The Australian Telework Advisory Committee

By Kylie McIntosh
It is not just mothers who can benefit substantially from telework. The fact we live in such a large, geographically disparate country is another key reason for promoting telework.

Currently, government departments like Defence, Customs and Centrelink have recognised the advantages of utilising employees who live in remote parts of Australia to contribute to their departmental practices and policies.

In 2006, the Australian Telework Advisory Committee reported to the government in its paper titled: Telework for Australian Employees and Businesses: Maximising the Economic and Social Benefits of Flexible Working Practices.

The committee acknowledged the importance of telework and suggested that
“The existing Sensis survey template could also be built...to measure telework trends and usage behaviours for a range of other important groups, including workers with disabilities, carers, female workers, and workers living in regional, rural and remote areas.”

The committee recognised both the community and social benefits of telework including improving “work–life balance for Australian workers, reducing environmental impacts associated with work-related commuting, and improving prospects for government and business continuity in the advent of terrorism, epidemics and natural disaster.”

To read about Australian case studies examined by this committee visit:http://www.workplace.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/39378CEC-A47E-4981-9DA0-004502E8F433/0/ATACReportTelework.pdf