WFH Laws Delayed Until 2027

The Carroll Labor Government has delayed Victoria’s work-from-home laws until next year, marking a major move on one of the state’s most polarising workplace reforms.

The laws were due to take effect on 1 September, giving eligible Victorians the right to work from home for two days a week where their job could reasonably be performed remotely.

Premier Ben Carroll has now pushed the commencement date back to 1 July 2027, allowing more time for consultation before the changes take effect.

The move has been welcomed by some business groups and opponents of the policy, who have raised concerns about costs, red tape and the impact of legislating workplace arrangements.

However, the delay will disappoint workers who supported the changes, particularly in outer suburbs such as Wyndham where lengthy commutes can make flexible working particularly valuable.

New Premier, New Policy Direction

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2021 Census shows 77,534 Wyndham residents travelled to work by car as either a driver or passenger, representing 57.1 per cent of employed residents aged 15 and over.

Another 8,015 people, or 5.9 per cent, used public transport, while 34,423 Wyndham residents — 25.3 per cent — worked from home on Census day.

The Census was conducted during the COVID-affected period, meaning the work-from-home figure was unusually high.

The government has previously estimated working from home can save workers more than $5,000 a year and more than three hours of commuting each week.

For Wyndham workers, fewer days commuting can also mean reduced spending on fuel, tolls, parking or public transport and more time at home.

The government has not abandoned the proposed right to work from home, but its delay means Victorians will now wait almost another year for the reforms.