Median house price
—
No data available
QLD · Gold Coast Council
Varsity Lakes, 4227
Est. population · Jun 2025
18,027
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.0%
Median age
36
Median income
$1,646/wk
Employment rate
63.1%
Languages at home
22.3%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Portuguese, Japanese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Varsity Lakes is a practical established suburb in Gold Coast Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Overseas-born and multilingual households are a noticeable part of the local population.
Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses and trains cover longer journeys across the metro area.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The desirability picture is excellent, powered mainly by schools and education, plus safety relative to similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Varsity Lakes snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$800/wk
Population (ERP)
18,027
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.8%
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
#21
among Metro Brisbane · Established
Safety
13th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
45th
percentile in QLD
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
74th
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
- 74.7/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 3% of Queensland's suburbs
- National rank
- 66th in Australia
- State rank
- 34th in QLD
- Peer rank
- #21 among Metro Brisbane · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #24 among Metro Brisbane suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Mar 2026)
- $800
Median weekly rent from Queensland RTA rental bond data. 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
- RTA bond statistics — Residential Tenancies Authority (Queensland) · Mar 2026 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
18,027(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +7.0% over 5 years · 45th percentile in QLD
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +7.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +183
- Change in 5 years
- +1,175
- Growth rank in QLD
- 45th 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 (~19,350), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 16,493
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,646
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 315 of 6,524
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,842
- Employment rate
- 63.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,650 / 2,057 / 1,496
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.
Crime & safety
Reported offences are running lower than the same point last year.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2026 to Aug 2026)
- 405
- Against the person
- 46
- Against property
- 250
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 22.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 359 residents
- State safety percentile
- 13th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate, partial year)
- +0.9%
Most common offence types
- Assault35
- Drug Offences86
- Other Property Damage55
- Other Theft (Excl. Unlawful Entry)197
- Unlawful Entry52
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- QPS Online Crime Map — Queensland Police Service · Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 → Jan 2026 to Aug 2026; Jan 2026 to Aug 2026 · Updated · Calendar-year aggregates
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,065.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 74th
School list
- Varsity CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 1065 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 35% · 3,304 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.1 km awayView on My School →
- King's Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1074 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 5,166 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Gold Coast Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1066 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 237 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Caningeraba State SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1042 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 1,068 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.9 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Goodstart Early LearningSilvabank Drivechildcare
- Harmony Early EducationScottsdale Drivekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
44 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bermuda St at Lake Orr
- Christine Ave at Silvabank Drive
- Christine Ave at Silvabank Drive
- Christine Ave at Varsity College
- Varsity Lakes station, stop A
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
412 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
8 restaurants · 6 cafes · 2 pubs · 3 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 5 fast food · 1 bakeries · 2 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Good local dining options — 22 food & drink venues nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 53 parks mapped in suburb, 19 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 44 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 77 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 100/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.36
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.33
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 3.21
Food & drink(22)
- Brumby's BakeriesBakery
- Cafe on South BayCafe
Unit 1 1 South Bay Drive
- CoffeeholicsCafe
- Fresh Coffee BarCafe
- Old Paris CafeCafe
- TasteLABB CafeCafe
- Wild Cherry Coffee BarCafe
- Burger'D Varsity LakesFast food
- Flying ChickenFast food
- Harry'sFast food
- Pita PitFast food
- SubwayFast food
- Diamonds TavernPub
Christine Avenue, Varsity Lakes
- Hotel CBDPub
- Ciao BellaRestaurant
- Indian HutRestaurant
- Jitlada Thai CuisineRestaurant
- Merlin's Pizza Varsity LakesRestaurant
- New Dragon PalaceRestaurant
- Sushi & TempuraRestaurant
- Sushi Train Christine CornerRestaurant
- The Lake BrewhouseRestaurant
Shopping(7)
- NightOwlConvenience store
- Reddy ExpressConvenience store
- AldiSupermarket
1 South Bay Drive
