How does working from home affect women's mental health in Australia?

Working from home, especially in hybrid models, significantly boosts women's mental health in Australia, offering greater benefits than exclusively on-site work.

Does commuting time impact men's mental health in Australia?

Yes, longer commutes are linked to poorer mental health for men in Australia, particularly those already facing mental health challenges.

What is the optimal number of days to work from home for mental well-being?

For women, working from home one to two days a week alongside office time appears to offer the greatest mental health benefits.

Home / Health / WFH Boosts Women's Mental Health More Than Men's

WFH Boosts Women's Mental Health More Than Men's

3 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

Working from home significantly improves women's mental health.
Hybrid work arrangements offer greatest mental health benefits.
Commuting stress negatively impacts men with existing mental health issues.

WFH Boosts Women's Mental Health More Than Men's

New research analyzing two decades of Australian worker data reveals that working from home positively impacts mental health, with notably greater benefits for women compared to men. The study, which excluded pandemic years to isolate work arrangement effects, meticulously tracked over 16,000 individuals.

Hybrid work models, where employees spend one to two days per week in the office, proved most beneficial for women's mental well-being, offering gains comparable to a substantial income increase. These advantages extended beyond saved commute time, likely stemming from reduced work stress and better work-life integration.