Victorian government to make WFH a right for two days a week

Working from home (WFH) will become a right enshrined in law in Victoria under proposed legislation announced over the weekend by the state government, with Premier Jacinta Allan claiming that "work from home works for families and it's good for the economy".

Under the 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.

WFH is currently estimated to be saving Australians $110 a week on average or $5,308 every year, while also reducing congestion and giving people more free time.

"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," the state government stated in a release on Saturday.

"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."

However, the government claims this is under threat from return-to-office mandates. To develop these laws, consultation will be led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to consider the types and sizes of businesses that will be covered by this scheme, as well as the definition of remote work and who is able to do it.

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.

"Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit," says the Premier. "If you can do your job from home, we’ll make it your right – because we’re on your side."

Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations, Jaclyn Symes, says WFH saves families money, means more people are in the workforce, and even cuts congestion.

"More than a third of Australians are working from home regularly, including more than 60 per cent of professionals – and the data says they are more productive, benefiting businesses and the economy," says Symes.

"Many of Australia’s largest businesses have adopted work from home, but we can’t go backwards," adds Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny.