Sound Absorbing Panels for Offices: What to Look For and Where to Buy in Australia
Open-plan offices are the noisiest working environment most Australians spend time in. This guide explains what actually causes the problem, how to fix it, and what to look for when choosing panels for a commercial space.
Why offices are so noisy — and why furniture alone won’t fix it
The problem with modern offices is not volume. It is reverberation — sound that keeps bouncing around a room long after it was made. Every hard surface in an office (concrete, glass, plasterboard, a polished timber floor) reflects sound rather than absorbing it. When dozens of people are having conversations simultaneously in a space full of reflective surfaces, sound energy builds up until the space feels chaotic. Reverberation time — often written as RT60 — is the technical measurement of how long it takes for sound to decay by 60 decibels after it stops. A space with an RT60 of 1.5 seconds sounds noticeably echoing and uncomfortable. Most untreated open-plan offices measure above 1.0 second. The acoustic target for speech clarity in a working environment is 0.4–0.6 seconds.50%
Noise reduction achievable with correctly installed acoustic panels
20%
Drop in comprehension in untreated noisy classrooms — similar effects in open offices
0.4–0.6s
Target reverberation time for productive working environments
Important distinction
Sound absorption (what acoustic panels do) reduces echo and reverberation inside a room. Soundproofing blocks sound from travelling between rooms and requires dense barrier materials. Most open-plan office problems are absorption problems, not soundproofing problems. Our acoustic solutions overview explains the difference in detail.
What to look for in office sound absorbing panels
Not all acoustic panels are equal. Here are the specifications that actually matter for commercial office environments.NRC rating: the single most important number
NRC stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient. It is a number between 0 and 1 that tells you what fraction of sound hitting the panel is absorbed rather than reflected. An NRC of 0.85 means 85% of sound energy is absorbed. An NRC of 0.50 means only half is absorbed — the rest bounces back into the room. For office environments, aim for a minimum NRC of 0.80. Commercial panels from specialist suppliers like SoundFix Acoustics are independently CSIRO-tested and achieve NRC ratings in this range. Many consumer-grade acoustic tiles (including most options at hardware stores) achieve NRC 0.50–0.65 — acceptable for a home study, but insufficient for a busy open-plan floor or meeting room where speech clarity is critical.Panel thickness
Thickness directly affects which sound frequencies the panel absorbs. Thinner panels (25mm) primarily absorb high-frequency sounds. Thicker panels (50–75mm) absorb a broader frequency range including the mid-range frequencies that carry speech — which is exactly what matters in a meeting room or collaborative workspace. For most office applications, 50mm panels are the practical minimum for meaningful speech clarity improvement.Material and core composition
SoundFix panels are made from melamine foam — a material originally developed in Germany and used in aerospace applications. Melamine is lightweight, fire-rated, and more acoustically effective than foam alternatives at equivalent thickness. Our products page covers the full range of panel types and materials available.Polyester panels and aesthetics
In a professional office environment, the visual finish of an acoustic panel matters. Polyester panels can be colour-matched to interior schemes, printed with branding or artwork, or specified in a custom size to complement the architecture. Unlike exposed foam, Polyester panels look deliberate rather than remedial. SoundFix panels can be colour-matched to any specification and can accommodate full artwork or photographic printing — with the acoustic properties unaffected by the print.Fire rating
Commercial buildings in Australia require materials that comply with the National Construction Code. SoundFix Acoustic panels carry the highest fire rating available for acoustic panel materials on the Australian market, making them suitable for commercial fitouts without additional certification concerns.Custom sizing
Standard panel dimensions (600×600mm or 600×1200mm) do not always suit unusual wall shapes, ceiling heights, or the specific coverage needed in a particular space. Custom-cut panels waste less material, look more intentional, and allow a consultant to design coverage that precisely matches the acoustic requirements of the room. This is one of the most significant practical differences between commercial panel suppliers and off-the-shelf retail options.How many panels does an office actually need?
A reliable starting point is to aim to treat 35–65% of the total wall and ceiling surface area in the affected space. This is a general heuristic — the right figure depends on the starting RT60 of the space, the NRC rating of the panels, and the specific acoustic target.Bunnings acoustic panels vs commercial-grade panels: an honest comparison
Bunnings stocks a range of acoustic panels and foam tiles that work well for certain applications. Our full Bunnings acoustic panel review covers these in detail — but here is the practical comparison for office use.| Factor | Bunnings acoustic panels | SoundFix commercial panels |
|---|---|---|
| NRC rating | 0.50–0.65 (typical) | 0.85+ (CSIRO tested) |
| Typical thickness | 25–40mm | 40–75mm options |
| Custom sizing | No — fixed dimensions only | Yes — cut to specification |
| Colour / print options | Limited palette | Colour-match or full artwork printing |
| Fire rating | Varies by product | Highest available on market |
| Professional installation | DIY only | Planned and installed by acoustic team |
| Acoustic specification | No consultation | Free expert assessment included |
| Best suited for | Home study, phone booths, small low-traffic rooms | Open-plan offices, meeting rooms, boardrooms, commercial fitouts |
Where to install acoustic panels for the best results
Placement matters almost as much as panel specification. Here is how to think about it.Ceiling first in large, open spaces
In open-plan offices and spaces with high ceilings, ceiling-mounted panels (either tiles in a suspended grid or hanging baffles) address the largest reflective surface and capture sound energy before it bounces around the room. Our guide to ceiling panels vs wall panels explores the tradeoffs in more detail.Wall panels at ear level in meeting rooms
For enclosed meeting rooms and boardrooms, wall panels at seated ear height (roughly 1.0–1.8 metres from the floor) directly absorb the speech frequencies that cause clarity problems. Placing panels on two opposing walls is more effective than concentrating them on one surface.Corner treatment for severe reverberation
Sound energy accumulates in corners. In rooms with particularly long reverberation times, placing thicker panels in or near corners addresses low-frequency build-up that standard wall panels alone may miss.Avoid treating only one surface
A common mistake is installing panels on one wall and expecting dramatic results. Sound reflects off all surfaces — walls, ceiling, floor, windows. A balanced treatment across multiple surfaces is far more effective than a heavy treatment on a single one.Real-world results: what Australian businesses experienced
SoundFix Acoustics has delivered acoustic treatments across offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and hospitality venues throughout Australia. Here are three examples relevant to office environments.Corporate office, Melbourne
An open-plan corporate office with exposed concrete ceilings and polished floors. Following installation of ceiling acoustic panels, the team reported measurable improvement in speech clarity and a reduction in the background hum that had been a consistent complaint. The panels were specified to blend with the existing ceiling — the outcome was a professional finish that the client noted was barely visible.The technical data they provided was really helpful in making our decision and presenting it to our executive team. One of the best outcomes is that the panels blend seamlessly into the ceiling. You hardly notice they’re there, which was important for us since we wanted to maintain the studio’s aesthetic.
