Burwood East is a middle-ring metropolitan suburb of Melbourne, in Whitehorse Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development.
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable, well above typical levels for middle-ring metropolitan suburbs. Dining and café access is an exceptional strength. Open-space access is better than in most comparable places, with park access 78% above the peer median. Population growth is an exceptional strength. The main trade-offs are higher rents and more mapped flood cover, with median rents 12% above the peer median.
Burwood East is a better fit for people who value open space and walkability more than lower rents.
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
Middle-ring metropolitan suburb · compared with middle-ring metropolitan suburbs in Victoria (135)
Strengths
Population growth is a relative strength
Open-space access is better than in most comparable places
Everyday destinations are relatively walkable
Dining and café access is a relative strength
Weaknesses
Rents run above those in comparable places
A larger share of the suburb sits in mapped inundation than in comparable places
What stands out
Nothing distinctive beyond the usual profile.
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 Burwood East compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.39M
+7.1% change
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
12,398
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.0%
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
#78
among Metro Melbourne · Established
Crime rate
62nd
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
72nd
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
27%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
89th
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
57.2/100 — Good
State standing
Top 17% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
814th in Australia
State rank
207th in VIC
Peer rank
#78 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#133 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
98%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
All types (Sep 2025)
$650
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$1,386,500
Median price change
+7.1%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
+1.1% annual · +12.7% over 5 years · 72th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.1%
5-year growth
+12.7%
Change in 1 year
+136
Change in 5 years
+1,397
Growth rank in VIC
72th 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 (~13,150), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
10,675
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$1,610
Dwelling vacancy
8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
351 of 4,373
Median monthly mortgage
$2,147
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$439
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
44.2% / 29.1% / 26.7%
Employment rate
54.4%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
30.6% / 3.5% / 50.2%
Walked or cycled to work
1.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
2,966 / 726 / 320
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.
39.1% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 8.7% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified39.1% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified9.9% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational8.7% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below42.2% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce28.9%
Engineering and related technologies15.3%
Health10.6%
Society and culture10.3%
Information technology8.7%
Education7.2%
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)
$49,802
33rd percentile in VIC · -15% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$62,269
65th percentile in VIC · -4% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
20.0%
94th percentile in VIC · +45% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$51,936
14th percentile in VIC · -18% vs Australia
Residents with business income
12.0%
57th percentile in VIC · +15% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3151 — 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
7,814
Taxpayers reporting net rent
1,583
Median net rent
-$2,572
Taxpayers reporting business income
920
Taxable income vs state median
-7%
Salary / wages vs state median
+7%
Rental investment vs state median
+54%
Super vs state median
-35%
Business income vs state median
+9%
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
56.5% speak a language other than English at home; 53.5% born overseas
Language at home
4,528 English only · 5,873 other
Non-English at home
56.5%
Born overseas
5,565 (53.5%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
15 (0.1%)
Australian citizens
7,884
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
33
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Mandarin968 · 36.8%
Greek394 · 15%
Cantonese308 · 11.7%
Sinhalese181 · 6.9%
Vietnamese106 · 4%
Hindi101 · 3.8%
Italian79 · 3%
Tamil70 · 2.7%
Religion
41.3%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 41.3%, while 37% reported no religion. Buddhism is more prevalent locally than across the state.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
37%
38.8%
Christianity
41.3%
40.9%
Hinduism
5.6%
3.3%
Buddhism
8%
3.1%
Other / not stated
8.1%
13.9%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
15.3%
20.5%
Eastern Orthodox
9.7%
3.3%
Anglican
4.5%
6.5%
Uniting Church
2.8%
2.4%
Christian (not further defined)
2.7%
2.5%
Baptist
2.4%
1.3%
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
877
Against the person
100
Against property
635
Rate per 1,000 residents
70.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 107 residents
State crime-rate percentile
62.2th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-10.8%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
282
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
22.75
Most common offence types
B41 Motor Vehicle Theft57
B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle162
B43 Steal From A Retail Store114
B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception58
B49 Other Theft74
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Blackburn English Language SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1022 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 100% · 344 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
Burwood East Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1147 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 89% · 520 students · Top SEA quarter 59% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
Burwood East Special Developmental SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1073 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 52% · 79 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
Burwood Heights Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1107 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 63% · 442 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
Forest Hill CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1045 · 66th percentile · LBOTE 41% · 356 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
Aurora SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 49% · 270 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Orchard Grove Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1130 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 53% · 592 students · Top SEA quarter 53% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Glendal Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1157 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 92% · 886 students · Top SEA quarter 64% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
Mount Waverley North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1142 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 72% · 541 students · Top SEA quarter 58% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
St Christopher's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1141 · 93th percentile · LBOTE 76% · 148 students · Top SEA quarter 56% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
Burwood East Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Burwood Heights Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Essex Heights Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Forest Hill CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Glendal Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Highvale Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Highvale Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Mount Waverley North Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Mount Waverley Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Orchard Grove Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
Victorian designated neighbourhood zones — Victorian Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
Anglican Church of the Ascension
Burwood Heights Uniting Church
347 Blackburn Road
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
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
24° / 13°
Rainfall
155 mm · ~19 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
186 mm · ~23 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
203 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
18° / 9°
Rainfall
207 mm · ~26 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).
