Median house price
$958k
+8.5% change
VIC · Knox Council
The Basin, 3154
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,398
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.7%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,019/wk
Employment rate
63.9%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$957,900
Languages at home
8.5%non-English
Most common: German, Mandarin, Sinhalese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Knox Council, The Basin is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer safety compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
The Basin snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$610/wk
Population (ERP)
4,398
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.2%
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
#13
among Metro Melbourne · Emerging
Safety
45th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
51st
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
70th
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
- 53.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1743rd in Australia
- State rank
- 392nd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #13 among Metro Melbourne · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #269 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $610
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $957,900
- Median price change
- +8.5%
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
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
4,398(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · -1.7% over 5 years · 51th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- -1.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +19
- Change in 5 years
- -76
- Growth rank in VIC
- 51th 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 (~4,350), extrapolated at -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,497
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,019
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 84 of 1,624
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 63.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,457 / 74 / 3 (+ 4 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)
- 206
- Against the person
- 33
- Against property
- 133
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 136 residents
- State safety percentile
- 44.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage22
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft13
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle38
- B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception14
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order15
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,055.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 70th
School list
- St Bernadette's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1069 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 255 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- The Basin Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1042 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 583 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- The Basin Pre-SchoolForest Roadkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
15 public transport stops in this suburb
- Carnarvon Ave/Forest Rd
- Conyers St/Forest Rd
- Goodwin St/Mountain Hwy
- St Bernadettes PS/Mountain Hwy
- Stuart St/Forest Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
91 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 3 cafes · 1 pubs · 2 fast food · 2 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 3 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 11 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 15 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 43/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.67
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.22
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.45
Food & drink(10)
- The Basin BakeryBakery
1311 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- The Basin BakeryBakery
1313 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- 1 in 20 CaféCafe
1305 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Svaks Passion for Cake and CoffeeCafe
1325 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- The Chocolate Dragon Fly CafeCafe
1317 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Fast food
- The Basin Fish & Chip ShopFast food
1321 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- The Oak Tree TavernPub
Unit 1 367 Forest Road, The Basin
- Restaurant
381 Forest Road, The Basin
- The Acorn Bar & RestaurantRestaurant
375 Forest Road, The Basin
Shopping(3)
- The Basin Meat SupplyButcher
1319 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Convenience store
- The Basin PantryGreengrocer
1323 Mountain Highway, The Basin
Community(4)
- The Basin Pre-SchoolKindergarten
385 Forest Road, The Basin
- Fernbrook SchoolSchool
16 Clevedon Road
- St Bernadette's Primary SchoolSchool
1264 Mountain Highway
- The Basin Primary SchoolSchool
21 Liverpool Road
Sport & outdoors(14)
- Arcadia Avenue Linear ReservePark
- George Grumont ReservePark
- Mortiboy ReservePark
- Park (2)
- The Basin TrianglePark
1326 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Winby Court ReservePark
- George Grumont ReservePlayground
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (3)
Entertainment(1)
- The Basin TheatreTheatre
Transport(15)
15 bus stops
Other(26)
- The Basin Liquor StoreAlcohol
1309 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Bbq (2)
- Bicycle Parking
- City of KnoxBicycle Repair Station
- Rainy Day Book ShopBooks
1301 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Car wash
- Drinking water (2)
- Evie NetworksEV charging
- The Basin CFAFire station
364 Forest Road, The Basin
- Ferdinand Von Mueller Rain GardenGarden
- Allure HairdressingHairdresser
1323 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Kubochi Hair & BeautyHairdresser
395 Forest Road, The Basin
- Information (2)
- Ralf Fisch Fine JewelleryJewelry
1315 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Conservation AreaNature Reserve
- Wicks East Nature ReserveNature Reserve
- Wicks ReserveNature Reserve
- Parking (15)
- UnitedPetrol station
1202 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Picnic Table (2)
- Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar TemplePlace of worship
1292 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Australia Post - The Basin LPOPost office
1303 Mountain Highway, The Basin
- Public toilets
- Knox City CouncilShelter, Bbq
- Onemda The BasinSocial Facility
- TelstraTelephone
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
12 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Arcadia Avenue Linear ReservePark
- Arcadia Avenue ReservePark
- Batterham ReservePark
- Conservation AreaNature reserve
- George Grumont ReservePark
- Gravenstein Crescent ReservePark
- Mortiboy ReservePark
- The Basin TrianglePark
- Wicks East Nature ReserveNature reserve
- Wicks ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 19
- 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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple
1292 Mountain Highway, The Basin
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- The Melbourne Eastern Private Hospital (4.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 156
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 35.5
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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).
