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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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Mortlake (Vic.) has an estimated 1,568 residents, up from 1,477 at the 2021 Census — a change of 91 people, or 6.2%. Growth has averaged 0.8% a year over five years. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 Feb 2026, Mortlake's population is estimated at around 1,568. This reflects a growth from the 2021 Census figure of 1,477 people, an increase of 91 (6.2%). The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of resident population based on latest ERP data release by ABS in June 2024 and validation of seven new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 4.4 persons per square kilometer. Mortlake's growth exceeded the SA4 region's 4.5%, making it a growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 39% to overall population gains recently, with all migration factors also positive.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections adjusted employing weighted aggregation method for areas not covered by ABS data. For years 2032 to 2041, projections indicate a decline in population, expecting a decrease of 374 persons by 2041 according to this methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Mortlake has averaged three development approvals per year between 2016 and 2020 inclusive, totalling 19 approvals. This low level of activity reflects the rural nature of the area, with development primarily driven by local housing needs rather than broader market demand. Due to the small number of approvals, yearly growth figures may vary significantly based on individual projects. Mortlake's development levels are substantially lower compared to the rest of Victoria and below national averages. Recent building activity has consisted solely of detached dwellings, aligning with rural living preferences for space and privacy.
As of 2021, the estimated population per dwelling approval is 426 people. Population projections indicate stability or decline in Mortlake, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures, which may benefit potential buyers. With population projections showing stability or decline, Mortlake should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mortlake (Vic.)
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Mortlake (Vic.), worth an estimated $400 million. A further 46 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.93 billion. 18 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Mortlake Service Station and Rural Store, Mortlake Energy Hub, Mt Fyans Wind Farm, and Mortlake Recreation Reserve Changerooms. The following details those most relevant:.
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
Mortlake Recreation Reserve Changerooms
Construction of new female-friendly changerooms at the Mortlake Recreation Reserve (DC Farran Oval) to benefit all users of the sports complex.
Mortlake Service Station and Rural Store
Proposed construction of a Liberty petrol station and an Elders Rural Store and trade supplies, located on former agricultural land. The project aims to provide important services and support the economic vitality of Moyne Shire and Mortlake.
Mortlake Energy Hub
BrightNight's $700 million integrated hybrid renewable energy project, combining a 360 MW solar generation facility with a 300 MW Battery Energy Storage System. It is set to become Victoria's largest hybrid renewable energy project, capable of powering nearly 140,000 homes.
Mt Fyans Wind Farm
The Mt Fyans Wind Farm, set to be in Victoria's Southwest Renewable Energy Zone, will feature 81 turbines, generate 400 MW, and include 18 km of transmission lines. Starts 2024, operational by 2026.
Mortlake Battery Project
Origin Energy's large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Mortlake Power Station features a capacity of 300MW and up to 650MWh. Currently in the construction phase, it will connect to the existing 500kV network. The battery will play a vital role in grid stability by charging during off-peak periods when renewable generation is high and discharging during peak demand. Commissioning is expected in late 2026. The project represents a $400 million investment and has received conditional funding from ARENA.
Mortlake South Wind Farm
ACCIONA Energa's 157.5 MW wind farm, consisting of 35 wind turbines and battery storage. It has been fully operational since July 2024 and can generate enough energy for up to 117,000 households.
Mortlake Turn-In (Western Renewables Link)
A project by AusNet to connect the existing 500 kV Tarrone-to-Haunted Gully transmission line to the Mortlake Terminal Station. This is critical infrastructure to unlock the renewable energy potential of western Victoria.
Camperdown Production Precinct Masterplan
The Camperdown Production Precinct is a 45-hectare industrial and business park located on Old Geelong Road, north of Camperdown. It is designed to support and build on the strengths of the agricultural sector, specifically value-adding food and fibre industries. The masterplan was adopted in February 2024 to enable long-term growth and management of the industrial estate. Planning Scheme Amendment C65 was approved and gazetted on 24 July 2025, rezoning land to Industrial 1 Zone. Council is actively seeking funding and investment to implement sustainable design controls and integrated water management systems.
650 residents of Mortlake (Vic.) are employed, from a labour force of 676. Unemployment sits at 3.8%, with participation at 55.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.6% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,377, about 88% 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
Mortlake's workforce spans diverse sectors and has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, according to AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025650 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation is lower at 55.3% compared to Regional Vic.'s 61.5%. A moderate 15.5% work from home. Dominant sectors include agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs 3.3 times more residents than the regional level. Manufacturing employs 4.9%, below Regional Vic.'s 7.7%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as Census data shows fewer working residents than population.
Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 6.8% and employment by 7.3%, raising unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mortlake's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mortlake (Vic.) is $984 a week (about $51,000 a year), with median personal income at $572 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $35,757 a year against an average of $42,811. 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
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Mortlake had a median income among taxpayers of $35,757. The average income stood at $42,811. This is below the national average. In Regional Vic., the median and average incomes were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% from financial year ending June 2023 to September 2025, current estimates for Mortlake would be approximately $38,707 (median) and $46,343 (average). From the Census conducted in August 2021, incomes in Mortlake fell between the 2nd and 8th percentiles nationally.
The income bracket of $400 - 799 dominated with 31.7% of residents. This contrasts with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket led at 30.3%. Economic circumstances showed widespread financial pressure, with 40.1% of households having weekly budgets below $800. Despite modest housing costs, with 88.9% of income retained, total disposable income ranked at just the 6th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mortlake (Vic.) had 609 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 98% detached houses and 0% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 19% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $220 a week and the median mortgage repayment $932 a month. Rent absorbs 22.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Mortlake's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 97.7% houses and 2.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Regional Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mortlake stood at 49.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.7% and rented ones at 18.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $932, lower than Regional Vic.'s average of $1,430. Median weekly rent in Mortlake was recorded at $220, compared to Regional Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Mortlake's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mortlake (Vic.) counted 609 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 647 today, averaging 2.2 people each. 18% are couples with children, against 32% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households comprise 63.2% of all households, including 18.4% couples with children, 32.0% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 35.1% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, smaller than the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
15.2% of adults in Mortlake (Vic.) hold a university qualification, including 11.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.6% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 229 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 984 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
The area's university qualification rate is 15.2%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 39.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them. Advanced diplomas account for 11.0% and certificates for 28.6%. Educational participation is high at 26.5%, including 11.1% in primary education, 8.2% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mortlake (Vic.) means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Mortlake has four active public transport stops served by three different routes, offering a total of nine weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 328 meters to the nearest stop. The area is predominantly residential, with outward commuting being the norm. Car remains the primary mode of transportation for 91% of residents, while 7% walk. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 15.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages one trip per day across all routes, resulting in approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.8% of residents in Mortlake (Vic.) report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 76% of areas nationally. 8.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 43.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortlake faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 44% of the total population (around 688 people), compared to Regional Vic.'s 50.5% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.1%) and mental health issues (9.7%). Around 60.8% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Regional Vic.'s 63.4%. Working-age population health is particularly challenging due to high chronic condition rates.
Mortlake has a higher proportion of seniors (28.0%, around 439 people) compared to Regional Vic.'s 23.9%. Senior health outcomes align with national rankings, presenting some challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mortlake (Vic.) is largely Australian-born, at 90.9% of residents, with 3.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (35.6%) and Australian (31.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Mortlake's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.7% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (90.9%), and speaking English only at home (97.0%). Christianity was the predominant religion in Mortlake, comprising 54.4% of the population. However, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to Regional Vic's 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (35.6%), Australian (31.6%), and Scottish (10.3%). Notably, Irish ancestry was overrepresented in Mortlake at 9.9% compared to the regional average of 9.7%, Dutch at 1.5% vs 1.7%, and Serbian at 0.3% vs 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mortlake (Vic.) is 48, older than 90% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 21.0% 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
Mortlake's median age is 48 years, which is significantly older than Regional Vic.'s median of 43 years and the Australian median of 38 years. The age profile shows that residents aged 65-74 years are particularly prominent at 15.2%, while those aged 45-54 years make up a smaller proportion at 9.8% compared to Regional Vic.. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that younger residents have shifted the median age down by 1 year to 48 years. Notably, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 8.9% to 11.9%, and the 25 to 34 cohort has increased from 9.8% to 11.4%.
Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 12.7%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 11.4% to 9.8%. Population forecasts for Mortlake in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 85+ cohort at -14%, adding approximately -8 residents to reach around 50. Both the 85+ and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mortlake (Vic.)
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) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2024 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 7 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 2024 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 7 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Feb 2026, not a 2021 count (1,460 at the 2021 Census → 1,568 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 Feb 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 (SAL21767). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.