Malvern East
Statistical Area - sa2

Malvern East has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Malvern East's population was 23,763 as of August 2025. This showed an increase of 1,840 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,923. The growth is inferred from ABS data: 23,738 in June 2024 and additional validated addresses post-Census. This resulted in a density ratio of 3,139 persons per square kilometer, placing Malvern East in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. The area's growth rate exceeded its SA4 region's (7.0%) during this period. Overseas migration primarily drove population growth.

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, they utilise VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. These projections forecast above median population growth for Malvern East, with an expected increase of 5,346 persons by 2041, representing a 22.4% total rise over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Malvern East when compared nationally

Malvern East has recorded approximately 83 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, totalling 418 approvals across the past five financial years from FY2021 to FY2025, with 4 approvals so far in FY2026. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.5 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. However, this figure has intensified to 9.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,065,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

Additionally, $95.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered in FY2026, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Malvern East records around 65% of building activity per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. New building activity comprises approximately 43.0% standalone homes and 57.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 387 people per approval, Malvern East indicates a mature market.

Looking ahead, Malvern East is projected to grow by 5,321 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified 79 projects that could impact this area. Notable ones include Chadstone Shopping Centre Redevelopment - The Market Pavilion & One Middle Road, Central Park Residences, Monash University Caulfield Campus Expansion, and Sycamore Place. A detailed list of these projects is provided below for further consideration.

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

Employment performance in Malvern East exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Malvern East has a highly educated workforce with professional services prominently represented. Its unemployment rate was 3.3% as of June 2025.

Over the past year, employment stability has been relatively high. As of June 2025, 14,047 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate 1.4% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was at 67.2%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries included health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Professional & technical jobs were particularly notable, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. However, construction was under-represented, with only 6.1% of Malvern East's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. The ratio of workers to residents indicated a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. In the year ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, while labour force grew by 1.4%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced stronger growth in employment and labour force, with a smaller increase in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 showed Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Malvern East's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Malvern East's median income among taxpayers is $62,754, with an average of $111,222. This places it in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $69,098 (median) and $122,467 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Malvern East, between the 83rd and 88th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 30.5% of the community (7,247 individuals) earn over $4,000 per week, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 32.8%. This affluence is reflected in the area's premium retail and service offerings, with housing accounting for 14.7% of income. Residents rank highly for disposable income, placing them in the 87th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Malvern East displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In Malvern East, as per the latest Census evaluation, 53.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 46.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metropolitan area had 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malvern East stood at 36.2%, similar to Melbourne metro's level. Dwellings were either mortgaged (32.0%) or rented (31.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,944, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,817. Median weekly rent in Malvern East was $421, compared to Melbourne metro's $416. Nationally, Malvern East's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 67.8% of all households, including 34.2% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 32.2%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households making up 5.9%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.4.

Educational achievement in Malvern East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Malvern East's residents aged 15 and above have a higher educational attainment than national and state averages. 53.4% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.8%). Vocational pathways account for 18.8% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in tertiary, 8.3% in primary, and 8.0% in secondary education. Malvern East's five schools have a combined enrollment of 910 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement (ICSEA: 1134). It includes three primary and two K-12 schools. School capacity is limited, with 3.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.1, leading many families to seek schooling in nearby areas. Note that for schools marked 'n/a' regarding enrolments, please refer to their parent campus.

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

The analysis of public transport in Malvern East shows that there are currently 102 active transport stops operating. These include a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 37 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 14,093 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates the transport accessibility as excellent, with residents typically located 195 meters from their nearest transport stop. The service frequency averages 2,013 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 138 weekly trips per individual stop.

Malvern East's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Malvern East. Younger cohorts in particular have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 76% of the total population (18,107 people), compared to 80.7% across Greater Melbourne and 55.3% nationally.

The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 6.8 and 6.7% of residents respectively. A total of 74.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.4% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 17.3% of residents aged 65 and over (4,103 people), which is lower than the 18.8% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population, despite being above average.

Malvern East was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Malvern East, as per data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016, showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas with 30.6% of its population born overseas and 26.3% using a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Malvern East at 47.6%. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 3.0%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (22.4%), Australian (19.2%), and Other (9.1%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Greek residents comprised 5.6% in Malvern East versus 4.6% regionally, Polish at 1.2% compared to 1.4%, and Sri Lankan at 0.8% versus 0.6%.

Malvern East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Malvern East has a median age of 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 17.2% of Malvern East's population compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 35-44 cohort makes up 12.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has risen from 14.5% to 17.2%, and the 25-34 cohort has increased from 14.7% to 15.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group has decreased from 13.8% to 12.3%, and the 5-14 group has fallen from 11.3% to 10.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Malvern East's age structure. Notably, the 35-44 group is projected to grow by 29%, adding 849 people to reach a total of 3,741 from the current figure of 2,891. However, the 15-24 group is anticipated to decrease by 79 residents.