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There’s never a quiet day in Melbourne’s CBD – and that’s exactly what helped it become the best city in the world for 2026. From line-out-the-door bakeries to cool pop-up stores and groovy late-night bars, you’ll always find somewhere to soak up the city buzz – and new spots are opening constantly. In fact, new data from NAB shows that postcode 3000 is the most entrepreneurial neighbourhood in Australia, with the most business account openings for the year ending September 2025.
The data proves that Australia’s city centres have reclaimed their place as economic hubs after years of pandemic-related setbacks. Leading the way, Melbourne CBD was the fastest-growing postcode for new businesses, with Sydney’s CBD close behind and Brisbane’s CBD also featuring in the top ten.
The proof is in the pudding, too! Last August, Mecca opened its largest-ever beauty destination – one of the biggest standalone stores in the world – on Bourke Street. This came just a month after Pop Mart unveiled its biggest store to date in the Melbourne Walk precinct, drawing crowds out the door.
A major $50 million redevelopment of Collins Arcade has also brought a slew of exciting new openings, including everything from big-name fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Saba to beloved dessert spot Le Yeahllow, specialty coffee newcomer Attakai, bar-and-grill-meets-games-den Kingpin, and the first Melbourne outpost of cult fave Sydney sauna studio Xtra Clubs.
Besides retail and hospo, growth in Melbourne’s CBD was driven largely by professional services, particularly in the legal and accounting sectors. Meanwhile, transport and freight businesses are thriving in Melbourne’s outer west. You can find out which other Victorian postcodes (and there are plenty!) ranked among the ten fastest-growing areas for new businesses in Australia below.
These are Australia’s top 10 most entrepreneurial neighbourhoods:
- 3000 – Melbourne CBD and immediate surrounds, VIC
- 2000 – Sydney CBD and immediate surrounds, NSW
- 3029 – Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina, VIC
- 3030 – Point Cook and Werribee, VIC
- 3064 – Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Kalkallo & Mickleham, VIC
- 4350 – Toowoomba, QLD
- 3977 – Cranbourne, Skye and Devon Meadows, VIC
- 3175 – Dandenong, VIC
- 4000 – Brisbane CBD and immediate surrounds, QLD
- 2170 – Liverpool and surrounds, NSW