Australias Fair Work Mandates $31 Per Hour Minimum Wage for Uber Eats, DoorDash Workers

An Uber Eats food delivery worker rides a scooter in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 25, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch TimesThe Australian Fair Work Commission has finalised new employee-like conditions for app-based gig workers including Uber Eats and DoorDash workers.The move guarantees a minimum wage of between $31.30 (US$22.00) and $32 depending on the type of vehicle or e-bike, which could feed into the cost of delivery services.“The Fair Work Commission has made a minimum standards order for employee-like workers who perform on-demand delivery work,” Fair Work said in a statement.“The order takes effect from 17 August 2026.”The rules mostly cover workers delivering food, drinks or supermarket groceries.The ruling also requires the platforms to arrange and pay for basic personal accident insurance that covers workers if they are injured on the job.The Transport Workers Union described the move as a “huge win for gig workers,” in a post to Facebook on Aug. 12.“Starting next week, food delivery workers for platforms like Uber, DoorDash and Hungry Panda will gain world-first rights,” the union said.“These historic protections wouldn’t have been won without years of organising and campaigning by TWU gig worker members.”Workers will remain independent contractors rather than becoming employees.Platforms must also follow clearer processes for handling disputes, including  sharing information with workers and consulting with them about major changes.DoorDash, Uber Eats and the Transport Workers Union had proposed minimum standards for gig workers in late 2025.At the time, Uber Eats Managing Director Ed Kitchen said his company long supported “sensible and modern reforms” that improve protections.“We believe fair standards and flexibility should not be mutually exclusive,” he“They are both essential to ensuring gig work continues to meet the expectations of Australians and reflects the important role delivery people play in their communities.”