Bundoora - East
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bundoora - East reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Bundoora - East's population was around 10,242 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 411 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,831. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 10,240 in June 2024 and an additional 21 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,516 persons per square kilometer, placing Bundoora - East in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 4.2% population growth since the census is within 0.9 percentage points of its SA3 area (5.1%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 92.1% of overall population gains during recent periods in Bundoora - East.

AreaSearch uses 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 VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, making adjustments using 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. By 2041, Bundoora - East is forecasted to experience a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas, with an expected growth of 3,944 persons, representing a total increase of 38.5% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Bundoora - East is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Bundoora East has seen around 17 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years ending June 2021. This totals to 87 homes. In the current financial year, FY-26, there has been one approval recorded so far. The population decline in recent years has meant development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

New properties are constructed at an average cost of $323,000. There have also been $10.8 million in commercial approvals this financial year. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bundoora East has significantly less development activity, 74% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This is also lower than nationally, indicating market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 54% detached houses and 46% townhouses or apartments, showing an expanding range of medium-density options across price brackets.

This represents a shift from the area's current housing mix, which is 93% houses. The location has approximately 844 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Looking ahead, Bundoora East is expected to grow by 3,942 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Bundoora - East has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Research and Development Centre, M80 Ring Road Completion, Uni Hill Factory Outlets Stage 3A, and Bundoora Secondary College Upgrade and Modernisation. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

AreaSearch analysis places Bundoora - East well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Bundoora - East has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.8% as of June 2025, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.7%. In June 2025, 5,506 residents were in work and workforce participation was 60.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 7.8% versus the regional average of 10.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 2.7%, labour force grew by 1.4%, and unemployment fell by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.5%, labour force grow by 4.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across sectors. Applying these projections to Bundoora - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Bundoora - East had a median income of $48,714 and an average income of $60,668 among taxpayers. This is below the national average. In Greater Melbourne, the median was $54,892 and the average was $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $54,638 (median) and $68,045 (average). Census data indicates household income ranks at the 48th percentile ($1,705 weekly), while personal income is at the 30th percentile. Distribution data shows that 32.8% of individuals earn between $1,500 - 2,999 per week (3,359 individuals), which mirrors regional levels where this earnings band captures 32.8%. After housing expenses, 85.7% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Bundoora - East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Bundoora - East's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.0% houses and 6.9% other dwellings. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 76.0% houses and 24.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bundoora - East stood at 43.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,013, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,167. Weekly rent in the area averaged $385, compared to Melbourne metro's $399. Nationally, Bundoora - East's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Bundoora - East features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.6% of all households, including 35.9% couples with children, 25.0% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.4%, with lone person households at 20.5% and group households comprising 5.0%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

The educational profile of Bundoora - East exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area has educational challenges with university qualification rates at 30.4%, significantly below the SA3 area average of 41.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 29.9% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (18.2%).

Educational participation is high at 28.8%, including primary education (7.9%), secondary education (7.5%), and tertiary education (6.3%). Bundoora - East's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 3,167 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1044) offering balanced educational opportunities. The area functions as an education hub with 30.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 18.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis shows 43 active stops operating in Bundoora - East. These include lightrail and bus services. There are 5 individual routes serving these stops, providing a total of 3217 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 276 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 459 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 74 weekly trips per stop.

Bundoora - East's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts

Bundoora East's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. Common health conditions are slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population, which is around 5,121 people.

This compares to 60.3% in Greater Melbourne, with a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.5% and 7.3% of residents respectively. Around 69.5% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 69.3% in Greater Melbourne. Approximately 20.1% of residents are aged 65 and over, which is around 2,061 people. This aligns with the general population's health profile.

Bundoora - 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

Bundoora-East has a high level of cultural diversity, with 32.0% of its population born overseas and 35.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion in Bundoora-East is Christianity, comprising 54.0% of the population. Notably, Buddhism is overrepresented in Bundoora-East compared to Greater Melbourne, with 4.1% versus 2.0%.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups are English (19.3%), Australian (17.6%), and Other (10.0%). There are also significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Macedonian is overrepresented at 2.5% compared to 1.1% regionally, Italian at 9.5% versus 7.7%, and Sri Lankan at 1.0% versus 0.5%.

Bundoora - East's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Bundoora - East is 38 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and similar to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Bundoora - East has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (8.6% vs. 7.9%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (12.7% vs. 14.0%). Between the 2021 Census and 2026, the percentage of residents aged 15-24 increased from 13.1% to 15.1%, while those aged 75-84 grew from 7.5% to 8.6%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 decreased from 9.7% to 8.5%, and those aged 45-54 dropped from 13.5% to 12.5%. By 2041, Bundoora - East's age composition is projected to change significantly. The 45-54 age group is expected to increase by 47% (598 people), reaching 1,877 from 1,278.