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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
Sales Activity
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Sales Detail
Population
Population growth drivers in Sunshine North are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends
The estimated population of Sunshine North is around 12,754 as of Feb 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 707 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,047. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 12,504 residents following examination of ABS data released in June 2024 and an additional 683 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 1,590 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Sunshine North's growth rate of 5.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's rate of 2.6%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 89.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, making adjustments through weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is forecasted to have a significant population increase in the top quartile of national areas, with an expected expansion of 3,407 persons, reflecting a gain of 24.8% in total over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Sunshine North when compared nationally
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Sunshine North had approximately 99 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling about 499 homes. In FY26 so far, there have been 30 approvals recorded. The average number of new residents per year arriving per new home between FY21 and FY25 was zero, indicating supply is meeting or exceeding demand. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $475,000, slightly above the regional average.
This financial year has seen $16.4 million in commercial development approvals, showing steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Sunshine North records 178.0% more construction activity per person, offering greater buyer choice. Recent construction comprises 27.0% detached dwellings and 73.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 82.0% houses. This suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 80 people per dwelling approval, Sunshine North is considered a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Sunshine North will gain approximately 3,157 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Population forecasts indicate Sunshine North will gain 3,157 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Sunshine North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 21 projects that could affect this region. Notable projects include River Valley, Luma Sunshine North, Sunshine North Village, and Sunshine Precinct Development. The following details projects likely to be most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision 2050
The Sunshine Priority Precinct Vision 2050 is a major urban renewal strategy to establish Sunshine as the capital of Melbournes west. It leverages over $20 billion in total infrastructure investment, including the $4.1 billion Sunshine Superhub and the Albion Station redevelopment. The vision aims to accommodate 43,000 new residents and up to 50,000 new jobs by 2051, focused on health, education, and manufacturing. Key components include the Sunshine Station Precinct Masterplan ($143 million for stage one works starting in 2026), the Albion Quarter Structure Plan, and the 54-hectare Sunshine Energy Park vision.
Sunshine Superhub and Albion Station Upgrade
A major transformation of Sunshine Station into a transport superhub and the complete rebuild of Albion Station. The project involves 6km of track upgrades from West Footscray to Albion, including two new regional platforms, an extended concourse, and a new station forecourt at Sunshine. It untangles a complex rail junction to enable the Melbourne Airport Rail and future Melton line electrification. Early works, including utility relocations and car park closures at Albion and Tottenham, commenced in early 2026 to prepare for major construction.
Sunshine Precinct Development
A transformative 30-year urban renewal initiative to establish Sunshine as the capital of Melbourne's west. The project centers on the Sunshine Station 'Superhub', integrating the Melbourne Airport Rail and Suburban Rail Loop. Key components include the Albion Quarter Structure Plan, which is transitioning industrial land into a mixed-use innovation and residential district, and the Sunshine Station Masterplan. As of early 2026, the project is advancing through critical planning phases, including Tranche 2 of the Standing Advisory Committee hearings and the development of the draft Albion Quarter Structure Plan. The precinct aims to unlock $8 billion in investment and support 50,000 new jobs by 2055.
Albion Quarter Structure Plan
The Albion Quarter Structure Plan is a transformative urban renewal initiative led by the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. It aims to transition the industrial area surrounding the upgraded Albion Station into a vibrant mixed-use precinct featuring next-generation employment, innovation hubs, and diverse housing options. The plan leverages the $80 million Albion Station rebuild and the broader $143 million Sunshine Station Masterplan to create an estimated $2 billion in development investment. Key features include the ecological revitalization of Stony Creek and the integration of the area with the Metro Tunnel and Melbourne Airport Rail networks.
Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital
A $200 million, 9-storey specialist women's and children's hospital on the Sunshine Hospital campus. Named after Victoria's first female premier, the facility features 237 beds, 20 maternity delivery rooms, 39 special care nursery cots, 4 birthing pools, 4 operating theatres, NICU (western suburbs' first neonatal intensive care unit), and dedicated accommodation rooms. Designed by Lyons Architecture with salutogenic principles to promote healing and wellbeing. Opened May 2019 to serve Melbourne's growing western suburbs with world-class maternity and paediatric services.
