170 Years of the Eight Hour Day

The first of a long, hard-fought series of victories that led to Australia having one of the most progressive labour environments in the world by the early 20th century.

In 1856, stonemasons working on the University of Melbourne, downed tools in protest over their demands for a shorter working day - ‘eight hours labour, eight hours recreation and eight hours rest’. Their action helped establish what became known as the Eight Hour Day movement, now recognised as one of Australia’s defining labour milestones.

Eight hours to work,

Eight hours to play,

Eight hours to sleep,

Eight bob a day.

A fair day’s work,

For a fair day’s pay

Eight Hour Day Movement

The eight-hour day movement in Australia began to take shape in 1853 when the Operative Masons’ Society was re-formed in Melbourne. Among its organisers was James Stephens, a British migrant with experience in the Chartist movement, who helped drive early efforts for reform.

The resurrection of the Operative Masons’ Society is viewed as the start of the eight-hour movement in Australia, because a committee was formed to confer with building contractors on the introduction of the eight-hour day. It argued that shorter working hours were necessary due to Australia’s harsh climate, to allow workers time for education and personal development, and to support better family and civic life.

In March 1856, workers publicly declared their intention to move toward an eight-hour working day in the building trades. When negotiations with employers failed, stonemasons led by Stephens downed tools on 21 April 1856 at the University of Melbourne construction site and marched through the city, gathering support from other workers along the way.

In the months to come, negotiations with employers and the government continued until an agreement was reached whereby stonemasons would work an eight-hour day but collect the same wage they had previously been paid for 10 hours.

The success of the stonemasons’ campaign for the Eight Hour Day was celebrated on 12 May 1856 with a grand march from Carlton Gardens to Cremorne Gardens in Richmond. Known as the Eight Hours Procession, the march on Labour Day became a major event in Melbourne.

Eight-hour day

Only some workers, mainly in the building trades, were awarded the eight-hour day at this time. Most workers, including women and children, had to work much longer hours for less pay and it was not until 1948 that the Commonwealth Arbitration Court approved a 40-hour, five-day working week for all workers.

But this fight for the eight-hour day was a watershed moment - the first of many campaigns for better working conditions.