Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

COVID-19 and working from home

Learn about your rights working from home during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

On this page

Many workers feel unsure of their rights as a result of COVID-19 coronavirus. There are five things you need to know about working from home:

  • if your employer tells you to work from home because it is safer, this is probably legal
  • your employer must make sure it is healthy and safe for you to work from home
  • your employer can tell you to attend your usual workplace if that is lawful and reasonable
  • if you cannot go to work and cannot work from home you might still be paid, but this depends on your situation
  • if you are not sure about your rights, you can get legal advice. See Other support for COVID-19 coronavirus.

Do I have to work from home?

Your employer must follow laws about health and safety, as well as rules about COVID-19 coronavirus.

You must do what your employer asks if it is lawful and reasonable. It is probably lawful and reasonable for your employer to ask you to work from home if:

  • it is safer for you or the people you work with
  • that is what is recommended by health advice.

If you want to work from home because you are not vaccinated, see COVID-19, mandatory vaccines and work.

The Victorian government recommends that you isolate if you have COVID-19. For more information about current rules and recommendations, see the Victorian government’s COVID Checklist or call 1800 675 398.

You can ask your employer to let you work from home during the isolation or quarantine period. Your employer may agree or disagree, depending on the type of work you do and your circumstances. If you are a permanent employee, you may be able to get paid leave.

You may be eligible for financial support from the Victorian government if you are affected by COVID-19. For more information, visit the Victorian government’s webpage Financial and other support.

For more information, see COVID-19 and being unable to work.

Do I have to go to work?

If your employer wants you to go to work, you must go if all the following apply:

  • it is lawful
  • it is reasonable. This will depend on the type of work you do, and your circumstances. Every workplace is different. What is reasonable in one workplace may not be reasonable in a different workplace.
  • it is safe.

You can refuse to do work that is unsafe.

If you are not sure whether you must attend work, you can get legal advice. See Other support.

How do I make my home safe for work?

Employers must make sure that workplaces are healthy and safe. Employers must take reasonable steps to make sure working from home arrangements are safe for workers.

Workers must also take reasonable care of their own safety when they are working from home.

What is reasonable will depend on your circumstances.

What if I cannot work from home?

If you are a permanent employee and your employer tells you to stay at home, but you cannot work from home, you might be paid your ordinary pay.

Your employer should keep paying your ordinary pay if:

  • you are healthy and want to keep working
  • it is not reasonable to ask you to use your personal leave, such as sick pay or holiday pay.

If your employer refuses to pay you when they should, you can get help from the Fair Work Ombudsman. You can get legal advice. See Other support for COVID-19 coronavirus.

If you are unable to work from home because you are sick, or caring for a child who is isolating or quarantining at home, you may be entitled to:

  • paid leave from your employer if you are a permanent employee
  • government payments.

For more information, see COVID-19 and being unable to work COVID-19 and being unable to work.

More information

Learn where to get Other support for COVID-19 coronavirus

Read our page on Employment and your rights

Fair Work Ombudsman Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and thank JobWatch for allowing us to use their COVID-19: Employment rights Q&A to prepare this information. We also thank JobWatch for reviewing this information and providing updates.

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