Australian Council Proposes Four-Day Work Week for Staff

Imagine getting every Friday off without losing a single dollar from your paycheck. That's exactly what workers at Murrumbidgee Council in rural New South Wales might soon experience.

The regional council is proposing a four-day work week for its depot, office, and library staff. Employees would compress their standard 35 to 38 hours into Monday through Thursday, giving them three-day weekends year-round.

General Manager John Scarce says the change isn't just about worker happiness. For road crews who travel an average of 160 kilometers daily to maintain the council's vast network, cutting one commute day could save two hours of travel time and nearly $1 million in fuel and productivity gains.

"We need to be judged not on the fact that we're only going to be working Monday to Thursday," Scarce explained. "We need to be judged on our outcome."

The proposal would apply to offices in Darlington Point, Coleambally, and Jerilderie, though essential services like water, sewerage, and animal control would maintain seven-day coverage. Childcare centers and caravan parks would also keep their regular schedules.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just a local experiment. Research from think-tank Per Capita shows that when one Australian organization trialed a four-day week in 2023, 92% of men and 61% of women reported positive health impacts.

Even more telling: across a global pilot involving 70 organizations, more than 90% stuck with the shorter week after the trial ended. Nearly all employers reported satisfaction with staff performance and output.

The model could transform how rural councils compete for talent. Scarce says his organization struggles to recruit workers, and offering three-day weekends might give them an edge over city employers.

The change could even improve community services. With longer daily hours, the council believes it could switch garbage collection from fortnightly to weekly, addressing a common resident request.

Murrumbidgee Council is currently consulting with ratepayers and expects to make a final decision in the coming months, potentially becoming Australia's first government organization to successfully implement the model after Launceston City Council abandoned similar plans in February.

If approved, rural workers across Australia might soon be enjoying permanent four-day weekends instead of just Easter treats.