Shelley
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Shelley, WA 6148.
About Shelley
Welcome to Shelley
Shelley is a quiet, leafy pocket of Perth's southern river suburbs, wrapped almost entirely by a bend of the Canning River about 12 kilometres south of the CBD. Bordered by Salter Point, Waterford, Manning, Rossmoyne and Parkwood, it's the kind of suburb many Perth buyers know less by name and more by reputation - as one of the river-adjacent addresses where houses sit on generous blocks and the streets end in water rather than traffic.
With a population of just under 4,800 and a median age of 42, Shelley has long attracted established families and professionals who want space, river access and a settled, low-turnover community rather than nightlife or high-density living. It suits buyers planning to stay put for a while, and those who value a garden, a jetty, or a walk along the river over proximity to a bustling strip.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Shelley revolves around the river rather than a café strip. The suburb itself is largely residential, so most residents head to nearby Manning, Rossmoyne or Waterford for coffee, casual dining and everyday errands, or make the short drive to Riverton and Canning Vale for bigger shopping and restaurant options. It's a trade-off many locals are happy to make in exchange for the quiet, low-traffic streets and the sense of space that comes with living on a river bend.
Parks & recreation
The Canning River is Shelley's defining feature, and the foreshore reserve that runs along it is one of the best-used pieces of public land in Perth's south. Locals walk, run and cycle the river pathways, launch kayaks and small boats from the foreshore, and picnic along the grassed verges that back onto the water. Wharf Street Reserve and the broader Shelley Foreshore give the suburb a genuine outdoor lifestyle that's hard to replicate closer to the city.
Schools & families
Shelley Primary School anchors the suburb's family appeal, giving younger children a local option within walking distance for many households. Families also look to the well-regarded high schools in neighbouring Rossmoyne and Manning for secondary education, and the suburb's mix of established homes on larger blocks tends to suit families who've outgrown apartment or townhouse living and want room for kids to grow into.
Getting around
Shelley's riverside position means it's a touch more insulated from major arterial roads than some of its neighbours, with Leach Highway and Manning Road providing the main links into the city and surrounding suburbs. The drive into central Perth takes around 15 to 20 minutes outside peak times. Public transport relies mainly on bus routes connecting through to Canning Bridge and Bull Creek train stations on the Mandurah line, both a short drive away, making the train a realistic option for commuters willing to drive or bus to the platform.
Housing & architecture
The current listing mix in Shelley is overwhelmingly houses, at 88%, with townhouses making up the remaining 12% - a reflection of the suburb's low-density character and its many larger, older blocks. Architecturally it's a mix of established 1970s and 1980s brick-and-tile homes alongside newer rebuilds and renovations, particularly on the river-facing streets where knockdown-rebuild activity has been steady as buyers chase the water frontage.
The property market
Shelley's median house price sits at $1.63 million, placing it firmly among Perth's premium river suburbs, though the market has cooled recently with growth of -7.4% over the past year. Median rent of $990 a week points to solid ongoing demand from tenants even as sale prices have pulled back, and the correction may open a window for buyers who've been priced out during the suburb's stronger growth years. With such a tightly held, low-volume market, individual river-facing sales can swing the median considerably, so it's worth looking at comparable sales on similar blocks rather than the headline figure alone.
Market snapshot
Shelley property market
Median sale price
$1.63m
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$990
per week
Gross rental yield
3.2%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$1.09m
Median
$1.63m
Premium
$2.95m
Days on market
19
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
32
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth +8.6% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Shelley by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Shelley, WA 6148.
Population
4,795
residents (2021)
Median age
42
years
Household income
$2,186
median, per week
Median rent
$380
per week
Median mortgage
$2,275
per month
Mortgage / income
24%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Shelley
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Shelley
$1.61m
21 Modillion Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$1.52m
6 Dewey Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.75m
18 Vesta Crescent
Sold ~July 2026
$1.70m
16A Beatrice Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$1.75m
8 Tasman Place
Sold ~June 2026
$999k
3/71 Corbel Street
Sold ~June 2026
$1.75m
14 Barbican Street West
Sold ~June 2026
$1.75m
30 Tribute Street West
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Shelley
Compare the area
Price map around Shelley
Every listing for sale near Shelley, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Shelley suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Shelley?
The median house price in Shelley, WA is $1.63m for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 7.4%.
How much is rent in Shelley?
The median weekly rent in Shelley is around $990 per week.
Is Shelley a good place to live?
Shelley is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Canning. Shelley is an established residential suburb in WA, with a population of around 4,795 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Shelley?
Shelley has a population of 4,795 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 42.
What schools are in Shelley?
There is 1 school in or near Shelley, including Shelley Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Shelley?
Properties in Shelley take around 19 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Shelley?
Entry-level properties in Shelley start around $1.09m, while premium homes reach $2.95m.
What suburbs are near Shelley?
Suburbs near Shelley include Salter Point, Waterford, Manning, Rossmoyne and Parkwood.
Available now
Properties in Shelley
Renovated Riverside Villa in Rossmoyne Senior High School Zone
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WELCOME HOME
CHARMING VILLA & PRIME LOCATION
All written offers Presented
Enjoy the Aspect with Upstairs Living!
Move-In Ready Home In The Highly Sought-After Rossmoyne High School Zone
