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List of tallest buildings in Australia facts for kids

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Sydney skyline and harbour
Sydney is home to the most high-rise buildings in the country.
Melbourne skyline - cropped and contrast
Melbourne is home to the most skyscrapers in the country with a height of over 150 metres.

Australia was one of the first countries in the world to play host to the skyscraper boom along with the United States and Canada. Australia's first skyscraper as then-defined was Melbourne's now demolished APA Building, completed in 1889, which was among the tallest buildings in the world at the time. The nation's first skyscraper as defined today by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as buildings exceeding 150 metres was the Australia Square Tower in Sydney, completed in 1967.

The vast majority of Australia's buildings which exceed 150 metres in height are located in the eastern states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, with a smaller number in Western Australia. While Australia's other states and territories contain no skyscrapers as defined, they all play host to numerous high-rise buildings.

Tallest buildings

See also: Category:Lists of tallest buildings in Australia

This list includes the tallest completed and topped out buildings in Australia that reach a height of at least 200 metres (656.2 feet), ranked by their official heights as defined by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings (in such cases, the building with the highest number of floors is listed first). The "Year" column indicates the year of completion. The list includes only habitable buildings, as opposed to structures such as observation towers, radio masts, transmission towers and chimneys.

Official heights (denoted by "O") are also known as "architectural heights", as they include spires but exclude communications masts and antennae. This is because spires form an integral part of a building's design while masts and antennae do not, being purely functional. Also included are heights "excluding spires" ("ES"), which as used here include the entire architectural structure save for architectural spires. Whilst this is not a measure used by CTBUH, the concept is nonetheless frequently referred to by skyscraper aficionados.

The Sydney Tower completed in 1981, was the first structure in any city in Australia to climb above 300m / 1,000ft standing at 309 m (1,014 ft). However it is not included in this list as it does not qualify as a skyscraper due to it having only 4 floors . The bulk of the structure above the base consists of a communications and observation tower.

     Was Australia's tallest building when completed

Rank Name Image Location Height:
m (ft)		 Floors Year Notes Reference
O ES
1 Q1 Q1 tower.jpg Gold Coast 322.5
(1,058)		 245
(804)		 78 2005 Tallest building in Australia since 2005. Tallest residential building in the world from 2005 to 2011. Q1 is short for Queensland Number One.
2 Australia 108 Australia 108 in 2021.jpg Melbourne 316.7
(1,039)		 100 2020 Tallest building in Melbourne since 2020. Tallest building in Australia to roof since 2020. Topped out in November 2019.
3 Eureka Tower Eureka Tower 0944a.jpg Melbourne 297.3
(975)		 91 2006 Tallest building in Melbourne from 2006 to 2019. Tallest building in Australia to roof from 2006 to 2019.
4 Crown Sydney Sydney 271.3
(889)		 75 2020 Tallest building in Sydney. Topped out in March 2020. Completed in December 2020.
5 Aurora Melbourne Central Aurora Melbourne Central in September 2019.png Melbourne 270.5
(887)		 84 2019
6 Brisbane Skytower Brisbane Skytower Brisbane 269.6
(885)		 90 2019 Tallest building in Brisbane since 2019.
7 West Side Place Tower A West Side Place Tower One in October 2021.jpg Melbourne 268.7
(876)		 81 2021
8 120 Collins Street 120 Collins Street, Jan. 2016.png Melbourne 265
(869)		 222.15
(729)		 52 1991 Tallest office building in Australia. Tallest building in Melbourne from 1991 to 2006. Tallest building in Australia from 1991 to 2005.
9 The One The One, Brisabane Brisbane 264
(866)		 82 2021
10 Salesforce Tower Salesforce Tower from The Rocks (2).jpg Sydney 263
(863)		 53 2022 Tallest commercial building in Sydney since 2022; structurally topped out in February 2022.
11 101 Collins Street 101 Collins Street December 2009.jpg Melbourne 260
(853)		 195
(640)		 50 1991 Tallest building in Melbourne and Australia from March to August 1991.
12 1 William Street 1 William Street, Brisbane in March 2017, at sunset.jpg Brisbane 259.8
(852)		 224
(735)		 46 2016 Tallest building in Brisbane from 2016 to 2018.
13 Ocean Skylines of Surfers Paradise, Queensland, autumn 2023, 02.jpg Gold Coast 252.3
(828)		 75 2022
14 Prima Pearl Prima Pearl January 2015 5.jpg Melbourne 254
(833)		 72 2014
15 Rialto Towers Rialto Collins Street.JPG Melbourne 251.1
(824)		 63 1986 Tallest office building in Australia to roof from 1986 to 2006. Tallest building in Melbourne from 1986 to 1991. Tallest building in Australia from 1986 to 1991.
16 Queens Place Tower 1 Queens Place North Tower in December 2022 crop.png Melbourne 249.9
(820)		 79 2021
=17 Infinity Tower Infinity Tower, Brisbane in 11.2013.jpg Brisbane 249
(817)		 81 2013 Tallest building in Brisbane from 2013 to 2016.
=17 Central Park St George Building.JPG Perth 249
(817)		 226
(741)		 51 1992 Tallest building in Perth since 1992.
19 Victoria One Victoria One, under construction in May 2017 2.jpg Melbourne 246.8
(810)		 76 2018 First proposed in 2013, construction commenced in 2014, before being completed in 2018.
20 Premier Tower