99 planning-related records
2021· 38 proposals
September 2021
- Development of the land for one (1) double storey dwelling6 LOCKSLEY PLACE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Tree Removal35 MILLER ROAD THE BASIN 3154Withdrawn
August 2021
- Removal of one (1) Tilia cordata (Small Leaved Lime) and one (1) Eucalyptus nicholii (Narrow leaved Black Peppermint)2 LIVERPOOL ROAD THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- move retaining wall out 600mm towards boundary to allow for reversing of car's into garage without doing a 10 point turn87 CLAREMONT AVENUE THE BASIN 3154No permit required
July 2021
- The Removal of two (2) Ficus carica (Common Fig)31 CLAREMONT AVENUE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a double storey dwelling3 LOCKSLEY PLACE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal of one (1) Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak)40 DEMOCRAT DRIVE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- The Pruning of one (1) Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak)38 DEMOCRAT DRIVE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- The construction of a shed99 INVERNESS AVENUE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Amendment to plans for a wall on boundary307 FOREST ROAD THE BASIN 3154Refusal issued by a delegate
- The removal of one (1) Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate)1294 Mountain HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Buildings and Works (Dependent Persons Unit)334 Forest RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal of one (1) Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum) from common property area of 49-51 Democrat Drive, The Basin1/49 Democrat DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works - Construction of a Garage65 Basin-Olinda RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- The Pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate) and one (1) Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow Leaved Peppermint)4 Locksley PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- The removal of two (2) Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood) and the pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate)6 Locksley PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Tree to be removed27-33 Bayview CrescentNo permit required
- Buildings and Works (Addition to existing dwelling)20 CARNARVON AVENUE THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus obliqua (Messmate)66 Arcadia AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works (Extension to existing dwelling and new carport and shed)45 STUART STREET THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Front fence27 Christopher AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use as an Education Centre (Disability Support Education) and reduction in car parking requirement1221 MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY THE BASIN 3154NOD issued by a delegate
- Removal of large Eucalyptus Radiata1333A Mountain HighwayNo permit required
- Removal of one (1) Eucalyptus camaldulensis, one (1) Eucalyptus botryoides and one (1) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana9 Verbena AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- The removal of one (1) Eucalyptus goniocalyx (Long Leaf Box)14 Stuart StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- remove trees63 Old Forest RoadNo permit required
March 2021
- Removal of 1 tree1 Waratah AvenueNo permit required
- Removal of 1 tree1 Waratah AvenueNo permit required
February 2021
- Removal of 1 tree81 Claremont AvenueNo permit required
- Construction of one (1) Double Storey Dwelling, Vegetation Removal and Variation to Building Envelope to the satisfaction of the RA1333A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY THE BASIN 3154NOD issued by a delegate
- Remove of (1) Monterey Cypress **refer to memo for additional notes**2/1331 Mountain HighwayNo permit required
- The addition of a garage8A Golden GrovePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling and removal of vegetation (Pyrus calleryana)2/21 AUGUSTA ROAD THE BASIN 3154Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a new dwelling57 Miller RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Removal of one (1) Lagunaria patersonia (Norfolk Island hibiscus)30 Stuart StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Pruning of one (1) Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)36 Goodwin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal of three (3) Acacia implexa and one (1) Ulmus parvifolia20 Carnarvon AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works (Alterations and Additions to existing dwelling)15 Milleara StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 2 proposals
December 2020
- Construction of a dwelling and vegetation removal11 Ross AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- St Bernadette Catholic Primary School - Buildings and works to construct a single storey learning centre within the Neighborhood Residential Zone, Environmental Significance Overlay, and Significant Landscape Overlay and the removal of six (6) exotic trees within the Significant Landscape Overlay.1264 MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
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
- Aston
- Member of Parliament
- Mary DOYLE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,459
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +6.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 46.6%Labor 53.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.5 km away).
Coalition 41.1%Labor 58.9%
5.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- The BasinLabor 57.4% · Coalition 42.6% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Boronia EastLabor 61.0% · Coalition 39.0% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Boronia NorthLabor 60.0% · Coalition 40.0% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Ferntree Gully NorthLabor 62.1% · Coalition 37.9% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Boronia WestLabor 62.9% · Coalition 37.1% TPP (2025)3.9 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Knox Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.