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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 | --
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Sales Activity
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Population
Wurtulla - Birtinya lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Wurtulla-Birtinya's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 11,627. This figure represents a 956-person increase since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 10,671. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 11,610 in June 2024 plus 400 new addresses validated after the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 1,699 persons per square kilometer, exceeding national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Over ten years (2011-2021), Wurtulla-Birtinya's population grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%, outpacing its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.3% to recent population gains, with all drivers being positive factors.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections (released in 2023, based on 2021 data) are adopted. However, these state projections lack age category splits; thus, AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings aligned with ABS Greater Capital Region projections for each age cohort. By 2041, Wurtulla-Birtinya's population is projected to increase by 2,981 persons, reflecting a total gain of 25.5% over the 17-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Wurtulla - Birtinya was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country
Wurtulla-Birtinya has granted around 139 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 697 homes. As of FY26179 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.5 people have moved to the area per new home constructed each year between FY21 and FY25. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $348,000.
There have been $49.7 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Compared to the rest of Queensland, Wurtulla-Birtinya records 13.0% less building activity per person but ranks among the 92nd percentile nationally, indicating strong developer interest. New development consists of 8.0% detached dwellings and 92.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from existing patterns (currently 66.0% houses). With around 70 people per approval, Wurtulla-Birtinya reflects a developing area. By 2041, it is expected to grow by 2,964 residents. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Looking ahead, Wurtulla - Birtinya is expected to grow by 2,964 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Wurtulla - Birtinya has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects likely to impact this region. Notable ones include Sunshine Coast Health Precinct, St Clair, Birtinya Social Housing Project, and Birtinya Town Centre. The following details projects expected to have the most relevance.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
The Wave - Sunshine Coast Rail and Public Transport Project
The Wave is a transformative integrated transport project for the Sunshine Coast. It includes the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (Stages 1 and 2), featuring a 19km dual-track heavy rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra with an extension to Birtinya. Stage 3 (Metro) provides a high-frequency Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service from Birtinya to the Sunshine Coast Airport via the Maroochydore CBD. The project aims to reduce travel times to Brisbane by over 45 minutes, supporting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy. Pre-delivery activities including geotechnical investigations and utility relocations are underway, with major construction procurement and detailed designs expected in 2026.
Sunshine Coast Health Precinct
The Sunshine Coast Health Precinct is a premier integrated health hub comprising the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH), Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute. The precinct is undergoing significant expansion, with SCUH increasing capacity to 738 beds by mid-2025. Key facilities include the Thompson Institute for mental health research, Vitality Village, and the newly completed Maroochy Private Hospital nearby, which serves as a clinical trials and surgical research ecosystem. The precinct focuses on tertiary-level healthcare, medical research, and workforce training in partnership with UniSC and Griffith University.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) is a tertiary teaching public hospital in Birtinya, Queensland. Completed in 2017 as a $1.8 billion Public-Private Partnership with the Exemplar Health consortium, it reached its full capacity of 738 beds in 2021. The facility provides comprehensive acute, surgical, maternity, and rehabilitation services. Recent 2025 updates include the introduction of a perinatal mental health hub with 8 dedicated beds and multimillion-dollar digital infrastructure upgrades. SCUH is a core component of the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct, fostering collaboration in medical research and education.
The Wave - Birtinya Station (Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line)
Birtinya Station is a key component of 'The Wave' (formerly the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line), a 37.8km dual-track heavy rail extension. As part of Stage 2, the station will serve as a major interchange for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Kawana Health Precinct. The project includes approximately 7.7km of track from Caloundra to Birtinya, a 1.2km tunnel at Little Mountain, and a stabling yard. It aims to reduce travel times to Brisbane by over 45 minutes and support regional growth ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Birtinya Town Centre
Birtinya Town Centre is a major regional activity centre spanning 18 hectares, designed as a transit-oriented mixed-use precinct. The project is being revitalized under a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to address the housing crisis and 2032 Olympic Games preparations. Updated plans include increasing maximum building heights to 15 storeys (with at least six buildings capped at 12 storeys) and delivering up to 2,600 dwellings, nearly doubling previous allocations. Key features include a 60 percent increase in public open space, a new 'green spine,' and a 130-metre pedestrian bridge across Lake Kawana connecting to East Bank. The precinct integrates retail, office space, high-density residential, and a potential 4-star hotel.
Oceanside Birtinya
A large-scale master-planned community by Stockland, encompassing residential land, house and land packages, and townhomes. The community is designed around the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct and features extensive parks, waterways, and connections to retail and dining.
