Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Melbourne typically cluster in CBD East (Collins Street), plan ~215 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 ~215 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.

Real estate and infrastructure office space in Melbourne

Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Melbourne typically cluster in CBD East (Collins Street), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($4100–6000/sqft), and pay around 720 AUD/sqft ($43 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: CBD East (Collins Street).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($4100–6000/sqft).
  • Plan ~215 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

Real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure 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 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount real estate office in Melbourne typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Sponsor and asset-management teams favor trophy CBD addresses with proximity to investment-banking and law-firm tenancy. 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

cityMelbourne
industryReal estate and infrastructure
naics531, 237
preferredSubmarketCBD East (Collins Street)
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$4100–6000/sqft
sqftPerSeat215
classARentLocal720 AUD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$43/sqft/yr
vacancyPct18.4%
typicalLeaseYears7
typicalRentFreeMonths14
talentIndex84
corporateTaxPct30%

Frequently asked questions

Where do real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure occupiers run in Melbourne?
Typically high-end at $4100–6000/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a real estate and infrastructure occupier plan in Melbourne?
Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the real estate and infrastructure vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 531, 237.
What is the talent index in Melbourne?
84/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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Editorial provenance

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

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