New Working From Home Rights: What Businesses Must Know

Workplaces across Victoria are evolving, and new Working From Home protections expected to commence from 1 September 2026 are part of that transformation and will apply across both public and private sector workplaces.

While many businesses already allow some remote work, these upcoming changes will shift working from home from a workplace benefit to something closer to a legal workplace right.

For business owners, this means preparing now to ensure policies, management practices and documentation are ready. When approaching it strategically, it presents an opportunity to strengthen workplace culture, improve productivity, and position your business as a modern employer of choice.

At Integrated People Solutions, we believe legislation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, it can be an opportunity to build stronger, more resilient businesses.

Here is what you need to know.

The law will apply regardless of the size of the workplace, meaning small businesses will not be exempt.

This means employees have the right to work from home at least two days per week if their job can reasonably be performed remotely.

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Sole Trader

If you operate your business alone, the legislation may not directly impact your day-to-day operations. However, it becomes important if you:

• Hire employees in the future
• Engage contractors
• Grow your business structure

Having clear agreements and expectations around remote work will help prevent misunderstandings and ensure your business remains compliant as it grows.

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Small businesses

Small businesses will feel some of the most immediate operational impacts.
Because many small workplaces operate with informal policies, the new laws may require businesses to:

• Create formal working from home policies
• Develop consistent decision-making processes
• Clearly document when and why requests may be declined
• Train supervisors or managers on how to handle requests fairly

Without proper structure, businesses may face disputes or compliance challenges.

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Medium Businesses

Medium-sized businesses will likely face broader organisational impacts.
These may include:

• Increased work-from-home requests
• Managing hybrid teams across multiple locations
• Ensuring fairness across departments
• Maintaining workplace culture and productivity
• Updating HR policies and employee handbooks

Larger teams also mean greater risk if policies are applied inconsistently. Clear systems and leadership training will become essential.

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What This Means for Business Owners

For employers, these changes are not just about letting staff work from home.
They require a more structured approach to managing flexibility in the workplace.

Business owners will need to consider:

• Whether roles can reasonably be performed remotely
• How requests will be assessed and documented
• How to maintain productivity and communication in hybrid teams
• Workplace health and safety obligations and the psychosocial factors for remote workers
• Updating HR policies and procedures

Planning early will help businesses avoid disruption when the laws take effect.

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How Integrated People Solutions Supports Businesses

Navigating workplace changes is much easier when you have the right support.
Integrated People Solutions works with Victorian businesses to ensure they are prepared, compliant, and confident when new legislation arrives. We support businesses by helping them:

✔ Review existing workplace arrangements
✔ Develop clear and compliant HR policies
✔ Create practical frameworks for flexible work
✔ Support leaders in managing hybrid teams
✔ Strengthen workplace culture and productivity

Our goal is simple: help businesses grow while staying compliant and supporting their people.

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Preparing Early Makes the Difference

The businesses that benefit most from legislative change are the ones that plan early and approach it strategically.

Taking time now to review your workplace structure can help ensure that by the time these laws come into effect, your business is already operating smoothly.
And that’s where the right guidance makes all the difference.

Is Your Business Ready?

To help employers prepare, Integrated People Solutions has created a practical resource:

Is Your Business Ready for the 2026 Working From Home Laws? This simple business risk and leadership tool will help you quickly identify areas where your business may need to prepare.

Download the business tool and take the first step toward building a stronger, future-ready workplace.

If you are looking for a HR Consultant, Tailored Recruitment or Payroll support, we service the following areas:

Whittlesea, Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Nillumbik in Victoria

Suburbs we service in Whittlesea

Beveridge, Bundoora, Donnybrook, Doreen, Epping, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang, Thomastown, Whittlesea, Wollert, Woodstock, Yan Yean

Suburbs we service in Darebin

Bundoora, Coburg, Coburg North, Fairfield, Keon Park, Kingsbury, Macleod, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir and Thornbury

Suburbs we service in Hume

Broadmeadows, Bulla, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Craigieburn, Fawkner, Gladstone Park, Greenvale, Jacana, Kalkallo, Keilor, Meadow Heights, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Somerton, Sunbury, Tullamarine, and Westmeadows

Suburbs we service in Nillumbik

Doreen, Eltham, Eltham North, Greensborough, Hurstbridge

Contact Us: (03) 7076 1567 or email hr@integratedpeoplesolutions.com.au

If you know someone who would benefit from learning how to integrate their working from home processes, forward them this email or get them to subscribe.