The Property Council of Australia’s latest Office Occupancy survey found a stall in Australian workers heading back to their CBD offices.
Occupancy levels in Perth improved between May and June from 63 per cent to 65 per cent, and Melbourne lifted slightly from 48 per cent to 49 per cent. The ACT declined 60 percent to 53 per cent, with rates in Brisbane remaining steady at 64 per cent.
Adelaide was the highest at 71 per cent with Sydney and Melbourne reaching peak occupancy levels at 66 per cent and 60 per cent respectively, with low days at 38 per cent and 31 per cent.
Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison states the impact of the spread of COVID-19 and the flu were clearly stalling the return to office.
“The continued spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, extremely wet weather on the east coast, combined with industrial action in NSW have all clearly hampered workers being able to get into their CBD workplaces.”
“I don’t think these figures are a reflection of workers not wanting to be in the office, but rather a reflection of people being forced to stay home for a range of reasons, whether it be to care for sick kids, rest themselves or to avoid dangerous weather,” he said.
Office Occupancy rates:
