Open-plan offices are the standard across Australian workplaces — but they come with a serious productivity problem. Background noise is the number one complaint of office workers, with studies showing that unwanted sound reduces cognitive performance by up to 66% on complex tasks.
Whether you manage a corporate fitout, a co-working space, or a growing business that’s outgrown private offices, this guide will walk you through every practical acoustic solution available — from quick fixes to full fitout strategies.
Why Office Noise Is a Productivity and Wellbeing Problem
The impact of excessive office noise goes beyond simple annoyance. Research consistently shows that:
- Workers in noisy open offices report 54% higher stress levels than those in quieter environments
- It takes an average of 23 minutes to regain deep focus after an audio distraction
- Phone and video call conversations are the most disruptive noise source in 74% of Australian offices
- Poor acoustic environments are a leading factor in employee dissatisfaction and turnover
The good news: acoustic solutions don’t require major construction or significant downtime. Most can be installed over a weekend or even during working hours.
Understanding the Two Types of Office Noise
Before selecting a solution, it’s important to understand what kind of noise you’re dealing with.
Airborne Sound
Airborne sound travels through the air — conversations, phone calls, music, HVAC noise. This is what most offices struggle with, and it’s addressed primarily through sound-absorbing materials that reduce reverberation (the bouncing of sound waves around hard surfaces like glass, concrete, and laminate).
Impact Sound
Impact sound travels through solid structures — footsteps on floors above, vibrations from machinery, or keyboard noise transmitted through desk surfaces. This requires different solutions: isolation mats, decoupling, or structural treatment.
Most open-plan office noise problems are airborne. The solutions below address airborne sound unless otherwise noted.
Acoustic Solution 1: Desk Dividers and Acoustic Panels
Best for: Reducing noise between individual workstations · creating visual and audio privacy · addressing the most common source of distraction
Acoustic desk dividers — also called desk screens or acoustic panels — are fabric-covered panels that attach to or sit on top of office desks. Unlike plain partitions, acoustic panels use high-density foam or recycled PET felt core materials that absorb sound rather than simply deflecting it.
The key measurement for acoustic panels is the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) — a number from 0 to 1 representing the proportion of sound the material absorbs. A panel with NRC 0.85 absorbs 85% of the sound that hits it. For open-plan offices, look for panels with NRC ratings of 0.70 or above.
Desk-mounted panels are the most cost-effective first step in any acoustic fitout. They can be installed without tools, moved as office layouts change, and cover the exact zone where most noise originates — the space between workstations at seated head height.
Acoustic Solution 2: Freestanding Office Screens
Best for: Flexible workspaces · co-working environments · spaces that reconfigure frequently
Freestanding acoustic screens sit on the floor rather than attaching to desks or walls. They’re ideal for creating temporary zones — a quiet focus area, a meeting buffer, or a visual privacy barrier in a reception area.
The advantage over desk-mounted panels is height: freestanding screens typically reach 1,500–1,800mm, addressing sound that travels above desk level. Systems like the Hush Flex range allow screens to be repositioned without tools, making them practical for multi-use spaces.
Acoustic Solution 3: Acoustic Privacy Pods
Best for: Phone calls · video conferencing · focused individual work requiring near-silence
For offices where phone and video call noise is the primary complaint, acoustic pods are the highest-performance solution. A properly specified pod creates an NRC environment approaching 0.95 — near-total sound absorption within the pod, and significant noise containment for those outside it.
Pods like the Hush Pod require no structural modification and can be positioned anywhere with power access. They’re a particularly effective solution for law firms, financial services offices, and call centres where call privacy is a compliance requirement as well as a comfort consideration.
Acoustic Solution 4: Wall-Mounted Acoustic Panels
Best for: Highly reverberant spaces · large open floors · boardrooms and meeting rooms with poor echo
Hard surfaces — exposed concrete ceilings, glass walls, polished floors — create significant reverberation, where sound bounces repeatedly and accumulates. Wall-mounted acoustic panels break this cycle by absorbing sound before it can reflect.
For a typical 200m² open-plan office, acoustic coverage of approximately 20–25% of wall surface area (combined with desk panels) is sufficient to achieve a noticeable reduction in reverberation time. Panels can be custom-cut and fabric-wrapped to integrate with office aesthetics.
Acoustic Solution 5: Modesty Panels and Desk Enclosures
Best for: Offices transitioning from open-plan · hot-desking environments · reception areas
Modesty panels serve a dual purpose: they provide visual privacy at the front of a desk while also contributing to the acoustic boundary between workstations. Steel modesty panels add a physical barrier that reduces direct line-of-sight between seated workers — a significant factor in perceived privacy and focus.
For open-plan offices that want a hybrid between fully open and partitioned workspaces, combining desk-height acoustic panels with modesty panels creates a defined workstation boundary without the oppressive feel of full-height cubicle walls.
Creating an Acoustic Strategy for Your Office
The most effective acoustic environments combine multiple solution types:
- Address the floor: Carpet or floor tiles reduce impact noise and absorb low-frequency sound
- Address the ceiling: Acoustic ceiling tiles or baffles reduce reverberation at the source
- Address the workstations: Desk panels and modesty panels create individual acoustic zones
- Create call zones: Designate areas or pods for phone calls to contain the most disruptive noise type
- Add flexibility: Freestanding screens allow the space to adapt as team sizes and layouts change
Acoustic Solutions for Australian Offices — Practical Considerations
When specifying acoustic solutions for Australian workplaces, there are a few additional factors to consider:
- Climate: Offices with high air conditioning use may have elevated HVAC noise — this affects the background noise floor against which other sounds are measured
- Building type: Newer commercial buildings with glass facades create more reverberation than older brick or concrete structures
- Compliance: Certain industries (legal, financial, medical) may have regulatory requirements for acoustic privacy in workspaces
- Fast dispatch: Look for suppliers with Australian stock — imported acoustic products can have 6–10 week lead times that disrupt fitout schedules