Liveability
Melbourne’s liveability elements rank high within the business community, particularly among expatriate workers. Elements highlighted by Business Consultation Program participants include access to affordable living and entertainment, quality dining, all-year-round sports and the events and cultural calendar. Transport connections, quality education and parks and gardens are also very appealing to workers.
These liveability elements are consistent with the findings from the HSBC 2009 Expat Explorer Survey (of 27 countries), in which Australia scored top for children’s integration, health and wellbeing, and scored third for the level of childcare. Respondents reported a 66 per cent increase in the amount of time spent outdoors compared to their home country. They also favoured access to free entertainment, seeing a direct link with saving more money and home ownership.
Read more about Melbourne’s livability.
Knowledge city
Melbourne is well-positioned as a knowledge capital. The city combines world-class research facilities and infrastructure, tertiary education institutions, availability of skilled workers who live and work in the city, as well as a good reputation as a centre for science and education. Clean technology and biotechnology are prime examples of how these elements interact successfully to place Melbourne as a strong competitor in the world arena.
Program participants see City of Melbourne’s role as a key provider of research services.
Melbourne is considered a leading city for superior quality higher education, not only in Australia but also internationally. City Research and Knowledge Melbourne have a key role to play in strengthening and promoting Melbourne’s capabilities and its reputation in this area.
Read more about Melbourne as a knowledge city.
An international business brand for Melbourne
Australia is recognised internationally as a great tourism destination, which can, for international businesses based in Melbourne, make it challenging to be recognised as a business destination. There was concern that Melbourne is not well recognised as a ‘city of substance’, with limited international awareness of the its capabilities in medical research and biotechnology, clean technology and manufacturing, financial services and creative industries.
Participants believe Council has a significant role to play in positioning Melbourne internationally as a competitive business centre.
During 2011, City of Melbourne led business missions to China and Japan to ensure Melbourne remains competitive with our major business partners.
Read more about our international programs.
Melbourne’s advantage as a business location
Melbourne has a strong and diverse economy. This has been identified as a great advantage over other Australian capitals in the global financial crisis. Since then, the business activity in Melbourne has remained steady and secure. This was believed to be in grand part due to Melbourne’s variety in industry sectors and mixed economy. In contrast, participants' view was that other capital cities experienced a sudden halt to their economy due to the impact of the crisis, in particular, on the financial services and insurance sectors.
Participants find it easy to deal with government in Melbourne and in Australia, with clear process and structure. The Boardroom Burden Report Card 2010 by the Australian Institute of Company Directors ranked Victoria as the top performing legislative environment for company directors in Australia.
There is a consistent view that skilled workers have a preference for organisations based in the city, because of the lifestyle and amenities that this provides. Employers are aware that moving out of the municipality compromises their ability to attract and retain certain types of skilled workers.
The availability of real estate is highly valued by businesses. Participants highlighted the importance of the good mix of commercial space that is available for retail, hospitality and offices, with a range of property options from affordable spaces for start-ups to high end office spaces for large corporations.
Read more about Melbourne's location advantages.