Business Blog Business & Networking Sydney Office Space Guide 2023

Sydney Office Space Guide: Best Locations & Flexible Workspaces (2025)

By Monique Battistel & Hayley Mackintosh

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Overwhelmed with choices after Googling 'office space to rent near me?"

Trying to find an office space in Sydney can be a challenging process. As a financial hub, the Sydney Central Business District has an abundance of options, and it's essential to select the right one for your business.

There is no shortage of conventional and flexible workspaces in Sydney, from traditional offices to serviced offices, coworking spaces, and virtual offices. Whether you're an entrepreneur, startup, small business owner, or an established business, this office space guide will help you find an ideal office rental in Sydney.

Why Sydney is ideal for business

The most recent 'Most Livable Cities' report shows Sydney is the #7th best city to live in the world and maintains a global reputation as a prime location for business. With more than 604,000 businesses operating in the Greater Sydney area, it offers a diverse market and robust opportunities for companies of all sizes. In 2019 alone, Sydney generated $138 billion in total income, underscoring its influence on Australia’s economy.

Key Advantages

  • Central Location: The CBD is a global gateway with convenient access to international airports, major highways, and public transport systems.

  • Infrastructure & Stability: Continuous development of new light rails and transport links makes commuting easier, while stable governance and supportive business policies encourage growth.

  • Flexible Office Spaces: Sydney’s commercial real estate market includes traditional leases, serviced offices, coworking, and more, ensuring businesses can find the right fit.

The public transport in Sydney city is constantly improving. With developments such as new light rails, town travel has become more efficient and has added to the existing excellent transport links. Flexible office spaces in Sydney are also strategically located near train stations such as Town Hall, Martin Place, Central, Wynyard Station and Circular Quay - all of which simplify travel.

The city is home to stunning modern office spaces and architecture like no other.

North Sydney: The Second Largest Commercial District

Beyond the CBD, North Sydney stands out as an exceptional business hub. Known for its stunning harbor views and bustling business district, North Sydney offers quick and easy access to the city center—only five minutes by car or two train stops—and major motorways.

Why North Sydney?

  • Ideal Location: Central to the Northern and Western Sydney suburbs, with abundant parking and easy transport links.

  • Business Mix: Home to leading IT, media, retail, and tech firms, plus a growing dining scene featuring Rafi, Glorietta, and Rengaya.

  • Fast Travel Times: From a prime address like 100 Mount Street, you’re minutes away from landmarks such as the MLC Centre, the Opera House, and the airport.

There is easy access to the Northern and Western Sydney suburbs, with main motorways just minutes from your North Sydney office space. Parking space is also abundant, making travelling to coworking spaces or private offices much more effortless.

Let's assume you have an office space at 100 Mount Street North Sydney; in that case, here is how fast you can go based on these popular locations:

  • 9-minute drive to MLC Centre, Sydney CBD

  • 28-minute drive to Norwest, Hills District

  • 20 minutes to the Inner West

  • 30 minutes to Parramatta

  • 15 minutes to the Easter Suburbs

  • 22-minute drive to the airport

  • 8-minute drive to the Sydney Opera House

North Sydney is also famous for its local attractions, such as Luna Park, Olympic Swimming Pool, and Wendy's Secret Garden.

The growing district is also home to a unique dining scene. Offering premium and casual options, North Sydney has some restaurants for unwinding or chatting business with clients, such as RAFI, Glorietta, and Rengaya.

Common business types in Sydney

The sheer diversity in Sydney means it welcomes all types of businesses and industries.

Popular industries include:

  • Finance & Banking

  • Legal & Professional Services

  • Technology & IT

  • Media & Advertising

  • Retail & E-commerce

Although it's a very competitive environment, it pays off for businesses that can acquire office space in Sydney since it portrays the image of a credible and established company.

North Sydney business demographics

North Sydney, in particular, houses many global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, and various media and retail brands. Recently, it’s become a thriving tech hub, attracting businesses seeking slightly lower costs than the CBD without sacrificing credibility or location.

In recent years, the location has become Sydney's technology hub and businesses in that industry will find North Sydney a fantastic destination for their office space needs. Flexible workspaces such as coworking in North Sydney or serviced offices can be leased at a lower cost than the CBD, making it a compelling investment without sacrificing credibility.

Office Space Options

Sydney’s commercial real estate offers a spectrum of office space models—ranging from conventional long-term leases to fully serviced and flexible solutions. Below are some of the most common:

Serviced Offices in Sydney

A serviced office gives businesses a physical presence with maximum flexibility—often featuring no lock-in leases, premium fit-outs, and amenities such as meeting rooms, shared kitchens, and high-speed internet.

