Flexibility works
Every month, more than 150,000 people in Australia choose to earn flexibly with Uber.
From students in between lectures, and parents in between school pick-ups, to retirees, entrepreneurs and beyond, more than 150,000 people in Australia choose to earn with Uber when, where and how they want each month.
As the government considers reforms that will impact the gig economy, it’s important that they consider the voices and views of gig workers. And those workers have told us clearly that laws introducing new protections and benefits must also preserve the right to earn flexibly.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity for reform
Australia has a unique opportunity to create modern laws for modern forms of work, and it’s critical to get things right for all gig economy workers.
We believe that reform can preserve the flexibility that gig workers tell us they want and love, while providing certainty and transparency in the form of a universal safety net that applies to all gig workers and is easy to understand.
Uber supports the following standards:
1. A transparent minimum earnings rate
that ensures gig workers never earn below a set amount while on a job. Dynamic earning opportunities would remain intact, allowing workers the ability to earn above the minimum rate, depending on time of day and location.
2. Platform-funded compulsory personal accident insurance
with minimum coverage for all gig contractors, so gig workers are covered in the event of a accident when performing work
3. A consistent set of standards across platforms related to loss of platform access
including a mechanism to enable gig contractors to appeal decisions to permanently remove their access to a platform in certain instances, once internal processes have been exhausted.
Two-thirds of drivers and Delivery People prefer independent contractor status over employee status.
4. The right to receive a Gig Contractor Information Statement
from a platform, which sets out information about their status as a gig contractor, the safety net and their rights around dispute resolution; and a monthly earnings statement, ensuring gig workers clearly understand their rights and what they are earning
Learn more about the gig economy reform
Mentored Podcast
Uber ANZ's Managing Director Dom Taylor sat down to talk with Mark Bouris about the last 10 years of Uber in Australia, the rise of the gig economy and what's at stake during the government's reform process.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity for reform
An article by Uber & Uber Eats Australia General Managers highlighting Uber’s point of view and proposal for the Gig Economy Reform.
Hear from drivers and delivery people
“Flexible work means I can support myself while starting my own business”
- Varsha, owner of beauty company @ShamoAustralia and go-getter
Varsha is smashing some big personal and financial goals. The flexibility of driving using the Uber app lets Varsha grow her beauty business and still travel when she wants. The extra earnings have also helped contribute to her savings, allowing her to grow her business further.
“I want the flexibility to work around my acting auditions”
- James, thespian and arts enthusiast
James is a regular in Western Sydney’s Theatre Scene. The flexibility of delivering with Uber Eats means James can earn without missing an audition.
“I want the flexibility to earn around running my music business”
- Paul, music producer and owner of www.silentrave.com.au
Paul used to work a corporate job, but music was always his passion. The flexibility of delivering with Uber Eats lets Paul create whenever inspiration strikes.
Flexibility is essential to gig workers
The experience and perspective of drivers and Delivery People are crucial to the development of any future reform.
The people who drive and deliver with Uber have been clear that flexibility is the number one reason why they choose to earn on Uber or Uber Eats.
Gig work makes up crucial income for workers:
Last year, Australians earned more than $3.8 billion driving or delivering with Uber
Drivers want policymakers to preserve flexibility:
93% of drivers and Delivery People want any changes to laws regarding app-based driving and delivering to protect their flexibility.
Flexibility is crucial to rideshare and delivery drivers:
9 in 10 drivers and Delivery People say they would not keep driving or delivering if it didn’t offer flexibility.
Drivers prefer to be independent:
Two-thirds of drivers and Delivery People prefer independent contractor status over employee status.
Only 7% of drivers and Delivery People use the platform for what resembles full-time work (38 hrs/week and 48 weeks/year)
More than 3 in 4 Earners self-identified that they work other jobs outside of this industry.
To learn more, you can read the full report here.
Findings from Ipsos research ‘Uber Earner Preferences Australia’, June 2022
Share your story
If you wish to share your story or feedback on the reform, please click on this link to register your interest. We’d love to hear from you.
We are looking forward to our continued collaboration with our industry partners, the government and yourself to reimagine the future of flexible work.
Hear it from the ones on the road
Read some of the 1,690+ testimonials shared by those who drive and deliver with Uber.
Ghadi E
QLD
"As a mum of 3-year-old twins it’s hard for me to work full time. With Uber Eats I can work more flexibly around my mum duties and earn when I can."
Mark A
SA
"Uber's business model allows for flexibility to drivers which is essential for work/life balance. Weekly pay and cash-out options allow drivers to manage their budget. Personally, I enjoy driving around different locations, and the friendly interactions between myself, restaurant staff and customers. The business model overall is fantastic."
Sree S
SA
"I retired in 2018 after having been in Hospitality for 40-odd years. I missed the interaction with people, both staff and clients. Driving with Uber gives me the opportunity to meet and chat with people in all walks of life whilst taking them to their destinations. Most importantly I have the flexibility to work when I want to and set income targets as I see fit. I also get the added bonus of listening to all the great music from so many different genres. I am happy."
Vas W
QLD
"I'm doing a full-time office job and Uber is a very good part-time flexible income job. Flexibility is my priority, and additional income is my second favourite. I have met very good people and we share our stories with each other."
Maxine
QLD
"To be independent and work when I want to, to be able to stop and start when I want, and to not have any stress in my work life, no time frames so I can support my family whenever they need me, so I can chat on the phone or text when I want to, so I can leave and have a long lunch with friends or go to the toilet or have a sick day and not have anyone judge me on that, to value myself for my hard work."
Steven
NSW
"I have recently begun driving with the Uber app full-time for the simple fact of how flexible it is. I'm a single dad and this job helps me do my role as a single parent better. Be my own boss is the other advantage."
