Across Australia, delivery work has become part of everyday life. Whether it’s a pizza, a parcel, or the weekly grocery run, thousands of riders and drivers keep things moving. But as the industry grows, so do the risks—and now, new Work Health and Safety (WHS) reforms are putting the spotlight on how delivery workers are protected.
Why the laws are changing
In recent years, several serious incidents involving delivery riders have led regulators to act. Many riders are considered independent contractors rather than employees, and that gap left questions about who is responsible for their safety. The new laws make it clear: every business that engages delivery workers must take responsibility for their health and safety, regardless of how the work is contracted.
Clearer duties under new WHS regulations
The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 in New South Wales has introduced a dedicated section for food-delivery riders. For the first time, it spells out what’s required of both the platform (like Uber Eats or DoorDash) and the rider:
- Proper induction and safety training** before starting work.
- Records of training that can be recognised if a rider works for multiple platforms.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets and reflective clothing, supplied or verified by the platform.
- Regular consultation about hazards like fatigue, poor lighting, bad weather, or unsafe parking zones.
Other states are expected to follow with similar provisions.
Safety now includes mental health
Nationally, WHS regulators have strengthened the rules around psychosocial hazards — things like stress, isolation, aggression from customers, and job insecurity. For delivery workers who often work alone or late at night, this means mental health is now treated as seriously as physical safety.
What it means for businesses
If you manage or contract delivery workers, the new framework leaves no room for guesswork:
- You can’t “contract out” of WHS obligations just because a worker uses their own ABN.
- You must show you’ve taken “reasonably practicable” steps to prevent harm—through training, safe systems of work, and proper risk assessments.
- Failing to do so can attract significant fines or prosecution.
In short, the duty of care is yours to prove.
What it means for delivery workers
For riders and drivers, the changes strengthen protection and accountability:
- You should expect proper induction before starting deliveries.
- You have the right to raise safety concerns without fear of losing work.
- You’re now recognised under WHS law as performing high-risk work, so regulators will respond more quickly when incidents occur.
- Injuries and serious incidents must be reported by the business or platform, not ignored.
A safer road ahead
These changes mark an important step toward fairness and consistency. They remind every operator—big or small—that a delivery is more than just a transaction. It’s a worker on a road, in traffic, in the weather, and under pressure to meet deadlines.
For delivery workers, knowing the rules means knowing your rights. For businesses, it’s a chance to build safer systems and stronger trust with the people who keep Australia’s deliveries running.
Source: Monit