  • Who Uses It? Startups wanting minimal setup, remote teams requiring on-site support, or established businesses opting out of heavy capital expenses.

  • Key Areas: Sydney CBD (Market Street, Martin Place), Barangaroo, and North Sydney (100 Mount Street) are popular serviced office hotspots.

  • Real-Life Example: Tech startups, law firms, or wine companies hosting product launches—all benefit from the prestige and convenience of a turnkey space.

Compared to what the standard office rental offers, it's clear why flexible spaces such as serviced offices in Sydney are becoming the favourite.

A variety of businesses occupy these office spaces in Sydney. For example, Servcorp's serviced offices in 100 Mount Street have a sole trader running their strategic coaching business and a winery that uses the location as their head office, hosting premium wine launches to a massive community.

Business types in Market Street, Martin Place, Chifley Square and Barangaroo:

  • Banks

  • Brokers

  • Finance

Whereas North Sydney primarily comprises:

  • Technology

  • Infrastructure

  • Financial investment

Although any of these locations are great, it's essential to understand which area comprises what demographic. This will ensure you acquire an office space in Sydney that is better suited for your industry, and you can use the fully furnished offices available.

Virtual offices in Sydney

Many small and large businesses choose a virtual office for many different reasons.

A virtual office lets businesses maintain a prestigious address, provide phone answering services, and handle mail without physically occupying full-time office space.

  • Recent Shifts: Post-pandemic, many businesses prefer remote or hybrid models, making virtual offices an attractive, cost-effective option.

  • Key Locations: Chifley Tower, International Towers Barangaroo, and Circular Quay rank among Sydney’s top addresses.

  • Amenities: Team support for calls and mail, plus on-demand access to coworking areas or meeting rooms.

Businesses are shifting away from traditional workspaces and embracing flexible arrangements, with the virtual office being a key player in supporting such companies. However, choosing the right virtual office provider is paramount since services will always vary, and understanding this will determine future productivity.

For example, Servcorp's services are often selected as a virtual solution to replace the three key duties a physical space provides.

An address: Businesses that are no longer using the traditional 9-5 hours still need a physical and professional presence that is not their home address. Virtual offices allow businesses to select between prestigious locations such as Chifley Tower, International Towers Barangaroo, Gateway Circular Quay, Market Street, 100 Mount Street, and many other virtual office locations.

Whether their work is in person or online, most businesses still receive mail and packages. Servcorp's full-time team accepts and manages mail, so nothing is missed.

Flexible and secure workspace: your team might be working from home, but this doesn't mean they don't want a physical office space to work at home occasionally. A Servcorp virtual office also includes coworking spaces, giving employees a professional and pleasant environment to use when feeling cramped at home.

Whilst some businesses have opted to allow their team members to work from a café, given the current era of cybersecurity and privacy risks of doing business outside of a professional environment - it's simply not advisable. Coworking spaces offer unlimited free drinks, so there's no need to pay for coffee at a café!

(Related: The Best Coworking Spaces in Canberra)

Team: The past few years have proven difficult for all businesses to hire new staff. The number of employees quitting is on the rise, and as a business owner, your staff retention is detrimental to success. A Servcorp virtual office includes a fully trained team of experts, including a receptionist to answer business calls and secretarial support to tackle many tasks.

Coworking Spaces in Sydney

Coworking spaces have grown in popularity over the last few years, not only because of how cost-effective they are but also because of what they offer.

Coworking spaces offer desks and communal environments that foster collaboration and networking.

  • Who Uses It? Freelancers, creatives, solo professionals, or mobile sales teams.

  • Benefits: Flexible day passes or monthly memberships, built-in networking events, and amenities like coffee and high-speed Wi-Fi.

  • North Sydney Scene: A dynamic mix of industries (accounting, law, cybersecurity, real estate), harbour views, and prime proximity to the CBD.

Don't confuse coworking spaces as a desk and chair to work from. It offers a community to socialise and network with, which can ultimately lead to many future business opportunities.

Coworking spaces in Sydney CBD primarily comprise:

  • Creative industry

  • Sole traders

  • Sales teams

  • Freelancers

Primarily, coworking spaces in Sydney are full of workers who are always on the move.

Business types that use coworking spaces in North Sydney

Interestingly, North Sydney offers a unique melting pot of many industries in its coworking spaces. From accounting, law firms, cybersecurity, real estate, and logistics, the community is large, and there are plenty of networking opportunities.

