12 March 2026
Melbourne Architecture and Design Market Update 2026
Here is what our industry experts have been seeing in Melbourne
Previously cautious following the pandemic, Melbourne is now benefiting from increasing growth in residential and mixed-use developments and interiors, including hospitality, retail, healthcare, aged care and workplace design. Skills shortages persist with experienced job seekers in high demand, but limited project budgets may mean high salary expectations fall short.Â
Â
Sector buoyancyÂ
- Specific sectors showing resilience and growth include social housing, build-to-rent and higher end multi-residential. Â
- Adaptive re-use, urban renewal projects, and sustainable design mandates are also positively influencing project mobilisation.Â
- High-end residential and mixed-use developments are rebounding, following cautious post-pandemic investment cycles.Â
- Interior design demand has expanded beyond hospitality and retail into healthcare, aged care and workplace wellbeing-focused spaces.Â
Â
In demand roles and skillsÂ
- Architectural Documenter, Project Architects, and BIM Coordinators are in high demand, particularly those with Revit fluency and large-scale project experience.Â
- Interior Designers with experience in workplace, healthcare and hospitality are increasingly sought-after with a strong FF&E sensibility.Â
- Demand for talent in Business Support roles is increasing, particularly in communications, marketing and new business.Â
- Cross-disciplinary skills – such as urban planning, heritage restoration, or digital design – are increasingly attractive to employers.Â
Â
ChallengesÂ
- Skills shortages persist, particularly mid- to senior-level talent with local experience and hands on Revit or ArchiCAD skills.Â
- Salary expectations are rising faster than project budgets, creating tension in hiring negotiations.Â
- Studios are navigating a delicate balance between flexibility and in-person collaboration, especially for junior staff needing mentorship.Â
 Â
Job seeker prioritiesÂ
- Work-life balance and flexible hybrid models (including WFH) remain consistent priorities across all role types.Â
- Many job seekers are prioritising studios with a clear design ethos, purpose-driven projects, and visible career progression opportunities.Â
- Professional development and mentorship are particularly important to early-career job seekers looking for more than just project exposure.Â
- Interior Designers and creative support staff are increasingly drawn to collaborative studio cultures, good leadership, and work environments that value creativity and wellbeing.Â
- Stability and job security remain front of mind, especially in response to market uncertainty and delayed project rollouts.Â
Search for architecture and design jobs here
-
Architecture
-
All Architecture
Select sub classifications-
Senior Architectural Technician
-
Intermediate Architect
-
Junior Architect
-
Senior Design Manager
-
Associate Director
-
Architectural Technician
-
Design Manager
-
Associate
-
Director
-
Graduate jobs
-
Senior Architect
-
-
Landscape & Urban Design
-
All Landscape & Urban Design
Select sub classifications-
Senior Landscape Technician
-
Landscape Technician
-
Senior Landscape Architect
-
Intermediate Landscape Architect
-
Junior Landscape Architect
-
Strategic Planner
-
Senior Strategic Planner
-
Associate Director
-
Principal
-
Associate Landscape Architect
-
Associate Planner
-
Senior Statutory Planner
-
Statutory Planner
-
Senior Urban Planner
-
Urban Planner
-
Senior Associate Landscape Architect
-
Graduate jobs
-
-
Strategic Appointments
-
All Strategic Appointments
Select sub classifications-
CFO
-
Sector Lead
-
Associate Principal
-
COO
-
Design Director
-
Head of Business Development
-
Technical Lead
-
Associate Director
-
Design Lead
-
Principal
-
Director
-
Partner
-
Managing Director
-
Graduate jobs
-
-
Interior Design
-
All Interior Design
Select sub classifications-
Director
-
Junior FF&E Designer
-
Senior Interior Architect
-
Interior Architect
-
Junior Interior Architect
-
Senior Interior Designer
-
Intermediate Interior Designer
-
Junior Interior Designer
-
Associate Director
-
Associate
-
Intermediate FF&E Designer
-
Senior FF&E Designer
-
Graduate jobs
-
-
Architectural & Interior Products
-
All Architectural & Interior Products
Select sub classifications-
Junior Account Manager
-
Specification Manager
-
Procurement Coordinator
-
Showroom Manager
-
Showroom Assistant
-
Sales Representative
-
Procurement Manager
-
Sales Support
-
Marketing
-
Sales Manager
-
Business Development Manager
-
Account Manager
-
Production Manager
-
Project Manager
-
Graduate jobs
-
-
Business Support
-
All Business Support
Select sub classifications-
Studio/Practice Management
-
Project Manager/Coordinator
-
Graphic Design
-
Bid Specialists
-
Document Control/Project Admin
-
Marketing & Communications
-
PA/EA
-
Reception/Front of House
-
Facilities
-
IT
-
Administration
-
Operations
-
Finance
-
HR
-
Business Development
-
Graduate jobs
-
-
Jobs at Bespoke
-
All Jobs at Bespoke
Select sub classifications-
Graduate jobs
-
Recruiter
-
Team Coordinator
-
Other
-
Latest architecture and design jobs around the world
QLD
$120,000 - $140,000
Permanent
Calling Project Architects! Are you In the Business of Crafting Modern Lifestyles through Design? We need you!
