Melbourne, the coastal capital of the state of Victoria, is sprinkled liberally with plazas, bars, and restaurants, many of which are perched idyllically by the Yarra River. Indeed, with its calming beachside setting, enticing entertainment spots, and array of cultural venues, it’s little wonder that anyone gets any work done in Melbourne at all.
A view of glistening skyscrapers in Downtown Melbourne (Photo: Aaron May via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
In keeping with its typically relaxed coastal vibe and leisurely pace of life, Melbourne has a vibrant co-working community, with freelancers and start-ups working communally in laid back work spaces optimised for collaboration, communication and socialising. If you’re planning to spend time in Melbourne and would like to use a co-working space during your stay, we’ve picked out 12 of the city’s best.
The Commons
With three separate locations spread across Melbourne, The Commons is one of Melbourne’s most well-known coworking options. All members have free use of the open desk area in any of the three city spaces, as well as the chance to book meeting rooms and attend on-site social events such as yoga, meditation and stretch classes. Flexible month-by-month memberships are ideal for temporary visitors to the city who may want irregular access only. Pricing starts at AU$410 per month for open desk usage. Among the impressive recreational facilities to be found across the three spaces include a golf simulator, record lounge, arcade machine, ping pong table, quiet zones, and outdoor terraces. There are also wellness programmes and regular events, ranging from Wine Tastings to TedTalk style presentations.
LOCATIONS Collingwood, South Melbourne & Melbourne CBD WEBSITE www.thecommons.com.au
(Photo: The Commons)
YBF Ventures
YBF Ventures (formerly York Butter Factory) is synonymous with technology in Australia. Founded in 2011, it was one of the country’s first coworking tech and innovation hubs, and continues to lead the way in helping startups grow, scaleups to succeed, and corporates to innovate. Members tend to come from cutting edge tech-based fields including AI, machine learning, fintech, legaltech, proptech, Web 3.0, big data and more. Pricing starts at $585 per month for a dedicated desk, and there are also private offices and part floors available, as well as free monthly Open Coworking Days. On-site services and amenities include desks and ergonomic chairs, super-fast WiFi, free community breakfasts, fairtrade coffee and luxury tea, and regular learning events such as coding sessions, blockchain workshops, pitch nights and pitch coaching sessions.
LOCATION 520 Bourke Street WEBSITE www.ybfventures.com
(Photo: YBF Ventures)
The Cluster
Located centrally in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, The Cluster is a bright, inspiring and professional coworking space with gorgeous views over the City and the Yarra River, and with a front of house staff that help make guests feel right at home. The venue offers a full range of membership types, from flexible plans starting at AU$45/week to permanent desks and private offices, ensuring there’s something to suit every need. They also have serviced meeting rooms, a business lounge, and some killer event spaces.
LOCATION 17/31 Queen Street WEBSITE www.thecluster.com.au
(Photo: The Cluster)
Nous House
A boutique co-working community, Nous House’s Melbourne location in the city’s Central Business District is home to private offices, desks and common spaces, all designed to inspire interactive, collaborative work in a productive environment. The all-inclusive memberships are flexible, with no lock in contracts and available on a month-to-month basis. Rates start at $200 for hot desk access up to 4 times a month, as well as meeting room booking and printing privileges included in the membership. On-site amenities and services include high-speed WiFi, 24/7 building access, lockers, a communal kitchen, tea & coffee, snacks, and frequent community events.
LOCATION Level 19/567 Collins Street WEBSITE www.noushouse.co
(Photo: Nous House)
CreativeCubes.Co
Located in the heart of South Melbourne, close to the famous South Melbourne Markets and in the same building as a well-equipped health club, Creative Cubes is a popular collaborative community used by freelancers and start-ups. The venue offers a range of hot desks and private offices in a fully furnished space for up to 350 people. Memberships for shared space access start at AU$350 per month and day passes are available for AU$39 per day. There’s also a dedicated Happiness Team who are on hand to ensure all the needs of members are met.
