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Living in Wollongong

Wollongong is in Australia; its population was 57,003 in August 2021. Median rent was A$300 per week, and median monthly mortgage repayment was A$1,517 in August 2021.

Higher unemployment than 87% of Australian cities that publish it and cleaner air than 76% of Australian cities that publish it.

Which Australia-wide rules apply when you move to Wollongong?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in AustraliaNational rates and thresholds that apply in Wollongong.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

What recurs every month6 published recurring costs, € per month
Wollongong recurring monthly costs, € per month€1091Private kindergarten€107Utilities, 85 m² flat€48Internet, 60 Mbps€46Transport pass€33Fitness club€24Mobile plan, 10 GB€ / month

Supplemental estimate lane; these items are not official statistics.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Fitness club membership, monthly32.86 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited47.81 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Private kindergarten, monthly1,091 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant12.19 EUR31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Mobile plan, 10 GB24.25 EUR/month31 Jul 2026Cost of Living in Wollongong. Jul 2026. Prices in Wollongong8Commercial estimate · Supplemental context
Monthly transport pass46.3 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Basic utilities, 85 m² home107 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Dwellings23,129 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
G05 Main Residential Dwellings21,419 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Median Weekly Rent Aud300 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official

Work and income

The unemployment rate was 6.3% in March 2026. Median personal income was A$814 per week in August 2021. Median household income was A$1,574 per week in August 2021.

What is the unemployment rate in Wollongong?

The unemployment rate is 6.3 % (March 2026). Source: DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 20269

Unemployment across cities in AustraliaUnemployment in Wollongong is 6.3%. Of 100 cities with data, 29 have unemployment of 4 to under 5%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in Australia per band4 cities: 1% to under 2%41–29 cities: 2% to under 3%92–323 cities: 3% to under 4%233–429 cities: 4% to under 5%294–518 cities: 5% to under 6%185–69 cities: 6% to under 7%96–7Wollongong 6.3%3 cities: 7% to under 8%37–82 cities: 8% to under 9%28–91 city: 9% to under 10%19–102 cities: 13% to under 14%213–14

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Employment Full Time Count17,035 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Employment rate60.4 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Median Household Income Aud Week1,574 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official
Median Personal Income Aud Week814 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official
Median gross salary (regional)1,847 EUR/month31 Dec 2021www.abs.gov.au7Official
Unemployment rate6.3 %country median 4.4%31 Mar 2026DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 20269Independent

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to Wollongong. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Workforce Australia — Public employment service

Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Job Search
Open official service
Open the Australia service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Wollongong. Sources checked through 11 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
Language Other Than English At Home Share Percent9.62 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official

Language courses and integration in Wollongong

1 exact course-location record is linked to this city. Check the linked source for dates, availability and enrolment.

Verified locally
1verified local records
Check courses in WollongongHow the country programme works
Exact city-linked record checked 2026-08-10. Provider-supplied records are supplemental and are not presented as official accreditation.

Climate and air quality

Is the air quality good in Wollongong?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 5.6 µg/m³ (2023) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: NEPC Annual Report 2023–2024 — Appendix 2 Ambient Air Quality PM2.5 tables3

Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.

Temperature through the yearAverage daytime high and night-time low, °C
Wollongong average monthly daytime high and night-time low temperature, °C0°10°20°30°JFMAMJJASOND26°8°Daytime highNight-time low
Rainfall through the yearAverage monthly precipitation, mm
Wollongong average monthly precipitation, mm0408012016010214410985971177382767810297JFMAMJJASONDmm
Air quality vs health guidelinesAnnual means against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limits
Wollongong annual air pollutant levels against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limitsCity valueWHO guidelineEU limit5255.6PM2.5µg/m³

City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.