Fantastic harbour views also accompany coworking spaces in North Sydney and offer between open or private spaces to ensure there's a tailored solution for every individual.

Key Landmarks & Nearby Amenities

When picking an office location, it’s crucial to note the landmarks, transport hubs, and amenities surrounding it. Below are some hotspots:

Sydney CBD / Martin Place

  • NSW Parliament, Federal & Supreme Courts

  • Martin Place train station and various gyms

  • High-end restaurants, hotels, and cultural sites

Chifley Square

  • Wilson Parking, Royal Botanical Gardens

  • Sofitel Hotel, Insurance & Law Firm Headquarters

  • Easy access to major transport routes

Barangaroo

  • Crown Sydney, King Street Wharf

  • Premium dining, high-end residential areas

  • A modern “green” precinct with parks and waterfront views

North Sydney (e.g., 100 Mount Street)

  • Microsoft, Service NSW, U.S. Consulate General

  • Meriton Suites, plenty of parking

  • Quick drive to the Sydney Opera House, airport access

Parramatta / Macquarie Street

  • Children’s Court, train station

  • Growing business hub with large corporate presence

  • Range of hotels and gyms

Market Street

  • Town Hall train station & light rail

  • Apple Sydney, Queen Victoria Building

  • Hotels, shopping, and dining

Things to do in Sydney

It's essential to be aware of the regular festivities and events in Sydney to improve your work life!

For example, Sydney's famous Vivid Festival, which drew in 3.28 million people this year, is one of the most anticipated events for enjoying lights, performances, and food. Plenty of business conventions, such as the World Business Forum Sydney and other business networking events, are great for learning or being presented with new opportunities.

There is also plenty to do in North Sydney.

After its bustling Monday-to-Friday business environment, the weekends quickly become a relaxed and family-friendly location. North Sydney is great for enjoying nature, with many beautiful parks lining the harbour and giving stunning views of the harbour bridge.

You can also visit the Ted Mack Civic Park farmers market, which happens twice a month and is a great place to check out some stalls.

Are you thinking about getting your own office space in Sydney? Contact us to receive expert guidance throughout your journey.

Read more office space guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

The average cost of office space in Sydney CBD ranges from $650 to $1,250 per square meter per year, depending on building grade, amenities, and exact location. Serviced offices or coworking spaces typically offer flexible monthly memberships from around $500 to $1,500 per desk per month.

Serviced offices provide private, fully-furnished offices with included services such as reception, mail handling, and utilities. Coworking spaces, however, offer shared workspaces designed to promote collaboration, networking, and community, typically at a lower cost and with more flexible contracts.

Technology companies thrive in North Sydney due to its strong presence of leading global tech brands (e.g., Microsoft, Cisco, NBN). It’s also slightly more cost-effective than Sydney CBD and offers excellent transport and networking opportunities.

North Sydney provides more affordable rates, abundant parking, easier motorway access, and proximity to the CBD (just 5 minutes by car or two train stops). It also has a thriving tech and corporate community, making it an ideal alternative to central Sydney.

Virtual offices offer businesses a prestigious Sydney address, professional mail handling, and receptionist services without physical office overhead costs. They also often provide occasional access to coworking spaces or meeting rooms, ideal for hybrid teams or remote businesses maintaining professionalism without full-time rental commitments.

Yes. North Sydney is highly suitable for startups, offering lower rental costs compared to the CBD, excellent infrastructure, strong networking opportunities, and proximity to prominent companies in tech, finance, and media. Its vibrant community and easy accessibility make it attractive for startups seeking growth and visibility.

A serviced office provides fully furnished spaces, flexible leasing terms, all-inclusive utilities, and immediate move-in convenience. Traditional leases typically involve longer contracts (often 3–5 years), upfront fit-out costs, and additional management responsibilities, making serviced offices more attractive for businesses seeking agility.

Sydney regularly hosts high-profile events beneficial for networking and business exposure, including Vivid Sydney, the World Business Forum Sydney, Sydney Build Expo, and various industry-specific conferences at ICC Sydney.

Offices in Martin Place are near key landmarks including the NSW Parliament, the Federal and Supreme Courts, State Library, Martin Place train station, and numerous high-quality restaurants, hotels, and fitness centers.

Coworking spaces offer startups and entrepreneurs affordable, flexible spaces with networking opportunities, access to professional communities, and lower overheads. Additionally, coworking encourages collaboration, making it particularly appealing for new and fast-growing businesses.

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