Wantirna

Wantirna is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Wantirna's population was approximately 14,771 as of May 2026, reflecting a growth of 430 people since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 14,341. This increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,634 in June 2025 and an additional 328 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density was around 1,777 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Wantirna's 3.0% growth since census is close to the SA3 area's 3.1%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration primarily drove this 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, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Wantirna is expected to grow by 573 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 3.0% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Wantirna among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Wantirna has granted approximately 128 residential approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 644 homes were approved. As of FY-26, around 50 properties have been approved.

Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average construction cost value for new properties is $423,000, which is somewhat higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In FY-26, there have been commercial approvals worth $63.5 million, indicating strong commercial development momentum in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wantirna has 94.0% higher development activity per person. New developments consist of 18.0% standalone homes and 82.0% attached dwellings, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 90.0% houses.

Wantirna has a low density population of around 99 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Wantirna is projected to gain 436 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects that may impact the region. Notable projects include Deakin University Burwood Campus Expansion, Oak Place by Stockland, Vermont South Shopping Centre Precinct, and Wantirna Health Precinct. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market in Wantirna demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Wantirna has a highly educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Unemployment rate was 3.8% as of December 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment grew by an estimated 1.2% in the past year.

As of December 2025, 7,408 residents were employed with a participation rate of 63.7%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A significant 31.2% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training.

However, professional & technical services were under-represented at 8.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Between December 2024 and 2025, Wantirna's employment increased by 1.2% while labour force grew by 1.5%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May-25, project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wantirna's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 shows median income in Wantirna SA2 was $53,118 and average income was $67,645. This compares to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% from financial year ended June 2023 to March 2026, estimated median income for Wantirna SA2 is approximately $58,228 and average income is $74,152 as of March 2026. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from August 2021, household income in Wantirna SA2 ranks at the 58th percentile ($1,883 weekly), while personal income sits at the 40th percentile. The largest income segment comprises 33.1% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,889 residents), similar to the broader area where this cohort represents 32.8%. After housing expenses, 85.0% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Wantirna's dwelling structures, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's composition of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wantirna stood at 40.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.0% and rented ones at 20.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, surpassing Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Wantirna was $427, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Wantirna's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 80.8% of all households, including 41.4% couples with children, 27.7% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 19.2%, with lone person households at 17.2% and group households comprising 2.0%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Wantirna shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Wantirna, 35.4% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.9%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 29.4% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.3%) and certificates (17.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 47 active public transport stops in Wantirna, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 21 individual routes, collectively facilitating 4,564 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically situated 251 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most residents commute outward, predominantly by car (89%), with train usage at 5%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, exceeding regional averages. Notably, 31.2% of residents work from home (2021 Census), potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 652 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 97 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wantirna's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows Wantirna residents have relatively positive health outcomes. AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions indicates results broadly in line with national benchmarks, with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 53% of the total population (~7,769 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (7.5%) and asthma (7.3%), while 70.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 22.3% (3,288 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Wantirna has a high cultural diversity, with 40.9% of its population born overseas and 40.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Wantirna is Christianity, which accounts for 43.8% of the population. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 6.3% versus 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (19.3%), Chinese (18.7%), and Australian (17.8%). Notably, Sri Lankan (1.4%) and Hungarian (0.5%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 0.3%, respectively.

Wantirna's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Wantirna's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and somewhat older than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne's averages, Wantirna has a notably over-represented cohort of individuals aged 65-74 (11.3%) and an under-represented group of those aged 25-34 (9.5%). Post the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 5.9% to 8.2%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 10.6% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group declined from 10.8% to 9.5%, and the 65 to 74 group decreased from 12.6% to 11.3%. Demographic modeling indicates that Wantirna's age profile will significantly change by 2041, with the 75 to 84 cohort projected to grow by 33% adding 401 residents to reach 1,605. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 62% of the population growth. Conversely, population declines are anticipated for the 0 to 4 and 65 to 74 age cohorts.