Australia’s gig economy workers set to benefit from minimum pay and protection against ‘unfair deactivation’

Tony Burke says Labor’s move towards minimum standards will not try to turn gig workers into employees when they don’t want to be. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Gig economy workers in Australia including ride-share drivers and food delivery riders could soon benefit from minimum pay and protection against “unfair deactivation”.

Under a bill to be introduced by the Albanese government next week, the Fair Work Commission will be given the power to set minimum standards for hundreds of thousands of “employee-like workers” on digital platforms from 1 July 2024.