Australia among leading countries when it comes to home-based working
Nearly a quarter of Australians are still working from home despite the gradual decline of such arrangements as more employers ask staff to return onsite, according to a new report.
Gensler's Global Workplace Survey 2025 surveyed more than 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries, including Australia, to determine what employees value most when it comes to work.
"Our goal was to uncover what employees value most, what they need from the office/work environment, and how workplaces can be better designed to support all forms of in-person work," Gensler said.
It found that 24% of Australians are still working from home, making it one of the countries still leading in remote work arrangements just after the United Kingdom (26%) and Canada (25%).
These findings come despite the report noting that time working alone continues to steadily decrease, while time spent working with others in-person continues to go up.
In Australia, the research found that 55% are already working in offices, with 28% saying they work with others in-person.
This follows a recent report from Robert Half showing that 39% of employees have already mandated in-office days, with 40% more planning to do so this year.
But employees' return to workplaces comes with new expectations for their offices, according to the Gensler report. Employees described their ideal workplace experience as:
"This shift highlights a desire for dynamic, collaborative environments that also promote well-being, comfort, and a sense of play," the report read.
"Notably, these preferences remain consistent across age groups, suggesting that employees of all generations are reimagining their ideal workplace beyond traditional office settings and envisioning a wider array of experiences."
Beyond their individual workstations and meeting rooms, the respondents also ranked the following areas as "most important to have" in the office:
"Amenities are no longer optional—they are important components of a workplace experience. Employees value a diverse range of workplace amenities beyond their individual workstations and conference rooms," the report read.
"These trends underscore the importance of designing workspaces that balance social, functional, and restorative spaces."
