Data story · ACECQA national register, 30 October 2026, and 2021 Census

Childcare places per 100 young children, by suburb

In the typical suburb there are 46.0 long day care places for every 100 children aged 0-4 in New South Wales, 55.0 in Victoria and 57.8 in Queensland. Some suburbs have far fewer: Marsfield has 28 places for 644 young children.

New South Wales, typical suburb

46.0

Places per 100 children aged 0-4 · 458 suburbs

Victoria, typical suburb

55.0

Places per 100 children aged 0-4 · 338 suburbs

Queensland, typical suburb

57.8

Places per 100 children aged 0-4 · 308 suburbs

Long day care services

9,709

9,409 matched to a suburb

New South Wales

The typical suburb has 46.0 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Marsfield has the fewest, 4.3, and Wagga Wagga the most, 344.4.

458 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Marsfield 4.3

Lane Cove North 4.8

Umina Beach 7.3

Eagle Vale 7.6

Berala 7.9

Villawood 8.3

Hebersham 8.5

Bidwill 8.5

Warwick Farm 8.9

Fairfield West 8.9

Bars on one axis from 0 to 8.9.

Most places per 100 children

Wagga Wagga 344.4

St Leonards 200.3

Sydney 194.9

Queanbeyan 174.9

Rouse Hill 157.7

Wilton 153.2

Wamberal 145.5

Artarmon 144.9

Alexandria 141.4

Bella Vista 139.5

Bars on one axis from 0 to 344.4. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for New South Wales, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, New South Wales
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Marsfield	1	28	644	4.3
Lane Cove North	1	40	830	4.8
Umina Beach	1	72	986	7.3
Eagle Vale	1	27	356	7.6
Berala	1	36	455	7.9
Villawood	1	40	483	8.3
Hebersham	1	36	424	8.5
Bidwill	1	30	352	8.5
Warwick Farm	1	40	447	8.9
Fairfield West	2	68	766	8.9
Bella Vista	6	505	362	139.5
Alexandria	9	670	474	141.4
Artarmon	11	749	517	144.9
Wamberal	7	576	396	145.5
Wilton	6	567	370	153.2
Rouse Hill	11	1,123	712	157.7
Queanbeyan	7	626	358	174.9
Sydney	11	807	414	194.9
St Leonards	9	789	394	200.3
Wagga Wagga	17	1,202	349	344.4

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 28 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 538 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Victoria

The typical suburb has 55.0 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Taylors Lakes has the fewest, 8.0, and Melton the most, 246.5.

338 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Taylors Lakes 8.0

Oakleigh 10.6

Lalor 13.9

Cockatoo 15.6

Patterson Lakes 16.8

Kurunjang 17.3

Highton 17.4

Aintree 17.4

Dandenong North 17.9

Chelsea Heights 17.9

Bars on one axis from 0 to 17.9.

Most places per 100 children

Melton 246.5

Elsternwick 231.2

Carlton 190.0

Thornhill Park 177.0

Armadale 157.0

Rosanna 139.9

Flemington 139.8

Narre Warren North 136.8

Wendouree 135.7

Forest Hill 131.9

Bars on one axis from 0 to 246.5. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for Victoria, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, Victoria
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Taylors Lakes	1	45	561	8.0
Oakleigh	1	44	414	10.6
Lalor	2	207	1,486	13.9
Cockatoo	1	53	339	15.6
Patterson Lakes	1	64	382	16.8
Kurunjang	1	138	797	17.3
Highton	2	193	1,108	17.4
Aintree	2	179	1,030	17.4
Dandenong North	4	237	1,324	17.9
Chelsea Heights	1	60	336	17.9
Forest Hill	7	728	552	131.9
Wendouree	8	757	558	135.7
Narre Warren North	5	472	345	136.8
Flemington	5	573	410	139.8
Rosanna	6	617	441	139.9
Armadale	6	675	430	157.0
Thornhill Park	6	754	426	177.0
Carlton	8	589	310	190.0
Elsternwick	12	1,295	560	231.2
Melton	13	1,250	507	246.5

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 13 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 214 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Queensland

The typical suburb has 57.8 places per 100 children aged 0-4. New Farm has the fewest, 13.9, and Jimboomba the most, 203.1.

308 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

New Farm 13.9

Wishart 14.7

Frenchville 15.9

Spring Mountain 17.1

Surfers Paradise 17.2

Manoora 17.5

Glenvale 17.5

Highland Park 18.6

Wakerley 19.1

Blackwater 19.2

Bars on one axis from 0 to 19.2.

