If you are a Victorian Public Servant (VPS), you can now apply to occasionally work at the Victorian Government Suburban Hubs as part of the Victorian Government’s longer-term flexible working – allowing VPS employees to work from a combination of home, hub, and primary workplace.
There are five hubs in total: Footscray, Mulgrave, Williams Landing, Dandenong and Essendon Fields. These sites offer VPS office space and meeting rooms for focused individual work, team meetings and collaboration workshops.
Suburban hub benefits
- Greater flexibility to support staff wellbeing and productivity
- Increased options for remote working to support work/life balance
- Access to office infrastructure, i.e. desks, chairs, monitors, break out areas/kitchens
- Reduced commute time to a work site
- Hubs attendance is included in the 3-day workplace default as part of the flexible work and VPS enterprise agreement
- A change of working environment
- Opportunities to network across diverse government departments
- The ability to support local cafes/restaurants
Shared Service Provider’s role in the project
The Department of Treasury and Finance through the Shared Service Provider (SSP) has contributed significant expertise in the areas of leasing and facilities management of office accommodation and has been pivotal in site selections aligned with workforce and ongoing office accommodation demands.
SSP has also established Customer Service Representatives at the 5 sites to support VPS staff to navigate the Suburban Hub locations and operations. In addition, SSP is responsible for maintaining the facilities on-site through its partner in accommodation service delivery, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).
What first users say about the Suburban Hub
Suburban Hub users have consistently reported high levels of satisfaction (99 per cent), productivity (99 per cent), and flexibility that positively contributes to their mental health and wellbeing (93 per cent) when working from the Hub.
“I really appreciate being able to break up my week across the main office, home and the hub according to what my work and personal commitments look like on different days. I think it makes me a more productive and healthier employee” - Feedback from a user at the Footscray Hub.
How to participate in a Suburban Hub trial
If you're interested in joining the trial of Suburban Hubs, please:
- Speak to your manager about whether Hubs are a suitable work option
- Complete the EOI
Further information
To get a better understanding of the Suburban Hub, please read the frequently asked questions.
To learn what is available at each hub and have a look at the photos, please download and read the Suburban Hub information pack.
Download hubs factsheets:
Watch these videos to take a peek into the hubs to get a better feel for what they are like, and how they work.
If you are registered with the Innovations network, use this link to see more information about each Suburban .
For further information about this initiative, please contact DPC Suburban Hubs Program Lead, Jody Culey at: jody.culey@vpsc.vic.gov.au or the SSP Comms team at sspcomms@dtf.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 23 February 2023