The university's St David 2 building has been empty since 2012, when it was found to be between 17% and 32% of new building standard (NBS) for earthquake strength.
Earthquake strengthening work has since been carried out, but a plan to refurbish it to rehouse the department of applied sciences was abandoned in 2014 once the extent of seismic strengthening became obvious.
University campus development director David Perry said after refurbishment work starting next month, the building would house human resources payroll staff.
The HR staff could then move out of the university's Jamieson Building in Cumberland St, which could in turn be used by Faculty of Dentistry staff while its nearby Walsh Building was redeveloped, Mr Perry said.
As part of the refurbishment, the ground floor of the building, which is behind the Centre for Innovation building in St David St, would have a new front entrance, reception and circulation area.
The rest of that floor and the other three floors would be filled with modern, open plan offices with flexible break-out or meeting areas.
No tenants had been chosen for levels two and three, but it was hoped the building would eventually reduce the use of leased premises.
Mr Perry said the Dunedin campus needed more offices, partly because staff dispersed around the campus wanted to co-locate and more space was needed to rehouse staff while construction was under way in other parts of the campus.
The project was expected to cost $9.1 million and be finished in May next year.
The St David 2 building was constructed in 1997.