Senate Inquiry Weighs Stronger Work-From-Home Rights
A Senate committee is examining Greens legislation that would make it harder for employers to refuse remote work requests under the Fair Work Act.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Should workers over 55 have a legal right to work from home two days a week?
A Senate inquiry is examining Greens legislation to strengthen remote work requests under the Fair Work Act 2009, with the committee scheduled to report on 18 November 2026. The Act currently gives no automatic right to work from home, and employers can refuse protected requests on reasonable business grounds.
Why it matters
The bill would require employers to show a role's inherent requirements make remote work impractical before refusing up to two remote days a week, and to consider reasonable adjustments first. The debate reflects concern for older workers, carers and people with disabilities, alongside opposition from groups representing essential workers.
The current Act requires one year of continuous service for a protected request, while the Greens' bill caps refusals at up to two remote days per week unless the role makes remote work impractical. The Senate committee's final findings on the proposed threshold remain pending.
The players
Greens
The Australian Greens are a federal political party that introduced the bill to strengthen remote work requests under the Fair Work Act.
Barbara Pocock
Barbara Pocock is a Greens senator who has argued that working from home helps older people stay in the workplace longer.
Fair Work Commission
The Fair Work Commission is Australia's national workplace relations tribunal, which ruled on Michele Duffy's remote work request.
Productivity Commission
The Productivity Commission is the Australian government's independent research and advisory body, which argued hybrid work was already common after the pandemic.
Police Association of Victoria
The Police Association of Victoria is the union representing police members in Victoria, which opposed the bill over its effect on essential workers.
The details
Under current Section 65, employers may refuse requests on reasonable business grounds such as cost or logistics, whereas the Greens' bill would narrow that ground. The Fair Work Commission separately granted Michele Duffy, 63, one trial day working from home after her employer refused her request for two days.
Timeline
October 2025: The Fair Work Commission ruled on Michele Duffy's remote work request.
2025: The Greens introduced the bill strengthening remote work requests.
18 November 2026: The Senate committee is scheduled to deliver its report.
Big Picture
The proposed amendment would reshape Section 65 of the Fair Work Act 2009, which currently allows employers to refuse flexible work requests on reasonable business grounds. The Senate inquiry will test whether Australia moves toward a stronger statutory right to remote work following the post-pandemic growth of hybrid arrangements.
Employees with at least one year of service, parents, carers and workers aged 55 or older may find remote work requests harder to refuse if the bill passes. Employers would need to document why a role cannot be performed remotely before declining up to two days a week.
The takeaway
Employees considering a remote work request should document their reasons and the role's requirements now, since the Senate inquiry may shape how those requests are assessed. Watch for the committee's findings due on 18 November 2026.
What happens next
The Senate committee is scheduled to deliver its report on 18 November 2026, after which the Greens' bill may proceed to a vote.
Further reading
Explore more on Remote Work across Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Senior.
Live Poll
Should workers over 55 have a legal right to work from home two days a week?
