August 5th, 2025Right to work from home
The state government will make working from home a right.
Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the government will introduce legislation to protect the ability of an employee to work from home.
Under this proposed law, if you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week – public sector or private sector.
Working from home works for families and it’s good for the economy.
It’s popular. Flexible working arrangements are utilised by workers and businesses alike, with more than a third of Australian workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly working from home.
It saves families money. It saves Australians on average $110 a week or $5,308 every year. That’s more money back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians at a time when every dollar makes a difference.
It cuts congestion. Victorians are now spending less time commuting, saving more than three hours in their week on average. That’s three fewer hours sitting in traffic and three more hours back in your life.
It gets more people working. Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work. Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.
It’s good for business. Those who work from home are working nearly 20 per cent more hours than those who are working in the office full time.
Work from home has changed millions of lives. While not everyone can work from home, everyone can still benefit.
To develop these laws, the government will undertake consultation led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Consultation will focus on ensuring the law reflects the real-world experience of working from home: what’s fair, what’s practical, and what’s already working in many workplaces today.
Following consultation, the government will introduce and pass this legislation next year, with several legislative options available.
Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan said work from home works for families and is good for the economy.
“Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit. If you can do your job from home, we’ll make it your right – because we’re on your side.”
