Yes, Melbourne historically had significant slums in its inner suburbs (like Fitzroy, Collingwood) in the early 20th century, leading to major slum clearance programs and public housing; today, while traditional slums are gone, concerns exist about modern "vertical slums" due to poor quality, windowless micro-apartments, and severe homelessness issues, say ABC News, The Conversation, this Facebook post from the "Old Melbourne Town" group, and this Herald Sun article.
Cremorne and East Melbourne are the most advantaged suburbs in Victoria, while Dallas, Coolaroo and Broadmeadows are the most disadvantaged in Melbourne.
Where do middle class people live in Melbourne? Middle-class families often live in eastern suburbs such as Camberwell and Glen Iris, where the median unit price remains more affordable. These suburbs balance historical charm, access to schools, and a stable housing market.
Overall, close to 500 people were homeless per 100,000 residents in Greater Melbourne on census night 2021.
In Australia's early years, much of the housing stock was of poor quality, often overcrowded, and posed real risks to people's health. Slums were common in the inner parts of the major cities and in many country towns. Scenes from the Fitzroy slums in Melbourne in the early 20th century.
Mungallala Methodist Church was built in 1964. It has now closed. In 2016, the Australian Taxation Office listed Mungallala as having the lowest mean taxable income by postcode, making it the poorest town in Australia, which led the ABC to do a documentary on the town for their online "storyhunters" program.
While specific data varies by report, Sydney generally has the highest total number of people experiencing homelessness, particularly in its inner-city and surrounding suburbs like Canterbury, Strathfield, and Fairfield, though Brisbane and the Northern Territory (like East Arnhem) also show very high rates relative to their populations. Homelessness is concentrated in major cities but also prevalent in outer suburbs, driven by housing affordability issues.
A mix of severe housing shortages, new economic hardships, increased incidents of family and inter- personal violence, mental health, substance abuse, and pressured specialist services are entrenching homelessness in local communities.
On a Single Night in 2022:
Two of every ten people experiencing homelessness in the United States did so in either Los Angeles or New York City. In Los Angeles, 84% of people either counted in unsheltered locations or in shelters were individuals. 1 The 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.
Yes, homeless people can get Centrelink payments, including income support, advance payments, and crisis payments for extreme situations like fire or flood, with support available for finding housing and linking with social workers to navigate entitlements and services. While having a fixed address can be tricky, you can often use a homelessness service, shelter, or social worker's address as a contact point to receive mail and get assistance with applications, with Centrelink having workarounds for those without a permanent home.
Melbourne's best suburbs depend on your needs, with popular choices like Fitzroy North, Carlton, and Northcote offering vibrant inner-city living, while Camberwell, Kew, and Glen Waverley are top for families due to great schools and parks, and South Yarra, Richmond, and Hawthorn suit professionals with work-life balance, alongside affordable options like Footscray and Preston for budget-conscious buyers.
The exclusive postcode of Toorak offers equal parts village-like charm and upscale glamour. Lined with stately, old-money mansions, often tucked away in quiet cul-de-sacs or along the bend in the Yarra River, it's home to Melbourne's elite – and just four kilometres away from the city's centre.
Salary requirements to live in Melbourne can vary based on factors such as lifestyle, number of dependents, individual expenses, etc. According to Payscale, the annual average salary in Melbourne is AUD 79,000. Most individuals earning between AUD 60,000 to AUD 79,000 can live comfortably in the city.
The worst suburbs in Melbourne for crime include central areas like Southbank and Carlton, and western suburbs like Melton and Sunshine. Crime rates in Melbourne have risen by 8.2% in 2024, with moderate concerns about violent crimes and drug-related issues.
10 Melbourne Suburbs First Home Buyers Should Avoid in 2025
Definition and Purpose of Blacklisting
Lender blacklists are secret lists of suburbs that banks see as risky. When a suburb is on this list, it's harder to get a loan there. Banks use these lists to lower their risk of losing money on loans. Blacklists help banks decide where to lend.
States with high and low homeless rates are all over the country. The highest rates of homelessness among states are in Hawaii (465 per 100,000), followed by New York (399) and California (367). You can access the HUD estimations here.
Homelessness and Age
The average age of adults experiencing homelessness is 45 years. The average age of unaccompanied homeless youth (aged 24 and below) is 18 years. The average age of older adults (aged 50 and above) experiencing homelessness is 66 years.
If you are experiencing family violence, homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, these crisis and emergency contacts can help. Call 1800 825 955 (free call) at any time or call 000 if you are in danger right now. Find other services that can help, including mental health, youth and relationship services.
Australia is ten or fifteen years behind the US on homelessness.
Melbourne has an extraordinarily high homelessness rate at 81 per 10,000 people, which is significantly higher than the national average of 48 per 10,000 people. This figure represents one of the most severe homelessness crises in the country.
Only 6.2 per cent of people without a home are sleeping rough. The majority of homelessness is hidden - people in crisis accommodation, rooming houses, insecure housing, overcrowded dwellings or couch surfing.
The Mornington Peninsula now has the highest number of people sleeping rough out of any local government area in Victoria – including Melbourne City. In 2024–25, more than 948 people sought support through independently funded homelessness services across the Peninsula.
The 2016 Census showed that older women were the fastest growing group to experience homelessness in Australia. The number of women over 55 experiencing homelessness increased by 31% to 6,866, compared to 2011. The 2021 Census reported an increase of 6.6% to 7,325 women over 55 experiencing homelessness.