Application by Transport Workers’ Union of Australia
Citation: [2025] FWCFB 58
What happened
The Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU) lodged four applications with the Fair Work Commission (MS2024/1 to MS2024/4) seeking minimum standards orders for employee-like workers and road transport workers, and a road transport contractual chain order. An Expert Panel consisting of Vice President Asbury and three Commissioners is managing these proceedings. In February 2025, the Panel issued a statement proposing four research projects to gather data on digital platform workers and road transport supply chains, and invited interested parties to comment. Submissions were received from academic Dr Lutfun Nahar Lata, delivery platform DoorDash, and the TWU. The Panel then issued this statement deciding which research projects would proceed to inform consultation and any subsequent proceedings.
What was decided
The Panel decided that three of the four proposed research projects will proceed. An information note drawing on publicly available data about digital platform and road transport workers will be prepared by Commission staff. Two externally commissioned research projects will also be undertaken: a data profile of the digital platform worker economy, and a mapping of road transport contractual supply chains. A research reference list will also be compiled and updated periodically by Commission staff for use by all parties. The Panel decided not to proceed with a qualitative and survey-based research project focused on digital platform worker characteristics at this stage, finding it would require too much time and resources given where the proceedings currently stand. Commission staff will publish completed outputs on the Commission's website.
What it means for employers
Businesses operating in road transport or using digital platform workers, including those in contractual supply chains, should be aware that the Commission is actively building an evidence base to support potential minimum standards orders. Employers in these sectors may be subject to new minimum standards or contractual chain orders in the future. Interested parties, including employers, are able to suggest material for the research reference list and participate in subsequent consultation processes.
What it means for employees
Workers in road transport and digital platform sectors, including gig workers and contractors, may be affected by minimum standards orders that could result from these proceedings. The research being commissioned aims to better understand the size, composition, and working conditions in these sectors. Workers and their representatives can follow progress by subscribing to the Commission's Regulated Worker User Group and may have opportunities to contribute to future consultation processes.
Every statement above is drawn from the published decision. Read the original here:
https://www.fwc.gov.au/document-view/decisions/application-by-transport-workers-union-of-australia-2025-fwcfb-58Want more cases like this?
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This summary was drafted by AI from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections →