Need a short break from the desk grind? There are tarot cards for that. They are among a suite of wellness incentives, including meditation, breathwork, chakra yoga, lymphatic massage, and myotherapy, to be offered to more than 27,000 office workers across Australia.
Mirvac, one of the country’s largest office owners, is spearheading this innovative program, set to be rolled out across eight major city high-rises in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. This new-age initiative extends beyond traditional office perks like gyms and team breakfasts, aiming to entice employees back into the office and reduce the number of empty spaces in central business districts (CBDs).
Reimagining Workplace Wellness
“Wellness is a term that everyone throws around, but we just thought, ‘What can we do for our customers that goes beyond that traditional amenity and really supports people connecting?’” says Kate Beech, Mirvac’s general manager of office. “What can we give people to talk about? What can we get people to be excited about that’s perhaps a bit left of centre?”
Workplace wellness has become a crucial strategy for many owners of large city offices across Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 36 percent of working Australians still adhere to work-from-home arrangements. This trend has contributed to rising national office vacancy rates, with the latest Property Council of Australia figures showing an increase from 15.2 percent to 15.9 percent over the six months to January 2026.
“I think from an owner perspective, we just want to make sure that our assets remain relevant, competitive,” Beech says.
Impact and Implementation
The program is initially launching at Heritage Lanes in Brisbane, several key locations in Melbourne including 35 and 55 Collins Street, Collins Place, 380 St Kilda Road, and 477 Collins Street. In Sydney, it will be introduced at 400 George Street, 275 Kent Street, 8 Chifley Square, and 200 George Street. The 7 Spencer Street, North Wharf precinct in Docklands will also join the program once completed later this year.
Mirvac’s wellness program was co-designed by Florence Guild, the luxury curated space and events company behind The Sandstones Club in Sydney. All wellness offerings underwent a six-month trial at four buildings across Sydney. The results were promising, showing that more than 60 percent of users were female, with naturopathy, astrology readings, and chiropractic sessions being the most popular programs.
“As owners, we just want to support our tenants and our customers because more utilization and people wanting to come into the office, obviously, those businesses get that collaboration connection for their people, and that relates straight back to attention for their staff. And we just love having full buildings,” Beech adds.
The Future of Office Spaces
This development follows a broader trend of redefining office spaces to meet evolving employee expectations. As remote work continues to be a significant part of the professional landscape, companies like Mirvac are exploring creative solutions to make office environments more appealing. By incorporating elements of wellness that resonate with employees, such as astrology readings and holistic health practices, businesses aim to foster a sense of community and engagement among their workforce.
The move represents a shift towards a more holistic approach to employee well-being, recognizing that mental and emotional health are as important as physical fitness. As the program expands, it could set a precedent for other organizations looking to rejuvenate their office spaces and enhance employee satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the success of such initiatives could influence how office spaces are designed and utilized in the future, with a greater emphasis on creating environments that support diverse wellness practices. As companies continue to adapt to the changing dynamics of work, the integration of wellness programs may become a standard feature in the modern workplace.