Learn MoreVIC
$90,000 - $110,000
Permanent
Coordinate winning submissions for one of Australia's leading design practices in this 8-9 month maternity leave opportunity
Learn MoreVIC
$75,000 - $85,000
Permanent
Ambitious Architectural Graduate sought! Unique opportunity for a Graduate with healthcare experience.
Learn MoreVIC
$75,000 - $85,000
Permanent
Be involved in meaningful Education projects within a leading Melbourne practice.
Learn MoreVIC
$90,000 - $95,000
Permanent
Lead inspiring education projects with a passionate, design forwards team
Learn MoreNSW
$90,000 - $110,000
Permanent
Marketing Manager | Join a Leading Architectural Lighting Brand
Learn MoreNew York
$85,000 - $105,000
Permanent
An award-winning Landscape Firm is looking for a Landscape Designer with excellent digital and BIM skills to work on a diverse range of high-caliber p ...
Learn MoreLondon
$35,000 - $43,500
Permanent
Central London, international Architecture practice, working alongside an Associate within the Projects team that consists of x40 professionals, offer ...
Learn MoreQLD
$55 - $65
Contract
Join a purpose-led design studio on multi-res projects | Contract ASAP Start
Learn MoreVIC
$80,000 - $90,000
Permanent
Showroom Consultant to join legacy tile and surface supplier - opportunity to learn from the ground up
Learn MoreNSW
$115,000 - $125,000
Permanent
Talented architect to join this award winning high-end residential studio working on beautiful houses
Learn MoreNSW
$90,000 - $110,000
Permanent
Award-winning design studio is seeking an experienced Graduate or Architect with private residential experience to support construction/site stages
Learn MoreVIC
$150,000 - $160,000
Permanent
Join a dynamic, innovative team and leverage your strategic marketing and digital expertise to help shape the future of design and project work
Learn MoreNSW
$125,000 - $140,000
Permanent
Talented senior architect to join this award winning high-end residential studio working on beautiful houses
Learn MoreNew York
$48,000 - $55,000
Permanent
A highly respected architecture and planning practice focused on community-centered, sustainable, and socially impactful projects is seeking an Admini ...
Learn MoreLondon
$300 - $350
Permanent
Bespoke Careers are proud to support Article 25 to source applicants in their search for a Bid Writer
Learn MoreNorth West England
$45,000 - $55,000
Permanent
Great opportunity to join a well-established Manchester practice and take on a role with genuine responsibility across design, technical delivery and ...
Learn MoreNSW
$105,000 - $120,000
Permanent
Opportunity for a Senior Landscape Architect & expert planting designer to join a leading, high-end residential Landscape design practice
Learn More
Looking to hire top talent
or advance your career? Let's talk.
We connect exceptional firms with talented professionals.
Let’s discuss how we can help you achieve your goals. Get in touch with the team today.
Related searches
Browse by category
Related Posts
Feeling unheard, representing the underestimated, the approachable face of architecture, and a RIBA that feels like a community.
Bespoke Careers sponsors the AJ100 Employer of the Year Award, which recognises UK architectural firms with market-leading workplace cultures.
Lucy Cahill, Bespoke Careers London director and AJ100 awards judge, discusses what it takes for a firm to be recognised as Employer of the Year and the ingredients of HTA Design’s success.
Martin reflects on his journey from rural Tasmania to New York, the balance between creativity and technical skill in architecture, and his work as an advocate for queer visibility and inclusion through Build Out Alliance.