Here's what is changing about how food delivery workers are paid

New interim minimum standards for food and grocery delivery workers in Australia take effect today, enhancing pay and insurance conditions. Food delivery workers for platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash will earn a minimum of $31.30 per hour during engaged time, surpassing the national minimum wage of $26.44. This change followed the Albanese government's introduction of gig economy reforms two years ago, empowering the Fair Work Commission with new authority to set minimum standards for employee-like contractors.

Previously, most gig workers functioned as independent contractors, lacking many workplace protections. The new reforms, affecting around 250,000 workers, include higher pay, new insurance protection, and increased transparency between platforms and workers. Platforms must calculate a worker's total earnings over a 21-day period to ensure they meet the earnings floor, now paid for engaged time.

Workers are still responsible for vehicle insurance costs but platforms must offer a minimum level of personal accident cover. The reforms aim to provide stability and certainty for gig economy workers, with both Uber Eats and DoorDash expressing support for the changes, citing the balance between worker protection and maintaining flexibility in gig work.