CBD meaning: What does CBD stand for in Australia?

In Australia, CBD means Central Business District – effectively, the city centre. So Sydney CBD is downtown Sydney, Brisbane CBD means central Brisbane and so on.

Australia loves its acronyms with an almost unrivalled passion, which can get confusing to the uninitiated visitor. And one acronym that comes up a lot is “CBD”.

This will be used in the context of “where shall we meet in Perth CBD?” or “there’s great street art in Melbourne CBD”. Given that this is a phrase that no-one else in the world uses, it’s understandably strange when visitors encounter it for the first time.

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What does CBD stand for?

The good news is that ‘CBD’ is just an unnecessary complication. What does CBD mean in Australia? It’s short for “Central Business District”, and it’s what any normal human being would call the city centre. Or, if you’re of an American persuasion, “downtown”. Adelaide CBD is downtown Adelaide, Sydney CBD is Sydney‘s centre, and Brisbane CBD is central Brisbane.

The CBD is historically where all the offices have been, although this is changing as businesses relocate to cheaper, outer suburbs. It’s also the focal hub of most public transport. Bus, tram and train routes tend to run through the CBD.

Australia’s CBDs

In the last couple of decades, there have been concerted efforts to liven up Australia’s CBDs. State and city governments have pursued policies that make them good places to live and play as well as work.

This has meant an increase in CBD apartments, as well as a vast increase in the number of bars, cafés and restaurants. The attempts to make the CBD the heart of the city, rather than just its wallet, have largely been successful. In the big Australian cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide – the CBD is now a fun, interesting place to hang out.

Street art in Melbourne CBD — Melbourne’s CBD is famed for its street art-packed laneways. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Why they still insist on calling the city centre the CBD, though, is anyone’s guess. The name doesn’t really reflect the make up of the area any more.