(134–160 Spencer Street)

 Premier Tower in June 2021.png Melbourne 245.9 m

(807 ft)

 78 2021 First proposed in 2014, construction commenced in 2017, before topping–out in 2020. Completed in 2021. Recognised in 7th place for the 2021 Emporis Skyscraper Award.
21 Chifley Tower Chifley Tower, August 2010.jpg Sydney 244
(801)		 216
(709)		 53 1992 Tallest building in Sydney from 1992 to 2019.
=22 Soleil Boundary Street, Spring Hill and Soleil, Brisbane, Queensland, 2020, 01.jpg Brisbane 243
(797)		 74 2011
=22 Citigroup Centre Citigroup Centre Sydney.JPG Sydney 243
(797)		 206
(676)		 50 2000
24 Soul Surfers Paradise, Queensland 14.jpg Gold Coast 242.6
(796)		 77 2012
25 Deutsche Bank Place Deutsche Bank Place skyscraper.jpg Sydney 240
(787)		 160
(525)		 39 2005 Shortest building to roof of top 30.
26 West Side Place Tower D

(250 Spencer Street)

 Melbourne 239 m

(784 ft)

 72 2023 First proposed in 2013, construction commenced in 2020, before topping–out in 2022. Second–tallest building of the West Side Place complex.
27 Greenland Centre Greenland Centre Sydney - November 2020.jpg Sydney 237
(778)		 67 2020 Topped out in July 2020. Scheduled for completion in late 2020. Tallest residential building in Sydney upon completion.
28 Swanston Central Swanston Central UC, March 2019, crop.png Melbourne 236.7
(777)		 78 2019
29 Brookfield Place BHP tower gnangarra-10.jpg Perth 234.4
(769)		 46 2011 Also known as City Square or BHP City Square
30 Shangri-La by the Gardens

(308 Exhibition Street)

 Shangri-La by the Gardens under construction in March 2022.png Melbourne 231.7 m

(760 ft)

 59 2023 First proposed in 2016, construction commenced in 2019, before topping-out in 2022. Upon completion in 2023, it will become the tallest all-hotel building in Australia, surpassing the Jewel Hotel on the Gold Coast. Taller tower of the by the Gardens development.
31 Melbourne Square Tower 1

(93–119 Kavanagh Street)

 Melbourne Square Tower 1 in November 2021.png Melbourne 231 m

(758 ft)

 70 2021 First proposed in 2017, construction commenced in 2018, before topping–out in 2020. Completed in 2021. Tallest building of the Melbourne Square complex.
=32 World Tower World tower, Sydney.jpg Sydney 230
(755)		 73 2004 Won the bronze Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2004
=32 West Side Place Tower C

(250 Spencer Street)

 Melbourne 230 m

(755 ft)

