NSW · Newcastle Council
Waratah, 2298
Current weather
18.1°CClear sky
64% humidity · 14.1 km/h wind · 21.8° / 14.1° today · 2.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Schools hub
- Top transport
- Childcare
- Green space
- Shops
Suburb profile
In Newcastle, Waratah is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.
Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because safety and housing affordability lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in schools and education and growth momentum.
Population
- Population
- 4,927
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,511
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 161 of 2,055
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,827
- Employment rate
- 53.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 157 / 368 / 329
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
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)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $560
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 184
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
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)
- 800
- Against the person
- 134
- Against property
- 165
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 162.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 37 residents
- State safety percentile
- 93.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions722
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment86
- Malicious Damage To Property69
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault74
- Transport Regulatory Offences114
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
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
- 8
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 993
- Callaghan College Waratah CampusSecondary
- Corpus Christi Primary SchoolPrimary
- Newcastle Middle SchoolSpecial
- Newcastle Senior SchoolSpecial
- St Philip's Christian College - WaratahCombined
- St Philip's Christian College Dynamic LearningSpecial
- St Philip's Christian College Young ParentsSpecial
- Waratah Public SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
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
110 public transport stops in this suburb
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Edith St
- Edith St Opp Calvary Mater Newcastle
- Maud St Opp King St
- St Philip's College, High St
- St Phillip's College, Station St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
183 planning-related records
2026· 21 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure31 LORNA STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 CRESCENT ROAD WARATAH 2298Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7A OXLEY ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Group home; Group home (permanent)2 SMART STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
- Demolition2 SMART STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure86 CHRISTO ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Fences95 HARRIET STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling41 HARRIET STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
- Shop top housing; Office Premise; 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 Australia72 STATION STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 DULLING STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7A OXLEY ROAD, WARATAH, NSW 2298Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure40 BRIDGE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure28 COOLAMIN ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Subdivision35 TURTON ROAD WARATAH 2298Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah41 SCHRODER AVENUE WARATAH 2298Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 ADA STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation8 CYRIL STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School1 BRIDGE STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7A OXLEY ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Business identification sign28 LORNA STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)22 SMART STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure29 LAMBTON ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 HARRIET STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure57 STATION STREET WARATAH 2298Under Assessment
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 EDITH STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Educational establishment; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; School33 BRIDGE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool40 SCHRODER AVENUE WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 PRINCE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences95 HARRIET STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure40 GROVE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space26 SMART STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure97A PRINCE STREET WARATAH 2298Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space91-115 TURTON ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 BRIDGE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space30 CLARENCE ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7A OXLEY ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
July 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure28 COOLAMIN ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool47 TIGHE STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 ADA STREET WARATAH 2298Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure177 TURTON ROAD WARATAH 2298Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
89 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- GreaterATM
- Newcastle PermanentATM
- The MutualATM
- Bakers DelightBakery
Unit 10
- Bones BakeryBakery
- Greater BankBank
Unit 3/4A
- Newcastle PermanentBank
Unit 14A
- Bicycle Parking (3)
- Bridge St after Station StBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cameron ParkPark
- Coolamin Road ReservePark
- Waratah ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 8
- Emergency department
- On site
- Amcalpharmacy
- Child and Family Health Nursingnurse
- Dr. Richard LevyBridge Streetdoctor
- Hunter Geneticsclinic
- Hunter New England Mental Health Servicehospital
- Newcastle Eye HospitalChristo Roadhospital
- Waratah Campus of Hunter New England HealthTurton Roadclinic
- Waratah General PracticeStation Streetdoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Childcare
5 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Narnia Christian Preschool and Early Childhood Centrekindergarten
- The Hubkindergarten
- The Hub-preschool and early education academykindergarten
- Tilly’s ChildcarePlatt Streetkindergarten
- Waratah After School Carekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · 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.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 52.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 23% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1506th in Australia
- State rank
- 478th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #171 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #326 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime722
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime86
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime69
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime74
- Transport Regulatory Offencescrime114
- Calvary Mater Newcastle, Edith Sttransport
- Edith St Opp Calvary Mater Newcastletransport
- Maud St Opp King Sttransport
- St Philip's College, High Sttransport
- St Phillip's College, Station Sttransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Newcastle Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.