- Daily Asian SupermarketSupermarket
- IGASupermarket
Community(8)
- Goodstart Early LearningChildcare
2 Silvabank Drive
- Sports HouseCommunity centre
337 Christine Avenue
- Varsity Lakes Community Resource CentreCommunity centre
20 Mattocks Road, Varsity Lakes
- Harmony Early EducationKindergarten
471 Scottsdale Drive
- Arcadia CollegeSchool
1 Bellvue Drive, Varsity Lakes
- Varsity CollegeSchool
- Varsity College Junior CampusSchool
1 Bridgewater Drive, Varsity Lakes
- Varsity College Senior CampusSchool
Health & services(7)
- Chistine Cnr Medical CentreClinic
- Christine Avenue Medical CentreClinic
- Gold Coast Medical Precinct - Varsity LakesClinic
- Optimal Health ChiropracticClinic
- Varsity SmilesDentist
- Chemist WarehousePharmacy
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(117)
- Frascott Small Fenced Agility Dog ParkDog park
44 Frascott Avenue, Varsity Lakes
- Jetts FitnessGym
- Azzura Drive ParkPark
- Bayswater ReservePark
- Frascott ParkPark
23A Yodelay Street, Varsity Lakes
- Gold Coast City CouncilPark
- Janette Green ParkPark
- Jim Harris ParkPark
- Lake Orr Catchment ReservePark
- Lake Orr ParklandsPark
- Lake Orr ReservePark
- Lantau Crescent ParkPark
- Marks Drive ConnectionPark
- Meridien ParkPark
- Messel Place ParkPark
- North Shore ParkPark
- Palma Crescent ParkPark
- Park (11)
- Port Peyra ReservePark
- Saleya Drive ReservePark
- Silvabank ParkPark
- Sindone Family ParkPark
- St Clair ParkPark
- Tracey Crescent ParkPark
- Vanderbilt Foreshore ParkPark
- Varsity Central ParkPark
- Varsity Foreshore ParklandsPark
- Varsity Lakes Wetlands ReservePark
- Varsity PromenadePark
- Wattle ParkPark
- Watts Drive ParkPark
- Yodelay ReservePark
- Bicycle Training AreaPlayground
- Goodstart Early LearningPlayground
- Playground (17)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (55)
Entertainment(14)
- Theatre
- Viewpoint (13)
Transport(30)
29 bus stops · 1 train stations
Other(61)
- First Choice LiquorAlcohol
- Atlas ChiropracticAlternative
- Chiro + Co.Alternative
- Artwork
- Bendigo BankBank
- Bbq (9)
- SkinovationsBeauty salon
- Waxing XpressBeauty salon
- Bench (18)
- Bicycle Parking (7)
- Bleachers (2)
- Clock
- Rosa & Mary's Bridal ShopClothes
- Compressed Air
- Drinking water (3)
- GCCCDrinking water
- Fitness Station (4)
- Twigs FloristFlorist
- Garden (14)
- Varsity Vegies Community GardenGarden
- BarberLifeHairdresser
- CocoMousseHairdresser
- Paramount Hair ExtensionsHairdresser
- Rhi-Style Hair SalonHairdresser
- The Hair BoutiqueHairdresser
- Hotel CBDHotel
21 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes
- Information (2)
- QML Varsity LakesLaboratory
- Motorcycle Parking
- Varsity OptometryOptometrist
- 4WD SupacentreOutdoor
- Coles Click & CollectParcel Locker
- GCCCParking
- Goodstart Early LearningParking
- Parking (27)
- Varsity Lakes park 'n' rideParking
- Parking Entrance (5)
- Parking Space (12)
- Freedom FuelsPetrol station
- Shell Reddy Express Burleigh WatersPetrol station
- Allied ConnectPhysiotherapist
- Picnic Table (6)
- Hope Church AustraliaPlace of worship
- The Body of Christ Ministry CentrePlace of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Australia Post Varsity LakesPost office
- Kip McGrath Education Centres Varsity LakesPrep School
- Cartridges 'N' More Varsity LakesPrinter Ink
- Public toilets
- Tomra Varsity LakesRecycling
- Christine Corner SeafoodSeafood
- Shelter (39)
- Slipway
- Taxi (3)
- TelstraTelephone
- Key TobaccoTobacco
- Vacant
1 South Bay Drive
- Vacant
Unit 2 1 South Bay Drive
- Vacant (2)
- GCCCWaste Basket
- Waste Basket (11)
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
36 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Azzura Drive ParkPark
- Bayswater ReservePark
- Frascott ParkPark
- Janette Green ParkPark
- Jim Harris ParkPark
- Lake Orr Catchment ReservePark
- Lake Orr Foreshore ParkPark
- Lake Orr ParklandsPark
- Lake Orr ReservePark
- Lantau Crescent ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 55
- Parks (OSM)
- 53
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
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Hope Church Australia
- The Body of Christ Ministry Centre
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 13
- Nearest hospital
- Varsity Lakes Day Hospital (1.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Allied ConnectPhysiotherapist
- Atlas ChiropracticAlternative
- Chemist WarehousePharmacy
- Chiro + Co.Alternative
- Chistine Cnr Medical CentreClinic
- Christine Avenue Medical CentreClinic
- Gold Coast Medical Precinct - Varsity LakesClinic
- Optimal Health ChiropracticClinic
- QML Varsity LakesLaboratory
- TerryWhite ChemmartPharmacy
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)
- 383
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 21.2
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
- 29° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 628 mm · ~78 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 552 mm · ~69 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 240 mm · ~30 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 282 mm · ~35 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- PTAS - Varsity Lakes Train StationTransit Way07 Jul 2026 – 30 Dec 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Queensland Bushfire Prone Area mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- McPherson
- Member of Parliament
- Leon REBELLO (Liberal National Party of Queensland)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,545
- Turnout (2025)
- 87.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.4%Labor 45.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.3 km away).
Coalition 51.7%Labor 48.3%
2.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Varsity Lakes CentralLabor 48.4% · Coalition 51.6% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
- Varsity LakesLabor 50.0% · Coalition 50.0% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Varsity Lakes SouthLabor 51.2% · Coalition 48.8% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Reedy Creek SouthLabor 46.2% · Coalition 53.8% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Reedy CreekLabor 42.6% · Coalition 57.4% TPP (2025)2.1 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Gold Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Queensland.