The Four-Day Workweek Australian Companies Reporting

Australia will agree to adopt the global shift towards a four-day workweek with early adopters attesting to the range of unexpected benefits-from increased productivity to employee wellbeing. The rethinking of a traditional 40-hour week into this radical change for many industries is questioning long-held assumptions regarding work culture.

The Australian Experiment
More than 50 companies have since 2022 participated in local trials, which are modeled on the following:
✔ 100-80-100 – 100% pay for 80% time while maintaining 100% output
✔ Flexible scheduling – Staggered days off or company-wide closures

Leading Names in the Test Space:

Technology: Our Community (Melbourne software firm)

Finance: Tribe Digital (Brisbane marketing agency)

Health: Dental House Group (Victoria)

Main Learnings from 12-Month Trials
1. Gains on Productivity

78% of companies – balance or increase output (4 Day Week Global)

There was a 35% drop in time spent in meetings for participating businesses.

2. Employee Gains

Sick days reduced by 63%.

92% of employees reported better work-life balance.

3. Business Results

58% of firms reported an uptrend in profit.

Employee attrition was halved at the Melbourne agency, Versa.

Results by sector
Sector Model of adaptation Outcome
IT Rotating Fridays off 22% faster project delivery
Retail Monday-reduced openings Up to 18% better sales/sq. ft.
Manufacturing 4x10hr shifts 31% less injuries at workplace
Implementation Issues
⚠ Expectations of clients:

Grant Thornton has initially experienced some resistance from global clients.

Remedy: Have staggered coverage by “always-on” client teams.

⚠ Workload Compression:

23% of trial companies acclimatized to spikes of stress at times.

Solution: Training for productivity prior to transition.

Government & Union Stance
ACTU advocating for legislated shorter weeks

Federal Parliament is now assessing the UK trial data to assist with policy development.

NSW Govt piloting 4-day work weeks at select departments.

Employee Sentiments
“My one day off is dedicated for professional development; the more valuable I am to my employer.”
-Sarah K., IT Consultant, Adelaide.

“Junior staff have excelled with some time to pursue side projects relevant to the business,”
-Mark L., Owner, Sydney architecture firm.

How Companies Get it Done
Output-Based Metrics – Making deliverables the focus instead of hours spent in work

Meeting Discipline – Saturday-only maximum with required agendas

Tech Enablement – Routine tasks automated by AI tools

What’s Next Ahead
2025 Expansion: An anticipated 200+ Australian companies will be entering the fray in trials.

Sector Watch: Adaptation testing for construction and education.

Global Context: Australia lags behind the UK (91% of trial firms keep the 4-day week).

While not an across-the-board solution, the four-day workweek demonstrates its capacity to operate in this diverse economy of Australia. Burnout costs the business “$14 billion a year”; this emerging model offers a promising alternative and benefit of both profit and people.