Bentley (WA)

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bentley reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Bentley (WA) is around 11,213. This figure reflects an increase of 2,162 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,051. The growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 11,201 following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2025 and an additional 40 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,084 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Bentley's growth rate of 23.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 9.3%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch uses ABS' Greater Capital Region projections released in 2023 based on 2022 data. By 2041, the suburb is projected to increase by 1,703 persons, reflecting a gain of 15.1% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Bentley among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis indicates Bentley received approximately 41 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years (FY-20 to FY-24), totalling around 206 homes. As of FY-25, 36 approvals have been recorded. Each year, around 6.7 people moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. This high demand outpaces new supply, potentially driving price growth and increased buyer competition.

The average construction cost for new dwellings is approximately $519,000, suggesting a focus on premium properties. In FY-25, commercial approvals reached $216.7 million, indicating significant local business activity. Compared to Greater Perth, Bentley's building activity per person is roughly three-quarters the average, while it ranks in the 65th percentile nationally among assessed areas.

New developments consist of 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, offering options across various price points. However, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (37.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. Bentley has around 215 people per dwelling approval, suggesting a developing market. AreaSearch projects Bentley to add approximately 1,691 residents by 2041, potentially outpacing housing supply growth and further heightening buyer competition and price increases at current development rates.

Bentley has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 24 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Australian Hockey Centre, Sam Kerr Football Centre, Queens Park Regional Open Space, Curtin University Net Zero Precinct Digital Twin, and Heartwood Bentley - Bentley Redevelopment Project. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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.

Employment drivers in Bentley are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Bentley has an educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate was 6.3% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 2.8%. As of December 2025, Bentley's unemployment rate is 2.2% higher than Greater Perth's rate of 4.1%, with a workforce participation rate of 65.2%.

Only 4.8% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Bentley specializes in accommodation & food, with an employment share twice the regional level, while construction employs just 5.0%, below Greater Perth's 9.3%. There are 1.3 workers per resident, indicating Bentley functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 2.8% while labour force increased by 2.9%, leading to a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. In comparison, Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.3%, labour force growth of 2.6%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, varying significantly by industry sector. Applying these projections to Bentley's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Bentley had a median taxpayer income of $42,209 and an average of $50,162 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Greater Perth having a median income of $60,748 and an average income of $80,248 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.93% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $46,822 (median) and $55,645 (average). Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Bentley all fall between the 14th and 14th percentiles nationally. The income distribution in Bentley is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, with 26.8% of residents (3,005 people). This aligns with the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 32.0%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Bentley, with only 77.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile nationally.

Bentley displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Bentley's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 37.3% houses and 62.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Perth metro had 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bentley was at 16.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.4% and rented ones at 65.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bentley was $1,555, below the Perth metro average of $1,907. The median weekly rent in Bentley was $320, compared to Perth metro's $350. Nationally, Bentley's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bentley features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 45.4% of all households, including 15.2% couples with children, 20.4% couples without children, and 7.0% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 54.6%, with lone person households at 38.9% and group households comprising 15.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Greater Perth average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Bentley exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Bentley's educational attainment exceeds broader norms. Among residents aged 15+, 39.2% possess university qualifications, compared to WA's 27.9% and the SA4 region's 29.9%. This high level positions Bentley well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 24.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 27.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas account for 11.6% and certificates for 15.5%. Educational participation is notably high in Bentley, with 42.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 23.5% in tertiary education, 5.8% in primary education, and 3.7% pursuing secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Bentley has 95 active public transport stops serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 46 individual routes, collectively facilitating 7,811 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 144 meters to the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the primary mode of transportation at 72%, followed by bus at 15% and train at 7%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 4.8% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 1,115 trips per day, equating to approximately 82 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Bentley is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Bentley faces significant health challenges, according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat prevalent across all age groups but notably higher among older cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of Bentley's total population (~5,283 people), compared to Greater Perth's 59.0% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (7.5%) and arthritis (6.7%), while 73.0% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Perth's 71.9%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Bentley has 18.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,074 people), higher than Greater Perth's 16.1%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Bentley is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bentley has a diverse population with 48.9% speaking a language other than English at home, and 59.2% born overseas. The dominant religion is Christianity, practiced by 36.0%. Buddhism is notably higher in Bentley at 10.3%, compared to the Greater Perth average of 2.7%.

In ancestry, 'Other' is highest at 25.4%, exceeding the regional average of 11.2%. English ancestry is lower at 18.5% versus a regional average of 28.0%, and Australian ancestry is also lower at 14.2% compared to 21.2%. Korean, Chinese, and Sri Lankan ethnic groups are notably overrepresented in Bentley, with Koreans at 1.1% (regional: 0.3%), Chinese at 11.9% (regional: 4.0%), and Sri Lankans at 0.6% (regional: 0.2%).

Bentley hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Bentley's median age is 30 years, which is younger than Greater Perth's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Perth, Bentley has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (24.3%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.6%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 12.7%. According to data from the 2021 Census, Bentley's median age has decreased by 1.5 years to 30 due to a shift in its population towards younger residents. Notable changes include an increase in the proportion of 15-24 year-olds from 21.1% to 24.3%, and an increase in the 25-34 age group from 24.3% to 26.1%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 85 and above has decreased from 7.2% to 5.1%, and the 55-64 age group has dropped from 5.2% to 4.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Bentley. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to grow by 55%, adding 486 residents to reach a total of 1,372. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 61% of population growth, highlighting the trend towards an aging demographic. Meanwhile, the 5-14 and 35-44 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.