Most places per 100 children

Jimboomba 203.1

Ripley 173.9

Underwood 167.8

Gympie 165.2

Highfields 165.2

Waterford West 164.8

St Lucia 154.4

South Brisbane 153.8

Rothwell 148.7

Benowa 146.8

Bars on one axis from 0 to 203.1. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for Queensland, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, Queensland
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
New Farm	1	59	423	13.9
Wishart	1	75	511	14.7
Frenchville	1	96	602	15.9
Spring Mountain	1	124	725	17.1
Surfers Paradise	2	132	767	17.2
Manoora	1	74	423	17.5
Glenvale	1	100	570	17.5
Highland Park	1	67	361	18.6
Wakerley	1	119	623	19.1
Blackwater	1	70	364	19.2
Benowa	6	624	425	146.8
Rothwell	5	568	382	148.7
South Brisbane	5	546	355	153.8
St Lucia	5	585	379	154.4
Waterford West	8	801	486	164.8
Highfields	6	636	385	165.2
Gympie	13	1,039	629	165.2
Underwood	8	809	482	167.8
Ripley	6	767	441	173.9
Jimboomba	9	977	481	203.1

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 20 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 317 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Western Australia

The typical suburb has 38.2 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Cottesloe has the fewest, 9.8, and Mandurah the most, 155.2.

182 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Cottesloe 9.8

Mirrabooka 9.9

East Fremantle 10.9

South Hedland 12.2

Westminster 12.4

Noranda 12.6

Tapping 13.2

Alexander Heights 13.3

Kardinya 13.6

Baynton 13.6

Bars on one axis from 0 to 13.6.

Most places per 100 children

Mandurah 155.2

Perth 126.4

Lakelands 109.0

Nedlands 108.5

Merriwa 103.4

Lake Coogee 100.3

Hilton 98.2

Claremont 93.5

Kelmscott 91.9

Carlisle 91.1

Bars on one axis from 0 to 155.2. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for Western Australia, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, Western Australia
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Cottesloe	1	34	346	9.8
Mirrabooka	1	45	455	9.9
East Fremantle	1	40	368	10.9
South Hedland	2	123	1,010	12.2
Westminster	2	72	581	12.4
Noranda	1	47	372	12.6
Tapping	1	82	620	13.2
Alexander Heights	1	61	457	13.3
Kardinya	2	60	441	13.6
Baynton	1	58	427	13.6
Carlisle	4	380	417	91.1
Kelmscott	6	513	558	91.9
Claremont	4	332	355	93.5
Hilton	5	324	330	98.2
Lake Coogee	5	324	323	100.3
Merriwa	4	330	319	103.4
Nedlands	7	499	460	108.5
Lakelands	6	567	520	109.0
Perth	7	556	440	126.4
Mandurah	8	599	386	155.2

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 7 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 193 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

South Australia

The typical suburb has 37.3 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Salisbury East has the fewest, 7.5, and Adelaide the most, 214.2.

63 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Salisbury East 7.5

Munno Para West 8.5

Salisbury North 12.9

Hillbank 16.1

Campbelltown 17.2

Burton 17.3

Enfield 19.1

Flagstaff Hill 21.3

Port Lincoln 21.5

Naracoorte 23.7

Bars on one axis from 0 to 23.7.

Most places per 100 children

Adelaide 214.2

Golden Grove 138.2

Paradise 120.4

Salisbury Downs 92.9

Prospect 78.2

Munno Para 77.5

Murray Bridge 73.5

Nuriootpa 71.1

Strathalbyn 67.8

Morphett Vale 67.5

Bars on one axis from 0 to 214.2. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for South Australia, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, South Australia
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Salisbury East	1	38	504	7.5
Munno Para West	1	75	886	8.5
Salisbury North	1	90	699	12.9
Hillbank	1	56	348	16.1
Campbelltown	1	94	546	17.2
Burton	1	84	486	17.3
Enfield	1	84	440	19.1
Flagstaff Hill	1	108	507	21.3
Port Lincoln	3	178	828	21.5
Naracoorte	2	85	358	23.7
Morphett Vale	12	893	1,323	67.5
Strathalbyn	3	244	360	67.8
Nuriootpa	3	217	305	71.1
Murray Bridge	7	601	818	73.5
Munno Para	3	313	404	77.5
Prospect	7	588	752	78.2
Salisbury Downs	4	367	395	92.9
Paradise	4	389	323	120.4
Golden Grove	6	637	461	138.2
Adelaide	9	681	318	214.2

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 8 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 210 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Australian Capital Territory

The typical suburb has 40.1 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Ngunnawal has the fewest, 12.0, and Belconnen the most, 167.1.

25 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Ngunnawal 12.0

Chisholm 14.9

Kaleen 16.9

Gordon 22.2

Macgregor 26.5

Amaroo 28.7

Evatt 28.8

Coombs 28.8

Calwell 29.4

Crace 32.4

Bars on one axis from 0 to 32.4.

