The back-to-the office push has suffered another setback as last month’s omicron wave and surge in flu cases kept city workers at home, driving down office occupancy rates for the first time in six months.

The occupancy rate in Melbourne slumped to 38 per cent in July, down from 49 per cent a month earlier, while in Sydney, the rate fell from 55 per cent to 52 per cent. Brisbane dropped from 64 to 53 per cent and Adelaide declined from 71 per cent to 64 per cent.