The monthly survey of office building owners and managers for October 2021 has found that the occupancy levels of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra CBDs all remain below 10% of pre-COVID levels.
Occupancy levels for other cities not affected by recent lockdowns were largely consistent with results recorded in previous months.
Across Australia there has been reduction in the difference between occupancy levels on the ‘peak days’ and ‘low days’ of the working week.
There was a sharp rise recorded in the number of respondents who regard ‘public transport capacity or safety concerns’ as an obstacle to CBD reactivation.
Over half of respondents said they do not expect to see a material increase in CBD office occupancy levels within the next 3 months.
Office occupancy as a percentage of pre-COVID levels by CBD
|
Jun-21 |
Jul-21 |
Aug-21 |
Sep-21 |
Oct-21 |
|
|
Melbourne |
26% |
12% |
7% |
6% |
4% |
|
Canberra |
72% |
73% |
8% |
8% |
7% |
|
Sydney |
67% |
7% |
4% |
4% |
8% |
|
Brisbane |
71% |
67% |
60% |
51% |
57% |
|
Adelaide |
80% |
15% |
65% |
64% |
64% |
|
Perth |
76% |
78% |
77% |
76% |
79% |
|
Darwin |
88% |
89% |
82% |
89% |
92% |
|
Hobart |
89% |
95% |
94% |
89% |
92% |
Figures are based on responses from Property Council members who own or manage CBD office buildings and cover occupancy for the period from 25-31 October 2021.