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Large talent pool 20,000+ commuters, skilled locals and UOW graduates
Vibrant coastal city Discover more about why you will love living here
Work-life balance A city where you can achieve real work-life balance
Supportive environment Discover more about local business networks and support
One hour south of Sydney Strategic location, close to Sydney, its airport, and Canberra
UOW – a global university Where you can develop research and commercial partnerships
Costs and staff retention Up to 33% more cost effective than Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta
Business case studies Hear from the experience of business people who live and work in Wollongong (and love it).
Key opportunities Wollongong provides opportunities across industries and key sectors
Advanced manufacturing Future focus on advanced machinery, equipment design and manufacturing
Defence Capabilities and innovative research in defence technologies and services
Professional services Professional, financial, and shared services firms call Wollongong home
Scaleups and entrepreneurs Wollongong scale-up successes and our entrepreneurial community
Tech Growing hub for forward-thinking tech companies and start-ups
Clean energy Wollongong is emerging as a clean and low-carbon energy hub
Set up a business Find practical information to hit the ground running
Our economic profile Statistics covering our economy and workforce
Our precincts Explore Wollongong's business precincts
Our business networks A list of business groups, networks and meetups
Finding real estate Discover our commercial, industrial and residential options
Economic development The plan for our city between now and 2029
Registering a business Tips and links to set up your business here
Case studies Hear from the experience of business people who live and work in Wollongong (and love it).
How we can help Find out the various ways we can help you and your business
Business case development Assistance with developing your business case for Wollongong
Creating connections We can help you meet the right people in the right places
International team Reach out to our colleagues in your country
Incentives and programs Information about the incentives and programs to support your move

Case study - Cardno

David Laing swapped the daily grind of a long commute for Cardno's Wollongong office and hasn't looked back.

Are you looking for the ideal base to grow your business?

Does the ongoing impact of COVID-19 have you re-assessing the way your business works? Whether you’re looking to set-up a new corporate headquarters, a shared service centre, or a new base for flexible work practices – Wollongong is ready.

 

Meet David Laing

Senior Principal at Cardno

As Senior Principal of the Wollongong office, David Laing enjoys a lifestyle that is the envy of his big city peers. It’s a lifestyle that’s enriched the Cardno employee value proposition and has helped it attract – and retain – high performing employees.

In Wollongong, you’ll find a place where you are five minutes from home, five minutes from the rainforest and five minutes from a beach.

Traditionally, thousands of residents have left Wollongong every day to work in Sydney (prior to COVID-19 pandemic), a two-hour commute. Many of these professional workers – our talent pool – crave local career opportunities.

For those who have been able to make the switch, they’re always positive and enthusiastic about the difference it has made to their lives. It’s something that David highlights in our Q&A with David Laing.

Why Wollongong?

Wollongong’s professional sector continues to grow. A combination of locally grown businesses and large national and international corporate brands, it’s the perfect base for professional services businesses of any size.

Choose Wollongong and you can:

  • Find the right talent – Gain access to both high calibre graduates from the University of Wollongong and highly skilled knowledge workers, including a large talent pool of 23,000 daily commuters to Greater Sydney.
  • Reduce operating costs – With savings of up to 33%, Wollongong can be a cost-effective alternative to a capital city CBD location.
  • Join leading commercial brands – NEC, Mercer and Peoplecare are some of the many large commercial brands based in Wollongong.
  • Lower commercial rents – Take advantage of affordable office leasing rates across A-grade commercial properties.

Are you ready to take the next step?

If you think Wollongong might be the right location for your business, the team at Invest Wollongong is here to support you. Here are some of the ways we can help:

  • Connect you with key decision-makers and potential business or supply partners.
  • Provide you with information and statistics for your business case to move to Wollongong.
  • Organise personalised tours to key areas of interest.

Let’s start a conversation

If you’re ready to explore the benefits of being based in Wollongong, fill out your details below. An Invest Wollongong team member will be in touch with you soon.

More to explore

Business case studies

Research, reports & resources

Myth-busting Wollongong

Business thrives in Wollongong