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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
The median house price in Waratah West is $960k, with units at $720k. House values have moved 6.8% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Waratah West has an estimated 3,392 residents, up from 3,142 at the 2021 Census — a change of 250 people, or 8.0%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 2,161 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
According to evaluations of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Waratah West has a population estimated at 3,392 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 250 individuals (8.0%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 3,142 people. This shift is derived from a resident count of 3,385 determined by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an extra 59 validated new addresses post-Census. Such a population size results in a density of 2,160 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical figure for national locations analyzed by AreaSearch.
The 8.0% growth rate of the suburb of Waratah West since the 2021 census outpaced the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and the SA4 region, positioning it as a local growth frontrunner. Expansion was primarily fueled by overseas migration, which served as virtually the sole contributor to population increases lately. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for each SA2. For SA2 areas lacking this, NSW State Government SA2 projections from 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied. Age bracket growth trends from these datasets are projected forward from 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, regional locations outside capital cities are expected to experience above-median growth, with the suburb of Waratah West projected to add 485 residents by 2041 under aggregated SA2 data, representing a total increase of 14.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
83 new dwellings have been approved in Waratah West over the past five years, an average of 16 a year. That is 5.2 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 19, broadly in line with 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
Based on AreaSearch tracking of building approvals from the ABS mapped to local areas, Waratah West has averaged about 16 new residential approvals each year, summing to approximately 83 dwellings over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 18 approvals have been registered. With an average of 2.5 new occupants yearly per dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, showing strong demand that bolsters real estate values, new dwellings carry an average build cost of $510,000, showing that developers are prioritizing high-end, premium properties. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $8.4 million during the current financial year, showing a modest commercial development emphasis.
Relative to Rest of NSW, development activity per capita in Waratah West is comparable, indicating a balanced market aligned with the wider region. Recent residential building permits comprise 45.0% detached houses and 55.0% medium-to-high density options like apartments or townhouses. This pivot toward higher-density properties offers affordable pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a major shift from the current housing stock (where houses constitute 85.0%), indicating restricted land for greenfield projects and adapting to changing lifestyles and affordability constraints. With one dwelling approval per 447 people, the local market is established. Demographic projections estimate that Waratah West will add 478 residents by 2041 compared to the most recent quarterly figures from AreaSearch. Building activity is keeping pace reasonably well with this projected expansion, though house hunters may face intensifying rivalry as the number of residents climbs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Waratah West
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 21 current infrastructure and development projects close to Waratah West, worth an estimated $2.85 billion. 6 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and business parks & technology hubs. 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, major developments, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional change. AreaSearch has identified 6 projects expected to influence the local area. Key initiatives include the Former Waratah Gasworks Redevelopment, Callaghan Campus Heart, Waratah Park Masterplan, and Lambton Park Master Plan, with the list below highlighting the most significant ones.
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
Former Waratah Gasworks Remediation
A $25 million NSW Government project to remediate contaminated residential land at the former Waratah Gasworks site, which operated from 1889 to 1926. Works cover 13 properties on Ellis and Turton Roads, involving demolition, excavation, and removal of over 20,000 tonnes of contaminated material including a 56-metre underground gasholder, tar wells, and purifier beds containing cyanide, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene. Eleven lots have been remediated; seven properties are being rebuilt by the government, four will be sold as remediated vacant land, and two remain under remediation.Home construction commenced July 2025 and is expected to be complete by mid-2026.
Mayfield Concept Plan
Development of a 90-hectare port-side site for diversified trade and renewable energy logistics. Key active works include a $36 million waterside berth extension at the Multipurpose Terminal to accommodate vessels up to 300 metres, awarded to Brady Marine and Civil in April 2026. This complements previous investments in heavy-lift cranes for wind turbine and battery components. Simultaneously, EnergyCo is progressing the adjacent Newcastle Logistics Precinct on the former Intertrade site to provide storage for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, with procurement for hardstand and infrastructure ongoing through 2026.
Newcastle Inner City Bypass - Rankin Park to Jesmond
The 3.4 km Rankin Park to Jesmond section is the fifth and final stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. Construction has reached a major milestone with the bypass alignment fully connected and all major bridges completed. Remaining works include final road surfacing, northern interchange ramps, traffic systems, shared user paths and landscaping before opening. The project will remove up to 30000 vehicles per day from surrounding local roads, improve access to John Hunter Hospital, reduce travel times and enhance pedestrian and cyclist connections.
