Berwick - South West

Berwick - South West lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Berwick - South West's population is around 13,243 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,989 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,254 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,243 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 489 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,664 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Berwick - South West's growth of 17.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (6.2%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 42.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises 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 are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking at population projections moving forward, a significant increase is forecast, with the area expected to grow by 4,903 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 37.0% in total over the 16 years.

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

Berwick - South West has seen approximately 202 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1,013 homes. As of FY-26, 90 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents arrive per year for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $309,000, aligning with regional trends.

In this financial year, $1.2 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting minimal commercial development activity compared to residential growth. Measured against Greater Melbourne, Berwick - South West records 186.0% more construction activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers despite a recent slowdown in building activity. This high level of developer interest is significantly above the national average. New developments consist of 77.0% standalone homes and 23.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's suburban character while introducing more diverse housing options to meet changing lifestyles. The location currently has approximately 82 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Berwick - South West is projected to add 4,903 residents by 2041.

Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Berwick - South West has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three major projects that could impact this region. Key initiatives include Berwick South Development Plan, Hunt Club Village Shopping Centre Expansion, Casey Hospital Emergency Department Expansion, and Stockland Minta Residential Estate. The following list details these projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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.

Berwick - South West has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Berwick - South West has a well-educated workforce. Its manufacturing and industrial sectors are strongly represented with an unemployment rate of 5.2% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.8%.

There are 7,327 residents in work while the unemployment rate is 0.5% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation stands at 75.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 27.1% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction.

Manufacturing is particularly notable with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services are under-represented at 7.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 3.8% while labour force grew by 5.0%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4%, labour force expand by 2.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest a potential future demand within Berwick - South West. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Berwick - South West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The median taxpayer income in Berwick - South West SA2 is $58,152 and the average is $76,835 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is high nationally compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. As of March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $63,746 (median) and $84,227 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Berwick - South West are around the 70th percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 42.8% of residents (5,668 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to regional patterns where 32.8% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 75th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Berwick - South West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Berwick - South West, as recorded in the latest Census, 94.8% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.2% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This is compared to Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Berwick - South West stood at 16.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 51.7% and rented ones at 32.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390 respectively. Nationally, Berwick - South West's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 85.1% of all households, including 53.5% couples with children, 18.8% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for 14.9%, with lone person households at 12.4% and group households at 2.4%. The median household size is 3.1 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 32.4%, higher than the SA3 average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.1% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 20.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 12.9% in primary, 9.1% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education.

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

Berwick - South West has 27 active public transport stops serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by eight different routes, offering a total of 1,339 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 328 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 91%, while 6% use trains. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 27.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 191 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 49 weekly trips per stop.

Berwick - South West's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

AreaSearch's assessment shows strong health performance in Berwick - South West.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low among the general population but higher than national averages for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover was very high, with approximately 57% of the total population (~7,548 people). The most common conditions were asthma (8.0%) and mental health issues (7.0%). 75.8% of residents declared themselves clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Under-65s had better-than-average health outcomes. The area has 9.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,187 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Senior health outcomes present challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Berwick - South West 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 West has high cultural diversity, with 42.3% born overseas and 42.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 39.5%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 7.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (20.5%), Australian (18.5%), and English (18.3%). Sri Lankan (3.3%) and Indian (8.7%) groups are notably overrepresented, while Hungarian is slightly higher at 0.5% compared to the regional average of 0.3%.

Berwick - South West hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Berwick's median age of 35 years is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 5-14 age group comprises 16.1% of Berwick's population compared to Greater Melbourne's proportion. The 25-34 cohort makes up 13.2% of Berwick's population, which is less prevalent than in Greater Melbourne. Between 2021 and the present, the 65-74 age group has increased from 4.6% to 5.7% of Berwick's population. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort has decreased from 18.9% to 17.5%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 17.2% to 16.1%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate that Berwick's 45-54 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, with an increase of 1,039 people (54%), from 1,909 to 2,949.