The workday revolution

Come and see how young Tommy’s life improved with the introduction of the eight-hour workday in Victoria. Find out how his dad and his workmates agitated for a fair go. Did his mum get a fair go too?

Open 'The workday revolution'


The workday revolution is a collection of resources that uses the introduction of the 8-hour workday – a significant moment in Victoria's parliamentary history - as a starting point for investigating how workers of the day rallied together to fight for fairer working conditions, something many of us are still benefitting from today.

The stories have been brought to life by students through rich-media storytelling. The resource also includes comprehensive lesson plans and digital resources for teachers.

  • The Workday revolution resource addresses the Victorian Curriculum Grade 5 to Year 8 Civics and Citizenship. There are also connections to aspects of the Victorian Curriculum, Grades 5 to Year 8 Economics and History curriculums. These links have been outlined below.

    Grade 5 & 6

    The Workday revolution can be used to explore how laws are made (VCCCL012) including changing or reforming laws. In doing so, the resource can be used to investigate democratic forms of government and the Westminster system (VCCCG008) and the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of government (VCCCG009).

    Within the Economics curriculum, the Workday revolution resource can be used to explore the nature and meaning of work and why individuals choose to participate in work (VCEBW007) and investigate the influences on the ways people work and explore factors affecting work now and into the future (VCEBW008).

    Within the History curriculum, the Workday revolution resource can be used as an example of a significant contribution of individuals and groups to changing and Australian society (VCHHK096). Furthermore, it can be used to explore the different experiences and perspectives of Australian democracy and citizenship (VCHHHK094), especially when considering the working conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, migrants and women at the time of the revolution.

    Years 7 & 8

    The Workday revolution can be used to explore the freedoms that enable active participation in democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association and assembly (VCCCG019). In doing so, students develop their understanding of how citizens participate in democracy, including contact with elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action (VCCCG020) and how people with shared beliefs and values work together to achieve their goals and plan for action (VCCCC016).

    Within the Economics curriculum, the Workday revolution resource can be used to consider the ways in which work can contribute (or not) to individual and societal wellbeing (VCEBW016) and the nature of and influences on the work environment (VCEBW017).

    Within the History curriculum, the resources address a range of historical concepts and skills, such as cause and effect through evaluating the role and an achievement of a significant individual and/or development that led to progress (VCHHC104), and historical significance through analysing the causes and effects of significant events that caused change over a period of time (VCHHC103).

  • Changing the ways we work

    So much about the way we live and work has changed in the more than 165 years since the 8-hour workday law was introduced. This teaching guide explores some of these changes, especially how the nature of work has changed, including the use of digital technologies, and the impact of these changes on our work-life balance.