Worldwide: Employee Benefits & Compensation

New minimum standards effective from 17 August 2026 introduce personal accident insurance requirements for delivery drivers and riders working through digital platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo. These protections address a critical gap for gig economy workers who, as independent contractors, have historically fallen outside traditional workers compensation schemes when injured on the job.

The New South Wales Court of Appeal has delivered a significant ruling on employer liability for medical devices not included on the Commonwealth Prostheses List. When an injured worker requires reasonably necessary treatment involving unlisted prostheses, does the absence from a regulatory list automatically relieve the employer of payment obligations, or does the fundamental statutory duty to cover necessary medical treatment prevail?

Legislative reforms commenced on 25 March 2026 to provide employers greater flexibility in determining the Annual Market Salary Rate in circumstances where a relevant Fair Work instrument, state industrial instrument or transitional instrument applies.