Canberra June 2025 Commercial & Industrial Market Update

Canberra’s commercial and industrial property sectors remain highly specialised but increasingly active in June 2025. While the city lacks large-scale logistics activity seen in the capitals, it more than makes up for it through government-driven office stability, growing private sector professional tenancy demand, and a rapidly maturing industrial footprint on the city’s fringes. Demand for high-quality office space remains elevated in core civic and parliamentary zones, while outer suburbs like Fyshwick, Beard, and Hume are expanding to meet warehouse and trade supply needs. Defence contracts, population growth, and ACT government land releases are fuelling steady investment in a market known for consistency and security.

Civic and Parliamentary Precinct Office Market Remains Strong

Canberra’s government precincts continue to attract long-term tenancy deals and investment confidence. While national CBDs struggle with oversupply and work-from-home impacts, Canberra’s office core benefits from stable, multi-decade federal leasing and fit-for-purpose building demand.

• New leasing activity is focused in Civic, Barton, and Parkes, where federal departments require modern ESG-compliant fitouts

• Institutional investors are targeting A-grade and repositioned B-grade buildings with strong covenant tenants

• Rents remain stable, with core office yields between 5.0–5.5%, supported by secure long-term occupancy

Government and Defence Fuel Consistent Demand

As the administrative capital of Australia, Canberra’s commercial property market is heavily influenced by federal defence and public sector operations. This continues to drive leasing and land acquisition in targeted locations, particularly for supporting contractors and logistics providers.

• The Department of Defence continues to anchor demand for secure office, research, and warehousing assets

• Suburbs like Symonston and Deakin are strongholds for private consultants and support service providers

• Private groups aligned with government tenders are expanding operations into flexible strata office suites and mid-scale office campuses

Fyshwick and Beard Expand as Key Trade Supply Hubs

Industrial demand is strongest in Fyshwick and adjoining Beard, where land availability, zoning alignment, and access to arterial roads make them ideal for service and distribution-based businesses. These suburbs are evolving into Canberra’s dominant industrial and bulky goods precincts.

• Fyshwick is seeing demand from automotive, hardware, HVAC, and civil contractors, especially for showroom-warehouse hybrid units

• Beard continues to deliver new small lot industrial subdivisions that suit local operators and trade businesses

• Rental rates have climbed to $140–$180/sqm for new builds, driven by low vacancy and developer caution on speculative delivery

Hume and Symonston Support Larger-Scale Industrial Expansion

For larger format logistics and light manufacturing, Hume remains the top destination. With increasing connectivity to the Monaro Highway and Canberra Airport, the precinct is attracting tenants needing scale, security, and space to operate with minimal constraints.

• Tenants in Hume are seeking 2,000–5,000sqm facilities with hardstand access and high-clearance warehousing

• Owner-occupier demand is growing for freestanding buildings with expansion capacity and secure yard

• Symonston offers proximity to federal infrastructure and strong take-up from telecoms, utilities, and tech service providers

Suburban Strata Office and Medical Precincts Show Growth

Outside the civic core, suburban commercial property in areas like Belconnen, Woden, and Gungahlin is benefiting from population growth and higher local service demand. Developers are delivering strata offices, medical centres, and co-working spaces aligned with Canberra’s growing professional population.

• Medical and allied health suites are performing well in Gungahlin, Braddon, and Phillip, with low vacancy

• Suburban strata offices are attracting owner-occupiers and professional services firms seeking affordable, fitted space

• Lifestyle amenity and government service proximity are key factors in leasing success across these nodes

Market Outlook: Resilient, Predictable, and Underrated

Canberra’s property market remains a national outlier — not due to volatility, but its predictability. This is its strength. For investors, developers, and tenants focused on long-term stability, Canberra offers well-leased office towers, expanding suburban trade zones, and tenant loyalty rarely seen in larger metros.

• Commercial and industrial vacancy remains low, with minimal speculative oversupply

• Rents are stable across both civic and fringe locations, with incremental growth across key trade assets

• Federal and ACT government policy remains supportive of planning, land release, and commercial investment

How Commercial Property Marketing Can Help

At Commercial Property Marketing, we help position Canberra projects with a national lens. Whether you’re leasing government-aligned space, marketing small-lot industrial, or launching a civic fringe strata development, our renders, visual assets, and marketing strategy give your asset the clarity and presence it needs.