Victoria Property Spotlight
Berwick property and home loan guide
Berwick is a suburb about 40 km south-east of Melbourne's CBD, in the City of Casey. It grew from a small 1850s township into a suburb of 50,298 people (2021 Census) with a station on the Pakenham line and a historic High Street. Houses make up 89.0% of homes and 52.8% have four or more bedrooms. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with Berwick buyers by phone and video. Here larger family homes and the size of the loan shape most loan questions.
Information last updated 3 November 2026
Market snapshot
| Houses | Units | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of homes | 89.0% separate houses, 10.5% terraces and townhouses | 0.3% flats and apartments | ABS Census 2021 (Berwick (Vic.)) |
In the 2021 Census, 74.7% of Berwick homes were owned outright or with a mortgage and 22.0% were rented. The median weekly rent across all homes was $400 (ABS). Rents by bedroom aren't shown for this area. Sale prices will be added once licensed figures are available.
Figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Living in Berwick
Subdivision of the old Cardinia Creek run began in 1854. Berwick Primary, the area's first school, opened in 1857 and the post office followed on 18 September 1858. A quarry opened in 1859 to supply ballast for the railway. Berwick was the headquarters of the shire from 1861 to 1902 and the Pakenham railway line opened in 1877.
The township kept its country feel for a long time and parts of the 1959 film On the Beach were shot here. Suburban growth followed as Melbourne spread south-east. Berwick is now part of the City of Casey.
Transport
- Berwick station is on the Pakenham line (zone 2), with metro trains and some V/Line services towards Traralgon.
- A bus interchange sits beside the station.
- The M1 runs through the suburb, with exits at O'Shea Road, Clyde Road and the Princes Highway.
- The Clyde Road level crossing was replaced by an underpass that reopened on 21 February 2021.
- In the 2021 Census 1.3% of working residents took the train to work.
- Plan trips on the PTV journey planner.
Schools
Government primary schools include Berwick Primary, Berwick Lodge Primary, Berwick Fields Primary, Brentwood Park Primary and Timbarra P-9 College. Government secondary schools include Berwick Secondary College, Kambrya College and Nossal High School, a selective school that opened in 2010. Non-government schools include the Berwick campuses of Beaconhills College and St Francis Xavier College, St Margaret's School and Haileybury's Edrington campus.
Government school zones change, so check findmyschool.vic.gov.au for any address before you buy.
Shopping and dining
High Street is Berwick's village centre, lined with local shops and an Avenue of Honour of poplars running towards Beaconsfield. Larger shopping centres are a short drive away in neighbouring suburbs.
Parks and recreation
- Wilson Botanic Park was created on the site of the old quarry.
- Edwin Flack Reserve is named after Australia's first Olympian.
- Pioneer Park sits on the site of an early school.
- The Avenue of Honour poplars line High Street towards Beaconsfield.
Lifestyle
Berwick suits families who want a big house, good school choice and a train line. The median age was 38 in 2021 and 74.7% of homes were owned outright or with a mortgage. Nearly half of all homes (46.2%) were owned with a mortgage.
Berwick
Did you know?
A post office from 1858
Berwick's post office opened on 18 September 1858, a year after the area's first school, Berwick Primary, opened in 1857.
Source: Wikipedia: Berwick, Victoria
A quarry turned garden
A quarry opened in 1859 to supply ballast for the railway. The site is now Wilson Botanic Park.
Source: Wikipedia: Berwick, Victoria
On the Beach
Parts of the 1959 film On the Beach were shot in Berwick.
Source: Wikipedia: Berwick, Victoria
Australia's first Olympian
A statue of Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian, stands on High Street. Richard Casey, later Baron Casey of Berwick and Governor-General of Australia, also lived in Berwick.
Source: Wikipedia: Berwick, Victoria
Property types
Berwick is a family house market.
- Houses make up 89.0% of homes, from older homes near High Street to larger homes in newer estates.
- Townhouses and semi-detached homes make up 10.5%.
