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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.
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2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
West Busselton has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
Based on demographic evaluations by AreaSearch using updated figures from the ABS and census-validated new addresses, the suburb of West Busselton has an estimated population of 9,516 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 647 residents (7.3%) compared to the 2021 Census count of 8,869. The updated figure is derived from the June 2025 ABS Estimated Resident Population release showing 9,355 residents, supplemented by 101 new addresses verified since the census. This population size results in a density of 1,164 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical suburban averages. The 7.3% growth rate is within 2.0 percentage points of the national expansion rate of 9.3%, indicating solid underlying growth. Inward migration from other states was the primary growth driver, accounting for 83.0% of the total population increase during the latest timeframe.
Projections for the suburb of West Busselton leverage ABS and Geoscience Australia data published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. In areas where direct projections are unavailable, and for periods beyond 2032, growth rates are determined using age cohort forecasts from the 2023 ABS Greater Capital Region data (based on 2022 figures). Regional areas are expected to experience above-median population expansion, with the suburb of West Busselton projected to add 1,184 residents by 2041, representing a total population increase of 10.8% over the 16-year projection period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in West Busselton, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
Analysis of building permit statistics indicates that the suburb of West Busselton averages roughly 41 residential approvals annually. This includes 206 homes approved between FY-21 and FY-25, alongside 33 approvals registered during FY-26. Market supply and demand remained balanced between FY-21 and FY-25, with an average of 1.2 new residents per built dwelling. However, this ratio increased to 4.5 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, suggesting rising demand and potential undersupply. The average construction cost of new residential projects stands at $423,000, pointing toward a focus on upmarket housing developments. Conversely, commercial projects total just $243,000 for the current financial year, representing very limited commercial building activity.
Development density in the suburb of West Busselton is low, tracking 66.0% below the per-capita average for the Rest of WA region. This restricted volume of new housing tends to support demand and price growth for existing properties. Recent construction has consisted entirely of detached single-family houses, reinforcing the residential character of the neighborhood. A ratio of approximately 810 residents per building approval highlights the mature nature of the locality.
The suburb of West Busselton is forecast to add 1,023 residents by 2041 relative to the latest quarterly estimate. Current construction volumes match this projected demand, which should support stable market conditions and prevent excessive price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Busselton
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
West Busselton has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally
Local infrastructure projects and planning changes significantly impact area performance. AreaSearch has tracked 5 key projects, including the West Busselton Coastal Stabilisation, Halcyon Vasse, the Coastal Dune Resilience Project, and the City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 22.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Bunbury Offshore Wind Project (North)
The Bunbury Offshore Wind Project (North) is a proposed 1.5 GW offshore wind farm located more than 30 km off the coast of Western Australia, between Dawesville and Cape Naturaliste, within the federally declared Bunbury offshore wind zone. Developed by EDF power solutions Australia through Bunbury Offshore Wind Farm Pty Ltd, the project was offered a final feasibility licence by the Australian Government on 23 January 2026 under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act. The licence permits up to seven years of detailed site investigations, environmental assessments, marine surveys, and community consultation. The project's two licence areas (north and south) cover a combined 526 square kilometres. Once operational, the northern project alone would supply around 1.5 GW of clean power to the South West Interconnected System, supporting WA's energy transition as coal generation retires. Construction is targeted for the 2030s, subject to a separate commercial licence and full environmental approval.
Busselton Margaret River Airport Expansion
The Busselton Margaret River Airport (BMRA) is progressing planning for a new permanent passenger terminal as the centrepiece of its 2024 Master Plan, which sets a 20-year development horizon to 2043. The City of Busselton, as airport owner and operator, is advancing a KPMG-led business case to secure investment partners for an estimated 65 million dollar terminal that would resolve current capacity constraints. Existing limitations include the inability to operate concurrent regular passenger transport services, restricted baggage handling space, and apron parking conflicts when scheduled flights and FIFO charters arrive simultaneously. More than 192,000 passengers moved through the airport in 2024-25 across Jetstar services to Melbourne and Sydney, mining charter flights, and general aviation. Near-term planned works include security screening upgrades, a public car park extension, septic system improvements, and ground service equipment storage. The airport already supports an RFDS base, large air tanker and helitak emergency services operations, and the largest non-metropolitan FIFO workforce in Western Australia.
