022 as the baseline are utilized for SA2 regions. For SA2 territories lacking this data, and for any projections extending past 2032, growth dynamics by age cohort are sourced from ACT Government projections, also using a 2022 baseline. Looking at long-term demographic patterns, projections point to a shrinking population, with the local count expected to drop by 294 persons by 2041 under this approach. Conversely, expansion is anticipated in select age groups, particularly the 45 to 54 cohort, which is expected to rise by 21 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
24 new dwellings have been approved in Melba over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 1.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential approvals in Melba average approximately 4 per year, generating 24 homes in total over the last 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 1 approvals have been logged. With an average of 4.8 new residents added annually for each home built over the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, demand continues to outrun supply, typically driving up property values and boosting competition among purchasers, while new dwellings carry an average construction value of $216,000. Furthermore, $626,000 in commercial building approvals have been logged in the current financial year, pointing to very low commercial development activity.
Melba experiences very low levels of construction activity relative to Australian Capital Territory, tracking 75.0% below the regional average per capita. This lack of new inventory generally supports demand and reinforces pricing for established homes. The volume of activity also trails the national average, highlighting the mature state of the local market and hinting at potential planning constraints. Recently approved building designs consist of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, reflecting a growing proportion of medium-density choices that broaden options across different pricing tiers, ranging from classic family residences to lower-cost compact dwellings. A ratio of approximately 1098 people per approval highlights the mature, developed nature of Melba. Given that the population is projected to remain stable or contract, Melba is likely to experience less pressure on its housing market, which could present favorable options for home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Melba
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 21 current infrastructure and development projects close to Melba, worth an estimated $6.16 billion. 3 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, major construction, and planning updates have a primary role in shaping suburban performance. AreaSearch has identified 1 project that is expected to influence the local area. Key projects of note include Ginninderry Masterplanned Community - Strathnairn & Macnamara, Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+), Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct, and New Northside Hospital, with the subsequent list detailing the developments of greatest significance to the area.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Ethos Belconnen
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen. The project comprises 88 premium apartments with ground floor commercial tenancies overlooking Lake Ginninderra. Construction is well advanced with display apartments open and commercial space being marketed ahead of expected completion in 2026.
University of Canberra Sports Precinct
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports courts, outdoor playing fields, gymnasium upgrades, and athlete training facilities. It focuses on community access programs and elite athlete development.
Belconnen Arts Centre Redevelopment
Modernization of existing arts centre with expanded performance spaces, visual arts galleries, community workshop areas, and improved accessibility. Features flexible venue spaces for theater, music, and community events with enhanced acoustics and lighting.
Belconnen Basketball Stadium Expansion
Expansion of existing basketball facilities to include additional courts, spectator seating for 2,000, improved accessibility features, and modernized amenities. Part of ACT Government's sports infrastructure investment program.
West Belconnen Health Centre
Planned ACT Government community health centre for the growing West Belconnen and Ginninderry region. The facility is intended to provide integrated primary care, specialist outpatient services, allied health, mental health and community health services. As of 2026 the project remains in the planning phase with potential sites under review, land acquisition and concept design progressing ahead of future construction funding.
Belconnen Community Hub Upgrade
Comprehensive upgrade of existing community facilities including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, youth programs area, seniors center, and childcare facilities. Improved accessibility and technology integration throughout.
Belconnen Central by JW Land
A $520 million mixed-use town centre precinct comprising 550 for-sale apartments and 325 build-to-rent units across two towers (20 and 24 storeys) over a central podium with ground-floor commercial activation and basement parking. The all-electric precinct includes EV charging for each dwelling and improved pedestrian links between Emu Bank, Margaret Timpson Park and the Belconnen Bus Interchange. Site is bounded by Swanson Court, Chandler Street and the Cohen Street bus station.
Belconnen Town Centre Land Release Program
An ACT Government urban renewal initiative transforming the Belconnen Town Centre. The program includes the Lathlain Street precinct, Emu Inlet Waterfront, and the Circus Site. It features a mix of high-density residential units, commercial spaces, and the new 5-star Green Star Belconnen Urban Park. Key private developments by JWLand and others are integrating over 1,200 new dwellings to create a walkable 'modern village' linked to Lake Ginninderra.
1,670 residents of Melba are employed, from a labour force of 1,792. Unemployment sits at 6.8%, with participation at 66.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,772, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce in Melba is highly qualified, with professional services highly represented, alongside an unemployment rate of 6.8%. As of March 2026, 1,670 local citizens are employed, while the unemployment rate sits 2.8% above the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.1%, and workforce participation lags the broader territory average (66.0% compared to 70.8%). According to Census records, a moderate 14.3% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are public administration & safety, education & training, and professional & technical.
