The Allan Labor Government is encouraging Victorians to have their say on its plan to enshrine the right to work from home (WFH) in law. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes opened consultation to all Victorians on Monday 12 August, ahead of legislation being introduced to parliament next year. The government said in a statement that the consultation would bring together workers and employers to ensure the proposed laws reflect the real-world experience of working from home in terms of fairness, practicality, and current practices that work. Under the proposed laws, employees who can reasonably do their job from home will have the right to do so for at least two days a week, in both the public and private sector. "Consultation will not determine whether working from home should be a right – we already know it should be," the statement said. "This is about making sure the rules are appropriate." As part of the consultation, the government will consider the types of businesses and the size of businesses that will be covered by the proposed law, as well as the definition of remote work, and who is able to do it. The government is launching two consultation streams: An online survey through Engage Victoria has been launched, and any employee or employer can participate in it. Roundtable discussions with industry will also be held from September 2025, and stakeholders, peak bodies, and unions can register their interest for the roundtable consultations. Survey data will reveal what Victorians think about WFH – including whether employees have ever been denied a request to work from home, and whether they still feel unable to ask for it in their workforce. The government said that working from home is good for families and the economy, cuts road congestion, and is popular. More than a third of working Australians work regularly from home - including 60 per cent of professionals. The statement said WFH saves Australians on average $110 a week or $5,308 every year. Ms Allan said that one of the reasons WFH was at risk is because there were no rules. "Workers don’t know where they stand," Ms Allan said. "You can help us get the rules right by having your say. “Work from home works for families and it’s good for the economy. “If you can do your job from home, we are making it your right – because we’re on your side.” In response to the announcement, workers unions said Australians would benefit from a shorter working week and would take the proposal to the federal government's Economic Reform Roundtable this week. The ACTU said in a statement it would argue that workers deserve to benefit from productivity gains and technological advances, and that reducing working hours was key to lifting living standards. Unions will propose that Australia move towards a four-day work week where appropriate, and use sector-specific alternatives where it is not. "Pay and conditions, including penalty rates, overtime and, minimum staffing levels, would be protected to ensure a reduced work week doesn’t result in a loss of pay," the statement said. "According to a peer-reviewed study recently published in Nature Human Behaviour, a four-day work week boosts performance, reduces burnout, and improves employee health and retention." The study examined 2,896 employees across 141 organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. To access the state government's survey or book a place at the roundtable discussions, visit engage.vic.gov.au/wfh
