🔍

Sunshine West

VIC 3020 • Greater Melbourne

18,552
Population (2021)
$73,632
Median Household Income
9.31 km²
Area
$346/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalAffordableWorking-ClassWestern Melbourne

About Sunshine West

Sunshine West is a multicultural working suburb of 18,500 in Brimbank, located 13 kilometres west of Melbourne's CBD. The suburb developed as industrial and residential areas around the adjacent Sunshine precinct, offering affordable family housing in Melbourne's west. Buses connect to Sunshine station's excellent rail services.

The community is diverse with significant Vietnamese, Filipino, and Maltese populations contributing to a multicultural character. Local shopping serves daily needs, while Sunshine's retail precinct is nearby. Sunshine West attracts working families and migrants seeking affordable housing with access to western employment corridors, valuing community and accessibility over aesthetics in a genuine working-class suburb.

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

📰 Featured In

🇻🇳 Top 10 Suburbs for Vietnamese in Melbourne

📍 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
-37.80°, 144.81°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
9.31 km²
Elevation
38m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$713K
60 sales · ▲ 4.4% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$647K
18 sales · ▲ 2.6% 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)
$346
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3%

160 state housing + 24 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

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

🛣️ Located 13 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
    2615 The Avenue Sunshine West 3020 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Brimbank Local Government Area, which contains Sunshine West. 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
18,580
Census 2021
18,552
▼ 0.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,140
Personal Income 2021
$29,380
▲ 27.0% 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
$29,380 / yr
$565/wk
Household
$73,632 / yr
$1416/wk
Family
$79,716 / yr
$1533/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,974
Born Overseas 9,461

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Vietnam 2,562
  • 2. India 535
  • 3. Malta 522
  • 4. Philippines 449
  • 5. Greece 436
  • 6. North Macedonia 330
  • 7. China 269
  • 8. Italy 264
  • 9. Myanmar 254
  • 10. New Zealand 253

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Vietnamese 3,601
Australian 2,168
English 1,944
Chinese 1,350
Greek 989
Maltese 980
Italian 767
Filipino 582
Macedonian 537
Irish 521

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,507
Both parents born in Australia
13,591
Both parents born overseas
1,294
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
45.5%
No Religion
22.3%
Buddhism
11.8%
Islam
9.6%
Hinduism
2.7%
Sikhism
0.5%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,034 (5.6%)
5-14 years
2,059 (11.1%)
15-19 years
988 (5.3%)
20-24 years
1,203 (6.5%)
25-34 years
3,066 (16.5%)
35-44 years
2,592 (14.0%)
45-54 years
2,255 (12.2%)
55-64 years
1,971 (10.6%)
65-74 years
1,733 (9.3%)
75-84 years
1,235 (6.7%)
85+ years
412 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sunshine West known for? +

Sunshine West is a well-established residential suburb in Brimbank, VIC, with a population of approximately 18,552 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Sunshine West from Melbourne CBD? +

Sunshine West is approximately 13 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 20-35 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Sunshine West have public transport? +

Sunshine West 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 West? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sunshine West has a population of approximately 18,552 residents.

Is Sunshine West a good place to live? +

Sunshine West 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 West? +

The postcode for Sunshine West, VIC is 3020.

What is the average income in Sunshine West? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sunshine West is about $565 per week (around $29,400 per year). The median household income is $1,416 per week and the median family income is $1,533 per week.

What is the median house price in Sunshine West? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $712,500, up 4.4% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $646,500, up 2.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Sunshine West? +

The median age in Sunshine West is 38. The largest age group is 25–34 (3,066 residents, around 17%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sunshine West a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sunshine West 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 West? +

In Sunshine West, the median weekly rent is $346, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,700 (2021 Census).