A proven model
Updated population figures from the 2021 Census showed forecast.id to be more accurate than state government population forecasts for local areas because we work closely with local governments to inform the assumptions.
forecast.id gives your council the confidence to plan for the future with a single-scenario forecast of population and housing, that uses local insights and a proven and transparent forecasting model.
More than 130 councils around Australia inform their decisions using forecast.id.
Engage Australia’s biggest and most trusted forecasting team to build a population and household forecast for your local government area.
Learn more about subscribing to forecast.id →
A single scenario
A choice of forecast scenarios (aggressive, moderate or conservative) inevitably leads to selective use by different interest groups. forecast.id simply presents the most likely population and housing scenario, for integrated planning.
Independent reflection of council policy
forecast.id is developed by independent forecasters, and is designed to reflect the population, dwellings and households outcomes of local government land-use, housing and economic policies. This provides both a feedback and monitoring mechanism for these policies
Transparent assumptions
A forecast is only as good as its assumptions. The data and modelling we use to develop each forecast is shared openly, so you use the results with confidence.
Public access
forecast.id is published in an easy-to-use online tool. This can either be made freely available to local businesses, investors and community groups, or password-protected for internal council use only.
Annual monitoring
As the world and council policies change, so do our forecasts. We regularly monitor and update our forecasts so you can plan with confidence.
For years we've used forecast.id to plan services and facilities more accurately than was possible in the past. With forecast.id, our staff can show how many four year old's are likely to want kindergarten in years to come, allowing the groundwork to occur now
John Holland
Manager Strategic Planning
Transparent assumptions
The website explicitly presents the underlying assumptions and forecast methodology.
Our forecasts are developed in close collaboration with council. By ensuring your polices, strategies and development plans are considered as inputs, we can deliver more accurate, locally-relevant forecasts.
Small areas that make sense to you
Understand local differences by dividing your LGA into custom geographies that reflect your communities.
We apply a detailed understanding of the drivers of change at a small area level geography that reflects different population outcomes across the municipality.
Visualise change
Visualise change with responsive maps, tables and charts enabled for easy integration into other documentation.
Use the year range slider to see population and household data for specific points in the future.
The area selector helps you see the impact of population and household change on your small areas within your LGA.
Easy exports and custom reporting
Make the data work for you.
Download detailed data, export charts and tables, create instant reports allowing for in depth analysis.
Community services
Deliver services that reflect the current needs of your community and plan for their future needs.
Strategic planning
Understand the population implications of proposed development and planning policies.
Advocacy
Provide the evidence base that enables council and community groups to advocate for appropriate services and funding.
Grants
Successfully secure funding with an evidence-base that quantifies current and future levels of demand and is trusted by the main funding organisations.
Assets and infrastructure
Ensure your infrastructure plan accurately identifies the timing and location of future demand.
Inform policy
Clearly understand the impact of policy on the future population outcomes for your community.
Marketing and communications
Paint a clear picture of your changing community; promote your area to prospective residents, businesses and investors.
Executive and governance
Paint the picture of your future community with meaningful inductions for new elected members and briefings for management.
Corporate and finance
Quantifying trends in population and dwellings refine growth assumptions in your Long Term Financial Plan.
Consultants
Avoid expense and inconsistency of repeated analysis by giving consultants access to the same forecasts used by council.
Economic development
Support local business decision-making by providing the data they need to build business cases that attract investment in your community.
Waste management
See the changing household types in different parts of your community to better plan the logistics of waste collection.