Hundreds of thousands of Aussie delivery drivers to get pay rise: What you need to know

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:12, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 03:12, 17 August 2026 Around 250,000 Uber Eats, DoorDash and Menulog riders will be guaranteed minimum pay rates of more than $31 an hour from Monday under what unions have described as 'world-first' reforms aimed at ending the gig economy's race to the bottom. Australia's first Fair Work Commission minimum standards order for on-demand delivery workers has officially come into force, requiring delivery platforms to top up workers' earnings if they fall below prescribed minimum rates. The new rules, hailed by the Transport Workers' Union as the first scheme of its kind globally, establish a minimum earnings floor for app-based delivery riders and drivers. Workers using bicycles, e-bikes and electric scooters will be guaranteed at least $31.30 per hour of engaged time, rising to $31.50 for motorcyclists and $32 for drivers using cars or vans. However, the minimum rates apply only to 'engaged time' while a worker is actively completing a delivery through an app, rather than periods spent waiting for jobs. The order marks the first employee-like worker minimum standards order for on-demand delivery workers in Australia and comes after years of concern over low pay, safety risks and a lack of workplace protections in the gig economy. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth urged workers and businesses covered by the order to read up on the new minimum standards, including through FWO's online information. 'With the new minimum standards order now in effect, on-demand delivery workers are entitled to minimum rates, to dispute resolution processes, have a right to unpaid time away, and more,' Ms Booth said. Thousands of Uber drivers will be guaranteed minimum pay rates of more than $31 an hour from Monday Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine (pictured) described the changes as a decade in the making Food delivery rider Steve Khouw (pictured) riding his bike on his way to a deliver an order in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood 'The first step to compliance with the standards is to educate yourself on these terms, whether you're a worker or business.' Under the order, workers retain the flexibility to choose when they log on and accept jobs. They can also take unpaid time away from delivery apps whenever they choose. The protections extend beyond pay and include provisions covering insurance, vehicle repairs and registration costs, record-keeping requirements, workplace delegates' rights, consultation obligations and dispute resolution processes. Ms Booth urged workers and businesses covered by the order to seek advice from the FWO if needed. 'On-demand delivery workers can also seek information from their platform operator, and their union if they are a member,' Ms Booth said. The reforms represent the biggest shake-up of Australia's gig economy since delivery apps surged in popularity during the Covid pandemic, with riders long arguing they were being forced to work for less than the minimum wage while bearing the costs of fuel, maintenance and insurance themselves. TWU food delivery delegate Drew hailed the reforms as a hard-fought victory for riders after years of campaigning for stronger workplace protections. 'It's not just about the money, it's also about the conditions,' he said. Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth (pictured) urged workers and businesses that are covered by the order to read up on the new minimum standards Drew, who has delivered for platforms including Uber Eats and DoorDash since 2022, said gig workers have long pushed for minimum standards to guard against unfair account deactivations, constant surveillance and psychosocial risks on the job. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine described the changes as a decade in the making. 'When the gig economy came into Australia in about 2012 and it engaged workers as independent contractors, it pushed them outside of the protections that have been built up for years,' he told the ABC.