Bunbury Offshore Wind Area
The Bunbury Offshore Wind Area is a declared offshore renewable energy zone covering 3,995 sq km in the Indian Ocean, located at least 30km off the coast between Dawesville and Cape Naturaliste. As of January 2026, the Australian Government officially granted feasibility licenses to three major projects: Bunbury Offshore Wind Project North and Bunbury Offshore Wind Project South (developed by Oceanex Energy and EDF Group) and the Westward Wind Project (developed by Ocean Winds). These projects represent a potential 4 GW of clean energy capacity for the South West Interconnected System. The feasibility stage, lasting up to 7 years, involves detailed environmental assessments under the EPBC Act, marine surveys, and community consultation before any commercial licenses are issued.
West Busselton Coastal Stabilisation
The project aims to provide longer-term coastal protection to mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards along the coast between King Street and Gale Street in Busselton, including the construction of low-profile Geotextile Sand Container groynes and beach nourishment with imported sand. The works are divided into two stages: Stage 1 (West Busselton - King Street to Vasse Drain) includes construction of 2 low-profile GSC groynes and beach nourishment with 3,000 cubic meters of imported sand, rescheduled to commence in February 2026 and complete by March 2026 due to supply delays. Stage 2 (West Busselton - Gale Street to King Street) includes construction of 5 low-profile GSC groynes, beach nourishment with 7,500 cubic meters of imported sand, and refurbishment of the King St GSC revetment, scheduled to commence in October 2025 and complete by mid-December 2025.
City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 22
Comprehensive new local planning scheme for Busselton City including Dunsborough areas, supporting sustainable growth while retaining character and identity. Currently under EPA and WAPC review.
Busselton Water Supply Improvement
The Busselton Water Supply Improvement Project is a major infrastructure upgrade to secure the region's water supply. It involves equipping a new inland bore, constructing a new water treatment plant at Plant 8, and building two 7 ML treated water storage tanks to increase the storage capacity and improve reliability during peak demand. The project aims to address challenges from saltwater intrusion, declining rainfall, and increasing population, and will improve water security for over 28,000 people and enable 7,000 new connections.
Vasse Estate
Vasse Estate is an award-winning masterplanned residential community in Vasse, Western Australia (near Busselton), developed by Perron Developments and Stawell Pty Ltd. Delivered in stages (including completed Birchfield, ongoing Dawson, and future Armstrong), it features over 2,100 residential lots, a 200-unit lifestyle village, two primary schools, a college, Vasse Village town centre, Vasse Business Park, sports complexes, parks and trails. Ultimately supporting 6,500-7,500 residents, thousands of jobs and ongoing retail/commercial growth.
Bussell Highway Duplication
17-kilometre highway duplication between Bunbury and Busselton, completed April 2025. Includes new lanes, road improvements and bridge construction improving access to Dunsborough region. The project was delivered in two stages and provides safer overtaking opportunities, increased capacity and enhanced traffic flow for more than 15,000 vehicles daily.
Employment
Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.2%, West Busselton has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally
The local workforce is evenly distributed between professional and trade roles, with retail and hospitality sectors representing key sources of employment. The unemployment rate is low at 3.2% as of March 2026, which is 0.3% below the Regional WA average of 3.5%. However, the labor participation rate is low at 59.0% compared to 65.6% across Regional WA. According to census records, a modest 6.0% of workers operated from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdown measures.
Local jobs are concentrated in retailing, hospitality, and healthcare services. Retail trade shows a strong local concentration, with employment density 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, primary industries like agriculture, forestry and fishing account for only 2.7% of the workforce, compared to 9.3% across Regional WA. The disparity between local jobs and resident workers suggests that many residents commute outside the immediate area for employment.
