suburb.guide

VIC · Cardinia Council

Cockatoo, 3781

Est. population · Jun 2025

4,491

Growth (1 yr)

+0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.1%

Median age

36

Median income

$1,991/wk

Employment rate

64.9%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$802,500

Languages at home

4.2%non-English

Most common: Spanish, Italian, Russian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

50.3/100
Average

Top 37% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
  • High desirability
What Cockatoo is known for: National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area, High desirability

Suburb profile

Cockatoo is a quieter residential mid-sized suburb in Cardinia Council, more about homes and street life than a busy local strip. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix. Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

Desirability lands around average here: softer community and employment weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with growth momentum, plus schools and education holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Cockatoo snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$803k

+9.2% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

4,491

+0.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.5%

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

#124

among Metro Melbourne · Growth area

Safety

42nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

60th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

6/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

60th

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
50.3/100 — Average
State standing
Top 37% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2131st in Australia
State rank
461st in VIC
Peer rank
#124 among Metro Melbourne · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#295 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$802,500
Median price change
+9.2%

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

4,491(June 2025)

+0.7% annual · +1.1% over 5 years · 60th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+1.1%
Change in 1 year
+32
Change in 5 years
+48
Growth rank in VIC
60th 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 (~4,600), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,408
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$1,991
Dwelling vacancy
5.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
84 of 1,520
Median monthly mortgage
$1,742
Employment rate
64.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,427 / 0 / 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.

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
199
Against the person
51
Against property
99
Rate per 1,000 residents
44.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 86 residents
State safety percentile
41.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-27.1%

Most common offence types

  • A231 Fv Common Assault10
  • B21 Criminal Damage20
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary18
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle9
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order22

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,029
Median ICSEA percentile
60th
School list
  • Fernbrook SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1049 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 78 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Cockatoo Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1009 · 51th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 306 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Cockatoo Community ChildcarePakenham Roadkindergarten
  • Cockatoo KindergartenBailey Roadkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

17 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Amphlett Ave/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Fielder Station/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Old Gembrook Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Pakenham Rd/McBride St
  • Woori Yallock Rd/Pakenham Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 17 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
26/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.91
Sport & outdoors(4)
  • Cockatoo Recreation ReservePark
  • Mountain Road Recreation ReservePark
  • NetballSports field
  • Sports field
Entertainment(1)
  • Cockatoo Creek rail bridgeViewpoint
Other(1)
  • Parking

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

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cockatoo Recreation ReservePark
  • First Avenue ReservePark
  • Mountain Road Recreation ReservePark
  • Wright ForestNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
14
Parks (OSM)
4

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

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Angliss Hospital (17.3 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Cockatoo DentalDentist
  • Cockatoo Family Medical PracticeMcBride StreetDoctor
  • PharmacyMcBride StreetPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
130
Participants per 1,000 residents
28.9

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

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
25° / 12°
Rainfall
197 mm · ~25 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
228 mm · ~28 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 5°
Rainfall
261 mm · ~33 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 7°
Rainfall
304 mm · ~38 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

108 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development of the land for a dwelling extension and non-habitable outbuilding (carport)
    434 WOORI YALLOCK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding and associated earthworks
    3 BAKER STREET COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for a childcare centre, business identification signage, vegetation removal and two (2) lot boundary realignment
    4 BORONIA CRESCENT & 3 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD COCKATOO 3781NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    9 FIRST AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • We are wanting to extend a existing single story dwelling.
    9 FIRST AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Withdrawn
  • Development of the land for a dwelling and removal of vegetation
    34 NEVILLE STREET COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)
    2 FLORA CLOSE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for two (2) outbuildings (carport and garage)
    3 GOLDSACK CLOSE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with two (2) agricultural buildings and use of the land for a Rural Store
    615 WOORI YALLOCK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to existing dwelling
    2 SIMMONS CLOSE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with an existing dwelling (verandah)
    7 MAURICE STREET COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Filling of land and retaining wall
    13 BAILEY ROAD COCKATOO 3781Withdrawn
  • Buildings and works for a Dependent Person's Unit
    11 BELGRAVE AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of wood storage shed
    11 PATERNOSTER ROAD COCKATOO 3781Withdrawn
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Telecommunications facility
    44 PATERNOSTER ROAD COCKATOO 3781NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Development of the land for a dwelling extension
    2 OSIER PLACE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding
    4 LISHEEN ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of land for an agricultural building
    15 FIELDER ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (carport)
    3 GOLDSACK CLOSE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an extension to an existing dwelling
    175 RAINY HILL ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage)
    180 EVANS ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Lower Floor Level has been amended from a Storage Area to a Habitable Area, i.e bedrooms, Bath and Rumpus. Staircase added to front of proposed extension.
    106 WOORI YALLOCK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Withdrawn
  • Amendments to Planning Permit T180299 (issued for the development of a dwelling, earthworks & vegetation removal) to change the location of the dwelling and vegetation removal.
    37 MOUNTAIN ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the site for earthworks.
    32 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Lapsed
  • Development of the land for a replacement dwelling and removal of vegetation
    675 WOORI YALLOCK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a pergola
    15 Jeanne StreetWithdrawn
  • Buildings and works associated with an extension to a dwelling
    48 SECOND AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a Dependant Person Unit
    450 WOORI YALLOCK ROAD COCKATOO 3781Lapsed
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    100 BRISBANES ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)
    11 PATERNOSTER ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Re-subdivision of the land into two (2) lots
    2 & 4 SUFFOLK AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    54 NEVILLE STREET COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Deck to existing dwelling
    155 Mountain RoadWithdrawn
  • Use of land for Industry (beverage production) and sale and consumption of liquor
    SHOP 1/27 MCBRIDE STREET COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Build a outbuilding Garden Shed at rear of property.
    10 ALLENBY AVENUE COCKATOO 3781Lapsed
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage and carport) and associated works
    14 ALEXANDER ROAD COCKATOO 3781Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one (1) tree
    6 Seaview RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation
    8-10 Naughton StreetWithdrawn
  • Construction of a dwelling
    4 Waratah WayWithdrawn
  • Development of the land for one dwelling and outbuilding with associated earthworks
    8 GUM STREET COCKATOO 3781Lapsed

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Event from 08:30 AM to 02:30 PM. Event speed limit 40 km/h. Traffic delay 0 to 5 min.BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD, MCBRIDE STREET31 Mar 2026 – 31 Mar 2027

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • FORMER COCKATOO KINDERGARTENNH2303

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay 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
La Trobe
Member of Parliament
Jason WOOD (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
115,425
Turnout (2025)
93.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+6.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 52.1%Labor 47.9%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 14.7 km away).

Coalition 48.5%Labor 51.5%

3.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.8 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • CockatooLabor 52.2% · Coalition 47.8% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • Emerald (La Trobe)Labor 57.5% · Coalition 42.5% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
  • GembrookLabor 51.4% · Coalition 48.6% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
  • Pakenham UpperLabor 29.3% · Coalition 70.7% TPP (2025)9.3 km away
  • Beaconsfield UpperLabor 37.1% · Coalition 62.9% TPP (2025)10.9 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
6/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Cardinia Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.