- Flats and apartments are rare at 0.3%.
- Size: 52.8% of homes have four or more bedrooms and 0.9% have one.
Check VicPlan for heritage, flood and bushfire overlays before you buy.
What lenders look at in Berwick
Berwick is a house market built around families. Here's what tends to come up with lenders.
Larger loan amounts
More than half of Berwick homes have four or more bedrooms. Larger loans get closer scrutiny of income, expenses and debts. Some lenders cap the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) on bigger loans.
Townhouses
Townhouses make up 10.5% of Berwick homes. Some share driveways or common property under an owners corporation. Read the plan of subdivision and the owners corporation records before you sign.
Building and rebuilding
Knockdown rebuilds and extensions are common in established suburbs. Construction loans pay out in stages and need a fixed-price building contract and approved plans.
Heritage and bushfire overlays
Older parts of Berwick near High Street have heritage character and some edges back onto bushland. Overlays can affect what you can change and the cost of insurance. Check VicPlan for the address.
Postcode 3806
Berwick's postcode isn't on one LMI provider's lists of excluded or single-industry postcodes.
Lender and LMI policies differ between lenders and change often. This is a general guide based on public lender and LMI information checked 3 November 2026. We can check current policy for the property you're looking at before you apply.
Buying in Berwick
In Berwick the loan size and the type of home shape most purchases. Large family homes mean large loans and townhouses bring owners corporation checks. Getting your borrowing range confirmed before you make an offer saves time.
First home buyers
Berwick has very few apartments, so most first home buyers here buy a townhouse or a smaller house. That can mean a larger deposit or help from family. A family guarantee may help some buyers.
Get pre-approval first. Victorian duty concessions and grants follow state rules. See our first home buyer page for current schemes.
Upgraders
Many Berwick buyers are moving from a townhouse or a smaller home into a bigger family house. If you're buying before you sell, ask about bridging finance early. If you're thinking of a knockdown rebuild or an extension, talk to us before you sign with a builder.
Deposit and costs
On top of your deposit, allow for:
- stamp duty (transfer duty) under Victoria rules, with concessions for some first home buyers (see the State Revenue Office Victoria)
- conveyancing and legal fees
- building and pest inspections
- lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you borrow more than 80% of the property's value
Our calculators give you a starting figure. Stamp duty rules differ between states, so check the Victoria rules for your purchase.
Thinking about buying in Berwick?
Talk it through with a Brisbane broker before you sign a contract. We can check the property you're looking at against lender policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berwick mostly houses?
Yes. In the 2021 Census 89.0% of homes were separate houses and 52.8% had four or more bedrooms.
Is there a train station in Berwick?
Yes. Berwick station is on the Pakenham line, with metro trains to the city.
How do I check school zones in Berwick?
Use findmyschool.vic.gov.au. Zones are set by address and can change. Nossal High School is a selective school, so entry is by exam, not zone.
Can I buy in Berwick with a small deposit?
Possibly, depending on your income, the price and the lender. Some buyers use a family guarantee. Lenders mortgage insurance usually applies if you borrow more than 80% of the value.
Can a Brisbane mortgage broker help me buy in Berwick?
Yes. Time Home Loans is based in Brisbane and works with clients across Australia by phone and video. We don't have an office in Berwick. Lender policy is national, so the same lenders and products are available. Stamp duty, first home buyer concessions and grants follow Victorian rules. In most cases there's no broker fee to pay. Time Home Loans is paid by commission from the lender.
What costs should I budget for besides the deposit?
Victorian land transfer duty (often called stamp duty), conveyancing, building and pest inspections and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80% of the value. The calculators on our site give you a starting figure.
General information only. This page provides general information and doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether it's appropriate for you and seek advice before making a decision. Market figures are a guide only and change over time. Past movements in values and rents don't predict future results.
Time Home Loans Pty Ltd ACN 161 695 012, Credit Representative 529395 is authorised under Australian Credit Licence 384324.