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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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Parmelia has an estimated 6,925 residents, up from 6,184 at the 2021 Census — a change of 741 people, or 12.0%. Growth has averaged 1.4% a year over five years, faster than 77% of areas nationally. 119 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 53.0% of that increase. That puts 1,681 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 population of the suburb of Parmelia stands at approximately 6,925, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader regional ABS updates with 119 validated new addresses recorded since the Census. This represents an addition of 741 people (12.0%) compared to the 2021 Census tally of 6,184 people, aligning with an AreaSearch resident estimate of 6,841 established after reviewing the ABS June 2025 ERP figures. With 1,680 persons per square kilometer, local density exceeds the typical benchmarks across AreaSearch national study areas. The suburb of Parmelia outpaced the 9.5% nationwide benchmark with its 12.0% expansion since the 2021 census, establishing itself among regional growth leaders.
While natural increase and interstate arrivals were positive contributors, net overseas migration was the primary driver, generating roughly 53.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the suburb of Parmelia incorporate 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia modeling based on 2022 benchmarks for individual SA2 regions, supplemented by age-cohort growth trajectories from the 2023 Greater Capital Region dataset (using 2022 data) for remaining locations and post-2032 modeling. Looking at wider demographic trends, population expansion is anticipated to track above national statistical area medians. Overall, aggregated SA2 figures indicate the suburb of Parmelia is set to gain 871 persons by 2041, representing an overall rise of 11.4% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
209 new dwellings have been approved in Parmelia over the past five years, an average of 41 a year. That places the area in the 74th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 6 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 37 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 95% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 65, running ahead of 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
Dwelling approval data from the ABS evaluated by AreaSearch indicates that Parmelia has maintained an annual average of around 41 residential approvals, accumulating an estimated 209 homes across the preceding 5 financial years. Within FY-25 to date, 65 approvals have been documented. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the addition of 2.5 new residents annually per approved dwelling underscores solid demand supporting asset values. In line with wider regional construction patterns, new residences reflect an average building cost of $374,000. Further emphasizing the district's predominantly residential character, commercial building approvals registered in the current financial year total $2.8 million.
Residential development in Parmelia tracks considerably lower than Greater Perth, registering 58.0% under the metropolitan per-person benchmark. Even with recent increases in construction activity, this restrained volume of new supply generally underpins buyer interest and valuations across established properties. Detached houses account for 95.0% of new residential approvals while medium and high-density housing represents 5.0%, preserving a traditional suburban footprint centered on spacious family dwellings. With a ratio of approximately 120 people per approval, the locality continues to reflect an emerging development profile. Projections derived from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate anticipate that Parmelia will add 787 residents leading up to 2041. Under existing building trajectories, upcoming residential supply is well positioned to satisfy demand, creating favorable buyer conditions and potentially enabling local population expansion beyond baseline expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Parmelia
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Parmelia, worth an estimated $16 million. A further 33 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $13.3 billion. 12 are already under construction and 15 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 capital works, major developments, and urban planning initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has identified 6 significant projects anticipated to influence the locality. Key undertakings include the Parmelia Primary School Modernisation Stage 2, Parmelia Community Centre Redevelopment, Parmelia Oval Sports Pavilion Upgrade, and the Wolfdene Wellard Development, with primary details outlined below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Parmelia Primary School Modernisation Stage 2
Stage 2 modernisation of Parmelia Primary School delivering new early childhood classrooms and a covered assembly area. Works are funded through the WA Government school building program and managed by Building Management and Works (BMW) on behalf of the Department of Education.
Parmelia Community Centre Redevelopment
Planned refurbishment and modest expansion of the Parmelia Community Centre to improve accessibility, modernise the existing facility and provide additional flexible community spaces for local programs and events. The project remains listed within the City of Kwinana capital works program with planning activities underway.
Wellard Green
Wellard Green is a 146-lot residential land estate by Wolfdene in partnership with Blueways Group. Located adjacent to the Wellard Bulrush Nature Reserve and close to Wellard Train Station, the estate is being delivered in staged releases with civil works underway and Stage 1 sold out.
