WFH declines, talent shortage remains in Australia
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — The number of Australians regularly working from home has fallen from 40% in 2021 to 37% in 2023, but remains well above pre-pandemic levels of 32%, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
ABS head Bjorn Jarvis said the 5% increase over 2019 shows “many of the changes in behavior and working arrangements have continued beyond the pandemic.”
Resignations surged in Australia amid in-office mandates, based on an earlier survey by global recruitment firm Robert Half.
However, some experts predict work-from-home rates may plateau in 2024, as skills shortages give professionals more leverage to dictate location.
In fact, Australian accounting firms are increasingly looking offshore to fill talent gaps amid an ongoing shortage of qualified accountants locally.
“The skill and talent shortage in Australia has not eased yet,” noted Dr. Connie Zheng of the University of South Australia, citing a recent migration law change aiming to lure more highly skilled workers.
Most large employers now require at least 50% office attendance. The Commonwealth Bank issued return-to-work orders in July.
Meanwhile, professor Christina Boedker of the University of Newcastle Business School said full return to the office will most likely be implemented over the next five years, while CEOs expect it to be done by 2026, according to a KPMG survey.
