Commute vs WFH Savings Calculator

This calculator quantifies the financial benefits of working from home. It calculates the direct savings you make by avoiding daily expenses like transport, fuel, tolls, bought lunches, and coffees, translating your remote work days into a tangible annual saving figure.

The calculator sums up all your daily office-related costs and multiplies this by the number of days you work from home each week. This weekly saving is then scaled up to a monthly and annual figure, providing a clear and motivating picture of the financial advantages of a hybrid or remote work schedule.

• The time saved by not commuting is often the most valuable benefit. Research shows that Australians have one of the longest commute times in the world. Reclaiming this time for personal use significantly improves work-life balance.
• While you save on commuting and office costs, WFH can lead to a small increase in utility bills. However, these additional costs are often tax-deductible in Australia, which helps to offset them.
• The rise of hybrid work is a permanent shift. The financial savings for employees, combined with productivity benefits for employers, make it a compelling model for the future of work.

• Use the ATO's cents per kilometre method to accurately estimate your car commuting costs, as this includes 'hidden' expenses like depreciation and wear and tear.
• Create a 'WFH Savings' account and automatically transfer your weekly savings into it. This turns a theoretical saving into a real financial gain that you can put towards a specific goal.
• Present the annual savings figure to your employer when negotiating for more flexible work arrangements. It's a powerful data point that highlights a key non-salary benefit of remote work.