The suburb displays a strong concentration of employment in education & training, reaching 1.3 times the regional average share. By contrast, public administration & safety accounts for only 25.9% of employment, which is lower than the 30.4% recorded across Australian Capital Territory. This highly residential locality appears to provide sparse local employment options, as shown by the difference between Census working population numbers and resident workforce numbers. AreaSearch's review of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, the labor force expanded by 1.1% while the number of employed residents fell by 0.9%, resulting in a 2.0 percentage point rise in unemployment. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory experienced a 0.3% rise in employment, a 1.1% increase in the labor force, and a 0.7 percentage point lift in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide additional context on prospective labor demand in Melba. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future employment paths. Locally, overall employment is projected to grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on weighting national industry trends where overall growth is forecast at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Melba is $2,326 a week (about $121,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,118 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $69,126 a year against an average of $76,284. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to aggregated ATO postcode statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the Melba SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $69,126 and an average of $76,284. This represents a strong performance nationally, though it is below the median of $72,206 and average of $85,981 across Australian Capital Territory. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since financial year 2023, estimated figures for March 2026 would stand at approximately $76,343 for the median and $84,248 for the average. Census data from 2021 highlights that household, family, and individual incomes in Melba all sit at high levels, placing between the 84th and 86th percentiles nationwide.
In terms of earnings, 31.0% of the population (1,062 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, which aligns closely with the regional figure of 34.3%. Financial capacity is demonstrated by the 38.1% of households that record weekly incomes above $3,000, which underpins local retail activity. After accounting for housing expenditure, households retain 87.3% of their income, which indicates high disposable income, and the suburb is positioned in the 8th decile on the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Melba had 1,198 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 81% detached houses and 2% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 21% rented and 36% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,100 a month. Rent absorbs 17.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential configurations in Melba at the time of the latest Census consisted of 80.8% houses and 19.2% other housing formats (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% other dwellings in Australian Capital Territory. Home ownership rates in Melba stood significantly higher than the Australian Capital Territory average at 35.5%, while the remaining properties were occupied under mortgages (43.8%) or rented (20.6%). The median mortgage payment in the area was $2,100 per month, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,080, while median weekly rent was recorded at $400, compared to the territory average of $450.
On a national level, monthly mortgage costs in Melba are substantially higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents also exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Melba counted 1,198 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 76.5%, consisting of couples with children at 36.9%, couples without children at 27.6%, and single parent households at 11.1%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 23.5%, which includes single-person households at 21.0% and group households at 2.7%. The local median household occupancy of 2.7 persons is higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
40.3% of adults in Melba hold a university qualification, including 23.9% with a bachelor degree and 11.9% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 75% of areas nationally. A further 18.1% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,342 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,040 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The educational profile of the suburb is distinct within the region, as university graduation rates (40.3% of residents aged 15+) surpass the national average of 30.4%, pointing to a strong local emphasis on tertiary studies. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 23.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (11.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 29.5% of the population aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.4%) and certificates (18.1%). A high level of educational enrollment is observed, with 31.7% of residents actively participating in formal study.
This cohort includes 12.0% in primary school, 7.5% in high school, and 5.8% enrolled in university or tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Melba reaches 43 stops on 123 routes, timetabled for about 6,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport options include 43 active bus stops located throughout Melba. These stops accommodate 123 distinct bus routes, which generate a combined total of 6,835 weekly passenger journeys. Commuter access is highly rated, with residents situated an average of 157 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the suburb's residential focus, the vast majority of workers travel outside the area for employment, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice at 90%, and buses accounting for 6%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.5 cars per dwelling, which is above the regional norm.
Additionally, 14.3% of the workforce reported working from home in the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era dynamics. Bus schedules deliver an average of 976 daily runs across the network, translating to approximately 158 weekly services per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.9% of residents in Melba report no long-term health condition. 5.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 57.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in Melba align closely with national averages, with AreaSearch identifying typical rates of mortality and chronic conditions across both younger and older demographics, while the share of residents with private health insurance is very high at approximately 57% of the population (~1,952 people). This compares to 62.4% recorded across Australian Capital Territory. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most prevalent medical issues in the suburb, affecting 10.1% and 9.6% of citizens, respectively, while 65.9% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory.
Residents of working age exhibit higher-than-average rates of chronic conditions. The suburb has 16.9% of its population aged 65 and over (578 people), exceeding the Australian Capital Territory proportion of 14.3%. Senior health trends are favorable, with national standings generally matching the trends observed in the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Melba is largely Australian-born, at 78.1% of residents, with 16.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (27.2%) and English (24.9%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Melba shows elevated cultural diversity relative to average levels, with 21.9% of its residents born outside of Australia and 16.5% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 45.4% of the population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in the Other category, which represents 1.2% of the local population compared to 1.4% across Australian Capital Territory. Regarding parent birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Melba are Australian at 27.2%, English at 24.9%, and Irish at 9.2%. Notable variations are present in other ethnic backgrounds, with Welsh ancestry overrepresented at 0.7% (compared to 0.6% across the region), Croatian at 0.8% (compared to 0.9% regionally), and Serbian at 0.4% (compared to 0.4% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Melba is 38. 25.2% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Melba has a median age of 38 years, which is older than the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 years and matches the national median of 38 years. Compared to the wider territory, Melba has a larger proportion of residents aged 5 - 14 (14.9%) but a smaller proportion aged 25 - 34 (11.7%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 demographic has increased from 11.0% to 13.5%, and the 85+ bracket has risen from 1.0% to 2.1%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 group has shrunk from 9.6% to 8.1%, and the 0 to 4 cohort has dropped from 7.1% to 5.8%.
Projections suggest that the age structure will shift considerably by 2041, with the 45 to 54 age bracket experiencing the fastest growth of 4%, gaining 19 residents to total 447, while the 85+ and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Melba
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | May 2026 3 months ago all 13 measures |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 6 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,383 at the 2021 Census → 3,426 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (801011022). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.