Two days of smart working required by law: this state is preparing for a big turning point for workers

In the Australian state of Victoria, a turning point is being prepared that is destined to cause discussion in the world of work. The Labor government led by Prime Minister Jacinta Allan has presented a bill that aims to transform smart working into a real legal right for millions of workers.

The measure provides that employees, both in the public and private sectors, can work remotely for two days a week, when their duties allow it. The declared objective is to formally recognize a practice that has spread massively in recent years, especially after the pandemic. If approved, the rule would come into force as early as September, while small businesses would have more time to comply, with a deadline set in July 2027.

Melbourne at the center of change

The economic heart of this transformation is Melbourne, capital of the State of Victoria and one of the most dynamic cities in the whole of Australia. Some of the country’s largest companies are based here, including BHP, Rio Tinto, ANZ Bank and Telstra, as well as major pension funds and finance companies.

Precisely in such a relevant economic context, the government’s proposal takes on particular weight. Making smart working a right could radically change the organization of work in one of the main economic centers of the southern hemisphere. For many workers this is a long overdue step. Working from home means fewer hours spent in city traffic, more time with family and a better work-life balance.

The government’s position and consensus among workers

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan openly defended the proposal, arguing that remote working represents a concrete advantage for families. According to the Labor government, allowing employees to work from home for a few days a week can reduce transport costs, improve quality of life and encourage work participation for many parents. It is no coincidence that the reform has become one of the central points of the Labor electoral platform ahead of the local elections in November.

Doubts from companies and criticism from the opposition

While the idea is widely supported among workers, the enthusiasm among managers is decidedly more limited. Several executives fear that requiring remote work days could complicate team management and reduce operational efficiency.

The liberal opposition has also expressed strong doubts, calling remote working models “unsustainable” especially in the public sector. Some business associations have taken the criticism even further, hypothesizing that the introduction of the rule could convince some companies to move jobs to other Australian states.

A reform that could change work

The debate remains open, but one thing is certain: if the law is approved, Victoria would become one of the first territories in the world to formally recognize smart working as a structural right. A decision that may not only concern Australia. In an era in which the relationship between technology, productivity and quality of life is at the center of the global debate, Victoria’s choice could become a model to be replicated for many other countries too.

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