🔍

Sunshine

VIC 3020 • Greater Melbourne

9,445
Population (2021)
$81,432
Median Household Income
4.73 km²
Area
$340/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalDiverseUp-and-ComingSuburbanCommuter Belt

About Sunshine

Sunshine is a vibrant and culturally diverse suburb in Melbourne's inner west, located approximately 12 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Brimbank local government area. At an elevation of 40 metres, it sits at the heart of the broader Sunshine urban area and has a population of around 9,400. The suburb has a rich industrial and working-class heritage, and today is one of Melbourne's most multicultural communities, with large Vietnamese, Indian, and Pacific Islander populations contributing to its distinctive character.

Sunshine's busy retail strip along Hampshire Road and Sunshine station precinct offer a diverse range of multicultural restaurants, grocery stores and services that reflect the suburb's cosmopolitan mix. The suburb is well-served by Sunshine railway station, one of Melbourne's most important rail hubs with connections to the city, Geelong, Ballarat and the airport via the Skybus. Ongoing urban renewal and infrastructure investment are reshaping parts of Sunshine, with rising interest from buyers and renters attracted to its proximity to the city and vibrant community life.

Sunshine falls under postcode 3020 and is governed by Brimbank Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Laverton (Western Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3020
Urban Area
Sunshine
LGA / Council
Brimbank
Federal Electorate
Fraser
State Electorate
Laverton (Western Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.79°, 144.83°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
4.73 km²
Elevation
40m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$823K
32 sales · ▲ 1% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$610K
22 sales · ▲ 49.9% 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)
$340
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,842
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
35 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
12 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
25-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-35 min

🛣️ Located 12 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Hampshire Street Sunshine 3020 VIC
  • Woolworths
    Sunshine Market Place, 80 Harvester Road Sunshine 3020 VIC
  • ALDI
    Hampshire Road 324 - 328, Sunshine VIC 3020

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
362.5 / 100k
2yr Up 23.0% 10yr Down 49.2%
Motor vehicle theft
492.5 / 100k
2yr Up 91.6% 10yr Up 23.9%
Non-FV assault
306.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 18.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 17.2%
Steal from vehicle
1,524.3 / 100k
2yr Up 45.4% 10yr Up 13.2%
View all offence subgroups for Brimbank →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
9,768
Census 2021
9,445
▼ 3.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,688
Personal Income 2021
$36,712
▲ 42.9% 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
$36,712 / yr
$706/wk
Household
$81,432 / yr
$1566/wk
Family
$93,912 / yr
$1806/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,329
Born Overseas 4,560

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Vietnam 1,275
  • 2. India 444
  • 3. Nepal 354
  • 4. Philippines 227
  • 5. China 174
  • 6. Myanmar 174
  • 7. New Zealand 130
  • 8. Pakistan 119
  • 9. England 106
  • 10. Italy 95

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,608
Australian 1,487
Vietnamese 1,485
Chinese 699
Irish 620
Indian 406
Scottish 390
Italian 343
Filipino 290
Greek 253

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,060
Both parents born in Australia
5,959
Both parents born overseas
824
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
36.8%
No Religion
31.0%
Buddhism
10.2%
Hinduism
6.7%
Islam
5.7%
Sikhism
1.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
586 (6.2%)
5-14 years
948 (10.0%)
15-19 years
383 (4.1%)
20-24 years
707 (7.5%)
25-34 years
1,982 (21.0%)
35-44 years
1,503 (15.9%)
45-54 years
1,147 (12.1%)
55-64 years
930 (9.8%)
65-74 years
640 (6.8%)
75-84 years
381 (4.0%)
85+ years
229 (2.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sunshine known for? +

Sunshine is a well-established residential suburb in Brimbank, VIC, with a population of approximately 9,445 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Sunshine from Melbourne CBD? +

Sunshine is approximately 12 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 20-35 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Sunshine have public transport? +

Sunshine is served by local bus services connecting to the broader VIC network. Nearby train stations provide access to Melbourne CBD.

What is the population of Sunshine? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sunshine has a population of approximately 9,445 residents.

Is Sunshine a good place to live? +

Sunshine offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $41,371, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Sunshine? +

The postcode for Sunshine, VIC is 3020.

What is the average income in Sunshine? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sunshine is about $706 per week (around $36,700 per year). The median household income is $1,566 per week and the median family income is $1,806 per week.

What is the median house price in Sunshine? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $823,000, up 1% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $610,000, up 49.9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Sunshine? +

The median age in Sunshine is 35. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,982 residents, around 21%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sunshine a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sunshine is part of the Brimbank 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 Sunshine? +

In Sunshine, the median weekly rent is $340, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,842 (2021 Census).