Australia’s industrial umpire has approved new minimum standards for food and grocery delivery workers, setting pay at at least A$31.30 ($22.11) an hour for engaged time and requiring companies to provide a reasonable minimum level of personal accident insurance while workers are on the job. The Fair Work Commission (Australia’s workplace tribunal) said workers will still be responsible for maintaining third-party insurance for vehicles used in deliveries. The order takes effect on August 17 and is expected to benefit about 250,000 workers. The move adds to a broader push to extend protections to gig workers, who are usually treated as independent contractors rather than employees and often miss out on standard workplace benefits. It follows Australia’s 2023 and 2024 laws giving gig workers stronger rights to negotiate minimum pay and conditions, and comes after the International Labour Organization adopted binding employment standards for gig workers in June, though those still need government ratification.