BCSDA lodges submission on Victoria’s proposed right to work from home legislation
- bcsda0
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Sydney, 9 October 2025 - The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) has lodged its submission to the Victorian Government on the proposed legislation for a universal right to work from home. This consultation is a pivotal moment in shaping the future of work, with significant implications for business competitiveness, workforce participation, trust in regulatory settings, and progress towards sustainability. You can read our submission here.
Evidence from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) confirms the widespread and lasting nature of flexible work. By August 2024, more than one-third of Australians usually worked from home, with participation rising to 60% of professionals. Flexible arrangements have lifted labour force participation by 4.4 percentage points since 2019, delivering strong benefits for carers and people with disability, while also contributing to congestion reduction and emissions cuts. At the same time, Melbourne’s CBD vacancy rate sits at 18%, highlighting systemic urban challenges that require coordinated solutions beyond labour law.
“Getting this legislation right is critical. Flexibility is not simply a perk of modern work, it is a driver of participation, inclusion and resilience. But it must be designed to provide employers with clarity and confidence. A balanced right-to-request model will position Victoria as a national leader in sustainable workplace policy,” said Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSDA.
BCSDA’s submission recommends:
Legislating a universal, role-tested right to request remote or hybrid work, rather than a blanket minimum entitlement.
Codifying clear refusal grounds for employers (safety, supervision, service quality, confidentiality, equipment dependency).
Embedding baseline protections for work health and safety, privacy, and cybersecurity.
Supporting simple, low-cost implementation with standard forms, decision timelines, and conciliation pathways.
Pairing work-from-home policy with complementary urban revitalisation and transport measures.
Mandating ongoing monitoring and review after 3–4 years, to ensure adaptability and trust in the framework.
BCSDA’s submission emphasises that the right-to-request framework must be evidence-led, sector-sensitive, and outcomes-focused, avoiding blunt industry-wide exemptions while safeguarding frontline and training-intensive roles.
BCSDA acknowledged the input of its members and partners in shaping the submission and reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing collaboration. The Council will continue engaging with the Victorian Government and convening member roundtables to help design a framework that supports flexibility, resilience, and trust.
To access the full submission or join the conversation, visit www.bcsda.org.au
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
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m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994