The new requirement from the Fair Work Commission also permits workers to legally challenge their employers if they don't consider their requests and don't provide a detailed reason for refusing requests.
The move is meant to address the "significant unmet employee need for flexible working arrangements" in the country, the commission noted in its decision in September.
The commission earlier in the year said no to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' request to mandate that employers provide their workers flexible workplace schedules. That commission ruling came after business groups complained this action would devastate industries and allow workers to demand their own work hours.
Employees can request flexible work schedules when they need to deal with a parenting or care issue, for example, and be allowed to work part-time or offsite. Workers with disability issues, who are over 55 or facing family violence also can request greater flexibility.