Victoria's Barwon South West Region

Barwon South West runs from Geelong, Victoria's second-largest city, along the Great Ocean Road to the South Australian border. It's a region where the career and education depth of a major city sits alongside one of the world's most celebrated coastlines. If you're looking for real career options, affordable housing, and a short commute, this region is worth a close look.

Barwon South West region at a glance

Key towns: Geelong, Warrnambool, Torquay, Colac, Ocean Grove, Hamilton, Portland, Lorne, Apollo Bay
Distance to Melbourne: Geelong 45-min express train
Population: 461,000+
Universities: Deakin University (three locations)
Hospitals: University Hospital Geelong, South West Healthcare Warrnambool
Average temperatures: 10-23°c (Summer), 5-13°c (Winter)

Employment and career opportunities

The region contributes more than $33 billion to Victoria's economy each year and employs over 237,000 people. The workforce has grown by more than 13% since 2019. There is strong demand across healthcare, manufacturing, defence, professional services, education and clean energy.

Healthcare

Healthcare is the largest employer in Barwon South West. University Hospital Geelong is one of the biggest regional hospitals in Victoria. It's supported by community health centres and specialist services across the region.

Engineering, manufacturing and defence

If your background is in engineering, manufacturing, or defence, companies like Alcoa, Hanwha Defence Australia, and Viva Energy offer strong career pathways.

Legal, medical, technology, administration and research

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC), National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and WorkSafe Victoria all have major Geelong offices. They employ people in legal, medical, technology and administrative roles. Deakin University – with three Geelong campuses and one in Warrnambool – is both a major employer and research institution.

Clean energy

Clean energy is also growing fast. The proposed South West Renewable Energy Zone, Victoria's largest battery storage facility, and the Hycel hydrogen technology hub are creating new jobs for engineers, project managers and technical specialists.

Major employers

Major employers include: NDIA, WorkSafe Victoria, TAC, Deakin University, Alcoa, Viva Energy, Cotton On, Hanwha Defence Australia, Saputo, Bega, and Fonterra.

Housing

Housing in Barwon South West costs much less than in Melbourne – to rent and to buy. For many people considering where to settle, that makes a big difference.
Where you live in the region shapes your experience. Geelong's inner suburbs have heritage streetscapes and easy access to the city centre, and new housing estates offer more space at a lower cost. The Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast towns – Ocean Grove, Torquay, Anglesea – offer coastal living with a strong community feel. Towns further west, like Colac, Warrnambool, and Hamilton, are filled with character and are among the most affordable in the region.

Education

The region has strong education offerings at every level.

Schools

Government and independent schools operate across the region's towns and cities, from primary through to secondary level. Geelong has one of the strongest school systems of any regional city in Australia.

TAFE

Vocational training options in the region include:

• The Gordon - multiple campuses across Geelong
• South West TAFE - campuses in Warrnambool, Hamilton, Colac, and Portland
• RMIT - a campus in Hamilton

University

Deakin University has three campuses in Geelong and a fourth in Warrnambool, making it one of the most accessible regional universities in Victoria.

For families weighing up a move, the education pathways here are comprehensive – whether you're settling in Geelong, Warrnambool, or further west.

Health

The region's healthcare network is anchored by University Hospital Geelong, one of Australia's largest regional hospitals. It covers a full range of specialties: emergency, surgical, maternity, mental health, and more. A new dedicated Women's and Children's facility is currently under development at the same precinct, significantly expanding capacity for families.

Beyond the main hospital, the region has a layered network of services:

• Barwon Health North (Geelong north) - a walk-in Urgent Care Centre, open seven days a week for non-emergency conditions
• Urgent Care Clinic, Belmont - open seven days a week, no appointment or referral needed
• Community health centres - located in Corio, Belmont, Newcomb, Torquay, and Anglesea, providing GP and allied health services across the region
• South West Healthcare, Warrnambool - the main hospital and health service for the region's south-west

For the most complex or specialised treatment, Melbourne is around an hour away, close enough to be a genuine option when you need it. And the Virtual Emergency Department is available throughout Victoria too. This free service is available 24 hours and allows you to have a video consultation with Emergency doctors and nurses – providing peace of mind when you need it most.

Transport

There are many ways to travel within the region:

By car

Day to day, most people in Geelong and the larger towns describe commutes of around 15 to 20 minutes. Surf Coast towns are around an hour's drive from Melbourne. Warrnambool is approximately two and a half hours. The Great Ocean Road runs the length of the region's coastline.

By train

Geelong is 45 minutes from Melbourne by express V/Line train. The train also connects Warrnambool, Colac, and other regional towns directly to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station.

By air

Avalon Airport (located outside Geelong) offers domestic flights. Regional airports at Warrnambool, Portland, and Hamilton serve the south-west.

By ferry

The region is well connected by water:

• Queenscliff to Sorrento (Searoad Ferries) - a 40-minute car and passenger crossing which links the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula
• Portarlington to Melbourne Docklands (Port Phillip Ferries)- a passenger ferry service used by both commuters and day-trippers
• Geelong to Melbourne Docklands (Port Phillip Ferries) - a direct ferry between Geelong and Melbourne's waterfront (weekends and holidays only)
• Geelong to Tasmania (Spirit of Tasmania) - the Tasmanian ferry service departs from North Geelong, connecting to Devonport, Tasmania

Community and culture

Geelong was named Australia's first UNESCO City of Design. It's a city that has been drawing people from around the world for decades, building a diverse and open community in the process. Deakin University attracts a large international community, and multicultural organisations, sporting clubs, arts groups, and local events are active across the region. They offer real entry points for new arrivals.

Geelong’s acclaimed Cultural Precinct brings together the Geelong Gallery, Geelong Arts Centre and the Geelong Courthouse.

The regional cultural calendar includes:

• Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach
• Port Fairy Folk Festival
• Lorne Pier to Pub swim
• Toast to the Coast food and wine festival

The Great Ocean Road, the Otway Ranges, Bells Beach, and the Budj Bim UNESCO World Heritage site are all part of the landscape you'd be living in – not places you drive to on a long weekend but places you can enjoy every day.

Aboriginal First Nations Communities

Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) are the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. They are the primary source of advice and knowledge on matters relating to Aboriginal places or Aboriginal objects in their region.

In the Barwon South West region, these are:

• Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation
• Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
• Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

Settlement support

A range of settlement services operate across the region to help you and your family get established. Local councils and community organisations provide practical help: from language support and employment pathways to social connection and help understanding local services.

Local councils in the region are:

• Colac Otway Shire
• Corangamite Shire
• Glenelg Shire
• Greater Geelong
• Moyne Shire
• Queenscliffe Borough
• Southern Grampians Shire
• Surf Coast Shire
• Warrnambool City
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Community organisations include:

• Colac Neighbourhood House, Colac
• Cultura, Geelong - multiple locations
• South West Healthcare, Warrnambool‎

Study Geelong also supports international students to connect with the community.

Further information on settlement services in the region can be found in the Great South Coast Settlement Guide.

Region at a glance