 70 2023 First proposed in 2013, construction commenced in 2020, before topping–out in 2022. 3rd–tallest building of the West Side Place complex.
34 Vision Apartments Vision Apartments, June 2016.png Melbourne 229
(751)		 70 2016
35 25 Martin Place MLC Centre Sydney.JPG Sydney 228
(748)		 60 1977 Tallest building in Australia from 1977 to 1986.
36 Governor Phillip Tower GPT from the Botanic Gardens.jpg Sydney 227
(745)		 54 1993 Incorporates the site of Australia's first Government House.
37 6 & 8 Parramatta Square 6&8 Parramatta Square Parramatta 01.png Sydney 225.45
(739.66)		 57 2022 Tallest building in Parramatta. Topped out in November 2021.
=38 568 Collins Street 568 Collins Street, in May 2017.jpg Melbourne 224
(735)		 68 2015
=38 Bourke Place Bourke Place 2008.jpg Melbourne 224
(735)		 49 1991 A 30 m communications mast sits atop the building.
40 Latitude Sydney 222
(728)		 192
(630)		 45 2004
41 Circle on Cavill North Tower Circle on Caville Towers.jpg Gold Coast 219.5
(720)		 70 2007
42 Aurora Place Aurora Place, August 2010.jpg Sydney 218.9
(718)		 188
(617)		 41 2001
43 Sapphire by the Gardens

(308 Exhibition Street)

 Sapphire by the Gardens under construction in March 2022.png Melbourne 218.8 m

(718 ft)

 57 2022 First proposed in 2016, construction commenced in 2019, before completion in 2022. Shorter tower of the by the Gardens development
=44 Light House Melbourne Light House Melbourne, May 2017, edited.jpg Melbourne 218
(715)		 69 2018
=44 Telstra Corporate Centre Telstra HQ in Melbourne cbd.png Melbourne 218
(715)		 193
(633)		 47 1992
46 380 Melbourne

(380 Lonsdale Street)

 380 Lonsdale Street Melbourne in April 2022.png Melbourne 217.5 m

(714 ft)

 67 2021 First proposed in 2014, construction commenced in 2018, before topping–out in 2020. Completed in 2021.
47 International Towers 1 International Towers Sydney tower 1.jpg Sydney 217
(711)		 49 2016
48 108 St Georges Terrace Bankwest Tower.jpg Perth 214
(702)		 50 1988 A 33 m communications mast sits atop the building.
49 180 George Street - North Tower 180 George Street - 20230523 102246.jpg Sydney 213
(699)		 67 2023 In Parramatta CBD.
50 Quay Quarter Tower Quay Quarter Tower, Governor Phillip Tower, Sydney, 2023, 03 (2).jpg Sydney 212.92
(698.5)		 52 1976/2022 Best Tall Building Worldwide 2023 Winner, 2023 CTBUH Awards.
=51 West Side Place Tower B West Side Place Tower Two in October 2021.png Melbourne 211
(692)		 65 2021
=51 The Tower at Melbourne Central Melbourne Central.jpg Melbourne 211
(692)		 54 1991 Part of a major shopping, office and public transport hub in Melbourne.
53 Aspire Melbourne

(299 King Street)

 Melbourne 210.6 m

(691 ft)

 65 2023 First proposed in 2014, construction commenced in 2020, before topping–out in 2022.
54 UNO Melbourne

(111 A'Beckett Street)

 Melbourne 210 m

(689 ft)

 65 2023 First proposed in 2015, construction began in 2020.
55 Aurora 2006-04-12-Aurora.jpg Brisbane 207
(679)		 69 2006
56 Freshwater Place PriceWaterHouseCoppers & Freshwate Place.jpg Melbourne 205
(673)		 63 2005 The residential part of an office/residential building complex.
57 Eq. Tower Eq Tower, Feb 2017.jpg Melbourne 202.7
(665)		 63 2017
58 Riparian Plaza 2006-04-12-Riparian.jpg Brisbane 200
(656)		 53 2005 A 50 m communications mast stands atop the building.

Tallest buildings under construction or proposed

This list includes the tallest buildings over 200 m that are currently under construction, approved or proposed in Australia according to the CTBUH, save for those which have already topped out.

