Franchise opportunities in Shellharbour - Oak Flats, NSW
Top 3 recommended franchise categories
1. Quick-Service Food
542. Hair & Barber
473. Food & Beverage
43Shellharbour - Oak Flats snapshot
| Metric | Shellharbour - Oak Flats | State avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,570 | 20,009 | -47% |
| Median household income | $76,900 | $100,267 | -23% |
| 5-year population growth | 3.5% | 13.0% | -9.5 pts |
Community & demographics
Who lives in Shellharbour - Oak Flats, and what it means for a franchise. Every figure below is a real ABS Census 2021 median for this area, not an estimate.
| Measure | Shellharbour - Oak Flats | What it signals for franchising |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43 years | Broad working-age and family customer base |
| Average household size | 2.5 people | Smaller households, favours convenience and single-serve formats |
| Median household income | $1,478/wk | Overall spending power of the local market |
| Median family income | $1,846/wk | Discretionary spend of family households |
| Median personal income | $692/wk | Individual earnings, a labour-cost and spend signal |
| Median rent | $425/wk | Cost of living and a proxy for commercial rents |
| Median mortgage | $1,950/mo | Homeowner cost base in the area |
Source: ABS Census 2021 G02 + ERP 2016→2021 · SA2 Shellharbour - Oak Flats (107031142). Incomes are median weekly (household income is also shown annualised in the headline stats).
Survival & viability analysis
Quick-Service Food viability: High
The quick-service food opportunity in Shellharbour - Oak Flats scores 54 out of 100. With a population of 10,570, the catchment is smaller, so demand may support only one well-sited quick-service food outlet. At about 1 existing quick-service food operator, competition sits below typical metro density, an opening for a well-run entrant. Median household income ($76,900) sits below the state average ($100,267), which can favour value-led formats.
Nearby competition by category
| Category | Est. operators | Competition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick-Service Food | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Hair & Barber | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Food & Beverage | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Bakery & Dessert | 1 | Low | Gap |
| Retail | 1 | High | Saturated |
| Beauty & Health | 1 | High | Saturated |
Operator counts are a trade-area model derived from ABS population, not a live business census. Richer POI data (OpenStreetMap / Google Places) is ingested per methodology.
Available franchise opportunities in Shellharbour - Oak Flats
Bucking Bull
Burger Urge
Advanced Hair Studio
Barber Industries
Acai Brothers
Boost Juice
How Shellharbour - Oak Flats compares to nearby areas
| Location | Population | Score | Top category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shellharbour - Oak Flats | 10,570 | 54 | Quick-Service Food |
| Newcastle | 322,278 | 77 | Bakery & Dessert |
| Parramatta | 256,729 | 79 | Pet Services |
| Geelong | 268,277 | 75 | Pet Services |
| Gold Coast | 699,226 | 84 | Quick-Service Food |
Frequently asked questions
What franchise is best for Shellharbour - Oak Flats?
Based on population, income, growth and competition data, Quick-Service Food scores highest for Shellharbour - Oak Flats at 54/100, competition sits below typical metro density. The next best are Hair & Barber and Food & Beverage.
How much does a franchise cost in Shellharbour - Oak Flats?
Fees don't vary by suburb, Quick-Service Food franchises run $350,000–$900,000 all-in nationally (Q2 2026 Fee Index, n=96). See the Fee Index for the full breakdown.
Is Shellharbour - Oak Flats good for a coffee franchise?
It's a tighter market: a coffee & café franchise scores 35/100 in Shellharbour - Oak Flats, with about 2 existing operators in the trade area (Saturated suitability).
Demographics: ABS Census 2021 & Regional Population. Category scores combine ABS demographics with a trade-area competition model and live franchise availability, see methodology. Fees: Q2 2026 Fee Index.