Most places per 100 children

Belconnen 167.1

Gungahlin 158.2

Phillip 112.0

Conder 109.4

Holt 77.3

Franklin 70.7

Wanniassa 67.3

Kambah 64.7

Monash 60.2

Isabella Plains 60.1

Bars on one axis from 0 to 167.1. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for Australian Capital Territory, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, Australian Capital Territory
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Ngunnawal	1	108	897	12.0
Chisholm	1	54	362	14.9
Kaleen	2	72	427	16.9
Gordon	1	114	514	22.2
Macgregor	1	146	551	26.5
Amaroo	1	107	373	28.7
Evatt	1	99	344	28.8
Coombs	1	128	445	28.8
Calwell	2	111	378	29.4
Crace	1	142	438	32.4
Isabella Plains	2	185	308	60.1
Monash	2	198	329	60.2
Kambah	7	560	865	64.7
Wanniassa	5	315	468	67.3
Franklin	2	379	536	70.7
Holt	3	321	415	77.3
Conder	4	339	310	109.4
Phillip	4	337	301	112.0
Gungahlin	10	886	560	158.2
Belconnen	8	635	380	167.1

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 5 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 50 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Tasmania

The typical suburb has 40.2 places per 100 children aged 0-4. Wynyard has the fewest, 18.6, and Sandy Bay the most, 156.9.

15 suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4 and at least one long day care service.

Fewest places per 100 children

Wynyard 18.6

Brighton 20.0

Kingston 25.0

Riverside 28.6

Lenah Valley 30.0

New Norfolk 34.8

Bridgewater 37.5

Bars on one axis from 0 to 37.5.

Most places per 100 children

Sandy Bay 156.9

Howrah 73.5

Devonport 59.3

Glenorchy 54.1

Moonah 47.2

Newnham 46.9

Blackmans Bay 40.5

Bars on one axis from 0 to 156.9. High figures are usually town centres used by parents from nearby suburbs.

Both lists for Tasmania, with places and children

Long day care places and children aged 0-4, Tasmania
Suburb	Services	Approved places	Children 0-4 (2021)	Per 100 children
Wynyard	1	60	322	18.6
Brighton	1	76	380	20.0
Kingston	3	179	716	25.0
Riverside	2	109	381	28.6
Lenah Valley	2	121	403	30.0
New Norfolk	2	119	342	34.8
Bridgewater	1	130	347	37.5
Blackmans Bay	2	151	373	40.5
Newnham	3	189	403	46.9
Moonah	2	151	320	47.2
Glenorchy	4	357	660	54.1
Devonport	5	433	730	59.3
Howrah	4	360	490	73.5
Sandy Bay	9	648	413	156.9

Fewest first, then most. Left out: 1 suburbs with 300+ young children where no long day care service matched on the register, and 67 suburbs with a service but fewer than 300 young children.

Northern Territory has fewer than 15 suburbs with 300+ young children and a long day care service, too few for a list.

How we made this

Places are the approved places of every open service on the ACECQA national register (30 October 2026) that offers long day care, added up by the suburb in the service's address. A service's approved places cover all the care it offers, so a centre that also runs a kindergarten counts its full approval. Children are the ABS 2021 Census count of people aged 0-4 (table G01, General Community Profile, Suburbs and Localities), for the same suburb. Places per 100 children is places divided by children, times 100.

We list only suburbs with at least 300 children aged 0-4, because in smaller ones one centre opening or closing swings the figure a long way. A suburb where we matched no long day care service is left out, not counted as zero: services are matched to suburbs by the name in their address, and a missed match is not the same as no centre. 9,409 of 9,709 open long day care services matched a suburb.

The child count is from 2021 and the register from 2026, so suburbs that have grown fast since 2021 look higher than they are today. This page counts places; it does not rate any suburb or service. Suburb names link to our page for the wider area that contains the suburb.

Sources: ACECQA National Registers (Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority), downloaded 30 October 2026. ABS 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPacks, © Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics), licensed under CC BY 4.0. All our sources

What does "places per 100 children" mean?

It is the number of approved long day care places at services in a suburb, divided by the number of children aged 0-4 who lived there at the 2021 Census, times 100. In the typical suburb it is 46.0 in New South Wales, 55.0 in Victoria and 57.8 in Queensland.

Does a low number mean there is no childcare nearby?

No. Families often use a centre in the next suburb, near work or near a train station. A suburb with few places of its own can sit next to one with many. Use the figure as a starting point, then check the services around where you would live and travel.

Why are some suburbs over 100 places per 100 children?

Centres cluster near town centres, shopping strips, hospitals and stations, where parents from many suburbs drop children on their way to work. A suburb with many centres and few resident young children can have more places than children. Fast-growing suburbs can also look high or low because the child count is from 2021.

Are approved places the same as vacancies?

No. Approved places is the most children a service may care for at one time under its approval. It does not say how many places are free, how long a waiting list is, or how many days each child attends.

Why not one list for all of Australia?

Each state and territory has its own mix of long day care, preschool and kindergarten, and funds them differently, so the same number means different things across a border. Each state is listed on its own.

Cite this

Free to quote with a link. Please name the original source too.

SuburbRadar, "Childcare places per 100 young children, by suburb", based on the ACECQA National Registers (30 October 2026) and the ABS 2021 Census (G01). https://www.suburbradar.com.au/data/childcare-places/

Also: where weekly rent rose most in a year, Australia's fastest-growing suburbs, and the Move Planner to compare childcare and schools in two suburbs.