finance
Adelaide CBD Market Trends: Data Businesses Need to Watch Now
Recent figures show steady job gains and office absorption that local operators should factor into hiring and leasing plans.
How we reported this
The City of Adelaide recorded 5.7 percent economic growth in the last fiscal year along with a three-year average Gross Regional Product increase of 6.6 percent, according to data from economy.id.com.au. Local employment in the CBD rose from roughly 142,000 positions in 2019 to 170,000 in 2023, a 19 percent gain that coincided with a 10 percent increase in GST-registered businesses above pre-pandemic levels.
These numbers matter for operators because worker spending and office demand directly affect daily revenue and space costs. The 172,652 people employed across the CBD and North Adelaide already generate an estimated 2.5 billion dollars in annual local expenditure, with the figure tied to the 29 percent share of the City of Adelaide workforce located in those precincts.
Office absorption and rental movement
Adelaide's CBD office market posted 115,500 square metres of positive net absorption between the first quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2025. Prime-grade rents advanced 13.0 percent as of the first quarter of 2025, figures drawn from aedasa.com.au investment insights. The same period saw GST-registered businesses climb to 12,338, up from 11,129 in 2019.
Businesses evaluating new leases or expansions should note that the absorption occurred alongside a shift toward residential uses. City plans aim to lift the CBD resident population to 50,000 by 2036, a target outlined in strategic documents from aedasa.com.au that frame the area as both a residential and innovation hub.
Practical steps for operators
Companies can review current lease terms against the recorded rental growth and absorption totals before committing to additional space. Monitoring daily worker footfall, which reached 94 percent of pre-pandemic levels on peak days, offers one indicator for adjusting staffing or service hours. Firms planning workforce growth may also track the 19 percent job increase recorded between 2019 and 2023 to benchmark hiring targets.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.