Flexible workspaces have redefined how businesses operate. From co-working hubs to shared office environments, these spaces are designed for agility, collaboration and consistent movement. But with flexibility demand comes complexity for the facility providers offering flex workspaces – particularly when it comes to maintaining a clean, safe and functioning environment. For operators and facility managers, the question isn’t just how to maintain the spaces – it’s how to do it efficiently, consistently and without disruption.
The Growth of Flexible Workspaces in Australia
Since the pandemic back in 2020, we have seen a rapid uptake in this style of facility as it has allowed businesses to pivot their internal strategy. People no longer want to spend 5 days commuting to and from the office, the way customer engagement is handled is a lot more relaxed and fluid and because of this shift in how our people conduct business it has led to the expectation from employers to change.
These workspaces are no longer a trend but a core part of Australia’s commercial property landscape. Studies done in 2025 have highlighted that more than 6.7 million Australians are partaking in flexible working arrangements – this is approximately 46% of the national workforce (1). And these facilities are popping up everywhere! People no longer have a reliance to head to major cities to be able to work collaboratively or in a proper office environment with flexible workspaces being built at rapid pace in suburban and regional areas for convenience.
The shift means more than people just having a flexible work schedule, it means more businesses are relying on the facilities – and those environments need to perform at a consistently high standard to retain their clients.
The Challenge of Fast-Paced, High Traffic Environments
Unlike a traditional office, flexible workspaces have dozens of businesses and hundreds of people passing through their doors weekly. There is high foot traffic from members, visitors and guests; varying peak usage times and shared amenities being used by all. And as the demand continues to grow while available space decreases, it highlights that the operational pressure placed on these environments is intensifying.
And while a 2024 global study revealed businesses using coworking spaces have reported increases of around 15%, retention of people using the space relies heavily on its condition(2). With so many people utilising amenities, there are challenges that arise.
Bathrooms need more frequent attention to maintain hygiene.
Kitchens require more detailed cleaning of utensils to reduce the spread of germs.
Shared meeting rooms and desks need to be sanitised and reset.
Fixtures, access points and equipment experience higher wear and tear.
Without consistent cleaning and maintenance, some of the key benefits that attract tenants can quickly be the reason they don’t want to return.
Why You Need an All-Encompassing Property Maintenance Provider
At CMS, our team are trained to deliver a premium and proactive service to our clients. By combining cleaning with maintenance, we deliver the required cleanliness standards while catching wear and tear, upgrade requirements and potential hazards before they become a larger, more costly fix. When you partner with CMS, you are simplifying your operational management. Rather than handling multiple suppliers which results in communication gaps, increased administration and inconsistent service quality, you deal with the one supplier who delivers:
Streamlined Communication – One supplier means one point of contact – reducing confusion and ensuring accountability.
Faster Response Times – Issues are identified and resolved quicker during routine inspections.
Consistent Standards – You can guarantee consistent standards of the maintenance of your property, including across various sites.
Reduced Operational Burden – With fewer service providers to manage, operators can focus on tenant experience, growth and service delivery.
Flexible workspaces are designed to make life easier for tenants – your operations should reflect the same philosophy. By consolidating cleaning and maintenance into a single, reliable partner, you are simplifying your processes, improving service delivery and enhancing the overall tenant experience.
An all-in-one cleaning and property maintenance provider isn’t just a convenience.
It’s a smarter, more scalable way to operate.
One supplier. Total site care. Better outcomes for businesses.
Collective Maintenance Services are Gold Sponsors of Flexible Workspaces Australia.
