Bunyip

Bunyip lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Bunyip is around 3,344 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 213 people (6.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,131 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 3,265 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 138 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Bunyip has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 40.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above median population growth of national areas is projected, with the suburb expected to grow by 578 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 14.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Bunyip among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Bunyip has recorded around 20 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 104 homes. So far in FY-26, nine approvals have been recorded. Between FY-21 and FY-25, there was an average of 2.6 people moving to Bunyip per new home constructed. The average construction cost value for new homes over this period was $440,000.

In FY-26, commercial approvals totalled $858,000. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bunyip records around 63% of the building activity per person and ranks among the 84th percentile nationally in terms of development activity. Recent construction comprises approximately 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% medium and high-density housing.

The location has about 118 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bunyip is projected to add 499 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Bunyip has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Gippsland Line Upgrade - Bunyip and Longwarry Stations. Other key projects include Warragul and Drouin Precinct Structure Plan, Additional VLocity Trains, and Victorian Desalination Plant Expansion.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Bunyip performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Bunyip has a balanced workforce with diverse employment types. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 2.2% as of December 2025. Employment growth in the past year was estimated at 4.5%.

Bunyip's residents have a lower unemployment rate of 2.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Melbourne's, at 71.3%. A moderate 19.8% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Construction has a strong presence with an employment share of 2.0 times the regional level. Professional & technical services have limited presence, at 5.2% compared to the regional 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 4.5% while labour force grew by 4.6%, causing unemployment to rise slightly to 2.7%. By comparison, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, and an unemployment rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Bunyip's employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Bunyip's employment mix.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Bunyip had a median taxpayer income of $51,262 and an average income of $74,993 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the national averages, with Greater Melbourne having a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164 in the same period. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest the median income would be approximately $55,491 and the average income $81,180. The 2021 Census ranked Bunyip's household income at the 61st percentile ($1,927 weekly) and personal income at the 44th percentile. Income brackets show that 33.6% of Bunyip's population (1,123 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region at 32.8%. After housing expenses, 85.5% of income remains for other expenses. Bunyip's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Bunyip is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census evaluated Bunyip's dwelling structure as 98.3% houses and 1.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bunyip was 34.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (54.0%) or rented (11.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bunyip was $1,950, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Bunyip was $320, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Bunyip's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Bunyip features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 79.2% of all households, including 39.6% couples with children, 30.3% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 20.8%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households making up 1.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Bunyip aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 15.7%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (34.0%). Educational participation is high at 31.5%, with 11.7% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in primary education, 10.5% in secondary education, and 2.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Bunyip has four operational public transport stops offering a mix of train services. These stops are served by five distinct routes, collectively facilitating 296 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed limited, with residents typically residing 793 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most Bunyip residents commute outward, with car being the primary mode at 95%. On average, there are 2.0 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 19.8% of residents work from home, which could be attributed to COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 42 trips daily across all routes, translating to approximately 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

Bunyip's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data for Bunyip residents shows positive outcomes, aligning with national benchmarks for mortality rates and health conditions.

Common health issues are seen across all age groups, with mental health issues affecting 8.6% of residents and asthma impacting 8.0%. Approximately 1,887 people (56%) have private health cover. Most residents, 68.5%, report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age population health outcomes are typical. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 20.9% aged 65 and over (698 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Senior health outcomes are above average, matching national rankings for the general population.

The latest Census data sees Bunyip placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Bunyip's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 91.6% of its population being citizens born in Australia who speak English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Bunyip, comprising 48.2% of people, while Judaism is overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (34.7%), English (31.5%), and Irish (9.6%), all higher than regional averages.

Notable divergences include Dutch (3.3% vs 1.2%), Maltese (0.7% vs 1.1%), and Polish (0.7% vs 0.8%) groups being overrepresented in Bunyip compared to regional averages.

Bunyip's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Bunyip is close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and equivalent to Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bunyip has a higher percentage of residents aged 75-84 (8.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.9%). Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 increased from 8.5% to 10.3%, while those aged 75-84 rose from 6.3% to 8.0%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 45-54 decreased from 12.0% to 9.4%. By 2041, Bunyip's age composition is projected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 75-84 is expected to grow by 54%, reaching 412 from 267. This growth will be led by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 74% of the projected growth. Meanwhile, the number of residents aged 0-4 is expected to fall by 14%.