PM2.5 across cities in AustraliaAnnual PM2.5 in Wollongong is 5.6 µg/m³. Of 25 cities with data, 7 have annual PM2.5 of 5 to under 6 µg/m³.
annual PM2.5, µg/m³ · measured cities in Australia per band4 cities: 4 µg/m³ to under 5 µg/m³44–57 cities: 5 µg/m³ to under 6 µg/m³75–6Wollongong 5.66 cities: 6 µg/m³ to under 7 µg/m³66–74 cities: 7 µg/m³ to under 8 µg/m³47–82 cities: 8 µg/m³ to under 9 µg/m³28–92 cities: 9 µg/m³ to under 10 µg/m³29–10

Annual PM2.5 (µg/m³)

MetricValuePeriodSource
PM2.5 — annual mean5.6 µg/m³country median 6.131 Dec 2023NEPC Annual Report 2023–2024 — Appendix 2 Ambient Air Quality PM2.5 tables3Official
Average daytime high by monthJan 25.8 · Feb 25.8 · Mar 24.5 · Apr 22.6 · May 20.1 · Jun 17.9 · Jul 17.2 · Aug 18.6 · Sep 20.7 · Oct 22.5 · Nov 23.1 · Dec 24.9 °C31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY, 1991-20202Official
Average night-time low by monthJan 17.9 · Feb 18.1 · Mar 16.6 · Apr 13.8 · May 11.6 · Jun 9.6 · Jul 8.4 · Aug 8.6 · Sep 10.5 · Oct 12.5 · Nov 14.2 · Dec 16.3 °C31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY, 1991-20202Official
Average precipitation by monthJan 101.9 · Feb 144.4 · Mar 109.1 · Apr 85.4 · May 97.2 · Jun 116.9 · Jul 73.3 · Aug 82.4 · Sep 76.3 · Oct 78 · Nov 102.4 · Dec 96.8 mm31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY, 1991-20202Official

Cities of a similar size in Australia

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All Australia cities
Shepparton - Mooroopna53,841 residentsMildura - Wentworth53,620 residentsSingleton50,193 residentsBallina46,190 residentsGold Coast - Tweed Heads45,185 residentsCairns73,747 residents

Population and city profile

The city covered 572.3 km² in 2016. Population density was 534.6 people per km² in 2021.

How many people live in Wollongong?

The published population was 57,003 people in August 2021. Source: 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4

MetricValuePeriodSource
City area572.3 km²1 Jul 2016Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA.5Official
Foreign-resident share17.1 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics1Official
Foreign residents59,721 people10 Aug 2021Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.4Official
Population density534.6 people/km²30 Jun 2021Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation.6Official
Population Female29,574 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Population Male27,428 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Population57,003 people10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official
Population over time25 published observations, 2001–2025
Population in Wollongong by year, residents35,776138,374240,972343,570200120052011201520212025322,343residents

Population rose 23.7% between 2001 and 2025, from 260,655 to 322,343.

International community in Wollongong

Named groups from exact city-grain official distributions. Citizenship, birthplace, language and ancestry answer different questions and stay separate.

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G09 PERSONS total across age groups and sex · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total57,003100.0%
Australia47,26482.9%
Country of birth not stated2,9565.2%
India8331.5%
Iraq8091.4%
Born elsewhere(d)6931.2%
England6771.2%
New Zealand4050.7%
Philippines3960.7%
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)(c)3250.6%
Myanmar2240.4%
Show 41 more groups
Published groupPeopleShare
South Africa1680.3%
Nepal1540.3%
Malaysia1430.3%
Fiji1400.2%
Sri Lanka1380.2%
Egypt1240.2%
Pakistan1100.2%
Germany1070.2%
United States of America1000.2%
Scotland990.2%
Bangladesh820.1%
Thailand780.1%
Netherlands770.1%
Ireland760.1%
Vietnam710.1%
Iran610.1%
Italy600.1%
Zimbabwe560.1%
Canada500.1%
Hong Kong (SAR of China)(c)460.1%
Afghanistan440.1%
Samoa440.1%
Korea, Republic of (South)400.1%
Indonesia370.1%
Turkey340.1%
Greece290.1%
Papua New Guinea280.0%
Singapore270.0%
Taiwan270.0%
France200.0%
Japan180.0%
Wales180.0%
Brazil160.0%
Chile160.0%
Croatia150.0%
Poland150.0%
Lebanon140.0%
Mauritius80.0%
Malta60.0%
Bosnia and Herzegovina40.0%
Cambodia40.0%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source4

