Median house price
—
No data available
NT · Darwin Council
Malak, 0812
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,318
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.0%
Median age
35
Median income
$1,676/wk
Employment rate
56.5%
Languages at home
27.9%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, Indonesian, Tagalog
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Darwin Council, Malak is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. The suburb has a clear multicultural mix alongside longer-term local households.
Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities compared with similar metro suburbs, though safety remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Malak snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
3,318
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.8%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#14
among Metro Darwin · Established
Pop. growth
2nd
percentile in NT
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
9th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 49.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 19% of Northern Territory's suburbs
- National rank
- 2191st in Australia
- State rank
- 30th in NT
- Peer rank
- #14 among Metro Darwin · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #26 among Metro Darwin suburbs
- Data confidence
- 61%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
3,318(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · +2.0% over 5 years · 2th percentile in NT
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +2.0%
- Change in 1 year
- -14
- Change in 5 years
- +65
- Growth rank in NT
- 2th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~3,250), extrapolated at -0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,013
- Median age
- 35
- Median household income / week
- $1,676
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 87 of 1,115
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 56.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 770 / 254 / 0
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 · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
- 890
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 9th
School list
- Malak Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 770 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 51% · 148 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 0.1 km awayView on My School →
- Top End School of Flexible LearningSecondary · Government · ICSEA 789 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 123 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- O'Loughlin Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1025 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 599 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 968 · 33th percentile · LBOTE 28% · 248 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Sanderson High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 863 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 71% · 328 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Anula Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1006 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 43% · 388 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Karama Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 769 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 83% · 173 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Wulagi Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 890 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 28% · 144 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Leanyer Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1024 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 60% · 538 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
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 · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- 28 Patterson St
- 52 Darwent St
- 58 Patterson Street
- Chambers Cres at Malak Shops
- Darwent St after Radge Ct
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
300 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
7 places of worship · 228 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 230 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.32
Community(3)
- Malak Community CentreCommunity centre
13 Malak Crescent
- Malak Primary SchoolSchool
45 Malak Crescent
- Sanderson High SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(237)
- Abbot ParkPark
- Bayfield ParkPark
- Holzerland GreenbeltPark
- Holzerland ParkPark
- Malak GreenbeltPark
- Mueller ParkPark
- Park
- Malak OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (228)
Transport(17)
17 bus stops
Other(19)
- Bicycle Parking
- Common (2)
- Drinking water (4)
- Malak Ninja courseFitness Station
- Malak Oval CarparkParking
- Parking (20)
- Parking Entrance
- BPPetrol station
- C3 ChurchPlace of worship
62 Patterson Street, Malak
- Hillsong Church MalakPlace of worship
9 Dalwood Crescent, Malak
- Place of worship
- Saint James Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
7 Jarvis Street, Malak
- Sri Sithy Vinayakar Hindu TemplePlace of worship
44 Patterson Street, Malak
- St Sava Serbian Orthodox ChurchPlace of worship
3 Dalwood Crescent, Malak
- St. George Indian Orthodox ChurchPlace of worship
7 Jarvis Street, Malak
- Public toilets
- Red Cross storeSecond Hand
84 Malak Crescent
- Shelter (2)
- Social Facility
45 Patterson Street, Malak
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Abbot ParkPark
- Bayfield ParkPark
- Holzerland GreenbeltPark
- Holzerland ParkPark
- Malak GreenbeltPark
- Mueller ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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 — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
7 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- C3 Church
62 Patterson Street, Malak
- Hillsong Church Malak
9 Dalwood Crescent, Malak
- Place of worship
- Saint James Anglican Church
7 Jarvis Street, Malak
- Sri Sithy Vinayakar Hindu Temple
44 Patterson Street, Malak
- St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
3 Dalwood Crescent, Malak
- St. George Indian Orthodox Church
7 Jarvis Street, Malak
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Darwin Private Hospital (4.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 99
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.8
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 25°
- Rainfall
- 1,010 mm · ~90 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 491 mm · ~61 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 30° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 8 mm · ~1 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 32° / 24°
- Rainfall
- 171 mm · ~21 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via state planning hazard mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- NT Fire Protection and Fire Management zones — Bushfires NT / Department of Lands, Planning and Environment · current · Updated · Shapefile boundaries (CC BY 4.0)
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Solomon
- Member of Parliament
- Luke John GOSLING (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 78,702
- Turnout (2025)
- 79.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -7.1 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 48.7%Labor 51.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.8 km away).
Coalition 44.5%Labor 55.5%
4.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -7.7 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- KaramaLabor 53.4% · Coalition 46.6% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- MalakLabor 57.8% · Coalition 42.2% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- LeanyerLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Karama EastLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- MoilLabor 52.5% · Coalition 47.5% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
This suburb ranks highly for
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
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