Parmelia Oval Sports Pavilion Upgrade
Replacement of ageing change rooms and construction of new community pavilion with universal access at Parmelia Oval.
Cassia Estate
Cassia is a masterplanned residential community delivered by Satterley Property Group in partnership with DevelopmentWA, spanning two precincts - Cassia Glades in Kwinana Town Centre and Cassia Rise in Parmelia. The estate will deliver 910 homes upon completion across a range of lot sizes, supported by 9 planned parks and open spaces, and close to Kwinana Marketplace, Kwinana Train Station, and a range of schools and childcare. The North precinct is sold out with the Glades and Rise precincts actively selling.A further release is planned for mid-2026.
Providence Estate
Award-winning 72-lot boutique residential estate by Urban Quarter interwoven with existing bush and wetlands. Features adventure playground, walking trails, landscaped parks, and 20 hectares of recreational space plus 75 hectares of surrounding bush and wetlands. Located 25 minutes from Perth CBD with easy access to Wellard train station. Stage 20 now selling.
Oakebella Estate
Boutique residential estate by Satterley Property Group set against Bollard Bulrush Wetlands. Features environmentally sensitive design with natural amenities and quality homesites.
Wellard Village Centre Development Sites
Five mixed-use development sites totaling approx. 10,739 sqm adjacent to Wellard Train Station and Wellard Square. The lots are zoned Neighbourhood Centre R80 enabling retail, residential, office and community uses. DevelopmentWA has released Lots 813, 814, 815, 882 and 915 to market as part of a staged strategy for the Village Centre; current agent materials note the campaign has been under offer via EOI.
2,949 residents of Parmelia are employed, from a labour force of 3,430. Unemployment sits at 14.0%, with participation at 60.8%. 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, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 5,357, about 77% 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
Parmelia maintains a mixed workforce across white and blue collar disciplines, featuring substantial participation across industrial and manufacturing sectors alongside an overall unemployment rate of 14.0%, as aggregated by AreaSearch. In March 2026, 2,949 residents were actively employed, while local unemployment sat 9.8% above the 4.2% figure observed across Greater Perth, indicating scope for labor market improvement. Workforce participation of 60.8% also falls short of Greater Perth's 69.9%. Census records indicate that 4.4% of workers operated from home, a figure influenced by prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local workers are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.
Manufacturing stands out with a local concentration reaching 1.9 times the metropolitan benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 3.7% of the resident workforce, contrasting with 8.2% across Greater Perth. The balance between resident worker counts and local employment positions indicates that this largely residential community provides limited local job opportunities. Based on ABS and SALM statistical aggregations, the 12 months to March 2026 saw Parmelia's labor force contract by 1.2% alongside a 2.1% decline in employment, lifting unemployment by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Perth experienced employment gains of 2.0%, labor force growth of 2.5%, and an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. Forward-looking perspectives from Jobs and Skills Australia's Mar-26 projections outline national employment expansions of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% across ten years, with performance varying widely by sector. When mapped to Parmelia's industry profile via basic weighted extrapolation (without accounting for localized demographic growth), employment is projected to expand by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Parmelia is $1,297 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $617 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,406 a year against an average of $63,467. 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
Aggregated postcode ATO statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that median taxpayer income in the suburb of Parmelia was $54,406, with an average of $63,467, falling below national figures as well as Greater Perth's respective medians and averages of $60,748 and $80,248. Factoring in 10.93% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates stand at approximately $60,353 for median earnings and $70,404 for average earnings. Census 2021 data places personal, family, and household income measures within the 13th to 20th national percentiles. The primary earnings bracket includes 32.2% of residents (2,229 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the 32.0% regional proportion.
