Cockatoo
VIC 3781 · Cardinia
4,408 (2021) → 4,465 est. (2025) · High Growth
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Cockatoo is a high growth suburb in Cardinia, VIC 3781, about 49km from Melbourne CBD. Its median house price of $765K is around the same as the VIC average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 21/100, and is about 33km inland. Cockatoo has an overall score of 33/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 86/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
Top countries of birth: England (4.06%), New Zealand (1.34%), Netherlands (0.54%), Scotland (0.52%), Poland (0.36%)
Top languages: German (0.36%), Spanish (0.36%), Polish (0.25%), Thai (0.25%), Greek (0.2%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: Valuer-General Victoria (DTF) · Updated 2024
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (suburb-level) · Updated 2025
Schools
Reasonable school mix
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of schools, though the strongest options may require some travel.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1030 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Fernbrook SchoolCombined · IndependentICSEA 1027
- Cockatoo Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1014
Nearby (within 10km)
- Gembrook Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.3kmICSEA 1022
- Emerald Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · 4.3kmICSEA 1014
- Macclesfield Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.9kmICSEA 1040
- Emerald Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 5.8kmICSEA 1054
- Monbulk CollegeSecondary · Government · 8.5kmICSEA 1041
- Dandenong Ranges Steiner School - School Road CampusPrimary · Independent · 8.9km
- Menzies Creek Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 10kmICSEA 1071
Source: ACARA 2023
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap
Fitness
Few fitness options
Very few fitness facilities in and around this suburb.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Mostly urban
Very little parkland or outdoor recreation in and around this suburb.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Limited cultural access
Below average — fewer cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Not much nightlife
Very few licensed venues nearby — you'll be heading to a neighbouring suburb for a night out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: VGCCC (Victorian liquor register)
Childcare
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Cardinia
Compare Cockatoo with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Cockatoo
Is Cockatoo safe?
Cockatoo has a residential safety score of 86/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 3,380 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Cockatoo?
In Cockatoo, the .
How far is Cockatoo from Melbourne CBD?
Cockatoo is about 49.4 km from Melbourne CBD, an estimated 160 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Cockatoo?
Cockatoo has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1021 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Cockatoo?
Cockatoo has a transport score of 21/100 and 17 bus stops.