suburb.guide

VIC · Cardinia Council

Garfield, 3814

Est. population · Jun 2025

2,154

Growth (1 yr)

+1.4%

Growth (5 yr)

+6.8%

Median age

39

Median income

$1,677/wk

Employment rate

61.2%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$850,000

Languages at home

3.3%non-English

Most common: Croatian, Italian, Samoan

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

49.4/100
Average

Top 38% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Café precinct
What Garfield is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Café precinct

Suburb profile

Garfield sits up in the Cardinia Council hills, a smaller community where elevation and tree cover define the mood. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street.

There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting without the inner-city crush. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Buses and trains link the suburb to surrounding neighbourhoods.

Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Desirability lands around average here: softer schools and education weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum holding up better.

At a glance

Garfield snapshot

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

Median house price

$850k

+13% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

2,154

+1.4% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

6.9%

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

#35

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

39th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

80th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

5/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

45th

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
49.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 38% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2246th in Australia
State rank
477th in VIC
Peer rank
#35 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#123 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$850,000
Median price change
+13.3%

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

2,154(June 2025)

+1.4% annual · +6.8% over 5 years · 80th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.4%
5-year growth
+6.8%
Change in 1 year
+30
Change in 5 years
+138
Growth rank in VIC
80th 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 (~2,350), extrapolated at +1.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
2,114
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,677
Dwelling vacancy
6.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
52 of 752
Median monthly mortgage
$1,800
Employment rate
61.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
668 / 6 / 36

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)
90
Against the person
19
Against property
50
Rate per 1,000 residents
41.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 111 residents
State safety percentile
39.4th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+7.1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage10
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary7
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle15
  • B49 Other Theft6
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order17

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
996
Median ICSEA percentile
45th
School list
  • Garfield Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 996 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 130 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.2 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

  • Garfield KindergartenGarfield Roadkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

5 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Garfield Railway Station
  • Garfield Station
  • Garfield Station/Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Rd
  • Garfield Station/Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Rd
  • Garfield Station/Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

42 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools · 1 post offices

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
Walkability proxy
33/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.95
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
2.37
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.95
Food & drink(5)
  • Cannibal Creek BakehouseBakery

    41 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Brewsters Foodstore & CafeCafe

    81 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Lunas GarfieldCafe
  • Thai Cook HouseFast food
  • Garfield HotelPub

    95 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

Shopping(2)
  • Country Style MeatsButcher

    89 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

Community(1)
  • Garfield Primary SchoolSchool

    84 Railway Avenue

Health & services(1)
  • Garfield PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(8)
  • Garfield Golf ClubGolf course
  • Park
  • Playground
  • Garfield Bowls ClubSports field
  • Garfield Tennis ClubSports field
  • Skate BMX ParkSports field
  • Sports field
  • Garfield Swimming PoolSwimming pool
Entertainment(1)
  • Garfield Picture TheatreTheatre

    51 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

Transport(5)

2 bus stops · 3 train stations

Other(17)
  • Bbq
  • Ultimate Indulgence Day Spa & Beauty Therapy ClinicBeauty salon

    91 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Just one more pageBooks

    43 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Garfield Community Op ShopCharity

    71 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • SOHL StoreClothes

    59 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Counselling 2UCounselling
  • Impodimo Living & GivingGift

    101 Main Street, Garfield

  • The Spirit OrbGift
  • Garfield Hair CreationsHairdresser

    85 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Miss Franky'sHairdresser

    79 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Garfield Railway Station ParkingParking
  • Parking (4)
  • Parking Space
  • Garfield LPOPost office

    77 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Public toilets
  • The Dancing HorseSaddlery

    69 Nar Nar Goon - Longwarry Road, Garfield

  • Telephone

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Koo-Wee-Rup East Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
9
Parks (OSM)
2

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
1
Nearest hospital
Koo Wee Rup Hospital (19.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Counselling 2UCounselling

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
57
Participants per 1,000 residents
26.5

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
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).

43 planning-related records

2021· 17 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with the construction of four (4) dwellings
    50 RAILWAY AVENUE GARFIELD 3814In progress
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    125 MONT ALBERT ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to delete condition 33
    555 RAILWAY AVENUE GARFIELD 3814In progress

  • August 2021

  • Building associated with agriculture
    345 FOURTEEN MILE ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • T180314 - 1 - Amended Planning Permit Application Tree Removal Plan has been updated as additional tree's are required to be removed to enable the engineering works to be carried out. I have enclosed email correspondence between Kemal from Urban Civil and Daniel Mauger the Team Leader Development.
    24 BARKER ROAD GARFIELD 3814Withdrawn

  • July 2021

  • Alterations & Additions to an Existing Dwelling
    2 BESWICK STREET GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots
    50 ARCHER ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for a Dependent Person's Unit
    63 GARFIELD ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension and outbuilding (garage)
    380 FOURTEEN MILE ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Development of the land for an agricultural shed
    125 THIRTEEN MILE ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    5 EDIS ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of additional shops, alterations & partial demolition to Heritage buildings, construction of a dwelling, reduction in car parking & alteration of access to a Transport Zone 2
    41 NAR NAR GOON-LONGWARRY ROAD GARFIELD 3814Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed)
    117 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Subdivision of the land into three (3) lots, the creation of a restriction and removal of native vegetation
    48 Garfield RoadNOD issued by a delegate
  • Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots
    90 Jefferson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Proposed new shed
    BESWICK STREET GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots
    15 Beswick StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 23 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with an extension to an existing dwelling
    130 Mont Albert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension and outbuilding (carport)
    45 Brownbill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of an outbuilding associated with agriculture
    395 Railway AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed) on a lot less than 300 square metres
    19 Beswick StreetWithdrawn

  • October 2020

  • Development of the land for a dwelling extension (deck and verandah)
    120 Mont Albert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for two (2) outbuildings (animal shelters)
    10 Hillbrick RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage)
    609 Railway AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding
    121 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with an extension to a dwelling (verandah)
    265 Thirteen Mile RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • buildings and works associated with animal husbandry (feed store)
    790 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land for a Dwelling (conversion of existing shed)
    210 Lovers LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Use of the land for a Poultry Farm (low-density mobile outdoor poultry farm), development of an outbuilding associated with agriculture, and development of the land for a garage associated with a dwelling
    405 Mont Albert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding
    40 Mont Albert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed) and associated works (earthworks)
    9 Bendanelle CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Please refer to attached planning Report
    290 Fourteen Mile RoadLapsed
  • please refer
    290 Fourteen Mile RoadWithdrawn

  • May 2020

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed)
    40 Archer RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed) and associated works
    67 Garfield RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Buildings and works for five (5) additional buildings (shops), alterations and additions to a Heritage building, development of the land for a dwelling, a reduction in car parking and associated works.
    41 Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry RoadLapsed
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding
    7 Silky Oak CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to Planning Permit T190549 to delete condition 12
    22 GARFIELD ROAD GARFIELD 3814Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Subdivision of land into two (2) lots
    11 Kevis CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for an outbuilding (barn/horse stables)
    155 Gunn RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 25/07/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, MARTIN ROAD24 Jul 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 25/07/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, UNNAMED24 Jul 2026 – 29 Oct 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 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 14.6 km away).

Coalition 60.7%Labor 39.3%

8.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +5.2 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • GarfieldLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
  • TynongLabor 33.0% · Coalition 67.0% TPP (2025)4.4 km away
  • BunyipLabor 40.7% · Coalition 59.3% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
  • Nar Nar GoonLabor 31.8% · Coalition 68.2% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
  • MaryknollLabor 38.4% · Coalition 61.6% TPP (2025)9.7 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)
5/10
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.