Brisbane Skytower under construction in March 2018
Brisbane Skytower under construction in March 2018. The project was completed in 2019.
Aurora Melbourne 14 November
Aurora Melbourne Central under construction in November 2018. The project was completed in 2019.
W Brisbane hotel in January 2018
Brisbane Quarter under construction in January 2018. The project was completed in 2019.
Status:
Under construction Approved Proposed Topped out
Name Height Storeys Purpose City Completion Status
m ft
Southbank by Beulah Tower 1 366 1,201 102 Mixed use Melbourne 2028 Approved
56 Pitt Street 314 1,030 75 Office Sydney 2029 Proposed
25-35 Power Street 280.3 920 71 Mixed use Melbourne TBA Approved
Cienna Square Tower 2 280 920 88 Residential Gold Coast TBA Proposed
Brisbane No.1 274 899 82 Residential/retail Brisbane TBA Approved
505 George Street 270 890 80 Residential Sydney TBA Approved
30 Albert Street 270 890 91 Residential Brisbane TBA Approved
171 Edward Street 265 869 81 Residential Brisbane TBA Approved
338 Pitt Street Tower 1 258 846 80 Mixed use Sydney TBA Approved
338 Pitt Street Tower 2 258 846 80 Mixed use Sydney TBA Approved
Southbank by Beulah Tower 2 273 896 75 Mixed use Melbourne TBA Under construction
Queens Place Tower 2 251 823 79 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
St Andrews Place 249.5 819 62 Residential Perth TBA Approved
One Sydney Harbour Tower 1 247 810 72 Residential Sydney 2023 Under construction
Monument 234 768 68 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
51–65 Clarke Street 234 768 73 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
55 Pitt Street 232 761 50 Office Sydney TBA Proposed
Queen's Wharf Tower 4 231.1 758 63 Residential Brisbane 2022 Under construction
One Sydney Harbour Tower 2 230 750 68 Residential Sydney 2023 Under construction
110-122 Walker Street 227 745 55 Office Sydney TBA Proposed
8-14 Great Western Hwy 226 741 75 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
Grand Markwell Tower 2 221 725 67 Residential Gold Coast TBA Proposed
187 Thomas Street 218 715 49 Mixed use Sydney TBA Proposed
2 O'Connell Street 217 712 66 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
158 City Road 216 709 69 Residential Melbourne TBA Proposed
Perth+ West Tower 213 699 56 Mixed Use Perth 2029 Approved
Lot 4 EQ 212.4 696 54 Mixed Use Perth 2027 Under construction
435 Bourke Street 210.3 690 49 Office Melbourne 2023 Approved
Westfield Parramatta Tower 210 690 46 Mixed use Sydney TBA Proposed
272 Queen Street 210 690 62 Mixed use Melbourne TBA Approved
48 Macquarie Street 210 690 61 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
133 Liverpool Street 208 682 55 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
280 Queen Street 207 679 68 Residential Melbourne TBA Approved
4-6 Bligh Street 205 673 55 Residential Sydney TBA Proposed
112 Talavera Road - Building B 200 660 63 Residential Sydney TBA Approved

Tallest buildings by state or territory

The following table provides the tallest building (completed or topped out) in each state given that only New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia are currently featured in the lists of tallest buildings to architectural detail and to roof. Heights to architectural detail are used.

Current
State / Territory Building Height Floor count Year
Queensland Q1 323 m (1059.7 ft) 78 2005
Victoria Australia 108 316.7 m (1039 ft) 100 2020
New South Wales Crown Sydney 271 m (889.1 ft) 75 2020
Western Australia Central Park 249 m (816.9 ft) 52 1992
South Australia Frome Central Tower One 138 m (453.0 ft) 37 2020
Australian Capital Territory High Society Tower One 113 m (370.7 ft) 27 2020
Northern Territory Evolution on Gardiner 99 m (324.8 ft) 33 2008
Tasmania Wrest Point Hotel Casino 73 m (239.5 ft) 19 1973

The following table lists future tallest buildings that if built, could become the tallest buildings in their respective state or territory.

Future
State / Territory Building Height Floor count Status Year
Victoria Southbank by Beulah Tower 1 366 m (1,161 ft) 102 Approved 2028
New South Wales 56 Pitt Street 314 m (1,001 ft) 75 Proposed N/A
Western Australia St Andrews Place 249 m (819 ft) 62 Proposed N/A
South Australia SA1 Tower 180 m (590.6 ft) 55 Approved 2026

Cities with the most skyscrapers

This table shows Australian cities with at least one skyscraper over 150 metres in height, completed, topped–out or under construction.

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