Ballarat Central (known as the Central Business Area by the City of Ballarat and sometimes simply as “Ballarat”) is the central locality of Greater Ballarat in Victoria, Australia. The population of Ballarat Central at the 2021 census was 5,378, making it the sixth most populous in the urban area. It is the administrative headquarters for the City of Ballarat as well as the Ballarat Base Hospital and health services and home to the city’s major religious institutions and a major retail, commercial and inner city residential area.

Several busy roads pass through Ballarat Central, they include Lydiard Street (north-south and the historic business street); Mair Street (east west – commercial and future business area); Sturt Street/Bridge Mall (east-west – main retail area); Armstrong Street (north-south); Doveton Street and Drummond Street (the hospital precinct). Car parking is a major problem in Ballarat Central, with restricted parking times (parking meters). While there are several parking lots, including a multi-storey facility on Dana Street owned by the council, parking spaces are heavily used.