Affordability constraints are significant, with remaining disposable income after housing costs sitting at 83.0%, placing the area at the 19th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Parmelia had 2,356 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 1% apartments. 47% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 25% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $280 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 21.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 23.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential dwellings in Parmelia consist of 94.4% separate houses and 5.6% other dwellings such as apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Perth metro's composition of 77.8% houses and 22.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stands at 24.6%, trailing metropolitan levels, while 46.5% of homes are mortgaged and 28.9% are occupied by renters. Typical monthly mortgage payments of $1,300 are substantially lower than Perth metro's $1,907 and the Australian benchmark of $1,863. Median weekly rent is $280, sitting well below the Perth metro rate of $350 and the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Parmelia counted 2,356 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 2,638 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 22% couples without children. 29% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units represent the majority of local living arrangements at 67.0%, comprising 26.0% couples with children, 22.4% couples without children, and 17.2% single parent households. The remaining 33.0% consists of non-family living arrangements, with lone person households representing 29.4% and group households making up 3.5%. The typical household size of 2.5 persons is slightly below the 2.6 person average recorded across Greater Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.7% of adults in Parmelia hold a university qualification, including 8.3% with a bachelor degree and 1.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.9% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 699 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 986 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
Educational attainment in the area reveals that 11.7% of residents hold higher education qualifications, compared with the 30.4% national average, presenting clear potential for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees account for 8.3%, alongside postgraduate qualifications at 1.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Vocational education is strongly represented, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, comprising certificates (31.9%) and advanced diplomas (8.3%). Active participation in education is strong, with 29.5% of local residents participating in structured studies. Within this cohort, primary schooling accounts for 10.8%, secondary education represents 8.9%, and 3.1% of community members are engaged in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Parmelia reaches 54 stops on 8 routes, timetabled for about 1,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
Commuter infrastructure in Parmelia encompasses 54 operational public transport stops across bus and train networks. These facilities are served by 8 separate routes generating 1,498 weekly passenger trips. Overall transport access is strong, with an average distance of 173 meters to the closest transit stop. The area functions primarily as a residential commuter suburb, with 81% of trips taken by car and 10% by train. Private vehicle ownership stands at 1.3 per dwelling, trailing metropolitan averages, while 4.4% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census amid prevailing COVID-19 settings.
Transit services provide an average of 214 trips daily across the entire network, which translates to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.7% of residents in Parmelia report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 91% of areas nationally. 7.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 52.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 7.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments by AreaSearch based on chronic conditions and mortality rates indicate notable challenges impacting both older and younger demographics in Parmelia. The local private health insurance coverage rate stands at approximately 52% (~3,628 people), tracking just above the national SA2 average, though remaining below the 59.0% level observed across Greater Perth. Mental health concerns and asthma represent the most frequent conditions reported in the community, affecting 10.7% and 9.0% of the population respectively. Across the area, 62.7% of residents report no medical conditions, compared to 71.9% throughout Greater Perth.
Chronic illness rates are heightened among the working-age population. Residents aged 65 and over total 1,087 people (15.7%), with health metrics among older residents generally tracking in line with national averages despite specific challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
32.5% of Parmelia residents were born overseas and 15.6% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.5%) and Australian (23.2%). 4.1% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is pronounced in Parmelia compared to most local markets, with 32.5% of residents born abroad and 15.6% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 40.8% of the community. Judaism represents 0.1% of the population, compared to 0.3% across Greater Perth, highlighting a distinct local proportion. Examining parental birthplaces, the primary ancestral backgrounds reported across Parmelia are English at 31.5%, Australian at 23.2%, and Other at 8.2%. Distinct demographic concentrations are also present among other communities, including Filipino at 3.6% (compared to 1.4% regionally), Maori at 2.5% (against 0.9% across the region), and Welsh at 0.8% (relative to 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Parmelia is 37. 29.0% 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
The age distribution across Parmelia closely aligns with Greater Perth, with the most pronounced difference being 3.2 percentage points. AreaSearch places the median age at 37 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and matching the Greater Perth median of 37 from that same Census. The most noticeable shift since the Census occurred in the 0 - 24 youth cohort, which decreased from 32.7% to an estimated 31.6%. Looking forward to 2041, the 65+ senior demographic is projected to drive overall growth by adding 510 residents (47%) to reach 1,597, while the younger cohort is expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Parmelia
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 last 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 last 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 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 last 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 | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 3 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 Jul 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 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 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago 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 — 119 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,184 at the 2021 Census → 6,925 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 (SAL51210). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.