Shortland Waters Retirement Village
A master-planned retirement community set on the Shortland Waters Golf Course featuring modern villas and comprehensive amenities including a community centre, gym, hair salon, and library. Stages 4 and 5 comprise 167 independent living units valued at $110 million, currently in construction and delivery phases. The complete development aims to provide 300 dwellings for a low-maintenance lifestyle for retirees in the Hunter region.
Lambton Park Master Plan
A comprehensive master plan approved by Newcastle Council to guide the future development of Lambton Park. The plan focuses on enhancing facilities, community engagement, heritage preservation, and recreational opportunities while maintaining the park as an open green space. Key developments include Lambton Pool upgrades, heritage rotunda preservation, improved accessibility, tennis courts, bowling club facilities, childrens playgrounds, walking tracks, and the transformation of the former Baby Health Centre into a modern cafe.
9 Gothic Street Student Accommodation
DA approved three-storey Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development with 53 self-contained studio units, 12 car spaces, expansive indoor and outdoor communal areas, and a rooftop garden. It is strategically located adjacent to the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus. The DA-approved site is currently for sale via Expression of Interest, indicating the project is currently on hold or transitioning to a new developer. Expected end value over $17.5 million upon completion.
Newcastle Port Logistics Hub
A major distribution hub on a 14.3-hectare site at 71 Industrial Drive, Mayfield. The project provides purpose-built facilities for logistics, manufacturing, and agribusiness with tailored Design and Construct options up to 50,000sqm. As of early 2026, the site is active with leasing opportunities for warehouse and hardstand space, while supporting the broader Port of Newcastle diversification into renewable energy equipment storage.
Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC)
A proposed 12-court multi-purpose indoor sports complex on Wallarah and Blackley Ovals in New Lambton, designed to replace the ageing 1970s Newcastle Basketball Stadium at Broadmeadow which must be vacated by early 2028 to make way for the Broadmeadow Place Strategy housing redevelopment. The facility includes a 2,000-seat show court, allied health suites, gym and movement studio, cafe, function rooms, accessible change rooms, social spaces and car parking. It will cater to basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, pickleball and badminton, and serve more than 6,000 active members plus regional users.The State Significant Development Application (SSD-65595459) was first exhibited in October-November 2024, then re-exhibited from 21 August to 17 September 2025 following a Response to Submissions. The amended proposal shifts the building further west and updates traffic and flood management plans. A final determination by the NSW Independent Planning Commission is expected in early 2026.
1,889 residents of Waratah West are employed, from a labour force of 2,016. Unemployment sits at 6.3%, with participation at 68.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,915, about 86% 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
The workforce of Waratah West is highly educated, featuring a strong presence in essential services sectors and an unemployment rate of 6.3% based on statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch. In March 2026, 1,889 residents were employed, with the jobless rate sitting 2.2% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is exceptionally high at 68.7% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates a moderate 21.1% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions. The top employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food.
The local population is highly concentrated in health care & social assistance, which employs residents at 1.3 times the regional rate. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is minimally represented, occupying 0.6% of the workforce compared to the regional figure of 5.3%. The highly residential character of the area suggests it offers few local jobs, as seen when comparing Census employment counts to the resident workforce. Analysis conducted by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS data, which have been combined from larger statistical regions, indicates that during the 12 months leading up to March 2026, the labour force grew by 0.6% while employment fell by 1.6%, resulting in a 2.2 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. By comparison, employment in Regional NSW dropped by 0.9% and the labour force shrank by 0.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia for the period starting May-25 provide additional perspective on anticipated demand in Waratah West. These projections span five and ten year intervals and have been overlaid onto the local employment structure to anticipate growth trajectories. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion varies considerably across different industry sectors. When these sector-specific forecasts are applied to the employment composition of Waratah West, local employment is expected to rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Waratah West is $1,518 a week (about $79,000 a year), with median personal income at $686 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,944 a year against an average of $53,987. 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
The latest postcode-level ATO statistics from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show that household incomes in Waratah West are below the national baseline, with a median of $44,944 and an average of $53,987. This compares to Regional NSW averages where the median is $52,390 and the average is $65,215. Incorporating Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures around $49,582 for the median and $59,558 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes in Waratah West are modest, placing between the 25th and 36th percentiles.
