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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
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Melba has an estimated 3,429 residents, up from 3,383 at the 2021 Census — a change of 46 people, or 1.4%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years, slower than 84% of areas nationally. That puts 1,484 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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Melba has an estimated population of 3,429, determined through AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population revisions alongside newly validated addresses recorded since the Census. Compared to the 3,383 residents documented in the 2021 Census, this represents an addition of 46 people, or a 1.4% expansion. This estimate is calculated from an estimated resident population of 3,424 identified in the ABS ERP figures from June 2025, combined with 4 validated new addresses added post-Census. Population density stands at 1,484 persons per square kilometer, outpacing the national benchmark evaluated across AreaSearch locations.
While the broader SA3 area expanded by 4.2%, the suburb of Melba's 1.4% uplift remains within 2.8 percentage points of that regional pace, showing steady growth fundamentals. Net overseas migration served as the principal demographic driver, accounting for roughly 65.0% of all recent population additions. Population forecasts for each SA2 district utilise the 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia model using 2022 as its baseline, with post-2032 horizons and unlisted SA2 districts applying ACT Government age cohort projections based in 2022. Under this forecasting framework, demographic projections point toward a gradual contraction for the suburb of Melba, shedding 295 persons by 2041. Despite overall reductions, select age segments will record gains, most notably the 45 to 54 cohort, which is anticipated to add 20 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 1.0 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 Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS residential building approvals compiled by AreaSearch reveal that Melba maintains an annual average of approximately 4 new dwellings approved, totaling 24 homes across the preceding 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), with 1 dwelling approval logged to date in FY-25. Over those 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), an average of 6.8 people relocated locally for every home constructed, creating a structural supply shortage that typically intensifies buyer competition and exerts upward pressure on home values. Construction costs for new residential builds average $609,000, underscoring developer concentration on high-end, premium residential offerings.
Concurrently, non-residential development remains negligible, with $53,000 recorded in commercial building approvals for the current financial year. Relative to broader Australian Capital Territory benchmarks, residential construction in Melba is remarkably subdued, sitting 84.0% below the regional per capita average. Such constrained construction activity generally supports property values and heightens demand across established dwellings. This shortfall relative to national figures underlines the mature profile of the area alongside potential urban planning limitations. New building approvals comprise 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% townhouses or apartments, delivering a diverse range of housing formats from standalone family residences to compact, lower-maintenance options. The ratio of roughly 2269 people per dwelling approval reflects a thoroughly established urban environment. Given that overall resident numbers are expected to remain flat or contract, Melba is likely to experience easing demand on its residential stock, potentially opening up opportunities for prospective property purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Melba
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 25 current infrastructure and development projects close to Melba, worth an estimated $11 billion. 6 are already under construction and 11 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 and regional planning developments play a pivotal role in shaping an area's trajectory. AreaSearch has pinpointed 1 primary initiative poised to affect the locality, alongside notable major projects such as the Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct, New Northside Hospital, Ginninderry Masterplanned Community - Strathnairn & Macnamara, and Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+).
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 65.3%. 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 2,775, 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
Statistical area data aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that Melba maintains an unemployment rate of 6.8% alongside an educated resident labor force with substantial representation in professional fields. Across the suburb, 1,670 residents are employed as of March 2026. The local unemployment rate sits 2.8% higher than the Australian Capital Territory benchmark of 4.1%, while local labor force participation stands at 65.3%, trailing the territory-wide level of 70.6%. Census figures indicate that 14.3% of workers carried out their duties from home, though these figures were influenced by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. The dominant employment sectors for local residents are public administration & safety, education & training, along with professional & technical services.
A notable local specialization exists in education & training, capturing a workforce concentration 1.3 times the territory average. Conversely, public administration & safety represents 25.9% of Melba's employed workforce, underperforming the broader Australian Capital Territory proportion of 30.4%. Given the residential nature of the suburb, Census comparisons between resident workers and local workplace positions point to limited local job opportunities. Examining SALM and ABS statistical aggregates over a 12-month period, the local labor pool expanded by 1.1% while total jobs fell by 0.9%, driving an unemployment increase of 2.0 percentage points. Across Australian Capital Territory over the same timeframe, overall employment grew by 0.3%, the labor supply rose by 1.1%, and unemployment edged up by 0.7 percentage points. Looking ahead, national labor projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide context for future workforce requirements. Across the nation, total employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though industry growth varies widely. Weighting these sectoral projections against the local occupational profile suggests Melba's resident employment could grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.2% 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 $65,611 a year against an average of $74,164. 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
ATO taxpayer statistics for financial year 2023 published by AreaSearch show that the suburb of Melba recorded a median individual income of $65,611 and an average of $74,164, exceeding national averages while trailing the Australian Capital Territory figures of $72,206 (median) and $85,981 (average). Factoring in a 10.44% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated earnings as of March 2026 reach approximately $72,461 for the median and $81,907 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual income distributions placed between the 84th and 86th percentiles nationally.
Weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 comprise the largest group at 31.0% of residents (1,062 people), mirroring the territory proportion of 34.3%. High earnings are prominent, with 38.1% taking home above $3,000 weekly, which underpins local retail demand. Residents retain 87.3% of their income once housing costs are covered, and the locality sits 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
Census data reveals that standalone houses represent 80.8% of Melba's residential stock, while 19.2% consists of medium and high-density formats including apartments and semi-detached units, compared to 63.3% houses and 36.7% attached dwellings across Australian Capital Territory. Outright home ownership stands at 35.5%, markedly higher than the territory average, with mortgaged properties accounting for 43.8% and rental accommodation making up 20.6%. Median monthly mortgage costs are $2,100, which exceeds the Australian Capital Territory median of $2,080 and the national median of $1,863. Median weekly rent is $400, sitting below the territory average of $450 but remaining above the national level 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 76.5% of all households in the area, divided into couples with children at 36.9%, couples without children at 27.6%, and single parent households at 11.1%. The remaining 23.5% consists of non-family living arrangements, dominated by single-person residences at 21.0% alongside group houses at 2.7%. The typical household comprises 2.7 people, exceeding the Australian Capital Territory median 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 76% 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
Higher education qualifications are prevalent throughout the local community, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding tertiary degrees compared to the national rate of 30.4%. Attainment is spearheaded by bachelor degrees at 23.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.5%. Vocational training is similarly well represented, as 29.5% of residents aged 15+ possess technical qualifications, comprising 18.1% with certificates and 11.4% with advanced diplomas. Community educational engagement is robust, with 31.7% of the population actively enrolled in an educational program. Broken down by schooling level, primary education accounts for 12.0%, secondary schooling represents 7.5%, and higher education programs encompass 5.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Melba reaches 42 stops on 120 routes, timetabled for about 6,700 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 connectivity across Melba is supported by 42 operational bus stops. These transit points accommodate 120 separate routes that generate 6,666 weekly commuter services. The local network provides strong accessibility, with dwellings situated an average distance of 157 meters from a stop. With the suburb functioning primarily as a residential district, outward commuting is standard; 90% of travel occurs via private vehicle and 6% by bus. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.5 cars per household, exceeding the territory norm, while 14.3% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census.
Across all transit lines, route frequency reaches 952 daily trips, which translates to roughly 158 scheduled departures per stop each week.
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 56.5% 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
AreaSearch health metrics show that Melba tracks below broader averages across mortality rates and chronic health conditions, with long-term ailments slightly more frequent across both youth and senior cohorts. Approximately 56% of residents (~1,937 people) maintain private health insurance, whereas coverage across Australian Capital Territory stands at 62.4%. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most widely reported medical diagnoses locally, affecting 10.1 and 9.6% of residents, respectively, while 65.9% reported being free from chronic health issues, compared to 70.2% across Australian Capital Territory. Working-age locals register an above-average incidence of long-term medical conditions.
Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 17.1% of the suburb (586 people), higher than the 14.2% territory share, and exhibit favorable health profiles that rank above broader national benchmarks.
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
Cultural diversity measures show Melba above average, with 21.9% of residents born abroad and 16.5% using a non-English language in the home. Christianity represents the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 45.4% of the population. Those identifying with Other religious traditions make up 1.2% of the local population, compared to 1.4% across Australian Capital Territory. Looking at parental lineage, the primary ancestral backgrounds reported are Australian (27.2%), English (24.9%), and Irish (9.2%). Several other ancestries show variations relative to regional figures, including Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 0.6% regionally), Croatian at 0.8% (compared to 0.9%), and Serbian at 0.4% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Melba is 38. 26.0% 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
Age distributions in Melba align closely with broader Australian Capital Territory benchmarks, with every major cohort tracking within 6.7 percentage points of the territory proportion. The estimated median age is 38, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 3 years above the Australian Capital Territory median of 35 recorded at that Census. The most noticeable shift since the Census occurred in the 0 - 24 demographic, rising from 33.1% to an estimated 34.1%. Forecasts indicate no broad age segment will undergo substantial expansion by 2041, with both youth (0 - 24) and young-to-middle adulthood demographics projected to shrink.
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 Suburb (SAL) 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) | Aug 2026 this month 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| 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) | Aug 2026 this 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,383 at the 2021 Census → 3,429 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 Aug 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 (SAL80094). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.