Australia sets 'world-leading' minimum pay and insurance rules for gig delivery workers
DASH•Background to the regulatory changes
Unions and workers have long pushed for reforms covering gig workers, who are typically classified as independent contractors rather than employees and therefore excluded from many workplace protections.
Australia's parliament passed laws in 2023 and 2024 under the centre-left Labor government that gave gig workers greater rights to negotiate minimum pay and conditions. The laws empowered the Fair Work Commission to set standards for pay and insurance.
($1 = 1.4156 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Insurance coverage and timing of the new rules
Companies will be required to provide "a reasonable minimum level of cover" for personal accident insurance, although the order did not specify a minimum level of coverage. The order takes effect on August 17 and is expected to benefit about 250,000 workers.
