Victorians who can do their jobs from home will soon have a legal right to work remotely two days a week.
The new rule will come into effect on 1 September 2026. Legislation to introduce the change will be brought to the Victorian Parliament in July.
The right to work from home will be written into the Equal Opportunity Act, making Victoria one of the first places in the world to protect remote work in law.
The change will apply to workplaces of all sizes. However, businesses with fewer than 15 employees will have an extra year to prepare, with the law applying to them from 1 July 2027.
If disputes arise between workers and employers over working from home, the matter will first go to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission for conciliation. If the issue cannot be resolved there, it can then be taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Supporters of the change say working from home has already become a major part of modern work life. More than a third of workers – including around 60 per cent of professionals – now regularly work remotely.
Working from home is also saving families money and time. On average, workers are estimated to save about $110 a week, or more than $5,000 a year, while also cutting down long commutes. Victorians are now spending more than three hours less each week travelling to work.
The shift has also been linked to higher workforce participation, which is currently 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.
Premier Jacinta Allan said working from home helps families balance their lives and supports parents to stay in the workforce.
“Work from home works for families because it saves time and money and helps more parents stay in work,” she said, adding that the government wants to ensure the option is protected in law.
Industrial Relations Minister Jaclyn Symes said putting the right into legislation would ensure it cannot easily be removed.
“Work from home is good for families, good for productivity and good for the economy,” she said. “Enshrining this right in law means it cannot simply be taken away.”
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