Property Council data reveals how many Melbourne workers are going into the office

New figures on how many CBD workers are back in the office should be a “cause for alarm” for Victorian politicians, the Property Council says.

Melbourne’s return-to-office rate continues to lag behind every other major capital city, prompting calls for a renewed push to get CBD workers back to their desks.

New occupancy data from the Property Council of Australia – obtained exclusively by the Herald Sun – has revealed buildings in the city centre are still less than half full.

In October, average office levels were just 45 per cent of the pre-Covid baseline, only a four per cent increase from September, but still below the yearly peak of 49 per cent in June.

Melbourne is also still trailing behind Sydney, with occupancy in Harbour City offices last month rising to 58 per cent of pre-Covid levels.

At its peak, Melbourne office buildings are just over half full – at 60 per cent, only marginally higher than Sydney’s average.

On quieter days, less than a third of workers – 32 per cent – are making the trek into their city offices.

Melbourne office buildings are about 60 per cent full at peak times. Picture: David Geraghty

Perth and Adelaide continue to lead the way, with CBD offices at 78 per cent and 76 per cent, respectively, while Brisbane is sitting at 64 per cent.

The data found workers preferencing greater flexibility – like working from home – continues to be the main driver of keeping people away from the city, rather than safety concerns.

Property Council Victorian executive director Cath Evans said hopes for a stronger return to the office, hinted at by increased public transport patronage and strong retail and hospitality activity, have not fully eventuated.

“While these numbers are challenging for the CBD, Victorians are clearly very happy to make the journey into our city and sample the amazing amenity on offer,” Ms Evans said.

Workers enjoy the flexibility of working from home, the data found. Picture: Alex Coppel

“Everyone knows what a challenge it is to get a booking at CBD restaurants in the evening or on weekends at the moment. Crowds in our retail precincts are far in excess of pre-Covid levels.

“The only piece that’s missing for the CBD is to persuade some of those same people to make the decision to come into their city offices and enjoy their usual retail and food outlets.”

Ms Evans said businesses and the City of Melbourne had made significant efforts to revitalise the city, but said the government needed to come to the table.

“For the major political parties, the fact that our data indicates that most businesses don’t foresee an improvement in occupancy levels anytime within the next three months should be a cause for alarm,” she said.

“Our state’s economy, and consequently the tax collected by our governments to pay for their election promises, is heavily dependent on the health of Melbourne’s CBD.”

Deputy Liberal leader David Southwick said the Coalition’s plan to make public transport just $2 for all will encourage more workers back to the office.

“While Daniel Andrews has flown the white flag on our city centre, the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions to make Melbourne the world’s most liveable city once again,” he said.