The Four-Day Work Week: Australia’s Next Big Workplace Experiment?

Australia’s traditional five-day work week could soon be under review, as new trials and research initiatives explore the potential for a four-day work week: offering employees 100% pay for 80% of their usual hours, provided they maintain full productivity.

The National Institute for Work and Mental Wellbeing and other research bodies are examining how shorter working weeks affect productivity, job satisfaction, and employee wellbeing. The concept has gained momentum globally, with pilot programs in countries like the UK, Iceland, and New Zealand showing strong results: including improved mental health, reduced burnout, and maintained or even increased productivity.

While no Australian law currently mandates or protects a four-day work week, several local companies have independently adopted the model as part of flexible work arrangements. Early reports from these organisations indicate better work-life balance, lower absenteeism, and higher engagement.

Workplace and policy experts suggest that the move toward a shorter work week aligns with evolving expectations about work-life balance, mental health, and sustainable productivity. However, challenges remain - particularly in sectors requiring continuous coverage or shift work.

The National Institute’s findings could help inform future Fair Work Commission discussions and national labour policy. For now, the four-day work week remains a voluntary innovation, but one that could reshape how Australians define a “full-time” job in the years ahead.