Melbourne Airport Rail - Sunshine to Albion Package
Part of Melbourne Airport Rail connecting passengers from Sunshine to Melbourne Airport via Albion. Includes station upgrades, new railway infrastructure, and integration with existing public transport network. Expected to reduce travel times significantly.
Victoria University Construction Futures
State-of-the-art construction training facility at VU Sunshine campus completed in 2013. Features industry-standard workshops, simulation labs, modern workshops, simulation areas, and equipment for building, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry trades. Part of VU's practical education focus supporting workforce development for Melbourne's construction boom and providing pathways for local students into building trades.
Vietnamese Museum Australia
Australia's first museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the story of Vietnamese refugee settlement in Australia. The three-storey building, designed by Konzepte Melbourne, features a wave-like facade and bamboo exterior details symbolizing the journey to freedom. Estimated cost $20 million, with funding including $10M Federal, $8.7M State, and community contributions. It will house over 100,000 stories on veterans, refugees, and Vietnamese Australians, as part of the Multicultural Museums Victoria network. Construction progressing steadily, with completion expected in May 2026.
Employment
Employment drivers in Sunshine North are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia
Sunshine North has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. Its unemployment rate was 7.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.8%. As of December 2025, 6,155 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.
Workforce participation was at 63.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. According to Census responses, 17.5% of residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Manufacturing employment is notably high, at 1.9 times the regional average.
However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 5.1% of Sunshine North's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.8%, labour force by 4.3%, raising the unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 2.4% and a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sunshine North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Sunshine North's median income among taxpayers is $41,781. The average income in the suburb is $48,398. Both figures are lower than national averages. Greater Melbourne has a median income of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth suggest Sunshine North's median income will be approximately $45,228 and the average will be around $52,391. Census data indicates individual incomes in Sunshine North lag at the 6th percentile ($546 weekly), while household incomes are at the 28th percentile. The earnings band of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 30.6% of the community (3,902 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 84.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 28th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Sunshine North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Sunshine North's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 82.5% houses and 17.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sunshine North stood at 39.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.8% and rented ones at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was $341, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Sunshine North's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Sunshine North features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 72.4% of all households, including 34.6% couples with children, 18.5% couples without children, and 17.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 27.6%, with lone person households at 22.2% and group households making up 5.4%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Sunshine North fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
In the specified area, university qualification rates stand at 24.3%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with a rate of 17.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational pathways account for 23.7% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 15.0%. Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 8.7% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Sunshine North has 43 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 8 different routes, offering a total of 1,559 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents typically living 281 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily. Cars are the primary mode of transport, used by 84% of residents, while 9% use trains. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per household.
According to the 2021 Census, 17.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 222 trips per day, equating to approximately 36 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
The level of general health in Sunshine North is notably higher than the national average with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts
Sunshine North shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are seen at a standard level across both young and old age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~5,877 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.6% and 6.0% of residents respectively. 74.3% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 17.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,219 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and align with national rankings for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Sunshine North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Sunshine North has a population where 57.9% were born overseas, with 74.6% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Sunshine North, accounting for 42.1%. Buddhism stands out with 23.0%, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%.
The top ancestry groups are Vietnamese (31.8%), Other (14.4%), and Chinese (11.3%). Notably, Maltese (5.4%) Croatian (1.1%), and Polish (1.0%) populations are overrepresented compared to regional averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Sunshine North's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
Sunshine North has a median age of 37 years, matching Greater Melbourne's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38 years. The 55-64 age group constitutes 12.7% of Sunshine North's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage. Conversely, the 5-14 age group makes up 10.0%, which is lower compared to Greater Melbourne. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 12.8% to 13.8% of Sunshine North's population. During this period, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 17.0% to 15.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Sunshine North's age structure. The 55-64 cohort is projected to grow by 39%, adding 639 people and reaching a total of 2,259 from the current 1,619. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is expected to grow modestly by 8%, with an increase of 56 people.