Data from the ABS and SALM indicates that over the 12-month period, the local labor force contracted by 1.3% while the number of employed residents fell by 1.4%, keeping the overall unemployment rate steady. In comparison, Regional WA experienced a 0.1% decline in employment, a 0.3% expansion of the labor force, and a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. National forecasts from May-25 suggest future employment trends. While nationwide jobs are projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment for residents of the suburb of West Busselton could grow by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, assuming local population trends match national patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data
Based on tax statistics for the financial year 2023, personal income levels in the suburb of West Busselton track below national averages. Taxpayers record a median income of $45,277 and an average income of $59,796, compared to $59,973 and $74,392 across Regional WA. Adjusting for a 10.93% rise in the Wage Price Index since the financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 stand at $50,226 (median) and $66,332 (average). Census data from 2021 places household, family, and individual incomes between the 12th and 21st percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket contains 27.5% of residents (2,616 individuals) earning $400 - 799 weekly, which differs from the metropolitan area where the $1,500 - 2,999 range is most common at 31.1%. Housing affordability is low, with residents retaining only 81.5% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 11th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
West Busselton is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
At the time of the latest census, the housing stock in the suburb of West Busselton consisted of 85.7% detached houses and 14.3% medium or high-density dwellings, compared to Regional WA where houses made up 88.5% and other structures 11.6%. Outright home ownership is high at 38.6%, with the remaining properties split between mortgaged homes (31.5%) and rentals (29.9%). The median mortgage payment of $1,625 per month is higher than the regional average of $1,560, and the median weekly rent of $340 is also above the Regional WA average of $265. Locally, mortgage repayments are lower than the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the Australian figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
West Busselton features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Families comprise 64.4% of all households, consisting of couples without children (30.3%), couples with children (22.8%), and single parents (10.6%). Single-person households make up 32.7% of the area, while group households account for 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Regional WA average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in West Busselton fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
Educational attainment is low, with 16.4% of residents holding a university degree compared to the national average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 11.7%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 2.3%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 41.4% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (30.4%).
A significant proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 26.0% of residents enrolled in education. This comprises 9.8% in high school, 8.9% in primary school, and 2.0% in university or vocational training.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
The local transit network consists of 59 active bus stops. These stops serve 2 routes and supply 159 weekly passenger services. Accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 263 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb of West Busselton is primarily residential, resulting in high outward commuting. Private vehicles are the dominant transit mode at 90%, while 2% of residents cycle. Car ownership averages 1.3 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A low 6.0% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during the pandemic.
Bus routes provide an average of 22 daily trips, which translates to approximately 2 weekly services per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health outcomes in West Busselton are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts
Health outcomes are lower than average, with chronic illness and mortality rates elevated compared to regional benchmarks. Approximately 51% of the population (~4,847 residents) hold private health insurance, which is lower than the Regional WA average of 56.4%.
Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues, affecting 10.9% and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 63.5% of residents report no chronic health issues, compared to 69.3% in Regional WA. Chronic conditions are elevated among working-age residents. Residents aged 65 and over make up 24.4% of the population (2,321 people), which is higher than the Regional WA proportion of 19.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
West Busselton ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Cultural diversity is low, with 81.7% of the population born in Australia, 89.3% holding citizenship, and 94.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 45.9% of the population. Islamic adherents represent 0.8% of the community, which matches the Regional WA average of 0.8%.
The primary ancestries are English at 36.6% (above the regional average of 31.3%), Australian at 28.9%, and Irish at 7.8%. Other represented groups include Welsh at 0.8% (compared to 0.6% regionally), South Australian at 0.6% (compared to 0.6% regionally), and New Zealand ancestry at 0.8% (compared to 0.9% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
West Busselton hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
The median age of the population is 46, which is older than the Regional WA average of 40 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is large at 13.4%, while young adults aged 25 - 34 represent a small segment at 8.7%. Since the 2021 Census, youth aged 15 to 24 grew from 10.1% to 11.5%, while children aged 5 to 14 decreased from 12.4% to 11.3%. By 2041, the 25 to 34 age group is projected to grow by 39% (adding 323 people to reach 1,151 from 827), while contractions are expected in the 85+ and 75 to 84 cohorts.