🔍

Foster

VIC 3960 • Rest of VIC

2,044
Population (2021)
$50,700
Median Household Income
114.14 km²
Area
$240/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricCoastal-Hinterland

About Foster

Foster is a rural service town in South Gippsland, Victoria, situated 174 kilometres south-east of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway within the South Gippsland Shire. With a 2021 Census population of 2,044, the town serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding farming district, characterised by dairy and beef grazing operations across its expansive 114 square kilometre area. The median household income of $975 per week reflects the agricultural economy of the region, and a high median age of 59 indicates an established, settled community with strong ties to the land.

Foster sits approximately 20 kilometres north of the Gippsland coastline, making it a popular gateway for visitors heading to Wilsons Promontory National Park, Corner Inlet, and the pristine beaches around Waratah Bay. The town centre along Main Street offers essential retail, healthcare, and hospitality services for both locals and tourists passing through. Foster Primary School and South Gippsland Hospital serve the community, and the surrounding bushland and coastal reserves attract nature lovers, hikers, and holiday-makers year-round.

Foster falls under postcode 3960 and is governed by South Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3960
Urban Area
South Gippsland
LGA / Council
South Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.68°, 146.21°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
114.14 km²
Elevation
23m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Foster for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$620K
9 sales · ▲ 12.2% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$240
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,348
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.9%

20 state housing + 15 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) Approx. 2.5–3 hr

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
174 km
By Train
No direct train service; V/Line coach available
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr – 2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Accessed via South Gippsland Highway; car is the primary mode of transport

Walkability Car-Dependent

Foster's compact main street offers walkable access to shops and services, but a car is needed for most errands and travel to surrounding areas

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the South Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains Foster. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
326.2 / 100k
2yr Up 15.6% 10yr Up 15.8%
Motor vehicle theft
249.4 / 100k
2yr Up 78.8% 10yr Up 202.7%
Non-FV assault
198.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
460.5 / 100k
2yr Up 153.5% 10yr Up 71.9%
View all offence subgroups for South Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,842
Census 2021
2,044
▲ 11.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,804
Personal Income 2021
$29,432
▲ 18.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$29,432 / yr
$566/wk
Household
$50,700 / yr
$975/wk
Family
$74,568 / yr
$1434/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,556
Born Overseas 273

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 87
  • 2. New Zealand 22
  • 3. Italy 17
  • 4. Philippines 15
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. India 12
  • 7. Germany 10
  • 8. Netherlands 10
  • 9. South Africa 10
  • 10. China 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 861
Australian 786
Irish 267
Scottish 250
Italian 66
German 62
Dutch 50
Australian Aboriginal 21
French 14
Welsh 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,284
Both parents born in Australia
343
Both parents born overseas
210
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.8%
Christianity
38.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
59 (2.9%)
5-14 years
181 (8.9%)
15-19 years
87 (4.3%)
20-24 years
62 (3.0%)
25-34 years
125 (6.1%)
35-44 years
155 (7.6%)
45-54 years
211 (10.3%)
55-64 years
349 (17.1%)
65-74 years
406 (19.9%)
75-84 years
274 (13.4%)
85+ years
132 (6.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Foster known for? +

Foster is known as the commercial hub of South Gippsland and the main gateway town for visitors heading to Wilsons Promontory National Park. It serves the surrounding dairy and beef farming district and is popular with tourists exploring the Gippsland coast, Corner Inlet, and Waratah Bay.

How far is Foster from Melbourne? +

Foster is approximately 174 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, making it roughly a 2 to 2.5 hour drive via the South Gippsland Highway.

Does Foster have public transport? +

Foster is served by V/Line coach services connecting it to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, though services are infrequent. There is no train station in Foster; a car is the most practical way to travel locally.

What is the population of Foster? +

According to the 2021 Census, Foster has a population of 2,044 residents. The town has grown steadily since the 2016 Census count of 1,842, reflecting modest expansion in this South Gippsland service centre.

Is Foster a good place to live? +

Foster suits those who value a relaxed rural lifestyle, close proximity to Wilsons Promontory, and a strong agricultural community. It offers essential services, good schools, and access to the Gippsland coast, though the distance from Melbourne means it is best suited to those who prefer country living.

What is the postcode for Foster? +

Foster's postcode is 3960, shared with surrounding South Gippsland localities.

What is the average income in Foster? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Foster is about $566 per week (around $29,400 per year). The median household income is $975 per week and the median family income is $1,434 per week.

What is the median house price in Foster? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $620,000, up 12.2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Foster? +

The median age in Foster is 59. The largest age group is 65–74 (406 residents, around 20%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 40% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Foster a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Foster is part of the South Gippsland LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Foster? +

In Foster, the median weekly rent is $240, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,348 (2021 Census).