The Victorian government has announced a plan to enshrine the right to work from home two days a week for eligible workers. Under the changes, private and public sector workers who can reasonably do their job from home will have the right to do so.
The move is a win for the more than one in three workers that work from home.
But just how will this be done and what has been the reaction?
Why does the government want to protect the right to work from home?
According to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan the move is designed to provide more flexibility to working families.
She said the changes would help to improve the work-life balance of women including single mums and carers.
“We won’t stand by while workers — especially women, single mums, carers — get punished for needing balance in their lives,” Ms Allan said.
Ms Allan also said she believed that working from home can make good workers more productive. According to the ABS, 43% of workers who work from home do overtime. This compares to just 25% of those who work from the office.
How will this be done?
The government will aim to pass legislation before the state election next November. According to the government they have several legislative options. One option being considered is amending the Equal Opportunity Act. It prohibits discrimination based on traits like race, sex, or disability.
The government said the department of premier and cabinet will lead consultation. This will consider the types and sizes of businesses that would be covered by the scheme. It will also consider who is eligible and what is defined as remote work.
What has been the reaction?
Some experts welcomed the changes. They believe that working from home plays a critical role in achieving gender equality in the workplace.
However, critics question whether the move is enforceable or even constitutional. Victoria, along with other Australian states transferred its powers to regulate private sector workplaces to the Federal Government years ago.
The Federal Government legislates that employees have flexible working rights but no working from home minimum. Laws that conflict with this are unlikely to be valid under the constitution.
Therefore, experts say it’s likely any state government legislation to enshrine the right to work from home would receive a high court challenge.
Committee of Melbourne CEO Scott Veenker believes the move would increase the cost of doing business.
“It’s another regulatory burden or requirement that just makes the cost of doing business too hard,” he said, adding that his group “hadn’t been consulted with prior to the announcement,” he told SBS.
“The reality is that we want to actually have an environment where businesses can thrive and flourish, and they don’t need more regulation and more legislation to prevent them [from] doing that.”
Despite these concerns, the Victorian opposition has hinted it could support the proposal. Earlier this year, the Federal Opposition was soundly defeated after it pledged to force public servants back into the office.
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Article References
Abdi, A & Sadrolodabaee, N (2 August 2025) ‘A ‘really important initiative’ or ‘complete overreach’: New WFH plan draws mixed reactions’, SBS, accessed 4 August 2025.
Marin-Guzman, D & Ilanbey, S (2 August 2025) ‘Victorians’ right to work from home will be protected by law as part of plan from Premier Jacinta Allan’, Financial Review, accessed 4 August 2025.
Willingham, R (2 August 2025) ‘Victorians’ right to work from home will be protected by law as part of plan from Premier Jacinta Allan’, ABC News, accessed 4 August 2025.