128 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
September 2021
Construction of two double storey dwellings and buildings and works within 4 metres of a protected tree
8 STATESMAN AVENUE BURWOOD EAST 3151NOD issued by a delegate
Construction of a Verandah on a lot less than 300 square metres.
13/1 ROYTON STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Building and works (driveway) within four (4) metres of a tree protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
49 NEWHAVEN ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor
12/70 MIDDLEBOROUGH ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
PROPOSED OFFICE AND MINOR and MODIFICATION TO EXISTING SHOP FRONT
8/10-40 BURWOOD HIGHWAY BURWOOD EAST 3151No permit required
Removal of one tree
10 ARUMA COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Refusal issued by a delegate
August 2021
Tree removal
5 NARMARA STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151NOD issued by a delegate
Tree removal and building and works within four (4) metres of trees protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
35 BALLANTYNE STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of Land into Two Lots
11 CHRISTA AVENUE BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
A 2 lot subdivision
55 BENWERRIN DRIVE BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
Construction of one proposed new dwelling to the rear of the existing dwelling
20 ROBERT STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151In progress
Construction of two (2) double storey dwellings on a lot & buildings and works within 4 metres of protected vegetation
87 BENWERRIN DRIVE BURWOOD EAST 3151Lapsed
Use and development of the land for a child care centre and display of business identification signs
397 BLACKBURN ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151NOD issued by a delegate
Development of the land for two (2) double storey dwellings including associated buildings and works within 4 metres of protected SLO9 trees
2 AMAROO COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Roof over works at the existing Alfresco area within the land area of the unit
8/8 ALICE STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use of the land for licensed premises (three tenancies: packaged liquor sales and eleven tenancies: sale and consumption of liquor in association with a cafe/restaurant/cinema)
78 MIDDLEBOROUGH ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
To remove three trees in a Signficant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
5 NAREEN COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works (shopfront alterations), illuminated business identification signs and liquor license (Cafe and Restaurant)
SHOP G 15/172-210 BURWOOD HIGHWAY BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Two Lot Subdivision
8 KIPLING COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works (front fence) within four (4) metres of trees protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
81 SEVENOAKS ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151Lapsed
June 2021
Removal of one protected tree & buildings and works pursuant to the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9
17 KALISTA COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of two double story dwellings and buildings and works within four (4) metres of trees protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
39 TAINTON ROAD BURWOOD EAST 3151NOD issued by a delegate
May 2021
The development changes from two new dwellings to one proposed new dwelling to the rear of the existing dwelling.
20 ROBERT STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151Withdrawn
The removal of easement labelled E-3 on LP71669 for sewerage purposes created on LP71669 in favour of all lots on LP71669
397 Blackburn RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works (front fence) within 4 metres of protected trees in the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
23 Lincoln StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works for external alterations, business identification signage including internally illuminated signage, and to use the land to sell and consume liquor (restaurant and café licence) associated with the use of the land as a restaurant (as a right of use) in the Commercial 1 Zone and a waiver of the required bicycle facilities
SHOP G 8/172-210 BURWOOD HIGHWAY BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works within a C1Z and DDO9.
4 Lakeside DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works associated with a new dwelling within 4 metres of protected trees
3 BENWERRIN DRIVE BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of two double storey dwellings and buildings and works within four metres of a tree protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
6 ORLOFF COURT BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2 lot subdivision
32 Bonview CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of two double storey dwellings, removal of and buildings and works within 4m of trees (SLO9)
12 BELLEVUE AVENUE BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
Amendment to permit preamble and plans issued under permit WH/2016/967 for the Construction of two (2) double storey dwellings and buildings and works within four (4) metres of a tree protected under the SLO9
28 ROYTON STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
6 lot subdivision
80 Burwood HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Buildings and works associated with removal of signage and branding of former business to allow for clear glazing (shopfront windows).
Shop G 3/172-210 Burwood HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
The development of the land for a three (3) storey mixed use building associated with dwellings and office and a reduction of car parking
7 RUBY STREET BURWOOD EAST 3151NOD issued by a delegate
Buildings and works within 4m of a tree under the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9
15 SANDOWEN AVENUE BURWOOD EAST 3151Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Removal of a Tree under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
20 Banbury StreetRefusal issued by a delegate
Removal of one (1) tree protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay 9
42 Pickford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Removal of one tree within the SLO9
40 Pickford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Removal of one (1) tree pursuant to SLO9
48 Newhaven RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
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
Chisholm
Member of Parliament
Carina GARLAND (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
122,733
Turnout (2025)
94.1%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+2.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 44.3%Labor 55.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.1 km away).
Coalition 38.6%Labor 61.4%
5.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Burwood EastLabor 56.9% · Coalition 43.1% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
Burwood East Upper (Chisholm)Labor 64.3% · Coalition 35.6% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
Burwood East LowerLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
Mount Waverley NorthLabor 60.6% · Coalition 39.4% TPP (2025)1.6 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.
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%)