It’s 2025, and things have shifted. Across Melbourne and Sydney, creatives are choosing roles based on how they fit into life — not just how they stack up on paper.
At The People Place, a creative recruitment agency based in Melbourne, we’re seeing it daily. Designers, marketers, content creators, and digital specialists are turning down higher salaries for roles that offer something more meaningful: flexibility.
It’s not a trend. It’s a new way of working.
What the Numbers Tell Us
According to our 2025 Salary & Hiring Insights, 94% of creative professionals now prefer hybrid or remote work, with nearly half saying they’d take flexibility over a pay rise.
In Melbourne, some agencies are trialling 9-day fortnights. Others, like Your Creative, have adopted 4-day weeks — and they’re thriving. Staff are happier, output is stronger, and roles are easier to fill.
What Flexibility Actually Looks Like in 2025
Flexibility means different things to different teams. But here’s what the best employers are offering right now:
Common Models
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Hybrid (3/2 split): Three days in-office, two remote
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9-day fortnight: One Friday off every two weeks
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4-day week: Full salary, fewer hours
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Remote-first: Work from anywhere in Australia
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Flex hours: Early finishes, later starts, core collaboration blocks
It’s not just about WFH. It’s about designing work around people, not the other way around.
How Australian Companies Are Getting It Right
Here are a few standout examples we’ve seen in market:
Your Creative (Melbourne)
Moved to a 4-day week after a successful trial. Productivity rose by 20%, and their ability to attract great people went through the roof. The secret? Staggered days off to keep things moving.
This Is Flow (Sydney)
Brought in a 9-day fortnight. Staff got more rest, and the agency got better results. It’s now part of their employer brand — and a reason people want to work there.
Atlassian (Sydney HQ)
Took a remote-first approach with their “Team Anywhere” model. No drop in performance. Just happier, more empowered teams — and a broader talent pool.
These aren’t fringe experiments. They’re the new standard.
Why Candidates Are Choosing Flexibility Over Money
Here’s what we’re hearing from creatives, marketers, and digital talent:
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“I’d take less pay if it meant I could work four days.”
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“Commuting five days a week just doesn’t make sense anymore.”
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“Flexibility helps me do better work — and still have a life.”
And the stats back it up:
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1 in 3 Australians would need a 26–50% salary increase to give up their extra day off.
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96% of people trialling a 4-day week didn’t want to go back.
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More than 50% of candidates now prioritise flexibility over pay when job-hunting.
The takeaway? If your role doesn’t offer flexibility, you’re not just competing on salary — you’re already behind.
What This Means for Hiring in 2025
If you’re building a team in Melbourne or Sydney — whether it’s full-time, freelance or contract — flexibility needs to be part of your offer.
Here’s where to start:
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Embrace hybrid or remote models
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Consider compressed weeks or rotating RDOs
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Focus on outcomes, not office hours
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Be clear, upfront, and consistent about your approach
It’s not just good for your people. It’s good for your business.
Final Thought
At The People Place, we don’t just find good talent — we find good people. And we place them in environments where they’ll actually thrive.
In 2025, that means putting flexibility front and centre.
Because when people are trusted, supported, and free to do their best work — that’s when the good stuff happens.
📩 Reach out: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: peopleplace.com.au
