[2] The suburb sometimes goes by the name Westall, due to the name of the main road and the railway station that serve the area.

Settlement of the area dates from the mid 1800s, with land used mainly for farming and market gardening.

[3] The area was once coastal heathland and first occupied by John O'Shannessy during the early 1840s, who took a squatting licence to encompass a 40,000-acre (160 km2) block, around suburbs known today as Clarinda, Clayton South, Dingley and Heatherton.

Notable developments were the Volkswagen assembly plant adjoining the Westall railway station, and cable-making and bakery establishments.

Several bus routes pass through the suburb and drop passengers off at the shops near the Westall railway station.

Bus routes also run through the area including: Substantial industrial facilities are located within the Clayton South Area, including the Clayton Business Park,[16] McCormick Foods Australia, Goodman Fielder and Viridian Glass.