SYDNEY, Signalberita.com – The Australian government is implementing new standards for app-based gig workers, specifically drivers providing food and grocery delivery services.
Through the Fair Work Commission (FWC), online drivers will receive a minimum pay rate of 31.30 Australian dollars per hour, or approximately IDR 395,000.
This rate exceeds Australia’s national minimum wage, which stands at around 26.44 Australian dollars (IDR 311,000) per hour.
In addition to wage standards, the new rules provide personal accident insurance coverage for workers while they are performing their duties.
Accident Insurance for Drivers
The FWC has mandated that app-based service providers must supply personal accident insurance for their workers. However, the commission did not specify a minimum coverage amount.
Meanwhile, drivers remain responsible for ensuring that the vehicles they use are covered by third-party insurance.
This policy is part of an effort to strengthen protections for gig workers, who have historically lacked the full range of labor rights enjoyed by formal employees.
Wages Calculated Based on Active Orders
The payment standard applies to the time spanning from when a driver accepts an order until the delivery process is completed.
These rules offer greater certainty regarding compensation for app-based service workers, even though they retain their status as independent contractors rather than company employees.
The policy takes effect on August 17, 2026, and is expected to benefit approximately 250,000 drivers across Australia.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) views this policy as a crucial step toward providing better protection for workers in the gig economy.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine noted that gig workers in Australia have long operated outside the labor protection system. He stated that these new standards serve as a foundation for continuously improving worker protections. Maintaining Flexibility
Several app-based service companies operating in Australia, including Uber Eats and DoorDash, have welcomed the new standards as a form of additional protection for workers.
Both platforms provide a range of app-based services, spanning everything from food delivery to other essential needs. A flexible work model remains a key characteristic of this type of employment.
These regulatory changes reflect global developments regarding protections for gig workers. In June 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) also adopted labor standards for gig workers covering aspects such as wages, workplace safety, and social benefits.(*)
