Melbourne is the standout performer among a tightening office landscape, according to the latest Australian Office Market Report released by the Property Council of Australia.
Melbourne's office vacancy rates have hit a 10 year low of 3.6 per cent - the lowest vacancy rate in Australia.
Meanwhile, office market vacancy rates fell across the rest of the country, as CBD office vacancies tighten.
Key findings from the Australian Office Market Report :
"Office vacancy rates are a good measure of economic performance, and Melbourne is clearly the stand-out performer of the nation," said Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council.
"Melbourne is our fastest growing city and best-performing economy which in turn is creating strong jobs growth and demand for office space at more than twice its historical average. Most of the country’s future office supply over the next three years will be built in Melbourne, which is exactly where you want it – responding to strong demand," Mr Morrison continued.
"While Melbourne is performing strongly, the Sydney market has also tightened further, with a CBD vacancy rate of 4.6 per cent, down from 4.8 per cent six months ago," Mr Morrison said.
Mr Morrison says the results of the report shows there are challenging times ahead for lower grades of commercial office stock.
"Across the country, we are seeing a shift towards premium office quality, but a more challenging outlook for lower grades of stock," Mr Morrison told WILLIAMS MEDIA.
"The challenge for planners and owners is to come up with solutions to encourage the utilisation of secondary office stock to help meet future demand and support vibrant and affordable commercial districts in both CBD and non-CBD areas," Mr Morrison said.
Meanwhile, the non-CBD vacancy rate increased by a percentage, from 8.9 per cent to 9 per cent over the six months to July 2018.
The top three non-CBD markets are East Melbourne (3.1 per cent), Parramatta (3.2 per cent), and Macquarie Park (5.4 per cent).
Five of the top ten performing non-CBD markets are in New South Wales; Parramatta, Macquarie Park, North Sydney, Chatswood, and Crows Nest/St Leonards.
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