Portsea is a coastal town in Victoria, in Mornington Peninsula Council. It is close to Port Phillip Bay and Point Nepean.
Local amenities is an exceptional strength, well above typical levels for coastal towns. Open-space access is exceptionally strong. University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group, with university qualifications 83% above the peer median, and working from home is an exceptional strength. The main trade-offs are higher housing costs and weaker employment, with employment 24% below the peer median.
Overall, Portsea suits people prioritising open space and university qualifications over lower housing costs.
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
Open-space access is exceptionally strong
University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group
Working from home is a relative strength
Local amenity access is stronger than in most comparable places
Weaknesses
Housing is among the most expensive in its peer group
Employment is a relative weakness
What stands out
Portsea Beach
Portsea Back Beach
Port Phillip Bay
Point Nepean
Portsea Island
Mornington Peninsula
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 Portsea compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$3.8M
-5.0% change
Median rent
$595/wk
Population (ERP)
816
+1.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
74.6%
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
#49
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Crime rate
44th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
7%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
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
45.6/100 — Average
National rank
2979th in Australia
State rank
718th in VIC
Peer rank
#49 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#83 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
88%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
All types (Sep 2025)
$595
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$3,800,000
Median price change
-5%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
+1.8% annual · +4.8% over 5 years · 85th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.8%
5-year growth
+4.8%
Change in 1 year
+14
Change in 5 years
+37
Growth rank in VIC
85th 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 (~900), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
787
Median age
68
Median household income / week
$2,470
Dwelling vacancy
74.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
981 of 1,315
Median monthly mortgage
$2,806
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$577
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
74.1% / 19.1% / 6.9%
Employment rate
40%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
50.5% / 0% / 33.3%
Walked or cycled to work
3.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
320 / 7 / 0
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% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 6.6% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified39% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified10.7% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational6.6% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below43.7% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce27.3%
Society and culture18%
Health15.2%
Education9.7%
Engineering and related technologies9.5%
Creative arts5.8%
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)
$75,808
98th percentile in VIC · +29% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$63,911
69th percentile in VIC · -2% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
17.0%
84th percentile in VIC · +23% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$659,093
100th percentile in VIC · +941% vs Australia
Residents with business income
7.0%
2nd percentile in VIC · -33% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3944 — 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
656
Taxpayers reporting net rent
113
Median net rent
$8,928
Taxpayers reporting business income
47
Taxable income vs state median
+42%
Salary / wages vs state median
+9%
Rental investment vs state median
+31%
Super vs state median
+719%
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
3.2% speak a language other than English at home; 13% born overseas
Language at home
700 English only · 23 other
Non-English at home
3.2%
Born overseas
93 (13%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
5 (0.6%)
Australian citizens
708
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).
Italian3 · 100%
Religion
61.2%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 61.2%, while 30.1% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
30.1%
38.8%
Christianity
61.2%
40.9%
Other / not stated
8.6%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Anglican
30.4%
6.5%
Catholic
19.4%
20.5%
Uniting Church
4.8%
2.4%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.5%
1.4%
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
38
Against the person
9
Against property
24
Rate per 1,000 residents
46.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 87 residents
State crime-rate percentile
43.8th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-39.7%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
24
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
29.41
Most common offence types
A231 Fv Common Assault3
B21 Criminal Damage4
B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary4
B49 Other Theft8
B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary3
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 — 11 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
Well connected by public transport — 18 public transport stops
Strong local sport and recreation — 14 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
29/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.27
Parks per 1,000 residents
13.98
Food & drink(1)
Portsea HotelRestaurant
Sport & outdoors(35)
BBQ
Beach (5)
Cheviot BeachBeach
Point King BeachBeach
Portsea Back BeachBeach
Portsea Front BeachBeach
Shelley BeachBeach
Drinking water (2)
Portsea Golf ClubGolf course
Point Nepean National ParkNature reserve
Portsea Lagoon Wildlife SanctuaryNature reserve
Park
Point Nepean Quarantine StationPark
Police Point Shire ParkPark
Portsea Recreation ReservePark
W E Newton ReservePark
Playground
Public toilets
Kevin Davis PisteSports field
Sports field
The Parade GroundSports field
Swimming pool (9)
Entertainment(5)
London Bridge LookoutViewpoint
Police Point LookoutViewpoint
Viewpoint (3)
Transport(5)
5 bus stops
Other(15)
Norris BarracksAttraction
Bench (3)
Paraglider launchFree Flying
Garden
Information
Point Nepean Information CentreInformation
Point Nepean Visitor CentreInformation
Welcome to Point Nepean National ParkInformation
Outdoor Seating
Parking (16)
Portsea Village ResortResort
Shelter
Shower
Portsea Pier General StoreYes
Yes (2)
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
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
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
Nearest hospital
Rosebud Hospital (16.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
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).
