The Tallest Building in Australia: Top 10 Highest Skyscrapers & What’s Being Built Next

Australia’s skyline has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Once dominated by low-rise CBDs and suburban sprawl, major cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane are now home to some of the tallest buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. These vertical landmarks are not just architectural statements, they reflect population growth, urban density, global investment, and how Australians live, work, and build in cities.

When people search for the tallest building in Australia, the highest building in Sydney, or even Australia’s biggest building, they’re often surprised to learn that the title has changed several times in recent years. From record-breaking residential towers to mixed-use giants combining offices, hotels, and apartments, Australia’s skyscrapers tell a story of ambition, engineering, and modern city planning.

Top 10 Tallest Buildings in Australia (2026)

1. Australia 108 – Melbourne

• Height: 316.7 metres

• Stories: 100

• Type: Residential

• Developer: World Class Global

• Completed: 2020

• Location: Southbank, Melbourne, VIC

Australia 108 is currently the tallest building in Australia and the highest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere. Known for its gold “Starburst” feature near the top, the tower is a defining part of Melbourne’s skyline.

City snapshot: Melbourne is Australia’s largest city by population and a global hub for architecture, culture, and high-density residential living.

2. Q1 Tower – Gold Coast

• Height: 322.5 metres (including spire)

• Stories: 80

• Type: Residential + Observation Deck

• Developer: Sunland Group

• Completed: 2005

• Location: Surfers Paradise, QLD

By roof height, Q1 is slightly shorter than Australia 108, but it remains Australia’s highest tower overall due to its spire. It was the tallest residential building in the world when completed.

City snapshot: The Gold Coast is known for beachfront high-rises, tourism, and lifestyle-focused apartment living.

3. Eureka Tower – Melbourne

• Height: 297.3 metres

• Stories: 91

• Type: Residential

• Developer: Eureka Tower Pty Ltd

• Completed: 2006

• Location: Southbank, Melbourne, VIC

Eureka Tower held the title of the tallest building in Australia for several years. Its gold-plated upper levels symbolise the Victorian gold rush.

City snapshot: Melbourne’s Southbank precinct is one of the most densely built residential areas in the country.

4. Crown Sydney (One Barangaroo) – Sydney

• Height: 271.3 metres

• Stories: 75

• Type: Hotel + Residential

• Developer: Crown Group

• Completed: 2020

• Location: Barangaroo, Sydney, NSW

Crown Sydney is currently the highest building in Sydney. Its sculptural, twisting form makes it one of the most recognisable towers in the country.

City snapshot: Sydney is Australia’s financial capital, with premium residential towers increasingly shaping the harbour skyline.

5. West Side Place Tower A – Melbourne

• Height: 270.3 metres

• Stories: 81

• Type: Residential

• Developer: Far East Consortium

• Completed: 2021

• Location: CBD, Melbourne, VIC

Part of a four-tower complex, West Side Place significantly reshaped Melbourne’s western CBD skyline.

City snapshot: Melbourne CBD is one of the fastest-growing high-rise residential markets in Australia.

6. Aurora Melbourne Central

• Height: 270 metres

• Stories: 92

• Type: Residential

• Developer: UEM Sunrise

• Completed: 2019

• Location: CBD, Melbourne, VIC

Aurora briefly claimed the title of Melbourne’s tallest building during construction and remains one of the city’s most slender towers.

City snapshot: Central Melbourne attracts international students, investors, and high-density developments.

7. Sapphire by the Gardens – Melbourne

• Height: 273 metres

• Stories: 84

• Type: Residential

• Developer: SP Setia

• Completed: 2019

• Location: CBD, Melbourne, VIC

This tower is known for its curved glass facade and premium apartment positioning near Carlton Gardens.

City snapshot: Melbourne balances heritage streetscapes with modern vertical living.

8. Collins House – Melbourne

• Height: 260 metres

• Stories: 63

• Type: Commercial

• Developer: CBUS Property

• Completed: 2022

• Location: Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC

One of the tallest commercial office buildings in Australia, Collins House represents the next generation of premium workplace towers.

City snapshot: Collins Street is Australia’s most prestigious commercial address.

9. Sky Point Tower (Infinity Tower) – Brisbane

• Height: 249 metres

• Stories: 81

• Type: Residential

• Developer: Meriton

• Completed: 2013

• Location: Brisbane CBD, QLD

Infinity Tower was Brisbane’s tallest building at completion and helped set the stage for further vertical growth in the city.

City snapshot: Brisbane is rapidly transitioning from low-rise to high-density CBD living.

10. Freshwater Place Tower 2 – Melbourne

• Height: 246 metres

• Stories: 78

• Type: Residential

• Developer: Grocon

• Completed: 2010

• Location: Southbank, Melbourne, VIC

An earlier generation super-tall, Freshwater Place remains a major part of Melbourne’s skyline.

City snapshot: Southbank is a blueprint for high-density riverside development in Australia.

Skyscrapers Currently Being Built in Australia

6–10 Spring Street – Melbourne

• Estimated height: ~260 metres

• Type: Commercial

• Developer: Charter Hall

• Expected completion: 2027

A future premium office tower set to strengthen Melbourne’s CBD commercial skyline.

Waterfront Brisbane Towers

• Estimated height: 240+ metres

• Type: Mixed-use

• Developer: Dexus / Sekisui House

• Expected completion: 2026–2028

A major riverfront precinct that will reshape Brisbane’s CBD.

60 Margaret Street – Sydney

• Estimated height: 230+ metres

• Type: Commercial

• Developer: Mirvac

• Expected completion: 2027

A next-generation office tower focused on sustainability and premium workspace.

Australia’s tallest buildings and what they represent

Australia’s tallest buildings are more than record-breakers, they represent how our cities are evolving. Melbourne dominates the list due to its planning policies and appetite for high-density residential towers, while Sydney leads in premium mixed-use and commercial skyscrapers. Brisbane and the Gold Coast continue to grow upward as infrastructure and population expand.

As construction technology, sustainability standards, and urban demand evolve, Australia’s skylines will keep reaching higher and the title of Australia’s tallest building may change again sooner than expected.