Legal services occupiers in Melbourne typically cluster in CBD East (Collins Street), plan ~270 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($4100–6000/sqft), and pay around 720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: CBD East (Collins Street).
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($4100–6000/sqft).
• Plan ~270 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD).
• Typical lease: 7 years with 14 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Melbourne: 84/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: CBD East (Collins Street).
• Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($4100–6000/sqft).
• Plan ~270 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD).
• Typical lease: 7 years with 14 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Melbourne: 84/100.

Where they cluster

Legal services occupiers in Melbourne typically anchor in CBD East (Collins Street). Banking (NAB, ANZ), insurance, law (Allens, MinterEllison), professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Melbourne runs 720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD) on a 7-year lease with 14 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical legal services fit-out targets high-end specification at $4100–6000/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 270 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount legal office in Melbourne typically targets 27,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Partner-track talent concentrates near courts and finance districts; library, conferencing, and partner-office programming drive high sqft/seat. Deep professional services, banking, education, and creative talent. Strong feed from University of Melbourne, Monash, and RMIT. English-fluent professional base; multicultural workforce.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 30%. Net leases. 7-10 year terms standard. Incentives of 30-45% (combination of free rent, fitout, and rent abatement) typical on a 10-year Class A deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do legal services occupiers lease office space in Melbourne?

Most cluster in CBD East (Collins Street). Rent runs ~720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do legal services occupiers run in Melbourne?

Typically high-end at $4100–6000/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a legal services occupier plan in Melbourne?

Plan ~270 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 27,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the legal services vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 541110.

What is the talent index in Melbourne?

84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Legal services — global overview
• Melbourne — full city profile
• Financial services in Melbourne
• Asset management in Melbourne
• Investment banking in Melbourne
• Big tech in Melbourne

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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