Liam McNally
Melton has suburbs among the five per cent most disadvantaged in Australia, and other suburbs among the least disadvantaged, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) Ranks areas according to their relative socio-economic advantage and disadvantage using Census data.
At the local government area level, Melton’s level of relative economic advantage dropped between censuses in 2016 and 2021, moving it from the 40th to 28th most disadvantaged in Victoria, and Melton is currently in the 55th percentile for disadvantage nationally.
Within Melton though, there are large differences in relative socio-economic advantage between suburbs.
Areas around Melton’s core all generally scored higher for relative disadvantage, with Melton and Melton South among the 5 per cent most disadvantaged in the country, and Melton West and Kurunjang in the 20 per cent most disadvantaged.
Further out, newly developed areas generally rank much better, with Thornhill Park, Fraser Rise, Deanside, Truganina, and Strathtulloh all between the 64th and 78th percentiles, with zero being the most disadvantaged.
Aintree and Eynesbury ranked in the 15 per cent least disadvantaged in Australia.
Jesuit Social Services (JSS) housing and complex needs general manager Leanne Acreman said the differences between suburbs may be due to areas that favour long term rentals verses home ownership.
“A lot of those [less disadvantaged areas] are home ownership places as opposed to rental places in Melton central. You get a very different demographic among those going into home ownership than those in long term rentals,” she said.
Ms Acremen said the overall LGA decline is “consistent” with the experience of the people that JSS are seeing and supporting.
“We really have seen an increase in people feeling the pressure,” she said.
“The areas that demonstrate disadvantage with access to housing, public transport, employment, education… It’s about looking at what amenities and services and infrastructure are available around those areas, and how they impact people’s ability to have economic participation.”
