WFH Laws Will Add Costs, Kill Investment

27 August, 2026

Almost 60 per cent of survey respondents said they would be more likely to start, expand or invest outside of Victoria, if the Work from Home bill is passed.

Over a thousand Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry members have had their say, with 3 out of 4 businesses declaring the legislation will negatively impact their operation.

Victorian businesses overwhelmingly say the right to Work From Home Bill should be abandoned.

Premier Ben Carroll has now greenlit debate in the Upper House on the Equal Opportunity Amendment (Work from Home) Bill, with the expectation it will pass this week.

VCCI had called for the bill to be scrapped altogether, arguing the current system devised between employers and employees is already supporting flexible options.

The survey shows a majority of businesses say the Government’s initial decision to pause bill has failed to shift business confidence in the Carroll Government.  Instead, business says government should be focused on making it easier to employ Victorians, reducing the cost of doing business and getting on top of state debt.

The comments from our members demonstrate the level of frustration.  One saying they would “take urgent steps to exit conducting business in Victoria.”  Another declaring Victoria has become “one of the most expensive states in Australia to hire staff.”

To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Sally Curtain:  

‘This is another ‘Only in Victoria’ policy.  At a time when we should be competing harder for investment, jobs and talent, we are turning Victoria into an island – with its own rules, its own costs and its own barriers to doing business.”

“The disappointment here is that this was avoidable.  There was another way.  We put it on the table.  It cost less, regulated less and achieved the objective.  The Government chose not to take it.”

“We took Premier Carroll at his word that he wanted a reset with the business community.  Sadly, the Premier has not listened and is now placing Victorian jobs and investment opportunities at risk.”

Media contact: Gail Watson, [email protected], 0423 883 945