Australians may soon have the legal right to work from home, following a significant move by the Greens to amend the Fair Work Act. The Education and Employment Legislation Committee has initiated an inquiry into the proposed bill, which would allow employees to work remotely for up to two days each week. This development could fundamentally change workplace dynamics across the nation.
Senator Barbara Pocock, the Greens’ spokesperson on workplace relations, emphasized that flexible working arrangements are now a mainstream expectation. “Two-thirds of Australians support remote arrangements,” she noted. Pocock added, “Flexible working arrangements are an essential feature of modern workplaces. Working from home reduces commuting, improves wellbeing, and boosts productivity, while also supporting women and carers.”
The push for this legislation is further strengthened by a commitment from Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to introduce similar measures at the state level early next year. Pocock stated, “Given that most workers in Australia are covered by federal workplace law, it makes practical sense to ensure this right at the national level. We need a sensible, national approach.”
Industry Support for Flexible Work Rights
The inquiry has garnered support from various industry voices, including Sabrina Scherm, a representative from the human resources platform HiBob. She described the inquiry as an opportunity to elevate workplace flexibility from a “perk” to a fundamental right. “Australia is finally having a serious conversation about modernising how we work,” Scherm said.
She further elaborated that the focus should shift from the location of work to the outcomes delivered by employees. “Legislating flexibility forces us to stop managing by headcount and start managing by impact,” she explained. Scherm highlighted that 56 percent of employees report being equally or more productive when working remotely, particularly with the aid of AI tools, reinforcing the business case for such arrangements.
The Senate inquiry will collect feedback from stakeholders and unions before presenting its recommendations by March 26, 2026. This discussion takes place against a backdrop of ongoing disputes regarding flexible work requests at the Fair Work Commission.
Legal Precedents and Worker Rights
A landmark case has also emerged in support of flexible work rights. Karlene Chandler, a Westpac employee, achieved a significant victory when the Fair Work Commission found that the bank acted unlawfully by refusing her request to work from home to care for her two young children. This case has been highlighted as a pivotal moment for working parents and a clear indication that the era of flexible work is far from over.
The commission revealed that Westpac’s failure to respond to Chandler’s request within the mandated 21 days and the lack of genuine engagement in the process constituted a breach of workplace law. Fair Work Commissioner Sharon Durham noted that many similar disputes have been resolved behind closed doors, with numerous employers possibly unaware of their legal obligations regarding flexible work.
The Greens’ initiative, backed by growing public support and recent legal victories, signals a potential shift in how Australian workplaces will operate in the future. With increased emphasis on employee wellbeing and productivity, the right to work from home could soon become a reality for many Australians.