16 Bright Place Affordable Housing
An eight-storey waterfront development designed by Ellivo Architects providing 90 affordable apartments (12 studios, 66 one-bedroom, and 12 two-bedroom units) for local essential workers in the Sunshine Coast health and retail precincts. Features naturally cross-ventilated units, communal spaces with lake views, solar array, 82 car parks, and designed to achieve 7+ star NatHERS rating with livable housing standards. The project was approved via Ministerial Infrastructure Designation in September 2024 but that approval was repealed in March 2025, requiring the project to now seek Sunshine Coast Council approval through the standard development application process.
Birtinya Social Housing Project
A five-storey social housing development delivering 63 units with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom options, designed to be fully accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. Located on a 2622sqm block near the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, the complex features communal areas to build community and includes at least 61 car parking spaces. The basement structure is now in place with completion due mid-2026.
Employment
Employment conditions in Wurtulla - Birtinya demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally
Wurtulla-Birtinya has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.5% as of September 2025. There were 6,482 residents employed at this time, with the unemployment rate being 1.6% lower than Rest of Qld's rate of 4.1%.
Workforce participation was similar to Rest of Qld's 65.7%. According to Census responses, 15.1% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a high specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 0.3% compared to 4.5% regionally.
There was one worker per resident as of the Census, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 2.6%, with employment decreasing by 2.2%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point drop in unemployment rate. In contrast, Rest of Qld saw employment growth of 1.7% and labour force expansion of 2.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Wurtulla-Birtinya's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
The median taxpayer income for Wurtulla - Birtinya SA2 was $54,781 and the average was $81,035 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is among the highest in Australia compared to Rest of Qld's median income of $53,146 and average income of $66,593. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 9.91% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $60,210 (median) and $89,066 (average) as of September 2025. From the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Wurtulla - Birtinya cluster around the 52nd percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.6% of the population (3,790 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 31.7% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 80.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 48th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Wurtulla - Birtinya displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Dwelling structure in Wurtulla-Birtinya, as per the latest Census, consisted of 66.5% houses and 33.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro Qld had 76.4% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wurtulla-Birtinya was at 27.1%, with the rest either mortgaged (29.7%) or rented (43.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Non-Metro Qld's average of $1,655. The median weekly rent figure was $480, compared to Non-Metro Qld's $345. Nationally, Wurtulla-Birtinya's mortgage repayments were above the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Wurtulla - Birtinya features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households constitute 70.3% of all households, including 27.4% couples with children, 29.9% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.7%, with lone person households at 23.1% and group households making up 6.7%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Qld.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Wurtulla - Birtinya performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes
The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates of 28.7% among residents aged 15+ exceeding the Rest of Qld average of 20.6% and that of SA3 area (23.6%). Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 20.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 37.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (26.1%).
Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.6% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 6.5% in tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Transport analysis indicates 21 active stops operating within Wurtulla-Birtinya, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by four individual routes, collectively facilitating 875 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 335 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most residents commute outward; car remains dominant at 86%, with 7% walking and 3% cycling. Vehicle ownership averages 1.4 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 15.1% of residents work from home, possibly reflecting COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency averages 125 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Wurtulla - Birtinya is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts
Wurtulla-Birtinya faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat prevalent across the board but slightly higher among older age cohorts.
The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population, which comprises 6,918 people, compared to 52.5% across Rest of Qld. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, impacting 8.9% and 8.6% of residents respectively, while 68.0% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 67.6% across Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 18.9% of residents aged 65 and over, comprising 2,200 people, which is lower than the 20.4% in Rest of Qld. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Wurtulla - Birtinya ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Wurtulla-Birtinya showed cultural diversity below average, with 87.0% citizens, 79.3% born in Australia, and 92.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 47.0%, compared to 52.2% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (31.5%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (8.9%).
Notably, South African (0.8%) and New Zealand (1.0%) groups were slightly overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively. German ancestry was also slightly higher at 4.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Wurtulla - Birtinya's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms
The median age in Wurtulla - Birtinya is 39 years, which is lower than Rest of Qld's average of 41 but close to the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are prominent at 16.6%, while those aged 5-14 are smaller at 9.8% compared to Rest of Qld. Since 2021, the 25-34 age group has grown from 14.9% to 16.6%, and the 65-74 cohort increased from 9.3% to 10.5%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort declined from 11.7% to 9.8%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 12.0% to 10.8%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Wurtulla - Birtinya's age structure. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to increase by 700 people (36%) from 1,924 to 2,625. Meanwhile, the 15-24 cohort grows by a modest 2% (32 people).