Warrnambool and the South West in Victoria are considered to be the most liveable region in Australia, according to Ipsos’ latest Life in Australia study, the nation’s largest annual study of community values and liveability.
In October 2018, the market research company asked 9,515 Australians to select the top five attributes that they believe make a good place to live. This resulted in the five categories: 1) feeling safe, 2) high-quality health services, 3) affordable and decent housing, 4) good job prospects, and 5) access to the natural environment.
Ipsos also asked the respondents to rate how well their local area performed on a scale of 0 to 10 across 16 liveability attributes. In the end, Warrnambool came out on top.
Warrnambool Mayor, Cr Tony Herbert, said this is wonderful recognition of Warrnambool and their region.
“We are so fortunate in Warrnambool to have the facilities that we have and the stunning coastal setting,” he said.
“We have Deakin Uni, South West TAFE, a base hospital, dedicated cancer treatment centre and a great arts and culture scene.”
“All of these factors help create a sense of belonging, a sense of opportunity and contribute to the sense of pride we feel for our city,” he added.
In reaching number one, Warrnambool outscored inner Perth, Central Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills, Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and the inner east and inner south suburbs of Melbourne.
Other regional areas to score highly were: South Australia’s South East, New South Wales’ Murray region and Queensland’s iconic Sunshine Coast.
| City/region | Liveability index score |
| Warrnambool and the South West | 68.7 |
| Inner Perth | 68.6 |
| Adelaide Central and Hills | 67 |
| Sydney Eastern Suburbs | 65.8 |
| Melbourne Inner South | 65 |
| Melbourne Inner East | 64.9 |
| Brisbane Inner City | 64.8 |
| Perth North West | 64.2 |
| South-East South Australia | 63.9 |
| Brisbane East | 63.6 |
