NSW · Wollongong Council
Port Kembla, NSW, 2505
Desirability index
14.6/100
How this score is calculated#632 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Port Kembla is a smaller suburban community in the Wollongong area, home to around 5,088 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 883 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-7%), roughly 173.5 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $520 (flats $460, houses $695), 4 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 5,088
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,308
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 171 of 2,176
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 48.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 161 / 133 / 316
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $695
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $520
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 48
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 883
- Against the person
- 99
- Against property
- 250
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 173.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 51 residents
- State safety percentile
- 14.3th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -7.2%
Most common offence types
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment32
- Malicious Damage To Property50
- Other Offences74
- Steal From Motor Vehicle35
- Transport Regulatory Offences295
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 998.5
- Five Islands Secondary CollegeSecondary
- Kemblawarra Public SchoolPrimary
- Port Kembla Public SchoolPrimary
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
124 public transport stops in this suburb
- ENT Kembla Rd
- FTB To P2
- Lysaghts Station
- Port Kembla North Station, Platform 1
- Port Kembla Station, Platform 1
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
338 planning-related records
2026· 27 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation101 PARKES STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Demolition; Hotel or motel accommodation; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Hours of operation and trading10-14 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support16 GALLIPOLI STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Service station48 ILLAWARRA STREET PORT KEMBLA NSW2505Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure1 Parker Street, Port Kembla NSWUnder Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 GRIFFITHS AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)132 MILITARY ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink22-26 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)81 PARKES STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure1 JUBILEE ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)23 SURFSIDE DRIVE PORT KEMBLA 2505Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 RESERVOIR STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure5 FIFTH AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure44 BLAND STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 SECOND AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 HORNE STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure87 PARKES STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Subdivision9 MARNE STREET PORT KEMBLADetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool35 FORSTER STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42 DOVERS DRIVE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 SECOND AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation184 MILITARY ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Additional Information Requested
- Industrial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry10 DARCY ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premiseU 1 190 MILITARY ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 LAWARRA STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry233 Shellharbour Road Port KemblaDetermined
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 FIVE ISLANDS ROAD PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
2025· 36 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure31 FORSTER STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)9 ROBERTSON STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
November 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)57-61 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Business premises; Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia68-70 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Subdivision9 MARNE STREET PORT KEMBLADetermined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 SECOND AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink22-26 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space72-74 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Service station48 ILLAWARRA STREET PORT KEMBLA NSW2505Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise55 WENTWORTH STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Withdrawn
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool17 SECOND AVENUE PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development56 ILLAWARRA STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah44 BLAND STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Determined
2024· 38 proposals
38 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 53 proposals
53 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 64 proposals
64 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 71 proposals
71 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 49 proposals
49 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
30 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (2)
- Darcy Rd at Miitary RdBus stop
- Five Islands Rd at Flagstaff RdBus stop
- King St opp Bent StBus stop
- Port Kembla Station, Old Port RdBus stop
- Wentworth Rd opp Jubilee RdBus stop
- Wentworth St after Allan StBus stop
- Wentworth St at Allan StBus stop
- Cafe
- Port Kembla Court HouseCourthouse
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- King George V ParkPark
- Shipp ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Flat Products Medical Centredoctor
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Hill 60/ Illowra BatteryMilitary Road, Port KemblaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 14.6/100
- Cohort rank
- #632 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- ENT Kembla Rdtransport
- FTB To P2transport
- Lysaghts Stationtransport
- Port Kembla North Station, Platform 1transport
- Port Kembla Station, Platform 1transport
- Hill 60/ Illowra BatteryheritageMilitary Road, Port KemblaSHR
- Flat Products Medical Centrehealthdoctor
- King George V Parkgovernmentpark
- Shipp Parkgovernmentpark
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural supportplanning16 GALLIPOLI STREET PORT KEMBLA 2505Lodged 18 Jun 2026 · Under Assessment
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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