One in three public servants work full-time from the office

Only about a third of Australia’s expanding public service attends the office five days a week, sparking concern over workplace culture and productivity in federal departments.

According to new internal data, many agencies now operate on flexible hybrid models that allow staff to split time between home and the office. Senior officials have warned this could undermine team cohesion and service quality, especially in departments responsible for direct public engagement.

Decline in office presence

Public sector unions continue to defend hybrid arrangements, citing better work-life balance, reduced commuting stress, and improved efficiency. However, several senior managers argue that the lack of consistent office attendance has weakened collaboration, mentoring of junior employees, and accountability.

“Workplace flexibility should not come at the cost of public service standards,” said one departmental source concerned about the long-term impacts.

Government response

The federal government is reportedly reviewing attendance data and may introduce clearer expectations about minimum in-office days for full-time employees. Some departments have already issued internal notices encouraging staff to return more frequently to physical workplaces.

Officials noted that maintaining a visible and engaged workforce is critical as public confidence in government services remains under scrutiny. Balancing flexibility with efficiency is now one of the biggest challenges facing Australia’s public sector leadership.

“We want to modernize how people work,” a minister spokesperson said, “but we also need the public service to stay connected, innovative, and responsive.”

Author summary: About one-third of Australian public servants work full-time in the office, fueling debate over hybrid work’s impact on productivity and teamwork in government departments.

The Australian — 2025-11-28