NSW · Cumberland Council
Westmead, 2145
Current weather
16.5°CClear sky
55% humidity · 16.4 km/h wind · 21.1° / 13.5° today · 2.8 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- Education hub
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, Westmead is a established suburb where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
The community skews younger, with family life visible on every street. Coffee, casual meals and neighbourhood eateries give the suburb a lived-in social scene. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and schools and education, while housing affordability sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 16,555
- Median age
- 33
- Median household income / week
- $2,144
- Dwelling vacancy
- 14.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 1,021 of 6,872
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 60%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 274 / 519 / 4,442
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $640
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $718
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 1,047
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 862
- Against the person
- 252
- Against property
- 400
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 52.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 66 residents
- State safety percentile
- 28.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault311
- Fraud303
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment385
- Malicious Damage To Property307
- Steal From Motor Vehicle336
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (7 schools)
- 1,106
- Catherine McAuley WestmeadSecondary
- Mother Teresa Primary SchoolPrimary
- Palm Avenue SchoolSpecial
- Parramatta Marist High SchoolSecondary
- Redbank SchoolSpecial
- Sacred Heart Primary SchoolPrimary
- The Childrens Hospital SchoolSpecial
- Westmead Christian Grammar SchoolPrimary
- Westmead Public SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
93 public transport stops in this suburb
- Darcy Rd After Hawkesbury Rd
- Mayflower Village, Darcy Rd
- Parramatta Marist High School, Darcy Rd
- Westmead Childrens Hospital, Hawkesbury Rd
- Westmead Private Hospital, Darcy Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
185 planning-related records
2026· 17 proposals
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure22 WHITWORTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Rejected
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure5 MOREE AVENUE WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)43 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure15 ANDERSON STREET WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
May 2026
- Subdivision26 AUSTRAL AVENUE WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure13 MIMOSA STREET WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 BOOTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure15 ANDERSON STREET WESTMEAD 2145Rejected
April 2026
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure162 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation70 AMOS STREET WESTMEAD 2145Under Assessment
March 2026
- Demolition; Temporary building, structure or use; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Car park14 MONS ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)26 AUSTRAL AVENUE WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia160 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)80 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 DREW STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation62 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure70 AMOS STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink; Hours of operation and trading11 74 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Demolition; Educational establishment; School150 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)80 BRIDGE ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Operational consent issued
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure52 HOUISON STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
September 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 BERNARD STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Business identification sign; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading163B-171B HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Subdivision6 WESTVILLE PLACE WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 WHITWORTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 THOMAS CLARKE STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Demolition; Educational establishment; School150 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
July 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dual occupancy (attached)12 HOWE STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 BOOTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 WHITWORTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Rejected
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure70 AMOS STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 BOOTH STREET WESTMEAD 2145Rejected
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 THOMAS CLARKE STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Health services facility48 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Deferred Commencement
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Shop; Neighbourhood shop; Hours of operation and trading12 74 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia11 74 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care22 AUSTRAL AVENUE WESTMEAD 2145Determined
March 2025
- Advertising and signage; Neighbourhood shop; Hours of operation and trading74 HAWKESBURY ROAD WESTMEAD 2145Determined
2024· 2 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)60 GOOD STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Residential care facility; Erection of a new structure1 CAROLINE STREET WESTMEAD 2145Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
201 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bottle-OAlcohol
24-26 Railway Parade, Westmead
- LiquorlandAlcohol
29-33 Darcy Road, Westmead
- Westmead Bottle ShopAlcohol
Unit 10 74 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead
- BalfoursBakery
24-26 Railway Parade, Westmead
- Westmead Cake ShopBakery
Unit 2 74 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead
- Pearl NailsBeauty salon
160 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead
- Bench (26)
- Bicycle Parking
160 Hawkesbury Road
- Bicycle Parking (10)
- Bike Lockers - Westmead Station, Alexandra AveBicycle Parking
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
12 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Allan Davies ReservePark
- Austral Avenue ReservePark
- Bridge Road ReservePark
- Goombarra ReservePark
- Hassall Street ParkPark
- Howe Street ReservePark
- M.J. Bennett ReservePark
- Milson ParkPark
- Narang ReservePark
- Pemulwuy ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 17
- Emergency department
- On site
- Advance Medical PracticeHawkesbury Roaddoctor
- ChemsaveDarcy Roadpharmacy
- City West Specialist Day Hospitalyes
- Doctordoctor
- Good Street Medical CentreGood Streetdoctor
- Hawkesbury Road Family Medical CentreHawkesbury Roaddoctor
- Laverty PathologyHawkesbury Roadsample_collection
- PRP ImagingHawkesbury Roadmedical_imaging
- Peadiatricians at WestmeadGreat Western Highwaydoctor
- Priceline PharmacyHawkesbury Roadpharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Essington2,4,6,8 Bridge Road WestmeadSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- KU PreschoolHawksebury Roadkindergarten
- United Early Learning Centre WestmeadPark Avenuechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 19
- Parks (OSM)
- 16
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
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 62.6/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 625th in Australia
- State rank
- 234th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #68 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #170 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Alexandra Av opp Westmead Stationamenitiesbus_stop
- Allan’s Barber Shopamenities160 Hawkesbury Road, Westmeadhairdresser
- Anglicareamenitiesrecycling
- Anna CuisinesamenitiesUnit 9 74 Hawkesbury Road, Westmeadrestaurant
- Austral Av after Bridge Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Balfoursamenities24-26 Railway Parade, Westmeadbakery
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Cumberland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.