Have your say on work from home bill

As part of its plan to enshrine the right to work from home in law, the Victorian government is encouraging Victorians to have their say at engage.vic.gov.au/wfh. Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes opened consultation to all Victorians ahead of legislation being introduced to the parliament next year. The government said the consultation brings together workers and employers alike to ensure the proposed laws reflect the real-world experience of working from home: what’s fair, what’s practical, and what’s already working. Under the proposed laws, if you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week, whether you work in the public sector or private sector. "Consultation won’t determine whether working from home should be a right – we already know it should be - this is about making sure the rules are appropriate," a government spokesperson said. 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. Any employee or employer can participate in this survey. To have your say, visit engage.vic.gov.au/wfh. • Roundtable discussions with industry will also be held from September 2025. Stakeholders, peak bodies and unions can register their interest for the roundtable consultations at engage.vic.gov.au/wfh. Nationals' Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said any proposed work-from-home legislation must take into account the unique challenges faced by border communities. “For those living and working along the Murray, different state rules can cause real headaches for businesses and employees alike, especially when workplaces operate across both Victoria and New South Wales,” Mr McCurdy said. “We support flexible work arrangements, particularly the opportunities they can provide for women, but the rules must be consistent, practical, and avoid unintentionally disadvantaging small and medium businesses or the people they employ.” Survey data will reveal what Victorians think about working from home – 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 working from home works for families and it’s good for the economy. "Flexible working arrangements are utilised by workers and businesses alike, with more than a third of Australian workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly working from home," a spokesperson said. "It saves families on average $110 a week or $5308 every year." Premier Allan said 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,” she said. “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.” Minister Symes said so many Victorians rely on work from home, and so many businesses currently have flexible arrangements in place.” “We want to listen to them about what’s worked,” she said.

Have your say on work from home bill

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