Aireys Inlet is a coastal town in Victoria, in Surf Coast Council. It is close to Point Lighthouse. Notable landmarks include Split Point Lighthouse.
Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group, placing it among the highest-ranked coastal towns. University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group, with university qualifications 106% above the peer median. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. The main trade-offs are thinner mapped green cover within the suburb boundary, limited amenity for the price and limited health access, with green cover 100% below the peer median.
Aireys Inlet is a better fit for people who value school quality and university qualifications more than amenity for the price.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Coastal town · compared with coastal towns in Victoria (105)
Strengths
Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group
University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group
Weaknesses
Mapped green cover within the suburb boundary is below comparable suburbs
Buyers pay a premium despite relatively limited amenity access
Health-facility access is relatively limited
What stands out
Aireys Inlet Beach
Step Beach
Point Lighthouse
Split Point Lighthouse
Space is a strength, but car dependence is high
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★★★
Professionals★★☆☆☆
Retirees★★★☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★☆☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Aireys Inlet compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.38M
-17% change
Median rent (Census)
$350/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
Population (ERP)
990
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
59.5%
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
#27
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Crime rate
8th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
59th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
13%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
87th
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
51.3/100 — Average
State standing
Top 33% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1747th in Australia
State rank
418th in VIC
Peer rank
#27 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#51 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
95%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
+0.7% annual · +7.0% over 5 years · 59th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+7.0%
Change in 1 year
+7
Change in 5 years
+65
Growth rank in VIC
59th 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 (~1,050), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
979
Median age
57
Median household income / week
$1,642
Dwelling vacancy
59.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
581 of 977
Median monthly mortgage
$2,171
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$350
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
58.9% / 27.7% / 13.4%
Employment rate
52.1%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
38.3% / 0% / 43.2%
Walked or cycled to work
3.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
382 / 5 / 8 (+ 4 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
43.9% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 11.6% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified43.9% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified10.8% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational11.6% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below33.6% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Education17.5%
Management and commerce16%
Society and culture15%
Health13.6%
Architecture and building9.4%
Engineering and related technologies7.6%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$49,261
31st percentile in VIC · -16% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$54,228
29th percentile in VIC · -17% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
17.0%
80th percentile in VIC · +23% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$186,396
99th percentile in VIC · +194% vs Australia
Residents with business income
15.0%
82nd percentile in VIC · +44% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3231 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
1,079
Taxpayers reporting net rent
182
Median net rent
$3,271
Taxpayers reporting business income
164
Taxable income vs state median
-8%
Salary / wages vs state median
-7%
Rental investment vs state median
+31%
Super vs state median
+132%
Business income vs state median
+36%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
2.8% speak a language other than English at home; 12% born overseas
Language at home
864 English only · 25 other
Non-English at home
2.8%
Born overseas
106 (12%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
4 (0.4%)
Australian citizens
864
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
1
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
French5 · 100%
Religion
62.3%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 62.3%, while Christianity accounts for 24.7%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
62.3%
38.8%
Christianity
24.7%
40.9%
Other / not stated
13%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
13.8%
20.5%
Anglican
5.9%
6.5%
Uniting Church
2.9%
2.4%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
14
Against the person
5
Against property
4
Rate per 1,000 residents
14.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 196 residents
State crime-rate percentile
8th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+16.7%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
20
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
20.2
Most common offence types
A712 Non-Fv Stalking1
A232 Non-Fv Common Assault1
B21 Criminal Damage2
C32 Drug Possession2
Other Crimes Against The Person2
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Great for outdoor family life — 2 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
6/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.04
Sport & outdoors(20)
Beach (4)
Red Rocks BeachBeach
Sandy Gully BeachBeach
Smelly BeachBeach
Step BeachBeach
Sunnymead BeachBeach
Urquhart BluffBeach
Drinking water
Aireys Inlet Bushland ReserveNature reserve
Eagle Rock Marine SanctuaryNature reserve
Distillery Creek Picnic AreaPicnic area
Picnic area
Public toilets
Sports field
Swimming pool
Airies Inlet Clifftop WalkWalking trail
Lighthouse Discovery TrailWalking trail
Entertainment(3)
Melaleuca SwampViewpoint
Viewpoint (2)
Other(3)
Bench (4)
Parking (4)
Picnic Table (4)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
1
Nearest hospital
Lorne Community Hospital (15.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
GP clinics in suburb
0
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Aireys WellbeingYes
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
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.