Hayley F
WA
"I love the flexibility and the opportunity to earn in ‘real time’. I like the evolving app options and that I am in control of the amount I do this."
Anna B
NSW
"I love the flexibility and freedom it gives me to work around my lifestyle and earn as much as I want and need. It has changed my life as I don't have stress and can manage my life better."
Md H
QLD
"I am a student in JCU. I choose Uber delivery as it's very flexible, also I can earn some money for my living cost."
Gaye
NSW
"Gives me the flexibility to work around school hours and holidays. Kids also get sick a lot, so it helps to have the freedom to not have to work."
Usama J
SA
"Main reason is flexibility, I can earn after my classes, when I’m free or if I’m going out. I can earn anytime I want to and this freedom means everything to me."
Tomislav E
SA
"Hi, I choose to earn with Uber, because I need the flexibility due to health reasons. I care for my wife who can no longer work full time, and I also have health issues, which makes it extremely difficult to run a business or to be employed by someone full-time. The flexibility with Uber Eats makes it much easier to care for my wife who is home-bound, as i can go out to work at night and between doctors visits. Without Uber, we would be financially crippled."
George L
NSW
"I enjoy the flexibility, especially with my age being 60 and the opportunity it gives me to support my family. I don't know what I would do without the current conditions."
Patsy C
VIC
"Uber gives me the flexibility of earning extra money when I need too. Whether it's to pay a bill, or to have a night out which otherwise I could not afford."
Jake H
QLD
"Flexible to work when I want. I have 4 teenage boys who need to be picked up and ran around to go to school, work, sports and other activities. My wife works in the mines on a 1-on-1-off roster so I’m doing the dad thing a lot of the time and I need to be flexible."
Neil
QLD
"The ability to choose the time I’m able to work is really important. My wife doesn’t drive and she goes to the hospital for treatment twice a week, so I have to have the flexibility to drive her there and pick her up. My daughter is also in school and I need to take her to school and pick her up. Being able to work without having to commit to a 9-5 job is such a blessing to us."
Daniel S
NSW
"I choose to drive with Uber to make ends meet while we battle through legal recovery for money that a national builder owes us. In excess of 300k. This has had a devastating effect on all involved, and with the Uber driver app I can earn the much-needed money my family needs to survive."
Kong
VIC
"Flexibility is crucial. I can work anytime and anywhere."
Katrina H
SA
"I earn with Uber to supplement my income as a dance teacher. I teach some morning hours, some afternoon/evening hours and Saturdays, but have breaks between that could not be filled with regular part time work. I enjoy the flexibility."
Derek F
VIC
"Due to my need to care for my wife the flexibility is ideal to work when I can."
Yunjie
QLD
"Full flexibility, good money, no work restrictions."
Varun
NSW
"Hi, I choose to drive with Uber because I do babysitting in daytime while my wife is at work. So certainly I need flexibility when I am available for work with time and days of the week. Driving with the Uber app I find it very easy to manage, as I can choose my own hours, and days of the week which fits best my in my schedule. Uber is best company to drive and deliver with when it comes to flexibility. So if any changes happen in the law, they must keep flexibility for gig workers. Otherwise I think many people will stop using Uber app (including me) to drive and deliver if flexibility would be taken away. "
Hamida K
NSW
"Uber is a really flexible job, so it's suited to working with Uber according to my circumstances."
John P
NSW
"The simplicity of the current system I share with Uber works well for me. I do not want anything changed. Suits my lifestyle perfectly for the next stage of my life. Very happy, leave it as it is. Take care."
Akash K
VIC
"When my wife was pregnant she was having a high-risk pregnancy, so I have to look after her most of the time. I chose to do Uber and I can now look after her and make some money."
Paul J
SA
"No minimum hours required. No booking holidays or breaks. No fixed shifts or drive times. I don't want to be an employee and freedom/flexibility is key to my continued contribution."
Gurbir
QLD
"I like flexibility because I have some family issues, so I can drive anytime whenever I want and come back to home if there is any emergency situation."
Harsha
VIC
"I do Uber as a second income source in addition to my regular day job. Why I chose Uber was because of the flexibility offered by the platform. I can work whenever I want without affecting my day job, and most importantly my family commitments. I would like to see this flexibility continue into the future."
Ronda
VIC
"Its flexible. That's actually the main reason. I have another casual job. If I lose the flexibility of Uber Eats deliveries around my other job then I will really struggle financially and probably apply for government assistance :)."
Wiley S
VIC
"I am semi-retired and Uber allows me to earn additional income when it suits me. I choose my own time to work and work when I choose to."
Vikki
QLD
"I have 3 children and I am a single mum. I need to have flexible work hours as I have to revolve around what they have happening."
Febs I
QLD
"I am caring for my elderly parents. My mother is recovering from cancer treatment and my father has end-stage kidney failure. As an Uber delivery driver, I have the flexibility to work at a schedule that allows me to be at home to care for my parents and also earn an income. This income helps to supplement the cost of specialist treatment and medications required to care for my parents. The additional income from my Uber deliveries also helps to support my living expenses. I would find it difficult to continue with Uber delivery if the flexibility option was removed."
Simon L
WA
"I like the flexibility of being able to work when I want. I get to be my own boss. It's good because I get to be with family more because I am a full time carer for my mum and dad, who both have a disability, and they depend on me to take them to hospital appointments. So it's just easier to work around my family and doing deliveries."
Waqas
NSW
"Uber gives me flexible hours to work, which I can totally rely on according to my own schedules of classes."
Darren
WA
"I like the flexibility of being able to work when I want and how long as well."
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