Investment banking occupiers in Sydney typically cluster in Core CBD, plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($320–470/sqft), and pay around 1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Core CBD.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($320–470/sqft).
  • Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD).
  • Typical lease: 7 years with 30 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Sydney: 85/100.

Investment banking office space in Sydney

Investment banking occupiers in Sydney typically cluster in Core CBD, plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out">fit-out ($320–470/sqft), and pay around 1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Core CBD.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($320–470/sqft).
  • Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD).
  • Typical lease: 7 years with 30 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Sydney: 85/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Sydney typically anchor in Core CBD. Banks, top-tier law firms, asset managers, professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Sydney runs 1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD) on a 7-year lease with 30 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical investment banking fit-out targets trophy specification at $320–470/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount banking office in Sydney typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Bulge-bracket teams favor signature trophy assets with full client-facing programming and large floor plates. Australia's deepest financial-services, technology, and professional-services talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 85.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 30%. Standard 5-10 year lease. Gross or net structure (both common). Australian leases distinguish 'face rent' (headline) from 'effective rent' (face minus incentive). Incentives of 30-40% are now standard — typically structured as rent abatement, fit-out contribution, or both.

Key facts

citySydney
industryInvestment banking
naics523150, 522110
preferredSubmarketCore CBD
preferredFitoutSpecTrophy
fitoutBand$320–470/sqft
sqftPerSeat215
classARentLocal1480 AUD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$89/sqft/yr
vacancyPct12.6%
typicalLeaseYears7
typicalRentFreeMonths30
talentIndex85
corporateTaxPct30%

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Sydney?
Most cluster in Core CBD. Rent runs ~1480 AUD/sqft ($89 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do investment banking occupiers run in Sydney?
Typically trophy at $320–470/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a investment banking occupier plan in Sydney?
Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the investment banking vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 523150, 522110.
What is the talent index in Sydney?
85/100. 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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