Wantirna
Statistical Area - sa2

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 is approximately 14,967 as of August 2025. This figure represents a growth of 626 people, which is a 4.4% increase from the 2021 Census population of 14,341. The increase was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 14,643 in June 2024 and an additional 230 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,801 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Wantirna's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (3.9%) and SA4 region between the 2021 Census and August 2025, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during this period.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 uses 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Wantirna is expected to grow by approximately 610 persons by 2041, representing a total growth of about 1.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Wantirna recorded approximately 128 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 644 homes were approved. In FY-26, four residential properties have been approved so far.

Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to other regions. The average value of new dwellings developed is $568,000. This financial year, Wantirna has seen $63.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wantirna shows 96.0% higher development activity per person, offering buyers ample choice. New development consists of 18.0% standalone homes and 82.0% attached dwellings, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend reflects the decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles.

Wantirna has a low density population of around 99 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate Wantirna will gain 274 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 influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Wantirna Health Precinct Masterplan, Wantirna Health Precinct West, Deakin University Burwood Campus Expansion, and Oak Place by Stockland. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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

Wantirna has a well-educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 3.4%, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year.

In comparison to Greater Melbourne's unemployment rate of 4.6%, Wantirna's is 1.3% lower, while workforce participation is slightly below standard at 60.5%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. However, professional & technical services are under-represented in Wantirna, with only 8.4% of the workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 0.6%, while labour force increased by 0.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5% and a larger increase in labour force. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wantirna's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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 2022 shows median income in Wantirna at $50,102 and average income at $64,185. Greater Melbourne's figures are median $54,892 and average $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% from financial year ended June 2022 to March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $55,167 (median) and $70,674 (average). According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data for 2021, Wantirna's household income ranks at the 58th percentile ($1,883 weekly), with personal income at the 41st percentile. The largest income segment is 33.1% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (4,954 residents). After housing costs, 85.0% of income remains for other expenses. Wantirna'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

The dwelling structure in Wantirna, as per the latest Census, was 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 83.4% houses and 16.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wantirna stood at 40.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.0% and rented dwellings at 20.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, above Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Wantirna was $427, compared to Melbourne metro's $400. Nationally, Wantirna's mortgage repayments were 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 percent of all households, including 41.4 percent couples with children, 27.7 percent couples without children, and 10.8 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 19.2 percent, with lone person households at 17.2 percent and group households comprising 2.0 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.7.

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

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

Currently, 29.0% of Wantirna residents are enrolled in formal education: primary (10.0%), secondary (7.5%), and tertiary (5.5%). Six schools operate within Wantirna, educating approximately 2,971 students. The area's socio-educational conditions score is 1073 on the ICSEA index. There are four primary and two secondary schools serving distinct age groups. Wantirna offers 19.9 school places per 100 residents, higher than the regional average of 12.0, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 47 active transport stops operating within Wantirna. These stops service a mix of buses. There are 22 individual routes collectively providing 5,433 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 251 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 776 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 115 weekly trips per individual stop.

Wantirna's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows Wantirna residents have relatively positive health outcomes.

The prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover rate is approximately 52%, slightly higher than the average SA2 area. There are about 7,767 people in Wantirna. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (7.5%) and asthma (7.3%). About 70.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 69.4% across Greater Melbourne. Around 22.1%, or 3,312 people, are aged 65 and over, higher than the 19.5% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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's population has a high level of cultural diversity, with 40.9% born overseas and 40.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Wantirna, accounting for 43.8% of its population. Notably, Buddhism makes up 6.3%, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.6%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups are English (19.3%), Chinese (18.7%), and Australian (17.8%). Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Sri Lankan (1.4% vs regional 1.4%), Hungarian (0.5% vs 0.4%), and Indian (4.5% vs 3.3%) are overrepresented in Wantirna compared to the regional averages.

Wantirna's median age exceeds the national pattern

At age 41 years, Wantirna's median age is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wantirna has a larger proportion of residents aged 65-74 (11.5% vs. 9.1%) and fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.1% vs. 10.8%). Post the 2021 Census, the age group 75 to 84 grew from 5.9% to 7.8%, while those aged 15 to 24 increased from 10.6% to 12.3%. Conversely, the 25 to 34 age group decreased from 10.8% to 9.1%, and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 12.6% to 11.5%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Wantirna's age profile. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 41%, adding 481 residents to reach 1,649. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 70% of the population growth. Conversely, declines are projected for those aged 25-34 and 0-4 years.