The costs of working

In a world marked by the proliferation of hybrid work models and newfound opportunities to either work from the comfort of our homes or the traditional office, the true costs to work and the finances associated are unveiled.

Australians are dedicating substantial portions of their income to working. In Australia, this involves significant hidden costs beyond basic salaries, with expenses like transportation, lunches, education, and childcare weighing heavily on individuals and families.  Each year, an average of $2,820 is funnelled into transport, $2,436 into lunches, $685 into education, and $420 into clothing for the purposes of working.

For those juggling the responsibilities of parenthood, the heaviest financial burden in the form of childcare expenses sits with parents. The average Australian with children spends a staggering $12,245 of their annual income on childcare, which constitutes 16% of their after-tax earnings, on childcare. In essence, these costs accumulate to a total of $18,606, indicating that Australian parents relying on childcare are allocating one-quarter (25%) of their post-tax income towards the expenses associated with work.

For those Australians who either do not have children or are not incurring childcare expenses, the annual expenditure to maintain their work amounts to an average of $6,359, translating to 9% of their post-tax earnings.

As we navigate this evolving work landscape, it’s crucial to recognise the broader financial implications of our professional lives and seek more sustainable solutions to address these burdens for Australians.

Hybrid and remote workers have encountered additional costs associated with working from home. Close to two in five (37%) have incurred expenses related to increased home office equipment, 35% invested in purchasing or upgrading technology devices, and 34% faced higher internet or data costs.

As hybrid and remote work arrangements continue to shape the modern workplace, the burden of footing the bill for home office expenses becomes increasingly evident. While some of these costs may be eligible for tax deductions, the fact that workers have incurred expenses related to home office equipment, technology upgrades, and increased internet costs highlights the financial implications for employees in maintaining an effective remote work environment.

Workplace workers spend the highest amount on lunches at work, at an average of $41 per week (compared to $35 for remote workers). When it comes to clothing, workplace workers invest an average of $302 per year, whereas remote workers spend slightly less at $228.

To further their skills and expertise, remote workers spend the most on furthering their education for employment reasons. In the last 12 months, remote workers spent an average of $877 on education while workplace workers spent $642.

So, while remote workers are devoting more of their income to developing their skills and expertise through education, it is the weekly expenses which workplace workers are spending the most on.

Work-expense resentment

Work expense resentment is a palpable reality for many Australian workers today. Over half of Australian employees (53%) experience a profound awareness of running up expenses while working from home—expenses that would have typically been covered by their employers in a traditional workplace setting. These costs include items such as tea and coffee, electricity, printing and stationery, among other office consumables.

They find themselves bearing the brunt of costs that, in a traditional office setup, would have been covered by their employer. These expenses, often minor and challenging to itemise for tax returns, are overlooked and directly borne by employees.

Hybrid and remote workers, in particular, mention additional expenses associated with increased home office equipment (37%), the purchase or upgrade of technological devices (35%), and higher internet or data costs (34%). As hybrid and remote work arrangements continue to reshape the workplace, the responsibility of bearing the expenses for home office setups becomes more evident. While some of these costs might be tax-deductible, the fact remains that employees are shouldering the financial burden of maintaining an effective remote work environment.

Childcare for workplace workers

For working parents, the added expense of childcare cannot be overlooked. Workplace workers face the heftiest childcare costs, averaging $99 per week, while their remote counterparts pay just $36. These variations could result from multiple scenarios, including one parent caring for children while the other works or remote workers juggling both work and childcare responsibilities. Still, the workplace worker parents bear a more substantial financial burden for childcare.

In an ever-transforming work landscape, Australians are discovering that the journey from home to workplace, or in remote work, comes with significant financial tolls. Before a single dollar is earned, Australians find themselves financially invested in working. From the daily commute and lunches to educational pursuits and clothing essentials, the financial burdens are evident. Parents, in particular, bear the brunt, with childcare expenses akin to a third of their after-tax income. The reality is evident: the price of participation in the workforce is significant. As the work landscape continues to evolve, addressing these financial realities takes on newfound importance, ushering in a future where the cost of working becomes a central consideration in employment choices.