Remote Work Savings Calculator
Calculate how much money you save working from home vs. the office each year — commuting, lunches, work clothes, and more.
Fuel + parking or public transport return fare
Average spend buying lunch near the office
Incremental cost only — not your whole bill
48 weeks is typical for full-time AU (4 weeks leave)
How to Use
1. Select how many days per week you work from home 2. Enter your daily commute cost (return trip — fuel + parking, or PT fare) 3. Fill in your typical lunch and coffee spend at the office vs at home 4. Add your monthly work clothing budget to capture wardrobe savings 5. Enter any extra home bills — incremental power and internet increase onlyTip: If you're negotiating a hybrid arrangement with your employer, this calculator gives you the concrete dollar figure of the commuting and lifestyle benefit you're providing yourself — useful context when comparing a WFH role to one with a slightly higher salary.
Formula
Saving Per WFH Day = Commute + (Office Lunch − Home Lunch) + Coffee | Annual Food & Commute Saving = Saving Per Day × WFH Days × Weeks | Clothing Saving = Monthly Budget × 12 × (WFH Days ÷ 5) × 60% | Net Saving = Gross Saving + Clothing Saving − Home Office CostsFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the average Australian save working from home?
Research from various Australian HR surveys puts the average saving at $3,000–$5,000/year for a hybrid worker (3 days WFH). The biggest component is commuting — which costs $3,000–$5,500/year for a typical metropolitan commuter — followed by food and coffee. Fully remote workers can save $6,000–$10,000/year or more depending on their city and lifestyle.
Can I claim work-from-home costs on my tax return?
Yes. The ATO allows a deduction for home office expenses. From 2023–24 you can use the revised fixed rate method of 67 cents per hour worked from home, which covers power, internet, phone, stationery, and computer consumables. Alternatively, you can claim actual expenses with receipts. You cannot claim mortgage repayments, rent, or general household costs.
Is working from home actually cheaper overall?
For most Australian workers, yes — especially those in major cities with long commutes. The savings on transport and food typically outweigh the extra home energy use. However, costs vary: if you're in a rural area and already have minimal commuting costs, or if your employer fully subsidises meals and parking, the saving may be smaller. The calculator lets you enter your specific numbers for an accurate comparison.
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