suburb.guide

VIC · South Gippsland Council

Foster, 3960

Est. population · Jun 2025

2,085

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.6%

Median age

59

Median income

$975/wk

Employment rate

41.1%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$427,500

Languages at home

5.1%non-English

Most common: Vietnamese, French, German

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

33.4/100
Below average

961st in VIC

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
What Foster is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub

Suburb profile

Well away from Melbourne, Foster is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.

Reported crime has been rising recently. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

Desirability sits below average overall, with community and employment the main drag compared with similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Foster snapshot

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

Median house price

$428k

-5.0% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

2,085

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

12.4%

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

#60

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

82nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

56th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

3/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

40th

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
33.4/100 — Below average
National rank
4977th in Australia
State rank
961st in VIC
Peer rank
#60 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#102 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$427,500
Median price change
-5%

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

2,085(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +3.6% over 5 years · 56th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+3.6%
Change in 1 year
+12
Change in 5 years
+73
Growth rank in VIC
56th 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 (~2,200), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
2,044
Median age
59
Median household income / week
$975
Dwelling vacancy
12.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
126 of 1,018
Median monthly mortgage
$1,348
Employment rate
41.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
784 / 30 / 61 (+ 13 other)

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 increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
265
Against the person
26
Against property
198
Rate per 1,000 residents
127.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 79 residents
State safety percentile
81.9th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+38.7%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage14
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary9
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle14
  • B49 Other Theft136
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order29

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
985
Median ICSEA percentile
40th
School list
  • Foster Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 985 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 135 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • childcarechildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Pulhams Store/Main St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bonnie Brae Streamside ReserveNature reserve
  • Hoddle Range Flora ReserveNature reserve
  • Wonga Wonga South Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
25
Parks (OSM)
1

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
South Gippsland Hospital (1.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Foster PharmacyStation RoadPharmacy
  • South Gippsland HospitalStation RoadHospital
  • Southern Smiles DentalMain StreetDentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
49
Participants per 1,000 residents
23.5

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
23° / 13°
Rainfall
143 mm · ~18 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
19° / 11°
Rainfall
223 mm · ~28 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 7°
Rainfall
308 mm · ~38 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
17° / 9°
Rainfall
248 mm · ~31 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).

50 planning-related records

2021· 18 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development associated with existing dwelling
    15 ALBERT COURT FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    15 JACKSONS ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works associated with development of land with a dwelling
    13 YELLOW BRICK ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development associated with an existing dwelling (extension)
    25 ARNUPS ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Develop land with a dwelling
    18 VARNEY ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a replacement dwelling
    50 LOWER FRANKLIN ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with two (2) dwellings associated with existing retirement village
    UNIT 1-39 LINTON COURT FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding ancillary to an existing dwelling and retrospective approval of an existing ancillary outbuilding (games room)
    3640 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a dwelling and outbuilding
    440 AMEYS TRACK FOSTER 3960Withdrawn

  • June 2021

  • Use and development of land building associated with Industry
    21 TOORA ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with two additional storage buildings
    50 LOWER FRANKLIN ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Develop land with an extension to an existing dwelling
    15 Yellow Brick RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a domestic outbuilding
    445 Fullers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    57 PIONEER STREET FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an agricultural outbuilding and a domestic outbuilding
    115 BOOLARRA-FOSTER ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • 61 lot subdivision
    50 O'CONNELL ROAD FOSTER 3960Refusal issued by a delegate

  • March 2021

  • Two lot subdivision - Amend current conditions of the permit
    105 Harmon RoadNOD issued by a delegate
  • Development associated with Agriculture (Hay Shed)
    330 Foster-Promontory RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 22 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Develop land with a domestic carport
    535 Gardiners RoadPermit issued by the RA

  • November 2020

  • Develop land with an agricultural outbuilding
    365 Ameys TrackPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a domestic outbuilding
    140 Lower Franklin RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for a Medical Centre (osteo), buildings and works and reduction in car parking requirement
    86 Main StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a dwelling
    22 Varney RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision. Develop land with a dwelling.
    10 OLD HAT ROAD FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an agricultural outbuilding
    4225 South Gippsland HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Develop land with a domestic outbuilding
    277 Fullers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a dwelling
    21 Blackwood DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an outbuilding
    75 Landing RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with three (3) dwellings associated with existing retirement village
    Unit 1-36 Linton CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a replacement dwelling and outbuilding
    335 Gardiners RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with two dwellings. Two lot subdivision.
    40 Station RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an extension to an existing dwelling
    110 Lower Franklin RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Two lot subdivision. Creation of a carriageway easement. Remove vegetation.
    15 Powells RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and develop land for a dwelling, rural industry (cider manufacture), manufacturing sales (cellar door), licensed premises, access to a road zone and business identification signage - Use of land for Function Centre, extension of building, extension of operating hours and licensed area - amend endorsed plans to include an underground cellar
    343 Fish Creek-Foster RoadNOD issued by a delegate
  • Develop land with an extension to the existing dwelling
    515 Fullers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a dwelling
    2 Oberon VistaPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Develop land with an agricultural outbuilding
    630 Foster-Promontory RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Four (4) lot subdivision
    60 HARMON ROAD FOSTER 3960NOD issued by a delegate
  • Develop land with a dwelling
    4 Heath RisePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) lot subdivision (boundary realignment)
    3992 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY FOSTER 3960Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

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
Monash
Member of Parliament
Mary ALDRED (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,463
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.2 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 20.2 km away).

Coalition 50.6%Labor 49.4%

3.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • FosterLabor 50.9% · Coalition 49.1% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
  • Port FranklinLabor 43.4% · Coalition 56.6% TPP (2025)6.1 km away
  • TooraLabor 50.5% · Coalition 49.5% TPP (2025)10.3 km away
  • Fish CreekLabor 53.9% · Coalition 46.1% TPP (2025)11.1 km away
  • YanakieLabor 51.4% · Coalition 48.6% TPP (2025)17.5 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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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

More in South Gippsland Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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