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
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
111 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
August 2021
Construct extensions to the existing dwelling
6-8 HOPKINS STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a habitable outbuilding to the existing dwelling
37 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of carport and shed
1/29 HARTLEY STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Two Storey Replacement Dwelling
5 PEARSE ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Rectification Works to existing Decks. New Rear Deck Construction. New External Stairs to Existing Upper Deck
13 ROADKNIGHT STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Withdrawn
Construct extensions and alterations to the existing dwelling.
31 PHILIP STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
Construction of a Dwelling and Fence
76 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Single storey additions to an existing in single storey residence
17 HOPKINS STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Addition to existing two story dwelling & vegetation removal
4A ALICE ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a dwelling and removal of native vegetation
19 ROADKNIGHT STREET AIREYS INLET 3231NOD issued by a delegate
Fencing 1.8mtr high to provide privacy between adjacent properties.
37-39 HARTLEY STREET AIREYS INLET 3231Withdrawn
Signage
34 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Lapsed
Additions to existing dwelling & a new detached garage
19 BEACH ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
Amend Permit
76-78 GREAT OCEAN RD AIREYS INLET 3231Withdrawn
Buildings and works to erect a Telecommunications Facility (Satellite Dish) and fencing
19 BAMBRA ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
2C Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling
53 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
3 Bambra RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Dwelling and Fence
4/78 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Dwelling and Fence
1/78 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Dwelling and Fence
2/78 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a carport and outbuilding ancillary to an existing dwelling
1/29 Hartley StreetLapsed
Construct extension to existing dwelling
1/5-7 Hartley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Dwelling and fence and create access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1.
43 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
16 River RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a dwelling and a fence
4B BAMBRA ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231NOD issued by a delegate
April 2021
Construction of a Replacement Dwelling
5 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231NOD issued by a delegate
Extension to existing two storey residence
7 Vera CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construct a Dwelling and Swimming Pool
50 Eagle Rock ParadePermit issued by the RA
Construct an Outbuilding (Garage) and Deck
84 Great Ocean RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Two lot subdivision and use and construction of two dwellings
73 GREAT OCEAN ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Failure to determine
March 2021
Construction of a Dwelling
28 RIVER ROAD AIREYS INLET 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of a Deck
30 Eagle Rock ParadeWithdrawn
Buildings and Works Associated with Extension to Existing Dwelling
3/2-4 Barton CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
55 Pearse RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Additions to the Existing Dwelling and Construction of an Outbuilding
12 Hartley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construct a Replacement Dwelling
1 Boundary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Alterations to the existing dwelling and the construction of an outbuilding
9 Nancy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
Amend Permit
47 EAGLE ROCK PARADENOD issued by the Resp. Authority
Buildings and Works to an Existing Dwelling (Construction of a Lift)
3 Kerrie CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Flood / inundation overlay
No mapped inundation on suburb boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 29.4 km away).
Coalition 29.8%Labor 70.2%
31.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +70.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Aireys InletLabor 71.6% · Coalition 28.4% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
AngleseaLabor 66.5% · Coalition 33.5% TPP (2025)9.4 km away
LorneLabor 52.1% · Coalition 47.9% TPP (2025)15.5 km away
Deans MarshLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)19.1 km away
MoriacLabor 50.3% · Coalition 49.7% TPP (2025)22.8 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.
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 (12%)