Flexible working arrangements policy template
Support work-life balance while meeting business needs. Covers remote work, adjusted hours and job sharing under Fair Work requirements, including eligibility, request processes and reasonable business grounds for refusal.
Flexible work policy
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Why you need a flexible work policy
The Fair Work Act 2009 gives certain employees the right to request flexible working arrangements. Eligible employees include those with caring responsibilities, disabilities, who are 55 or older, experiencing family violence, or other circumstances covered by the Act.
Employers must respond in writing within 21 days and can only refuse on reasonable business grounds. Without a clear policy, you risk inconsistent decisions, employee relations issues and potential disputes at the Fair Work Commission.
A well-structured policy demonstrates your commitment to work-life balance while establishing clear criteria for assessing and managing flexible work arrangements that meet both employee and business needs.
Key elements of a flexible work policy
What your flexible working arrangements policy should include
Types of arrangements
Clear examples of flexible work including remote work, adjusted hours and job sharing.
Eligibility under Fair Work
Who can request flexible work under the Fair Work Act 2009.
Request procedures
How employees submit requests and what information to include.
Employer response requirements
Your obligations to respond and consult in good faith.
Trial periods
Framework for testing arrangements before making them permanent.
Review processes
How arrangements are monitored, reviewed and adjusted over time.
What's included in this template
Comprehensive coverage of flexible work requirements
Purpose & scope
Why the policy exists and who it applies to.
Policy statement
The organisation's commitment to supporting flexible work.
Types of flexible arrangements
Remote work, adjusted hours, compressed weeks, job sharing and more.
Eligibility to request
Who has the right to request under Fair Work and company eligibility.
Making a request
How to submit a request and what information is needed.
Employer response
Consultation requirements and timeframes for responding.
Reasonable business grounds
Valid reasons for refusing a request under Fair Work.
Trial arrangements
Testing new arrangements before making them ongoing.
Ongoing arrangements
Formalising, documenting and managing approved arrangements.
Review and changes
How arrangements are reviewed and can be varied or ended.
Who should use this template?
Essential for modern Australian employers
Legal disclaimer
This template is designed to reflect Australian Fair Work requirements at the time of publication. It is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.
You should review and tailor this template to suit your business, industry and operational requirements. Awards and enterprise agreements may contain additional provisions. Seek independent legal or HR professional advice if needed.
Regulatory sources
This template is aligned with the National Employment Standards under the Fair Work Act.
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Ready to support flexible work?
Download our comprehensive flexible working arrangements policy template and meet your Fair Work obligations.
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Disclaimer
This document is a general HR template provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes in legislation or apply to every workplace situation. RosterElf Pty Ltd and the template provider accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this document. Users should seek independent legal advice and customise the template to ensure it complies with all relevant laws, awards and workplace requirements.