The Four-Day Workweek in Australia: Is It the Future of Work-Life Balance?

Imagine this: it’s Thursday evening, and you’re shutting down your laptop—not for a public holiday, but because your weekend starts now. Welcome to the four-day workweek, a concept gaining momentum in Australia and around the globe. But is this emerging model the solution to burnout and overwork, or just another utopian experiment with limited viability?

The Case for Change

Australia has long prided itself on a “work hard, play hard” ethos, but cracks in this cultural ideal have been on display for a while. The pandemic upended traditional work norms, accelerating conversations about productivity, well-being, and what a sustainable work-life balance truly means.

The reality is stark: Australians are overworked. According to the OECD, Australia ranks among the highest for annual hours worked—well above nations like Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Yet, more hours don’t necessarily lead to greater productivity. Many countries with shorter workweeks outperform Australia in efficiency.

The Trials Turning Heads

Globally, the four-day workweek is gaining traction, thanks to initiatives like 4 Day Week Global, a nonprofit promoting the concept of reduced work hours. A pilot in Australasia involved 20 companies, across industries like Professional Services, Marketing, Advertising and Manufacturing.  During the 6 month trial, employees worked 4 days a week, for full pay. At the conclusion of the trial 95% of companies planned to continue with the progressive model¹. Other data points were equally as impressive:

• 64% of employees experienced reductions in burnout
• Productivity was rated at a 7/10².
• 78% of business reported happier employees
• 63% said they found it easier to attract top talent.

What the Data Tells Us

More studies are coming to light that show Australians are ready for this shift. A 2023 poll of 42,000 workers found that 40% believe the four-day workweek will become the norm within five years³. While around 60% of Australian workers already consider flexibility more important than career progression⁴. Australians are not just open to the idea—they’re actively seeking it. And companies are responding, with a growing number of companies are experimenting with shorter workweeks. Unilever, for example, began piloting the model with employees in its New Zealand offices before expanding it to Australia.

The Skepticism

Not everyone is convinced. Small business owners often express concern about stretched resources, while industries reliant on constant availability, like logistics and healthcare, fear disruption. Others question whether “compressed” workweeks, where employees fit 40 hours into four days, defeat the purpose of reducing stress and burnout. 

The Bigger Picture

For the four-day workweek to become widespread in Australia, more than corporate experimentation is required. Supportive government policies, cultural shifts and industry-specific adaptations will be key.

Iceland and New Zealand offer promising blueprints. Iceland’s trials, which covered 1% of its workforce, found that productivity either remained the same or improved, while worker wellbeing soared. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s progressive stance on flexible work demonstrates how legislation can empower businesses to innovate.

Cosgriff Lawyers, a law firm in Echuca, piloted the four-day work week in 2024, and after noting both productivity and employee wellbeing soared, they stuck with the model. In a profound, yet simple statement, founder Jim Cosgriff noted “Happy employees are more productive. But more importantly, happy people are really fun to work with⁵". 

The Big Takeaway: A New Normal is Emerging

Will the four-day workweek become Australia’s future of work-life balance? The signs are promising, but significant hurdles remain. Its success will hinge on courageous leadership, thoughtful implementation and a commitment to challenging outdated norms about productivity.

What’s clear is that the conversation has shifted. Australians aren’t just asking for balance anymore, they’re expecting it. While the four-day workweek may not be a panacea, it represents a crucial step toward reimagining how we live and work in the 21st century. After all, who wouldn’t want their weekends to start on a Thursday?

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Footnotes:

1. https://4dayweek.io/country/australia
2. https://4dayweek.io/country/australia
3. https://awna.com.au/four-day-work-week-the-pros-and-cons/#:~:text=A%202023%20poll%20of%20almost,they%20have%20had%20on%20employees.
4. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220222006158/en/Australians-say-flexible-work-is-more-important-than-career-progression
5. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-18/fitter-happier-more-productive-after-switch-to-four-day-week/104581586