LOCATION 534 Church Street, Richmond WEBSITE www.creativecubes.co
(Photo: CreativeCubes.Co)
South Hive Coworking
Situated in a renovated warehouse in the heart of South Melbourne village, South Hive Coworking provides a mix of private studios, partitioned team areas, open plan work stations and meeting rooms to suit individual freelancers, start-ups and small-to-medium sized businesses. The cheapest membership is for part time desks which gives you access to a shared space three days a week between 8.30am and 5.30pm, priced at AU$350 per month. Amenities include private phone booths, kitchen and shower facilities, fruit bowls, and tea/coffee machines.
LOCATION 133 Market Street WEBSITE www.southhive.com.au
(Photo: South Hive Coworking)
Altitude Cowork
Self-styled as combining a local community feel with premium services, Altitude is located in Melbourne’s Central Business District and is equipped with the latest in technology, all designed to provide freelancers and small businesses with a productive work environment. Desks can be booked for the day, or by week or month, with fixed or hot desk prices starting at AU$475 per month, complete with lockable storage facilities. All utilities are included along with high-speed internet, an on-site concierge and other amenities including communal breakout spaces that give members a chance to meet and engage with like-minded folk.
LOCATION Level 7/575 Bourke Street WEBSITE www.altitudecowork.com.au
(Photo: Altitude Cowork)
Depo8
Established in 2012, depo8 is a large warehouse space spread across two levels that welcomes freelancers, small businesses and startups to make use of a flexible range of shared or private work space options. Full time dedicated desks are priced at AU$99 per week and includes 24/7 access, use of meeting rooms, quiet rooms and break out areas, high speed WIFi and spacious draw space. Hourky desk hire is also available for AU$5 per hour up to a maximum of 6 hours a day from 9am to5pm Monday to Friday. There’s also a kitchen, lounge area and dining room for up to 10 people.
LOCATION Level 1/39-41 Mount Street, Prahran WEBSITE www.depo8.com
(Photo: Depo8 Coworking)
Framework
Framework is a coworking space occupied by designers, developers, videographers, copywriters, marketing professionals, and all types of Melbourne creatives. There are flexible options to suit the way you work, letting you secure your own desk or use the space as you need, with part time and casual options also available. Permanent desks start at AU$600 per month (including meeting room access), part-time at AU$170 per month, and casual day passes at AU$75 per day.
LOCATION Suite 1, Level 1/458 Swanston Street, Carlton WEBSITE www.framework.melbourne
(Photo: Framework)
Work Club
Set in the heart of the highly regarded Collins Street in the Royal Bank Chambers building, Work Club’s Melbourne outpost is conveniently close to transport, shops, cafes and restaurants. Split across two levels, the space offers a range of options for all professional needs, including both open and private spaces. Premium memberships provide dedicated desks with unlimited 24/7 access to any of the venue’s spaces, or for those who prefer flexibility, Associate membership entitles two days’ access per week, also with all areas and services at your disposal. On-site services and amenities include print and copying, meeting rooms, concierge, a library, a Club bar, tea & coffee, and regular events.
LOCATION 2/287 Collins Street WEBSITE www.workclubglobal.com
(Photo: Work Club Global)
Dimension5
Dimension5 is designed to promote creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovative thinking among individuals and smaller teams or organisations. Its creative co-working space promotes ‘positive human collisions’, sparks innovation and entrepreneurship across technology, start-ups, business and social enterprises. The space is spread across 1,100 square metres, and is located across the road from Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens, a few minutes’ walk or tram ride from the heart of the city’s Central Business District. Catalyst memberships are priced at AU $420 per month and provide unlimited 24/7 hot desk usage and meeting room access, plus printing services, tea & coffee, mentoring opportunities and regular community events. Day passes are also available for AU$35.
LOCATION 10 Dorcas Street, Southbank WEBSITE www.dimension5hub.com.au
(Photo: Dimension5)
Thrive Network
Thrive Network’s premium coworking and shared office space is located in South Melbourne and invites solo workers, startups, small businesses and teams to work in a warm and welcoming environment. The space itself is light-filled and beautifully designed and furnished, all of which adds to the atmosphere. You can choose from full time, flexible and part time package starting at AU$350 per month, or AU$40 for day passes. Amenities include printers, bike storage, showers, kitchens, and lockers. All members also have access to training seminars, workshops, mentor services, and monthly social events.
LOCATION 52 Albert Road, South Melbourne WEBSITE www.thethrivenetwork.com.au
(Photo: Thrive Network)