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
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).
118 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
August 2021
DEVELOPMENT OF A FRONT FENCE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
SAN TANA PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
38 SEABIRD WAY PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP A DWELLING, REMOVE VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
12 SOMERSET DRIVE PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
DEVELOPMENT OF A POOL HOUSE, SIDE BOUNDARY FENCE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
6 TRANQUILITY COURT PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DWELLING, FRONT FENCE, VEGETATION REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
14 FITZJOHNS COURT PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DWELLING, ILLUMINATED TENNIS COURT AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
45 WILDCOAST ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SINGLE DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
40 FRIMMELL WAY PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
THE REMOVAL OF VEGETATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
1 SAHARA COURT PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
DWELLING ALTERATIONS
9-11 WELBECK AVENUE PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
VEGETATION REMOVAL GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
18 NAMARONG STREET PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
REMOVAL OF ONE (1) TREE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
11 NEPEAN PLACE PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF RETAINING WALLS, REMOVAL OF VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
43 DUFFY STREET PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
REMOVAL OF ONE (1) TREE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
22A BLAIR ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS, A (PARTIAL) SIDE FENCE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
15 LIMEBURNERS WAY PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
FENCE - VICSMART
148-150 BACK BEACH ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
4 BROOK CRESCENT PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
CONSTRUCTION OF A SAFETY RAIL
8 Nepean PlaceWithdrawn
DEVELOPMENT OF A FRONT FENCE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
39 Bass RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOPMENT OF A DWELLING, TENNIS COURT, OUTBUILDING, VEGETATION REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
21 LONDON BRIDGE ROAD PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
June 2021
DEVELOP A DWELLING
3682 POINT NEPEAN ROAD PORTSEA 3944In progress
REMOVAL OF ONE (1) TREE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
29 Back Beach RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING EXTENSION WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS.
3 PARINGA ROAD PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
2 Tranquility CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
REMOVAL OF CYPRESS TREES, GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS.
4 TRANQUILITY COURT PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
REMOVAL OF ONE (1) TREE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
67 Blair CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
21 LATHAM DRIVE PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
DEVELOP DWELLING ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
112 BACK BEACH ROAD PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
May 2021
CONSTRUCTION OF A FRONT FENCE, VEGETATION REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
3 PARINGA ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP A DOUBLE STOREY DWELLING
153 BACK BEACH ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
30 BACK BEACH ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
18 Cypress CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
DWELLING
112 Back Beach RoadWithdrawn
DEVELOP A DWELLING (DOUBLE STOREY), REMOVE VEGETATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
3794 POINT NEPEAN ROAD PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
DEVELOP A FRONT FENCE, DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
3534 POINT NEPEAN ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
100 FRANKLIN ROAD PORTSEA 3944Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF DWELLING ADDITIONS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
3538 Point Nepean RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
DEVELOPMENT OF POOL SHELTER AND GAZEBO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
39 Bass RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
DEVELOP A DWELLING, VEGETATION REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED WORKS GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBMITTED PLANS
65-67 DUFFY STREET PORTSEA 3944NOD issued by a delegate
Proposed roof structure over existing ground floor deck
19 Stonecutters RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRONT FENCE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
19 Nepean PlacePermit 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
Flinders
Member of Parliament
Zoe McKENZIE (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
127,540
Turnout (2025)
93.4%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+1.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.8%Labor 45.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 17.1 km away).
Coalition 68.9%Labor 31.1%
14.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
PortseaLabor 30.9% · Coalition 69.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
SorrentoLabor 36.8% · Coalition 63.2% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
BlairgowrieLabor 44.3% · Coalition 55.7% TPP (2025)7.8 km away
RyeLabor 55.7% · Coalition 44.3% TPP (2025)11.1 km away
TootgarookLabor 58.6% · Coalition 41.4% TPP (2025)13.8 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%)