Government workers will return to offices in greater numbers to boost the Victorian economy, with a revised flexible work policy for the Victorian Public Service (VPS) released today.

The new policy outlines a starting position of three days in a primary office location – designed to capitalise on the productivity gains and work-life balance that can come with working remotely, while supporting the state’s social and economic recovery.

It strikes the right balance between supporting the continued recovery of Melbourne’s CBD while ensuring local suburban and regional areas don’t lose the gains they have made from VPS employees working closer to home.

The VPS will continue to reopen workplaces to employees who have been working remotely in line with the Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) revised Workplace Directions, COVIDSafe, employee health and safety and building capacity.

The default starting position of three days a week in the office for full-time office-based VPS employees will continue to be flexible and subject to relevant Chief Health Officer workplace directions.

The revised policy will support even greater participation by a broader range of Victorians in our public service including workers with disabilities, caring responsibilities and those living outside urban centres.

The Andrews Labor Government is backing flexible work arrangements and local economies with the $20 million roll-out of five suburban government hubs with capacity for as many as 2,380 office-based public servants a week working in their local areas – closer to home.

The first of these hubs is already operational in Footscray, with hubs in Williams Landing and Mulgrave to be opened before 30 June, and two others to follow.

The hubs will increase economic activity in the suburbs with more foot traffic and spending at local traders.