Billionaire Atlassian Co-Founder Shares Why He Supports Remote Work

By Stephen Johnson

Updated: 00:48 EDT, 28 August 2023

Imagine working from the comfort of your couch, avoiding traffic jams, and living near a beautiful beach. Well, that's not just a dream for some lucky folks at Atlassian, the software giant. Scott Farquhar, one of the brains behind Atlassian and a billionaire in his own right, spilled the beans on why he's all for letting his team work from home. And no, it's not just about dodging Sydney's crazy traffic or sky-high rents – it's about boosting productivity and happiness.

You know, the kind of happiness that comes from not having to squeeze into a train like a sardine or draining your wallet to afford a tiny apartment. Scott, worth an eye-popping $18 billion, chatted about a team member who waved goodbye to their cramped city apartment and moved to a beachside home near Wollongong. They even scored a four-bedroom house!

"It's like giving folks the magic spell to live where they want," Scott grinned during his chat on 60 Minutes. This "Team Anywhere" plan by Atlassian lets people work from anywhere they fancy. That beachside dream? Totally possible.

Now, let's talk numbers – Sydney's apartments can cost a kidney, like $1.2 million near St Leonards station. But wait, for that very sum, you could snag a cozy house by the beach in Wollongong. No kidding, that's what the data from CoreLogic says.

And hey, almost half of Atlassian's new peeps – yeah, the ones who joined after the "Team Anywhere" magic show started in 2022 – they live a serious two-hour trip away from the company's swanky HQ on George Street. So, instead of spending an eternity on the train, they're cuddled up at home. A big win for productivity and sanity, right?

Scott Farquhar waved away the idea that folks working from their PJs are slacking off. "It's not about where your laptop rests," he told us. "It's about what amazing stuff you bring to the table. Work is not about where you are – it's about what you do."

Scott's not just all talk, no action. Despite having a mansion worth a whopping $130 million in Sydney, he pops into the office only once every blue moon. "I'm all about that home-office vibe," he chuckled. "Maybe I show up at the office once every three months – like clockwork!"

By the way, Scott is like the seventh-richest person in Australia, flaunting an insane $18.2 billion. Yep, he's got company – his Atlassian buddy, Mike Cannon-Brookes, is just a step ahead with a $19 billion stash.

Unlike some big bank bosses who want their teams chained to desks, Scott's not on that bandwagon. He's not forcing anyone back to the office like some medieval ruler. Instead, he's letting his crew have their cake and eat it too – work where you want, and bring your A-game.

So, the next time you're sipping your morning coffee at home, remember: you're not just remote-working, you're "Team Anywhere"-ing, and you're in good company.