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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Foster has an estimated 9,683 residents, up from 9,446 at the 2021 Census — a change of 237 people, or 2.5%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years, slower than 77% of areas nationally. 213 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. 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 findings from AreaSearch, the resident count in Foster stands at approximately 9,683 as of Aug 2026. This represents an expansion of 237 people (2.5%) compared to the 9,446 people recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is based on ABS estimated resident population figures of 9,631 as of June 2025 alongside 213 validated new addresses recorded following the Census date. With a density of 6.5 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers considerable space per resident. Foster's 2.5% increase post-census trails Rest of Vic. (4.4%) by only 1.9 percentage points, highlighting sound growth dynamics.
Inbound movement from other states served as the primary growth driver, generating roughly 52.3% of total population additions over recent intervals. AreaSearch incorporates ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 (anchored to 2022) across individual SA2 boundaries. Where specific coverage is absent, figures draw on 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections adjusted via a weighted aggregation model from LGA to SA2 level, with age-group growth rates applied across all localities for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Under these demographic modeling assumptions, the overall population trajectory is downward, projecting a reduction of 1,286 persons by 2041. Conversely, select age segments are projected to expand, most notably the 25 to 34 age bracket with an anticipated gain of 166 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
341 new dwellings have been approved in Foster over the past five years, an average of 68 a year. That places the area in the 59th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 7 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 68 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 97% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Foster have averaged roughly 68 new homes annually, reaching a 5 financial years cumulative sum of 341 homes. With roughly 1 new residents added per approved home each year across the past 5 financial years (between FY-22 and FY-26), residential development is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing buyers with broader options and supporting local demographic gains above baseline forecasts. Approved residential projects carry an average construction value of $495,000, tracking slightly above regional benchmarks and pointing toward quality-oriented building activity. Alongside this, commercial approvals have totaled $11.0 million this financial year, reflecting steady non-residential investment.
In per-capita terms, dwelling approvals in Foster run at roughly three-quarters of the pace recorded across Rest of Vic., placing the locality in the 67th percentile across national assessments. The composition of recent residential construction is dominated by standalone homes at 97.0%, while medium and high-density housing accounts for 3.0%, preserving the district's historically low-density profile with an emphasis on spacious family housing. The area records approximately 191 people per dwelling approval, underscoring its low-density building landscape. With population projections remaining subdued or pointing downward, Foster could see reduced housing demand pressures, fostering favorable market conditions for prospective property buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Foster
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Foster. A further 199 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $17.5 billion. 63 are already under construction and 126 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. 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 capital works, major developments, and urban planning schemes play a decisive role in shaping community outcomes. AreaSearch has highlighted 6 key projects positioned to influence the district. Notable undertakings include the Parr Street Leongatha Rezoning and Subdivision, the Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development, the Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and the Wyndham Garden Inverloch development.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Parr Street Leongatha Rezoning and Subdivision
Combined planning scheme amendment and permit application to rezone land from Farming Zone to General Residential Zone Schedule 1, remove Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 2 and Erosion Management Overlay, amend Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, and subdivide into 171 residential lots in stages, including native vegetation removal and easement management.
Gippsland Skies Offshore Wind
Gippsland Skies was a proposed 2.5 GW fixed-bottom offshore wind project in the Gippsland declared offshore wind area. The consortium of Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power, AGL Energy and DIRECT Infrastructure secured a Commonwealth feasibility licence in 2024, but the project is no longer progressing. The Victorian Government states that the consortium surrendered feasibility licence FL-03 on 5 January 2026 after the shareholders decided to discontinue feasibility studies because of portfolio priorities and market conditions.
Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System
BNRG Leeson is progressing a proposed 60 MW AC / 240 MWh four-hour battery energy storage system in Leongatha, Victoria. The project is planned across about 4.5 acres and includes approximately 42 battery containers and 14 inverters, using proximity to existing high-voltage transmission infrastructure to support grid stability and renewable energy integration. The developer states that a planning exemption has been approved, with construction targeted to commence in 2027 and completion targeted for 2027, subject to final approvals, design and procurement.
Mitchell's Rise Residential Development
Residential subdivision delivering 101 lots across 7 stages with lot sizes from approximately 540sqm to 1,333sqm. Works included a major VicRoads intersection, revegetated waterway, drainage reserve, street and reserve lighting, and retaining walls to address site topography.
Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development
The Great Southern Rail Trail Leongatha Precinct Development involves significant upgrades to the Leongatha railway site to improve economic vitality, attract visitors, and complement the rail trail extension. Upgrades include new public open space (7,855m2), additional car parking, a pedestrian footbridge connecting to the main street, new playground equipment, trees and landscaping, public amenities, bike parking, and an outdoor entertainment area. The project, funded by $6 million from federal, state, and local sources, has seen the installation of the pedestrian bridge in November 2024 and redevelopment into a major trailhead by 2025.
Leongatha Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
A proposed 60MW/240MWh battery energy storage system spanning 4.5 acres to enhance grid stability and support renewable energy integration in South Gippsland, featuring 42 BESS containers and 14 inverters.
Leongatha Business Precinct (Bair Street) Redevelopment
Streetscape redevelopment including footpath improvements, relocation of overhead powerlines underground, new energy-efficient lighting, drainage upgrades, raised pedestrian crossings, road and parking reconfiguration, and landscaping to enhance the town center's amenity and safety.
Glendalough Carbon Revegetation Project
A major 240-hectare biodiverse forest restoration and climate action project in Ferndale restoring native bushland, restoring Strzelecki koala habitat, and sequestering over 170,000 tonnes of carbon.
4,518 residents of Foster are employed, from a labour force of 4,644. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, with participation at 55.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. 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 local labour market in Foster features a skilled demographic across multiple sectors, characterised by an unemployment rate of only 2.7% and annual employment growth of 4.1%. By March 2026, employed residents reached 4,518, while local joblessness sat 1.0% under the 3.7% recorded in Regional Vic., despite a lower labor force participation rate of 55.8% compared to 61.1% regionally. Census records show that 25.7% of local workers operated from home, though potential distortion from Covid-19 restrictions should be noted. Primary employment fields among the local workforce comprise agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and construction.
Specialisation is particularly pronounced in agriculture, forestry & fishing, where local representation is 2.9 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance accounts for a smaller share locally at 12.8% versus 16.8% across the broader region. Comparison between resident counts and local Census working numbers suggests an area with constrained local job availability. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, employment grew by 4.1% while the labour force expanded by 3.4% over the 12 months to March 2026, which resulted in the unemployment rate dropping by 0.7 percentage points. In contrast, Regional Vic. experienced a 0.1% decline in employment and a 0.3% decline in the labour force, with unemployment decreasing by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Mar-26 provide additional perspective on potential future demand within Foster. These projections, which span five and ten-year periods, have been overlaid onto the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. 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 industry-specific projections are applied to Foster's employment composition, local employment is expected to rise by 5.7% over five years and 12.2% 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 Foster is $1,110 a week (about $58,000 a year), with median personal income at $619 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,044 a year against an average of $54,581. 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
Based on AreaSearch calculations from postcode ATO records for financial year 2023, the Foster SA2 registered a median taxpayer income of $42,044 and an average of $54,581. These figures sit below the nationwide baseline and compare to $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average) across Regional Vic.. Factoring in subsequent Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023, modeled figures reach roughly $46,089 median and $59,832 average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places local household, family, and individual incomes within the 7th to 14th percentiles across the country.
