PHOTOS: A look inside Xero’s plush new Melbourne HQ

On Mar 21, 2022

ASX-listed accounting fintech Xero has opened new Australian headquarters in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn.

The 7000 square metres site, spanning four levels, brings together Xero’s Melbourne team under one roof for the first time after a decade.

The office features breakout spaces (with hearing assistance solutions), webinar suites and an indoor garden – a nod to the backyards at home that became an office for so many during lockdowns.

On top of that, there’s a fully-equipped gym, end-of-trip facilities (including bike storage and towel service) and wellbeing rooms for prayer or breastfeeding mothers.

The company worked with three local artists – Carla McRae, Clemens Habicht and Ryhia Dank – who each created a mural for the new building.

Xero has been named an Employer of Choice and awarded fourth in the 2021 Best Place to Work in technology, and Australia and Asia managing director Joseph Lyons, said they were keen to maintain that status, giving people a home base to reconnect and work together.

“With the pandemic causing major shifts in the way we live and work, we were able to make adjustments during the design phase to meet the changing needs of our people,” he said.

“Our teams are continuing to innovate and find new ways to serve small businesses and their advisors better every day – so we have focused on offering a place to work that supports our people with what they need when they choose to come in, in a way that makes them feel supported, considered and safe.”

Lyons said the business had been working on ways to support its people and attract new talent, creating a range of better policies to support staff.

While flexible working was already in place before the pandemic, Xero’s policy now gives people in product and tech roles in specific regions, including Australia, the option to work remotely in a permanent arrangement. Remote workers also have the opportunity to take four funded office visits a year.

Xero’s parental support policy gives all permanent employees up to six months (26 weeks) of paid leave to care for their child, irrespective of gender or how they became a parent. Xero supplements any government allowance or other regional support to guarantee that carers receive 100% of their base salary during this period. The policy also supports partner’s leave, keeping in touch days and a flexible return to work.

“At Xero, we focus on creating a great environment for people to be able to come to work and be their genuine self,” Lyons said.

“We know there are a number of factors that come into consideration when choosing a job – and being purpose and values driven is a key part of that and something we’ve always prioritised.”

Xero partnered with Idle Architecture Studio, property developer Podia, project management firm Facilitate and construction company Hacer to design, develop and fit out the new office.

As part of its sustainability focus, the building has more than 220 solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system and 12 electric vehicle charging stations. The office was built to meet NABERS five star rating, and furniture and tech from previous offices were redeployed there, with any unused items donated to not-for-profit ‘PonyUp’, with more than 2000kg of technology kept out of landfill.

Here’s a look inside the new Xero offices.