The Fair Work Commission’s draft consensus standards for gig economy delivery workers mark a turning point for Australia’s transport sector.
The joint submission by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Uber Eats, and DoorDash proposes enforceable minimum standards, including a safety net pay rate and accident insurance, for thousands of platform-based drivers.
This is not just a win for food delivery riders – it’s a step toward restoring fairness and safety across the freight and logistics industry.
For too long, gig workers have operated in a regulatory grey zone, earning well below minimum wage, with no access to sick leave, superannuation, or basic protections.
The Australian Financial Review recently reported these new standards could lift pay substantially, with the proposed Minimum Standards Order (MS) also including dispute resolution processes, representation rights, and accident insurance – essential elements of a modern, fair system.
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA), representing responsible freight, transport, and logistics operators, is proud to be part of the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) and strongly supports industry-wide efforts to create better working conditions for drivers across the sector.
VTA members understand that fair standards are essential not only for protecting workers but also for maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the transport industry.
Together, we are committed to ensuring that every driver—whether in long-haul freight or last-mile delivery—operates under conditions that prioritise safety, fairness, and respect.
Through our ARTIO membership, the VTA has consistently advocated for better standards for drivers.
Our position is clear: safety and fairness are non-negotiable. We have worked alongside trade unions and employer associations to push for reforms that protect drivers from exploitative practices and ensure sustainable business models.
The gig economy cannot be allowed to undercut hard-won standards in road transport. When platforms compete on cost by squeezing workers, it creates a ripple effect—pressuring traditional operators to cut corners and compromising safety on our roads.
The Fair Work Commission’s new powers under the Closing Loopholes legislation are a direct response to this challenge.
By creating a category of “employee-like workers” and enabling minimum standards orders, the commission is addressing the reality that many gig workers have low bargaining power and limited control over their work. These reforms recognise that flexibility should not come at the expense of dignity or safety.
Critics argue that imposing minimum conditions will increase costs for consumers and reduce flexibility. But this is a false choice.
Fair pay and safe conditions are not incompatible with innovation. In fact, they are essential for the long-term viability of the on-demand economy.
Platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash have acknowledged this by supporting the draft standards—a significant shift from their earlier resistance.
This collaboration shows that industry, unions, and regulators can work together to create a system that balances flexibility with fairness.
For ARTIO, this development reinforces the principle that all drivers – whether delivering freight or food – deserve respect and protection.
Extending similar protections to gig workers is not just fair; it is necessary to prevent a race to the bottom.
When drivers are forced to rush deliveries to make ends meet, the risk of accidents rises. When they lack insurance, the cost of injury falls on families and the public health system. These are real-world consequences of inadequate standards.
The proposed MSO is a starting point, not an endpoint. ARTIO will continue to advocate for comprehensive protections across the transport sector, including transparency in platform algorithms, safeguards against unfair deactivation, and mechanisms to ensure compliance.
We urge the Fair Work Commission to adopt these standards swiftly and set a precedent that Australia can be proud of – a precedent that says innovation must serve people, not exploit them.
Better standards for gig workers are better standards for all. They strengthen the integrity of our industry, improve safety on our roads, and uphold the values of fairness and respect that Australians expect.
- Peter Anderson is the ARTIO National Secretary and CEO of the VTA.