New analysis that this Department has co-funded with iMOVE finds that future workplaces are likely to adopt a hybrid approach involving a mix of home-based and onsite work, with up to 50 per cent of existing jobs potentially providing employees with some ability to work-from-home.
The research was conducted by the University of South Australia between September 2020 and June 2021, and was co-funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications in partnership with the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre.
The report finds that work-from-home uptake grew strongly during the pandemic, with 30 per cent working remotely most days, up from 2 to 8 per cent pre-pandemic. Working from home is more prevalent in white-collar occupations and in large firms than in blue-collar occupations or small firms.
Work-from-home uptake was 5 to 7 per cent higher in the three largest capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) than in smaller cities. The Central Business District (CBDs) of the five major capital cities had uptake that was 10 to 30 per cent higher than non-CBD areas.
The report also found that working from home can reduce weekday commute travel by car and public transport by 12-17 per cent and 22-31 per cent respectively.