Premier Ben Carroll Delays Victoria Work-From-Home Laws to 2027

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has delayed the implementation of the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill 2026, pushing the start date from September 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. The legislation would grant full-time, part-time, and regular casual employees a statutory right to work from home two days a week on a pro-rata basis, requiring employers to cover reasonable remote-work costs and respond to requests within 21 days.

Carroll announced the nearly 10-month delay as a reset to the government's relationship with the business community, allowing for the introduction of sensible amendments. Despite the postponement, the Premier intends for the bill to pass the upper house before the November state election. To mitigate potential High Court challenges regarding state jurisdiction over workplace laws, the legislation is being integrated into the Equal Opportunity Act.

Business lobby groups, including the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Business Council of Australia, have urged the government to scrap the bill entirely, arguing it creates excessive red tape and risks driving investment offshore. Conversely, Greens leader Ellen Sandell accused the Premier of prioritizing corporate interests over workers' rights. The Coalition opposition has indicated it will not block the bill but is seeking amendments to cap employer expenses at $1,000 and prohibit union entry into private homes.