Lysterfield

Lysterfield is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, the estimated population of the suburb of Lysterfield is around 6,718 as of May 2026. This shows an increase of 37 people since the 2021 Census figure of 6,681. The change reflects an estimated resident population of 6,718 by AreaSearch following analysis of ABS ERP data release in June 2025 and validation of additional 46 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 212 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 77.0% of overall population gains recently.

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, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a growth just below the national median, with an expected increase of 341 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 5.1% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Lysterfield, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval data for Lysterfield shows around 18 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling approximately 92 homes. As of June 2026, eight approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline during this period, new supply has likely met demand, offering buyers good choice. Average expected construction cost per dwelling is $786,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

Commercial approvals totalled $820,000 in FY-26, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. New building activity shows 86.0% detached dwellings and 14.0% attached dwellings, preserving Lysterfield's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with its emphasis on detached housing.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 535 people, reflecting the area's quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lysterfield is expected to grow by 341 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.

Lysterfield has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. Four key projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the region: Angliss Hospital Expansion, Kings Park Masterplan, Dorset Road Extension, and Knoxfield Industrial Estate Redevelopment. Details on these projects are provided below.

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

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Employment conditions in Lysterfield rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Lysterfield has a highly educated workforce. The construction sector is particularly prominent, with an unemployment rate of 1.8% as of December 2025. This rate is lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.4%. As of December 2025, 4,190 residents are employed, with a workforce participation rate of 75.5%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Notably, 29.0% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance sectors.

Lysterfield has a strong specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance employs only 11.5% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 14.2%. Despite this, the area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.4%, while labour force grew by 1.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded higher employment growth (2.4%) but similar unemployment rate increase (0.3 percentage points). Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lysterfield's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch released its latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023. In Lysterfield suburb, the median income among taxpayers was $62,578 with an average of $77,361. Nationally, these figures are very high compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Lysterfield would be approximately $68,598 (median) and $84,803 (average) as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Lysterfield rank exceptionally at the 94th percentile ($2,754 weekly). Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 29.9% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,008 residents), aligning with regional levels where this cohort likewise represents 32.8%. The substantial proportion of high earners in Lysterfield is 45.9%, indicating strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 88.9% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Lysterfield's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.7% houses and 0.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lysterfield stood at 38.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 53.9% and rented ones at 7.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,200, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000 average. The median weekly rent figure in Lysterfield was $435, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Lysterfield's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 88.9% of all households, including 55.3% couples with children, 24.5% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for 11.1%, comprising 10.4% lone person households and 0.7% group households. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

Educational qualifications in Lysterfield trail regional benchmarks; 28.1% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. This gap indicates potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials; advanced diplomas account for 11.9% and certificates for 20.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education; this includes 9.5% in primary education, 9.4% in secondary education, and 6.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 25 active transport stops operating within Lysterfield. These stops are served by a mix of buses on six individual routes, collectively providing 749 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 263 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 96%. Vehicle ownership averages 2.3 per dwelling, above the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 29.0% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 107 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 29 weekly trips per individual stop.

Lysterfield's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Lysterfield, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

The rate of private health cover is found to be very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~3,853 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 6.9 and 6.2% of residents respectively, while 74.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents show notably healthy outcomes with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 16.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,074 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Lysterfield was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lysterfield had a higher than average cultural diversity, with 23.2% of its population born overseas and 19.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Lysterfield, accounting for 55.0% of people, compared to 43.0% across Greater Melbourne. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (25.3%), English (23.0%), and Other (9.3%).

Notably, Sri Lankan ancestry was higher than average at 1.7%, Hungarian at 0.5%, and Italian at 6.7%.

Lysterfield's median age exceeds the national pattern

Lysterfield's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and slightly above Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Lysterfield has a notably over-represented cohort of 55-64 year-olds at 17.1%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.8%. The concentration of 55-64 year-olds in Lysterfield is well above the national average of 11.2%. Following the Census conducted on 2021-August-11, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 increased from 8.1% to 9.7%, and those aged 85 and over grew from 0.8% to 2.0%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 45 to 54 decreased from 17.0% to 14.3%. Demographic projections indicate significant changes in Lysterfield's age profile by 2041-April-01. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 72%, adding 209 residents to reach a total of 498. Residents aged 65 and older are projected to represent 80% of the population growth, while declines are anticipated for the 0-4 and 5-14 age cohorts.