Safe Work Australia Opens Consultation on WHS Protections for Crowd Platform Workers

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by Safe Work Australia News.

Consultation Overview

Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on the regulation of crowd platform arrangements under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. The consultation aims to ensure crowd platform workers receive the same WHS protections as other workers.

Crowd Platforms vs. On-Demand Platforms

According to Safe Work Australia, crowd platforms are digital labour platforms where clients select workers from a pool of applicants who submit bids, with terms often negotiated directly. The agency distinguishes these from on-demand platforms, which use algorithmic systems to directly assign work, such as food delivery or ride-hailing services.

Identified Issues and Proposed Options

The agency noted a lack of clarity regarding WHS responsibilities in crowd platform work, raising concerns that workers may not be adequately protected from health and safety risks.

The published consultation paper seeks feedback on how current WHS arrangements apply, where gaps exist, and potential regulatory options. One proposed option includes introducing a new duty under the model WHS Act specifically for crowd platform operators.

Participation

Responses to the consultation will inform future discussions among Safe Work Australia members. Interested parties can review the consultation paper and complete the survey via the agency's Consultation Hub.