Berwick - South East

Berwick - South East lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Berwick - South East's population is around 20,388 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,628 people (14.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,760 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,002 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,105 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,063 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Berwick - South East's 14.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (7.0%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 39.5% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers, including interstate migration and natural growth, were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Regarding demographic trends, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas, is predicted over the period, with the area expected to expand by 10,223 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 48.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Berwick - South East has seen around 280 new homes approved annually, totalling 1,400 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26132 approvals have been recorded. At an average of 1.5 new residents per year arriving per new home over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), the market shows a good balance between supply and demand, supporting stable conditions, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $348,000.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Berwick - South East records 153.0% more building activity (per person), which should provide buyers with ample choice. This level is substantially higher than nationally, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. Recent construction comprises 91.0% standalone homes and 9.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 73 people per dwelling approval, Berwick - South East shows characteristics of a growth area.

Future projections show Berwick - South East adding 9,837 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Berwick - South East has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 29thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 14 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Beaconsfield Primary School Modernisation, Berwick Waters, Arena Berwick (Stage 3 Expansion), and Olio Residential Development, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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

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Employment conditions in Berwick - South East demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Berwick - South East features a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of only 3.3%, and 4.3% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 11,770 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.4% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (78.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a high 28.6% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

Leading employment industries among residents comprise health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. On the other hand, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 7.5% of Berwick - South East's workforce compared to 10.1% in Greater Melbourne. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 4.3% while the labour force increased by 5.0%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Berwick - South East. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Berwick - South East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Berwick - South East SA2's median income among taxpayers is $58,800, with an average of $78,671. This is well above average nationally, and compares to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $63,651 (median) and $85,161 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household incomes rank exceptionally at the 86th percentile ($2,361 weekly). Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 37.5% of the community (7,645 individuals), reflecting patterns seen in the region where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. Economic strength emerges through 35.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 85th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Berwick - South East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure within Berwick - South East, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 96.5% houses and 3.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Berwick - South East was lagging that of Melbourne metro, at 21.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (57.0%) or rented (22.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Melbourne metro average at $2,100, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $430, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Berwick - South East's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 88.0% of all households, comprising 56.3% couples with children, 19.4% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 12.0%, with lone person households at 10.5% and group households comprising 1.5% of the total. The median household size of 3.3 people is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Berwick - South East shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in Berwick - South East trail regional benchmarks, with 31.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 37.0% in Greater Melbourne. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 31.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (19.4%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 36.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.9% in primary education, 11.6% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 67 active transport stops operating within Berwick - South East, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 9 individual routes, collectively providing 1,485 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 194 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 91%, with 5% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. A high 28.6% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 212 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

Berwick - South East's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Health outcomes data demonstrates outstanding results across Berwick - South East, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Younger cohorts in particular see very low prevalence of common health conditions, and the rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 58% of the total population (~11,906 people).

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.3% and 6.5% of residents, respectively, while 76.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 10.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,048 people), which is lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Berwick - South East is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Berwick - South East scores highly on cultural diversity, with 39.2% of its population born overseas and 35.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Berwick - South East is Christianity, which makes up 43.3% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which comprises 6.8% of the population, compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Berwick - South East are English, comprising 19.8% of the population, Australian, comprising 19.7% of the population, and Other, comprising 16.5% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Sri Lankan is notably overrepresented at 3.1% of Berwick - South East (vs 0.8% regionally), Hungarian at 0.5% (vs 0.3%) and Indian at 8.1% (vs 4.2%).

Berwick - South East's population is younger than the national pattern

Berwick - South East's median age of 35 years stands slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 as well as somewhat younger than the 38-year national average. The 5 - 14 age group shows strong representation at 16.9% compared to Greater Melbourne, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is less prevalent at 9.4%. In the period since 2021, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 15.1% to 16.4% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 18.1% to 16.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Berwick - South East. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, expanding by 1,897 people (60%) from 3,182 to 5,080.