Recent research by Roy Morgan reveals a significant trend in Australia where over half of full-time employees are now engaging in work-from-home arrangements, especially in urban areas. Approximately 6.7 million Australians, accounting for 46% of the workforce, have embraced remote work, with this figure rising to 51% for full-time workers, compared to 36% for part-timers.
This shift is particularly pronounced in major cities, with Sydney (55%), Melbourne (52%), and Canberra (51%) reporting the highest percentages of remote workers. In contrast, cities like Brisbane (43%), Adelaide (44%), Perth (40%), and Hobart (45%) have lower rates. Regional Australia shows a downward trend, with Queensland having the highest work-from-home rate at 40%, followed by New South Wales (39%) and Victoria (36%).
Smaller businesses and solo workers are more likely to work remotely, with a staggering 55% of self-employed individuals doing so. Conversely, workplaces with five to 24 employees report only 38% working from home. The sectors with the highest remote work adoption include finance and insurance (66%), communications (61%), property and business services (57%), and public administration (56%).
In terms of income, remote work is more prevalent among higher earners, peaking at 64% for those earning $300,000 or more. This indicates that economic factors play a role in the ability to work from home.
Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan, emphasised the importance of understanding the varying dynamics of remote work across different industries, workplace sizes, and income levels as the workforce landscape continues to evolve. This awareness is crucial for businesses, employees, and policymakers alike as they adapt to these ongoing changes in work patterns.