suburb.guide

VIC · Mornington Peninsula Council

Portsea, 3944

Est. population · Jun 2025

816

Growth (1 yr)

+1.8%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.8%

Median age

68

Median income

$2,470/wk

Employment rate

40%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$3,800,000

Languages at home

3.2%non-English

Most common: Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

42.3/100
Average

672nd in VIC

Verified 81% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • National parks
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Heritage area
What Portsea is known for: Coastal, National parks, Green suburb, Excellent transport, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Portsea wears its coastal identity openly, a smaller community built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric. Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.

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

Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Portsea snapshot

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

#41

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

33rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

85th

percentile in VIC

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
42.3/100 — Average
National rank
3366th in Australia
State rank
672nd in VIC
Peer rank
#41 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#78 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
81%

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.

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

816(June 2025)

+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
Employment rate
40%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
320 / 7 / 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)
30
Against the person
9
Against property
18
Rate per 1,000 residents
36.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 87 residents
State safety percentile
33.3th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-51.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage3
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary3
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary3
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle3
  • B49 Other Theft5

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Public transport

18 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Delgany Ave/Point Nepean Rd
  • Nepean Pl/Point Nepean Rd
  • Point Nepean National Park Entrance/Point Nepean Rd
  • Point Nepean Rd/Franklin Rd
  • Royal Ave/Franklin Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

68 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 restaurants · 1 playgrounds · 9 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • 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(19)
  • Portsea Golf ClubGolf course
  • Park
  • Point Nepean Quarantine StationPark
  • Police Point Shire ParkPark
  • Portsea Recreation ReservePark
  • W E Newton ReservePark
  • Playground
  • 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(19)
  • Norris BarracksAttraction
  • Bbq
  • Bench (3)
  • Drinking water (2)
  • Paraglider launchFree Flying
  • Garden
  • Information
  • Point Nepean Information CentreInformation
  • Point Nepean Visitor CentreInformation
  • Welcome to Point Nepean National ParkInformation
  • Portsea Lagoon Wildlife SanctuaryNature Reserve
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Parking (16)
  • Public toilets
  • 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.

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

10 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cypress Court ReservePark
  • James Ford ReservePark
  • Peter Shelmerdine ReservePark
  • Point Nepean Quarantine StationPark
  • Police Point Shire ParkPark
  • Portsea Lagoon Wildlife SanctuaryNature reserve
  • Portsea Recreation ReservePark
  • The Quarterdeck ReservePark
  • W E Newton ReservePark
  • Wattle Grove ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
11
Parks (OSM)
11

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

Nearest hospital
Rosebud Hospital (16.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
19
Participants per 1,000 residents
23.3

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
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 (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).

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 · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

5 heritage places

  • DELGANYNH2058
  • DUFFYS LIME KILNNH1931
  • ILYUKA LIME KILN/BATHING BOXNH1191
  • POINT NEPEANNH2030
  • PORTSEA CAMPNH1090

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
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.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

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

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 Mornington Peninsula Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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