Australia introduces minimum pay for food delivery workers

Australia has implemented new minimum pay standards and protections for food and grocery delivery workers, affecting approximately 250,000 gig workers. The Fair Work Commission's order establishes a guaranteed earnings floor for the time workers are actively engaged in deliveries.

Under the new rules, hourly rates vary by vehicle type: $31.30 for e-bike riders, $31.80 for motorcycle riders, and $32.00 for car drivers. These rates apply to the period from accepting an order to completing it, including time spent waiting at a merchant, though not while waiting for a new job to appear. Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash must ensure workers' average earnings over a 21-day period meet these minimums.

Beyond wages, the reforms introduce personal accident insurance requirements for platforms and enhanced worker rights. These include a formal dispute resolution process, a worker feedback forum, protections against arbitrary deactivation, and the right to unpaid time away. Platforms are also required to consult workers regarding significant business changes, such as plans to exit the Australian market.