The cost of the commute to work adds up
But not all employers are keen. Some are taking a hard line on workplace flexibility, forcing some workers to decide whether their job is really worth it.
So far, Amazon, Tabcorp and Dell are among large employers to issue strict return-to-office mandates, requiring staff this year to be in the office five days a week.
But it's not cheap to get to work. The fluctuating cost of petrol, train and tram fares, tolls, parking costs, coffee and lunch adds up. Train fares in Sydney vary based on distance and the time of day. A single trip can range from $4.20 to $10.33. The daily cap for full-fare rides on Melbourne's public transport network is $11 a day.
The average person spends about $99 a week on commuting costs, according to Finder, equivalent to $4367 a year. This includes $42 for fuel. Toll roads, parking and other costs such as car insurance are excluded. Public transport costs are about $39 a week on average.
Not adding up
Workers are feeling the pinch because their wages aren't keeping up with rising costs, leaving them worse off than they were a year ago.
Wages increased 3.2 per cent over the past year, but it might not be enough to outpace the cost of living. The Consumer Price Index rose 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to February 2025. Everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, rent and fuel outstripped wage gains in many regions.
A worker earning $80,000 a year receiving a 3.2 per cent raise will gain about $2560 a year. However, they are likely to be about $3000 worse off when rising costs across groceries, rent, fuel and other essentials are accounted for.
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Working from home also allows workers to save money by having more time to handle household tasks, gardening, errands and childcare, and preparing meals at home rather than relying on takeaways.
If you're commuting to the office, here are some ways to cut costs.
Concessions: Check to see if you're eligible for any public transport concessions.
Carpool: Find someone in your local area travelling at the same time each day and take it in turns to do the driving, halving your petrol costs.
Carshare: If you don't use your car much beyond commuting, it could be worth considering carsharing. You can book a car by the day and let the owner pay maintenance and registration costs.
Travel another way: Add it up. If it's cheaper to take public transport, walk or cycle to work, commit to travelling a cheaper way at least one or two days a week.
Try a co-working space: Check if there is a co-working space in your suburb and ask your employer if you can work from there instead, which could halve the cost of your commute.
Find cheaper parking: It might be convenient to park in the multi-storey carpark but look for cheaper or free parking spots further away and walk to the office from there.
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