A survey by the Property Council of Australia comparing CBD office occupancy in September and October found all city markets except Melbourne are seeing increases.

Perth, Canberra and Brisbane recorded the largest increases compared to the previous month, although Sydney is lagging.

Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison said the survey showed a trend toward returning to the office was gaining momentum across the country.

“The shift is on and more CBD workers are coming back to their offices,” he said on Thursday.

“This is encouraging news for the Australian economy given the critical role of CBD-based businesses in supporting jobs and economic activity, including for all of those businesses which depend on CBD workforces for their viability.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and some state governments are already urging public servants to return to their offices, in the hope private-sector workers will follow.

The survey found public transport concerns and workplace safety were the greatest concerns for workers thinking about returning to the office.

The survey also found office building owners and managers expect more people to return to the office within the next one-to-two months.

The survey collated responses from 102 Property Council members who collectively own or manage the majority of CBD office buildings across the country.

-AAP