suburb.guide

VIC · South Gippsland Council

Toora, 3962

Est. population · Jun 2025

728

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.7%

Median age

53

Median income

$935/wk

Employment rate

44.2%

Languages at home

3.3%non-English

Most common: German

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

31.2/100
Below average

1038th in VIC

Verified 85% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
  • Green suburb
What Toora is known for: Coastal, Excellent transport, Education hub, High desirability, Green suburb

Suburb profile

Toora is a coastal smaller community a long way from Melbourne, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.

With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. 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.

Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.

Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment, plus schools and education trail behind.

At a glance

Toora snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

728

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

18.2%

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

#68

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

76th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

55th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

22nd

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
31.2/100 — Below average
National rank
5374th in Australia
State rank
1038th in VIC
Peer rank
#68 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#114 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

728(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +3.7% over 5 years · 55th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+3.7%
Change in 1 year
+4
Change in 5 years
+26
Growth rank in VIC
55th 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 (~750), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
713
Median age
53
Median household income / week
$935
Dwelling vacancy
18.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
67 of 368
Median monthly mortgage
$1,000
Employment rate
44.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
273 / 0 / 9 (+ 15 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 decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
75
Against the person
18
Against property
37
Rate per 1,000 residents
103
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 40 residents
State safety percentile
76.4th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-9.6%

Most common offence types

  • A231 Fv Common Assault7
  • A232 Non-Fv Common Assault4
  • B21 Criminal Damage14
  • B49 Other Theft7
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order13

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
941
Median ICSEA percentile
22th
School list
  • Toora Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 941 · 22th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 105 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.7 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

  • Toora/Welshpool KindergartenGray Streetkindergarten

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

  • Newsagency/Stanley St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

12 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 1 petrol stations

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 2 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
29/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
1.4
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.4
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.81
Food & drink(1)
  • Windmill CafeCafe
Shopping(1)
  • Toora SupermarketSupermarket
Community(2)
  • Toora Community HallCommunity centre

    23 Gray Street, Toora

  • Toora/Welshpool KindergartenKindergarten

    25 Gray Street, Toora

Other(8)
  • Toora Heritage Pear OrchardAttraction
  • Toora Tourist ParkCaravan Site
  • Toora Bargain CentreFurniture

    25 Stanley Street, Toora

  • Tooralodge MotelMotel

    4930 South Gippsland Highway, Toora

  • Toora Service StationPetrol station
  • Toora Police StationPolice

    5-7 Foster Road

  • Public toilets
  • Sam's PatchSewing

    52 Stanley Street

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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Sargasser ParkPark
  • Stanley Street PlaygroundPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
2
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

Nearest hospital
South Gippsland Hospital (9.4 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)
17
Participants per 1,000 residents
23.4

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).

21 planning-related records

2021· 8 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development associated with Agriculture (Shed)
    4975 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for a Residential Hotel, liquor licence premises and display of business identification signage
    25 WELSHPOOL ROAD TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    35 GRIP ROAD TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Develop land with an Agricultural Shed
    38 IRELANDS ROAD TOORA 3962Refusal issued by a delegate

  • June 2021

  • Use and development of land with Group Accommodation and a Second Dwelling
    205 DOWNINGS HILL ROAD TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Removal of native vegetation
    2-52 VICTORIA STREET TOORA 3962NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling - amend endorsed plans
    120 DORANS ROAD TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of a dwelling Amendment seeks to: - Vary crossover location and change internal driveway
    5297 South Gippsland HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 13 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Alterations and additions (cool room) to an existing building (supermarket) and waiver of the car parking requirements
    66 Stanley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land to sell and consume liquor
    27 STANLEY STREET TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an extension to an existing dwelling
    6 Dorans RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Develop land with an outbuilding
    4 Gabriels LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a domestic outbuilding
    236 Rathjens RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Develop land with an outbuilding
    285 Grip RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with a dwelling
    19A Victoria StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Develop land with single storey dwelling and outbuilding - amend endorsed plans
    5080 South Gippsland HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop land with an extension to an existing dwelling.
    42 Lawsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Develop land with multiple industrial buildings, extend existing industrial building, reduction of required car and bicycle parking spaces - amend the endorsed plans
    67 TOORA JETTY ROAD TOORA 3962Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use and development of land for a retail premise (bakery)
    42 Stanley StreetWithdrawn
  • Removal of carraigeway easement and certification
    9 Downings Hill RoadWithdrawn

  • February 2020

  • Use and development of the land for dwelling - amend endorsed plans
    128 Dorans RoadPermit 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 26.5 km away).

Coalition 51.5%Labor 48.5%

2.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +1.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • TooraLabor 50.5% · Coalition 49.5% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
  • Port FranklinLabor 43.4% · Coalition 56.6% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
  • FosterLabor 50.9% · Coalition 49.1% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
  • WelshpoolLabor 35.0% · Coalition 65.0% TPP (2025)11.9 km away
  • Fish CreekLabor 53.9% · Coalition 46.1% TPP (2025)19.8 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)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

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.