Last updated: April 19th, 2023
Australia is one of the many countries worldwide that are seeing a fast-growing trend in coworking communities. The amount of space available in Australian coworking locations has grown by 60% yearly.
There are endless possibilities for coworking in Australia, whether you’re looking to rent a hot desk, a permanent table or an entire private office.
If you’re working on a team or starting up your own company, check out these coworking spaces for inspiration.
1. Sydney
Sydney coworking spaces are popping up all over the city. Some of our favourites include:
- Fishburners: Located in Ultimo, this space is perfect for startups and tech companies. With over 400 members, there’s always someone around to collaborate with.
- Hub Australia: With locations in Sydney CBD, Surry Hills and Pyrmont, Hub Sydney can sell you a dedicated desk, a private office or an entire floor.
- The Distillery: A creative coworking space in Alexandria, The Distillery is home to a community of designers, artists and freelancers.
(Related: What Are The Best POS Systems For SMBs?)
2. Melbourne
Melbourne coworking spaces offer something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxed environment or a more professional setting.
- Inspire9: This popular coworking space in Richmond is well-known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
- The Commons: Located in the heart of Melbourne CBD, The Commons is perfect for people who value well-being. They offer standing desks and ergonomic office chairs in addition to meeting rooms and event spaces.
- Worksmith: A new co working space in Collingwood, Worksmith has shower facilities, social events and ultra-high-speed internet
(Related: How To Start A Small Business In Australia).
3. Brisbane
Brisbane coworking spaces are on the increase. The city has doubled its number of coworking spaces in the last 6 years. The biggest players are:
- River City Labs: A well-established coworking space in Fortitude Valley, River City Labs is perfect for startups and tech companies.
- The Triffid: A creative coworking space in Newstead, The Triffid is home to a community of musicians, artists and creatives.
- The Hub: Located in Brisbane CBD, The Hub puts on great networking events for new members, which is great if you’re the new person in town.
(Related: Best Accounting Software In Australia).
4. Perth
Perth coworking spaces are rapidly catching up with those in our larger cities. Here are my top 3:
- Spacecubed: A well-established coworking space in the Perth CBD, Spacecubed is perfect for startups and tech companies.
- Riff: A new coworking space in Northbridge, Riff offers meeting rooms, dedicated desks and unlimited access to tap beer. Very dangerous for someone like me!
- The Yard: Located in the heart of Perth CBD, The Yard is located on the ground floor of a new office tower and offers bookable meeting spaces and private phone booths in addition to a very funky business lounge.
5. Adelaide
Adelaide coworking spaces are surprisingly good. Some of the best are:
- Majoran Distillery: A well-established coworking space in the Adelaide CBD, Majoran Distillery is perfect for startups and tech companies.
- The Mill: A new coworking space in the Adelaide CBD, The Mill is quickly becoming a favourite among Adelaide’s startups.
- The Storey: Located in the heart of Adelaide CBD, The Storey is perfect for mature businesses with a $3+ million turnover.
6. Canberra
Canberra coworking spaces are very impressive. The city’s small size isn’t stopping it from having some of the best coworking spaces in the country.
- The Huddle: Located in the heart of Canberra CBD, The Huddle is perfect for professionals who want to be close to the action.
- The Pod: A new coworking space in Dickson, The Pod is quickly becoming a favourite among Canberra’s creative and digital community.
7. Darwin
Do people actually work in Darwin? Joking! Coworking spaces in Darwin are the perfect places to get some work done, whether you’re a local or just passing through.
- Coworking Darwin: Located in a central spot, Coworking Darwin is perfect for professionals who want to be close to the action.
- The Studio: A recently opened coworking space in Darwin, The Studio is quickly becoming a favourite among the city’s hipsters and freelancers.
How To Choose The Best Coworking Space.
No matter how big or small your company is, you will still need to consider the same key areas.
- The location is the paramount component. You’ll want to find a space that’s not only close by, but also near conveniences like stores, diners, and other companies.
- Moving forward, you’ll want to prioritise what factors are most important to you in a workspace, and what types of resources would be the most beneficial. It’s also important not to forget about amenities that might sweeten the deal. Consider your must-haves: What membership perks would I like access to?
- Lastly, you must take the price into account. As aforementioned, there are several membership plans available at different prices.
Once you found some coworking spaces that fit your needs, go ahead and visit them. Make sure to pay attention to the details like natural light and noise levels), sense of community, and quality of the materials.
The following elements are important to consider when making your decision:
- Is the layout conducive to productivity?
- Are meeting rooms easy to access and book?
- Is there a sense of community and collaboration among members?
- How simple or complicated is the sign-up/renewal process?
- What does pricing look like (i.e., monthly, yearly, per project)? How flexible are those options?
- What does the work environment feel like? Neutral colours with pops of green throughout = calm but energising. Shiplap walls plastered with funky artwork = creative and playful.)
- Is it comfortable – temperature, noise level, etc.?
- Does it cater to employees with disabilities?
What Is Coworking?
According to the Oxford dictionary, coworking is “the use of an office or other working environment by people who are self-employed or working for different employers, typically to share equipment, ideas, and knowledge.”
- I define a coworking space as an “inviting place conducive to productivity and networking”.
I think my definition is a little bit more relatable 🙂
How Much Does A Coworking Space Cost In Australia?
Costs vary, with some tilting towards budget while others intentionally use high prices to curate a certain member persona.
- Sydney has the highest average prices ($550-$600 per month).
- Melbourne is close behind ($500-$550 per week).
- Brisbane coworking spaces are much cheaper, with most decent options costing between $300 and $400 per month.
Who Are Coworking Spaces Best Suited For?
You may be surprised that coworking spaces aren’t full of impoverished freelancers.
It’s not uncommon for multinational corporations to lease a portion of a coworking space.
That said, coworking spaces are havens for entrepreneurs because they can explore new business ideas with very little risk.
Steven