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons57,003100.0%
Australia47,26482.9%
Elsewhere (excludes country of birth not stated)6,78711.9%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source4

Citizenship

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons57,003100.0%
Australian citizen50,31788.3%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source4

Is Wollongong a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker56%strong on work, weak on safety · range 47–65%
Skilled employee64%strong on work, weak on safety · range 56–72%
Student60%strong on education, weak on safety · range 52–68%
Family59%strong on family, weak on safety · range 50–68%
Retirement61%strong on air quality, weak on admin · range 50–72%
Foreign residents59,721 people10 Aug 2021Official source · Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.
Population57,003 people10 Aug 2021Official source · 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia
Dwellings23,129 dwellings31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Employment rate60.4 %31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Median gross salary (regional)1,847 EUR/month31 Dec 2021Official source · www.abs.gov.au
Unemployment rate6.3 %31 Mar 2026Independent source · DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-08-27

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Residents born abroad11.91 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official
Households21,419 households31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Labour force participation rate63.2 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics4Official
Median age36 years10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official
Median Monthly Mortgage Repayment Aud1,517 AUD/month10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia4Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Wollongong when the national insurance or residence conditions are met.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

How many people live in Wollongong?

The published population was 57,003 people in August 2021. Source: 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia.

Is the air quality good in Wollongong?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 5.6 µg/m³ (2023) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: NEPC Annual Report 2023–2024 — Appendix 2 Ambient Air Quality PM2.5 tables.

What is the unemployment rate in Wollongong?

The unemployment rate is 6.3 % (March 2026). Source: DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026.

What is the typical salary around Wollongong?

The median gross salary is 1,847 EUR/month. Source: www.abs.gov.au.

How many foreign residents live in Wollongong?

59,721 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality..

How much is public transport in Wollongong?

A monthly transport pass is 46.3 EUR/month. This is a supplemental estimate, not an official municipal measurement. Source: Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v2.

Is Wollongong a good place to live?

Wollongong may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

How many people born in Afghanistan live in Wollongong?

The official country of birth distribution records 44 people (0.1%) in the source-defined population for 2021 Census. This is a country of birth measure, not a general estimate of ethnicity or migration status.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 14). Wollongong, Australia: rent, salary, cost of living, jobs [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; version approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/wollongong/ Retrieved 2026-09-14. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_wollongong-australia-rent-salary-cost-of-living-jobs_2fe53419a240,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Wollongong, Australia: rent, salary, cost of living, jobs},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-14},
  version = {approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab},
  snapshot = {approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/wollongong/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-14. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Wollongong, Australia: rent, salary, cost of living, jobs](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/wollongong/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; version approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; retrieved 2026-09-14; built 2026-09-14.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-03
  2. BOM monthly climate statistics — WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY, 1991-2020 BOM monthly climate statistics · bom.gov.au · checked 2026-07-26
  3. NEPC Annual Report 2023–2024 — Appendix 2 Ambient Air Quality PM2.5 tables NEPC Annual Report 2023–2024 · dcceew.gov.au · checked 2026-07-29
  4. Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-08-10
  5. Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA. geo.abs.gov.au · checked 2016-07-01
  6. Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-06-30
  7. www.abs.gov.au abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-27
  8. Cost of Living in Wollongong. Jul 2026. Prices in Wollongong numbeo.com · checked 2026-07-27
  9. DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026 DEWR · dewr.gov.au · checked 2026-07-26
  10. Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v2 Global Cost of Living · kaggle.com · checked 2026-07-27

Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.