In short:
The Allan Government plans to guarantee eligible Victorian workers two days working from home, including those employed by small businesses. In Wyndham, where many residents commute long distances, the proposal is welcomed by workers but raises concerns among small business operators about local economic impacts.
No Exemptions For Small Businesses
The Allan Government has confirmed it will expand its proposed work-from-home laws to cover employees in small businesses, giving eligible workers the right to work from home two days a week, regardless of their employer’s size.
The update means employees who can reasonably perform their duties remotely would receive the same protections whether they work for a major corporation or a small local business.
While not all roles can be done from home, the proposal applies to those that can.
More than 1.3 million Victorians work in small businesses. Under current workplace arrangements, access to remote work is often determined by employer discretion, and flexibility can vary widely between large and small organisations.
The Government says the reform follows consultation, including a survey that received 37,485 responses.
Three quarters of employees surveyed said the right to work from home was “extremely” important.
More than 3,200 respondents said they did not feel comfortable asking their employer to work from home.
Of those who believed they could physically work remotely but were not doing so, most said they had asked and were refused.
Premier Jacinta Allan says the change is about ensuring equal treatment across workplaces.
“Work from home works for families, because it saves time and money and it gets more parents working.”
“If you can work from home for a small business, you deserve the same rights as someone working for a big bank.”
“Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit.”
The Government estimates working from home saves families an average of $110 a week and reduces commuting time by more than three hours per week.
It also points to workforce participation being 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.
One-size-fits-all Questioned
In Wyndham, where many residents commute to jobs outside the municipality, remote work has reduced travel time and transport costs for households.
As one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing areas, long daily commutes are common, and the original pledge to protect work-from-home arrangements was broadly supported by many local workers.
However, the expansion to small businesses has prompted concern among some operators.
Small business groups argue that mandating a two-day entitlement may limit operational flexibility, particularly in workplaces with small teams or customer-facing roles.
They say staffing arrangements are often more sensitive in smaller enterprises and that a uniform approach may not account for industry differences.
Some local traders also raise concerns about potential impacts on daytime economic activity if fewer employees are present in commercial areas.
Others question how disputes will be resolved in cases where employers and employees disagree on whether a role can be performed remotely.
Supporters of the reform argue that flexibility is now a standard expectation in many sectors and that businesses need to adapt to attract and retain staff.
They also point to reduced congestion and lower household costs as broader economic benefits.
The proposal is expected to face parliamentary debate as details of the legislation are finalised.
For growth areas such as Wyndham, the policy highlights the ongoing balance between supporting workers who face long commutes and ensuring small businesses remain viable in a changing employment landscape.
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