The primary income group is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, containing 33.1% of residents (1,122 people), similar to regional trends where 29.9% fall into this bracket. Financial strain from housing is significant, leaving residents with 80.2% of their income, which sits at the 32nd percentile, while the SEIFA income measure places the suburb in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Waratah West had 1,193 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 85% detached houses and 6% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 45% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $390 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,853 a month. Rent absorbs 25.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing distribution in Waratah West consisted of 85.2% standalone houses and 14.8% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, units, and other configurations, compared to Regional NSW which had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waratah West was below the Regional NSW rate at 25.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by households with a mortgage (29.1%) or renting (45.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the Regional NSW average at $1,853, and the median weekly rent stood at $390, compared to regional benchmarks of $1,733 and $330.
Nationally, mortgage costs in Waratah West are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, whereas rental costs exceed the national baseline of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Waratah West counted 1,193 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,288 today, averaging 2.4 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 88% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.3 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 58.4%, which includes 19.3% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent households. Non-family households represent the remaining 41.6%, consisting of lone persons at 27.9% and group living situations at 13.7%. The median household occupancy of 2.4 people is identical to the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
27.4% of adults in Waratah West hold a university qualification, including 18.7% with a bachelor degree and 6.7% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 21.9% hold a vocational qualification. 2 schools serve the area, with 108 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 959 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 local academic profile is notable for the region, with university graduation rates at 27.4% of residents aged 15+ exceeding the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%, showing a strong local focus on higher education. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 18.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational education is also popular, with 30.5% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 21.9%. A high percentage of the population is engaged in study, with 34.1% of residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This includes 15.7% attending higher education, 6.2% in primary school, and 5.4% in high school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Waratah West reaches 30 stops on 20 routes, timetabled for about 960 services a week. The typical home sits about 120 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
Public transport connectivity includes 30 active transit stops in Waratah West, consisting of bus services. These stops support 20 different routes, providing 956 passenger trips each week. Transport access is rated as excellent, with average walk distances to the nearest stop at 115 meters. Being mostly residential, most employed residents travel outside the area to work, with cars remaining the main transport choice at 88%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.3, which is below the regional average. Working from home was recorded for 21.1% of residents, based on the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions.
Services average 136 trips each day across the network, representing about 31 weekly journeys per transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.8% of residents in Waratah West report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 82% of areas nationally. 9.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health records indicate notable issues in Waratah West based on AreaSearch assessments of mortality and chronic disease rates, with health conditions prevalent in both younger and older cohorts, alongside a very low rate of private health insurance coverage at roughly 48% of the population (~1,639 people). This is below the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national standard of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and asthma are the most prevalent illnesses, affecting 12.3 and 8.7% of residents, respectively, whereas 66.8% of the population reported no chronic conditions compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Residents of working age experience higher-than-average rates of chronic illness. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 11.0% of the community (373 people), which is below the Regional NSW level of 23.4%. Health profiles for older residents show some difficulties, with national performance metrics generally mirroring the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Waratah West is largely Australian-born, at 80.5% of residents, with 15.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (28.0%) and Australian (26.1%). 5.2% 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
Waratah West has higher-than-average cultural diversity, with 19.5% of residents born outside Australia and 15.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 43.5% of the local population. Islam shows the most significant variation from regional norms, accounting for 4.1% of residents compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW. Regarding parental country of birth, the three largest ancestry groups are English at 28.0%, Australian at 26.1%, and Other at 9.2%. Other distinct demographic differences include Polish ancestry at 1.0% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Australian Aboriginal at 5.2% (compared to 4.6%), and Serbian at 0.4% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Waratah West is 30, younger than 93% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 45.3% 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 median age of 30 years in Waratah West is much younger than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national median of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, Waratah West has a larger proportion of young adults aged 25 - 34 (25.0%) but fewer retirees aged 65 - 74 (6.5%). This 25 - 34 cohort significantly exceeds the national share of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, younger residents have driven the median age down by 1.5 years to 30. Major shifts show the 25 to 34 age bracket increasing from 21.6% to 25.0%, and the 35 to 44 bracket rising from 11.6% to 14.6%.
Conversely, the 85+ cohort decreased from 3.3% to 0.8% and the 75 to 84 cohort fell from 5.7% to 3.7%. Projections for 2041 indicate notable changes, with the 25 to 34 bracket expected to grow by 240 people (28%) from 848 to 1,088, while the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Waratah West
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 2025 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, 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 — 59 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,142 at the 2021 Census → 3,392 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 May 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 (SAL14160). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.