[Australia] ‘World first’ minimum wage for food delivery drivers

In Australia, food delivery companies have united with the Transport Workers’ Union to establish new minimum standards for delivery drivers, including a minimum hourly wage and accident insurance for injuries sustained on the job, The Guardian reports.

In a deal described as a “world first”, Australia’s two largest food delivery services, DoorDash and Uber Eats, have submitted a joint application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) with the Transport Workers’ Union.

The deal reportedly requires FWC approval before it can proceed. It follows a wide range of workplace reforms introduced by the Albanese government, which included empowering the commission to set minimum standards for gig workers.

DoorDash, Uber Eats and the TWU agreed to the new driver protections after years of talks. The deal is said to have involved concessions from both sides of the negotiating table, including the union agreeing to call the workers “employee-like”.

The legally enforceable protections under the new standards include a minimum “safety net” rate of pay of at least $31.30 an hour which would come into effect from July 1, 2026, and see a slight increase from January 1, 2027.

The safety net would reportedly cover all modes of transport used by delivery drivers, with a variable rate depending on the type of vehicle used.

Its protections also include new dispute resolution processes, new engagement and feedback mechanisms, representation rights and accident insurance for injured workers.

Source: The Guardian

(Link via original reporting)

In Australia, food delivery companies have united with the Transport Workers’ Union to establish new minimum standards for delivery drivers, including a minimum hourly wage and accident insurance for injuries sustained on the job, The Guardian reports.

In a deal described as a “world first”, Australia’s two largest food delivery services, DoorDash and Uber Eats, have submitted a joint application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) with the Transport Workers’ Union.

The deal reportedly requires FWC approval before it can proceed. It follows a wide range of workplace reforms introduced by the Albanese government, which included empowering the commission to set minimum standards for gig workers.

DoorDash, Uber Eats and the TWU agreed to the new driver protections after years of talks. The deal is said to have involved concessions from both sides of the negotiating table, including the union agreeing to call the workers “employee-like”.

The legally enforceable protections under the new standards include a minimum “safety net” rate of pay of at least $31.30 an hour which would come into effect from July 1, 2026, and see a slight increase from January 1, 2027.

The safety net would reportedly cover all modes of transport used by delivery drivers, with a variable rate depending on the type of vehicle used.

Its protections also include new dispute resolution processes, new engagement and feedback mechanisms, representation rights and accident insurance for injured workers.

Source: The Guardian

(Link via original reporting)