Victorians invited to have their say on work from home laws

VICTORIANS are being asked to help shape new laws that would guarantee the right to work from home for at least two days a week.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes launched consultation this week, with legislation to be introduced to Parliament next year.

“One of the reasons work from home is at risk because there are no rules and workers don’t know where they stand. You can help us get the rules right by having your say,” Ms Allan said.

Under the proposal, employees who can reasonably perform their job remotely would have the right to do so across both the public and private sectors.

Consultation will examine how the rules should apply to different types and sizes of businesses, how remote work is defined, and who is eligible.

An online survey is now open through Engage Victoria for workers and employers to share their experiences, while roundtable discussions with unions, peak bodies and industry representatives will be held from September.

“So many Victorians rely on work from home, and so many businesses currently have flexible arrangements in place,” Ms Symes said.

“We want to listen to them about what’s worked.”

The issue briefly spilled into federal politics earlier this year when the Liberal Party proposed to end work from home flexibility for Commonwealth public servants. The policy was dumped after a backlash, but many saw it as the thin edge of the wedge and a sign that broader rights could be under threat.

Through the debate it became clear that support for flexible work extended well beyond those who used it. Many backed the idea because a family member relied on it or because fewer cars on the road meant less peak hour congestion.

Working from home became more widespread during the pandemic and remains common, with more than a third of Australian workers, including 60 per cent of professionals, regularly doing so.

The Victorian government says the practice saves families money, cuts commuting time and supports workforce participation, particularly for women with children, carers and people with a disability.