Picking a Coworking Space in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Choose a coworking space in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane by working backwards from your day: the hours you keep, the calls you take and the desk you need. Trial a space at your real working hours before you sign anything. This guide is for remote employees, freelancers and small teams, whether you live in these cities or are setting up a base there.

Why do Australia's east coast cities suit remote work?

Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are large cities, and each has coworking spaces ranging from single desks to private offices. That gives you choice, which is useful because spaces differ a lot in noise, layout and community. It also means you should compare a few instead of taking the first one near your home.

How do time zones affect your working day?

If your team or clients are overseas, time zones shape your week more than the view from your desk. Sydney and Melbourne observe daylight saving in summer, while Brisbane does not, so the time difference between Brisbane and the other two changes during the year. You can check current offsets on timeanddate's list of Australian time zones.

Practical steps:

• List the hours your colleagues are online and mark the overlap with your local day.
• If the overlap falls in your early morning or late evening, ask whether the space gives you out-of-hours access.
• Put daylight saving change dates in your team calendar so meetings do not slip by an hour.

What should I look for in each city?

Each city has a different feel, and it is worth visiting before you decide. Think about how you get there, because a space that adds a long commute removes the benefit of leaving home.

Sydney

Sydney is spread out, so location matters. Check how far the space is from your home or from the places where you meet clients, and compare the options near public transport.

Melbourne

Melbourne has many spaces across the centre and inner suburbs. If you work in a creative field, ask which events the space runs and whether members actually take part.

Brisbane

Brisbane is more compact in the centre. Because the city does not shift its clocks in summer, check how that fits with your team's schedule before choosing hours.

How do I test a space before joining?

Ask for a day pass or a trial. During it, work the way you normally would, not the way you would on a good day.

1. Arrive at your usual start time and note how busy it is.
2. Join a video call and listen for background noise, both what you hear and what others hear from you.
3. Run a speed test and upload a large file.
4. Find the nearest phone booth or meeting room and ask how booking works.
5. Stay through a full afternoon to see how the energy changes.

Our article on running workshops in coworking spaces shows what a good meeting room should offer if your team plans to host sessions.

Is the desk setup comfortable enough?

Comfort is easy to ignore on a trial day and obvious by the end of the month. Check that the chair adjusts, that your screen sits at a sensible height and that you can keep your forearms supported while typing. OSHA's guidance on computer workstations explains chair, monitor and keyboard positioning in plain terms, and you can use it as a checklist when you walk around a space. If a space cannot adjust the setup, a laptop stand and a separate keyboard in your bag solve much of the problem, as covered in our portable home office kit.

What should I ask about price and contract?

Prices vary widely by city, suburb and type of desk, so get quotes in writing and compare like with like: hot desk, dedicated desk or private office. Ask these questions:

• What notice period applies if I leave?
• Can the price change during my term?
• What is included: meeting room hours, printing, guest passes, after-hours access?
• Can I move to a bigger or smaller option if my team changes?

Should I bring my team or work alone?

Solo workers usually value community and a quiet seat. Small teams need meeting rooms, lockable storage and a place to leave equipment. If you want to meet people in your field, look at how members connect, a topic we cover in our post on finding community at meetups.

What is a sensible way to decide?

Shortlist three spaces, trial each for a day, and score them on commute, noise, connection, desk comfort and cost. Choose the one that fits your working hours and keeps you comfortable. Revisit the choice after three months and move if it is not working, since most spaces make that easier than a long lease would.