In terms of distribution, 27.5% of residents (2,662 individuals) earn within the $800 - 1,499 weekly bracket, differing from metropolitan distributions where the $1,500 - 2,999 band leads at 30.3%. Despite manageable housing expenses allowing residents to retain 88.8% of income, disposable earnings rank at the 12th percentile nationally, with the SEIFA income index positioning the area in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Foster had 3,906 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 2% apartments. 29% are owned with a mortgage, 15% rented and 56% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $250 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 22.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential housing in Foster at the time of the latest Census was overwhelmingly composed of separate houses at 95.7%, with semi-detached, apartment, and other property types making up 4.3%, in contrast to 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings across Regional Vic.. Full home ownership in Foster reached 56.1%, substantially higher than regional benchmarks, while remaining residences were either under a mortgage (28.9%) or leased (15.0%). Median monthly mortgage costs sat below the Regional Vic. benchmark ($1,430) at $1,300, and weekly median rental payments were $250 compared to $285 regionally. Across the wider Australian market, local monthly mortgage obligations are considerably under the national average of $1,863, with rents remaining well beneath the $375 national benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Foster counted 3,906 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 87% of areas nationally, against 36% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute 63.9% of local households, consisting of couples without children at 36.1%, couples with children at 19.9%, and single-parent households at 7.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 36.1%, driven by single-person residences at 34.2% and group homes at 1.9%. The median household occupancy of 2.1 people sits lower than the Regional Vic. metric of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
22.8% of adults in Foster hold a university qualification, including 14.6% with a bachelor degree and 4.8% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 27.6% hold a vocational qualification. 7 schools serve the area, with 854 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 985 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
Tertiary educational attainment presents a challenge locally, as the proportion of residents with higher education degrees (22.8%) trails the VIC benchmark of 33.4%, signaling scope for targeted educational development. Among qualification holders, bachelor degrees represent 14.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.4%. Vocational pathways remain prominent, with 39.0% of individuals aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, divided between certificates (27.6%) and advanced diplomas (11.4%). Active participation in structured education encompasses 24.3% of the local population. Within this cohort, 10.0% attend primary school, 7.3% are enrolled in secondary education, and 2.1% are undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Foster means driving: households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Foster's public transit network comprises 10 active transit stops connected by 1 routes, providing a combined 47 weekly scheduled services. Overall transit accessibility is constrained, with an average distance of 7923 meters to the nearest stop. Private vehicles serve as the main commuting option for 88% of traveling workers, while 9% walk, and vehicle density averages 1.6 per household. In addition, 25.7% of employed residents worked remotely according to the 2021 Census, potentially reflecting prevailing pandemic conditions. Transit service frequency across the network averages 6 trips per day over all routes, which corresponds to roughly 4 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.3% of residents in Foster report no long-term health condition. 5.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators across Foster generally align with nationwide norms across mortality and long-term illness measures assessed by AreaSearch, demonstrating consistent condition frequency across younger and older demographics. However, private health insurance uptake is notably restrained, covering roughly 47% of residents (~4,531 people), compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national standard of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 11.8 and 8.0% of individuals respectively, while 61.3% of residents reported having no diagnosed chronic ailments (compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.). Elevated chronic illness is observed among working-age residents.
Seniors aged 65 and over account for 34.8% of the populace (3,364 people), exceeding the 24.0% regional proportion, with health metrics among older cohorts exceeding regional and national averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Foster is largely Australian-born, at 85.9% of residents, with 4.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.1%) and Australian (30.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural homogeneity is prominent in Foster, where 88.4% of inhabitants hold citizenship, 85.9% are Australian-born, and 95.9% speak solely English in the home. Christianity forms the largest religious affiliation, encompassing 40.5% of the community. A slight relative overrepresentation appears in Judaism at 0.1% of the population, matching the 0.1% proportion observed across Regional Vic.. Regarding parental ancestry, the dominant heritages identified in Foster are English (32.1%), Australian (30.5%), and Irish (10.1%). Variations emerge across other cultural backgrounds, with Dutch heritage notably elevated at 3.1% (compared to 1.7% regionally), Scottish heritage at 9.7% (versus 8.8%), and German ancestry recording 3.3% (against 3.5% across Regional Vic.).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Foster is 54, older than 96% of areas nationally. 16.3% 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
Demographically, Foster functions prominently as a lifestyle and retirement center. Based on Aug 2026 data, individuals aged 65+ comprise 34.8% of the community, versus 24.0% across Regional Vic., whereas young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44 represent 15.6% compared to a 23.1% regional baseline. AreaSearch indicates a median age of 54 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 11 years higher than the Regional Vic. median of 43 at that Census, while the national Census median stood at 38. Since the Census, the 65+ cohort has risen from 31.5% to 34.8%.
Over the horizon to 2041, young to middle-aged adults are modeled to record the largest numerical increase, adding 1 (no percentage change) to reach 1,511, while older cohorts and middle-aged brackets are expected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Foster
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 1 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 213 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (9,446 at the 2021 Census → 9,683 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 Aug 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 (205031087). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.