Officer

Officer lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Officer is around 26,457 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 7,954 people (43.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,503 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 24,215 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 2,628 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 943 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb of Officer's 43.0% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and the state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including natural growth and overseas migration were positive factors.

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, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with the suburb of Officer expected to increase by 31,048 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 108.9% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Officer was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Officer averaged approximately 647 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 3,235 homes. As of FY-26361 approvals have been recorded. On average, each new home accommodates about two residents per year between FY-21 and FY-25. This balance suggests stable market conditions.

The average construction value for new properties is around $393,000. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled approximately $8.3 million, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Comparatively, Officer has 241.0% more new home approvals per person than Greater Melbourne. This high number should provide ample choice for buyers but building activity has slowed in recent years. The area's developer interest is significantly above the national average, suggesting robust investment.

Recent construction comprises approximately 89.0% detached dwellings and 11.0% attached dwellings, preserving Officer's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are roughly 37 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Future projections estimate Officer to add around 28,806 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Officer has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are Arcadia Estate, Officer Residential Development - Olio, Arbor Officer, and Officer Fields, as detailed below.

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

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The labour market in Officer shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Officer has an educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.3% as of the past year, with estimated employment growth of 4.2%. As of December 2025, 13,526 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 24.6% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries among residents comprised health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Professional & technical services had limited presence with 6.5% employment compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending in December 2025, employment increased by 4.2% alongside labour force growth of 5.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Officer's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localised population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Officer's median income among taxpayers is $59,357. The average income in the suburb is $69,289. This places Officer just above the national average. In comparison, Greater Melbourne has a median income of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $64,254 (median) and $75,005 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, Officer's household, family, and personal incomes cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 46.3% of residents (12,249 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, reflecting regional patterns where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. High housing costs consume 17.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 71st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Officer is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Officer's dwelling structure, as assessed in the latest Census, consisted of 94.8% houses and 5.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Officer stood at 13.4%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (58.0%) or rented (28.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average. The median weekly rent figure was $396, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Officer's median monthly mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 81.9% of all households, including 44.9% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 12.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for 18.1%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Officer shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 30.6%, higher than the SA3 average of 21.8%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 37.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 14.7% and certificates at 23.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.5% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.5% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

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

Officer has 38 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes that together facilitate 1584 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 391 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential region, most inhabitants commute outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents, while trains are employed by 7%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 24.6% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, an average of 226 trips is made daily, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Officer is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Officer demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment as of June 2021. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low among the general population, though higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be fairly high, with approximately 54% of the total population (~14,344 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne as of June 2021. The most common medical conditions in the area were asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.0 and 7.1% of residents respectively, while 76.3% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne as of June 2021. Working-age residents were notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area had 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,598 people), which was lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne as of June 2021, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

Officer was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Officer has a high cultural diversity, with 35.6% of its population born overseas and 33.1% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Officer, making up 39.2% of people there. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in the 'Other' category, which comprises 4.7% of Officer's population compared to 2.3% across Greater Melbourne.

The top three represented ancestry groups in Officer are English (22.1%), Australian (21.6%), and Other (17.4%). Notably, Sri Lankan (2.7%) and Hungarian (0.5%) groups are overrepresented in Officer compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 0.3%, respectively. Additionally, the Indian population is also higher than average at 7.3%.

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

Officer's median age in 2021 was 31 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and significantly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Officer had a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (26.7%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (5.8%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds was notably higher than the national average of 14.3%. Between 2021 and the present, Officer's population has shifted: the 35-44 age group increased from 18.1% to 26.7%, while the 65-74 cohort rose from 5.0% to 10.7%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group decreased from 20.8% to 14.4%, and the 0-4 age group fell from 10.1% to 7.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Officer's age profile, with the 5-14 age cohort expected to grow substantially by 4,858 people (141%), reaching a total of 8,298 individuals.