In 2023, Intellectual Property (IP) Australia identified an opportunity to optimise the use of office space at Discovery House. At the time, approximately 4,000 square meters of office space was vacant, representing an inefficient use of space that also contributed to unnecessary energy use.
Turning empty office space into a win-win
To make the most of unused space, IP Australia made the decision to sublease the space and listed it on the Australian Government Property Register (AGPR). Managed by the Department of Finance, the AGPR connects Commonwealth agencies looking to share or find office space. This listing led to two successful subleases in early 2025 with the Australian Digital Health Authority, and the Australian Research Council.
Giving furniture a second life
With less office space to manage, IP Australia had a surplus of furniture and equipment. Rather than sending perfectly usable goods to landfill, IP Australia reached out to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to see if they wanted to rehome some excess furniture. DCCEEW, which suffered significant furniture loss due to flooding at the John Gorton Building in 2024, accepted most of the items offered, including:
- desks
- chairs
- tambours
- monitor arms
- power boards
- television screens.
The remaining items were offered to IP Australia's new tenants, who accepted a range of items for use in shared spaces such as:
- lockers
- meeting room tables
- kitchen tables
- chairs and stools.
Sustainability outcomes
Subleasing unused office space resulted in:
- optimised energy efficiency. The decision to sublease saved an estimated 91 tonnes of CO2-e, contributing to the government's sustainability goals.
Giving office furniture and products a second life:
- helped DCCEEW save approximately 44 tonnes of CO2-e and avoid approximately $300,000 worth of furniture replacement costs
- promoted circular economy though inter-agency resource sharing and reuse
- actively minimised the creation of waste by diverting furniture and office equipment from landfill.
Note: Emissions savings are approximates based on publicly sourced industry averages for similar furniture items.
Learnings
- Collaboration works: Effective collaboration across Commonwealth agencies can lead to substantial environmental and financial benefits.
- Platforms matter: Using government networks to advertise and redistribute surplus assets can maximise resource efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
- Early action pays off: Identifying excess resources early and proactively engaging with stakeholders ensures smoother transitions and positive sustainability impacts.
IP Australia's initiative highlights the tangible benefits of sustainable procurement practices and cross-agency collaboration, providing a valuable model for future government projects.
Fast facts
Procurement process:
- Leveraging available government spaces.
- Engaging in cross-agency collaboration.
- Rehoming surplus furniture and office items.
Environmental outcomes:
- Reduced emissions by subleasing unused office space.
- Significant diversion of furniture waste from landfill.
- Encouraging reuse and resource efficiency.