School classroom, Victoria
After replacing carpet with hybrid flooring, an early learning classroom became significantly noisier. Acoustic panels were installed and the change was immediate. Teachers and the deputy principal both commented on the improvement — both in noise reduction and in how well the panels blended with the existing interior. Read more about acoustic panels in classrooms.It is just remarkably different after installing the panels. Every teacher has commented on the change, and it also looks fantastic — it blends in beautifully.
Community centre, Australia-wide
A large community centre hall with problematic reverberation. Post-installation, staff noted the treatment was cost-effective, installation was efficient, and the finished product blended well within the large room. See our acoustic solutions page for more sector examples.Where to buy office acoustic panels in Australia
There are three main routes for sourcing acoustic panels for a commercial office in Australia.1. Specialist commercial supplier (recommended for offices)
SoundFix Acoustics is an Australian-owned commercial acoustic panel supplier with over 10 years of experience across hospitality, corporate, healthcare, and education sectors. Key advantages for office buyers:- Free acoustic assessment and panel specification
- CSIRO-tested panels with NRC 0.85+
- Custom sizing and colour-matching to office interiors
- Professional installation planned and delivered nationally
- Highest fire rating available — NCC compliant for commercial fitouts
- Quote turnaround within 48 hours
2. Hardware and DIY (Bunnings)
Suitable for small, low-traffic spaces where professional aesthetics and maximum NRC are not the priority. Not recommended as the primary treatment for open-plan offices or meeting rooms. See our full Bunnings panel guide for a detailed breakdown of what is available and where it performs well.3. Imported online panels
A range of acoustic panels are available through online marketplaces, often imported from Asia. Quality and NRC ratings vary enormously — many products cite NRC figures without independent testing to support them. For a commercial installation where the investment matters, independently verified performance data should be a minimum requirement.FAQ
Do sound absorbing panels actually work in offices?
Yes — consistently and measurably. High-quality panels with NRC 0.85+ can reduce reverberation time to within the 0.4–0.6 second target for speech clarity, and reduce perceived noise levels by up to 50%. SoundFix panels are CSIRO-tested and deliver these results across a wide range of Australian commercial installations. The key is correct specification and placement — panels that are too thin, too few, or poorly positioned will underperform.
What is the difference between soundproofing and sound absorption?
Sound absorption (acoustic panels) reduces echo and reverberation within a room — it makes the room itself quieter by absorbing rather than reflecting sound waves. Soundproofing prevents sound from travelling between rooms by using dense barrier materials. Most offices suffer from a reverberation problem, not a sound transmission problem, so acoustic panels are the correct solution. If you need sound blocked between spaces — such as between a meeting room and an open floor — that is a construction and fit-out question, and SoundFix can advise on the most practical approach.
How much do office acoustic panels cost in Australia?
Consumer-grade acoustic tiles from hardware retailers typically cost $30–$80 per panel. Commercial-grade fabric-wrapped panels from a specialist supplier range from approximately $80–$200+ per panel depending on size, material, and customisation. For most meeting rooms, 10–20 panels is sufficient — making the total investment for a properly treated room comparable to a few months of ergonomic chair upgrades. SoundFix provides a free quote within 48 hours so you can assess cost against your specific space before committing.
How many acoustic panels does an office need?
A common starting heuristic is to treat 15–25% of total wall and ceiling surface area. For a 10×8 metre meeting room with 3 metre ceilings, that means covering approximately 28–47 square metres. A SoundFix acoustic consultant will calculate the precise coverage needed for your space based on its dimensions, existing materials, and acoustic target.
Are Bunnings acoustic panels suitable for offices?
For small, low-traffic office spaces like a single-person study or phone booth, Bunnings panels are a reasonable budget option. For open-plan floors, meeting rooms, boardrooms, and any space where clear communication is important, they typically fall short: lower NRC ratings mean more panels are needed to achieve similar results, aesthetics are limited, and they are not available in custom sizes. Our Bunnings acoustic panel guide covers the specifics in full.
Can acoustic panels be installed on a suspended ceiling?
Yes. Acoustic panels can be integrated into suspended grid ceilings as acoustic ceiling tiles, or mounted as hanging baffles above or below an existing ceiling plane. SoundFix offers both ceiling tile and baffle options and will advise on the most suitable approach for your ceiling type during the free assessment process.
What NRC rating should office acoustic panels have?
For offices, aim for a minimum NRC of 0.80. Higher is better: NRC 0.85 means 85% of incident sound energy is absorbed rather than reflected back into the room. SoundFix panels are independently tested by CSIRO and consistently achieve NRC 0.85 or above, making them one of the highest-performing options available in Australia.
