Uber Eats and DoorDash for Students: Rules, Pay and Visa Limits ?

Food delivery looks like the perfect student job. You choose your own hours, there's no interview, and you can log on between classes. It's no surprise thousands of students in Melbourne and other cities give it a go.

But it's also the type of work where students most often get caught out by visa limits they didn't think about, pay they didn't understand or costs that eat into their earnings. And in 2026, the rules around pay changed in a big way.

Here's what you need to know before you sign up.

This is general information, not legal, tax or migration advice. Rules change. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office for your own situation.

The big change: minimum pay for delivery workers

For years, most delivery workers on apps were paid per delivery, with no guaranteed hourly rate. Since mid-August 2026, that has changed.

The Fair Work Commission issued Australia's first minimum standards order for on-demand delivery workers, which started on 17 August 2026. It covers people who deliver food, drinks and groceries through digital platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, and who are classed as "employee-like" workers. Key points:

• A minimum hourly rate. From about $31.30 an hour, with a slightly higher rate for some vehicle types. Published reports differ on the exact rates for motorcycles, scooters and cars (figures between about $31.50 and $32), so check the Fair Work Commission's order for the current numbers. The rate is set to rise a little in January 2027.

• It applies to engaged time only. That means the time between accepting an order and finishing the delivery. Time spent waiting for orders isn't counted.

• It's averaged. Platforms calculate your average over a 21-day period, rather than guaranteeing a minimum for every single hour.

• Insurance and protections. The order requires platforms to insure workers for on-the-job injuries and sets out record-keeping and dispute-resolution processes.

• It's an interim order. Experts have noted it can change, so check for updates.

For comparison, Australia's national minimum wage was reported at $26.44 an hour in news coverage of the order. Delivery workers are contractors, not casual employees, so you don't get things like paid leave or the same entitlements as an employee.

In short: it's a safety net, not a guarantee of high pay. Your real hourly earnings still depend on how many orders you get, when you work and what you spend on your vehicle.

Can you deliver on a student visa?

This is the question that matters most for international students.

• You need work rights. Platforms require you to have the right to work in Australia, and they can check your visa details.

• Delivery work counts as work. If your student visa has a work limit (most do, with a cap on hours per fortnight while your course is in session), delivery hours count. Being paid as a "contractor" or through an app doesn't change that.

• Add up everything. Your limit applies to all your work combined. If you also have a job at a cafe, add both together.

• Online time vs. delivery time. The safe approach is to count the time you're logged in and available, not just the minutes spent delivering, unless Home Affairs confirms otherwise. If you're unsure, ask your university's international student adviser or a registered migration agent.

• Never lend or borrow accounts. Some people use someone else's account because they can't work legally. That can breach platform rules and your visa conditions, and it can have serious consequences.

Our guide to student visa work hours explains the basics, including how the limit works, what counts as work and what happens if you break it. Read it before you start, and keep a record of your hours.

What does the work actually involve?

• Sign-up. You apply through the app, upload ID and details, and complete checks. Requirements and timelines vary by platform.

• A vehicle. Most students use a bike, an e-bike, a scooter or a car. You'll need to meet any requirements for your chosen vehicle, and follow local road rules, including helmet laws.

• A phone and data. You'll use the app all shift, so battery and data costs matter.

• Flexible hours. You can log on when you like, but the busiest and best-paid times are usually lunch and dinner, and weekends.

• Ratings and acceptance rates. Platforms track performance, and this can affect the orders you receive.

What are the costs and risks?

Earnings figures online can look better than reality, because they often ignore costs. Think about:

• Vehicle costs. Fuel, repairs, tyres, parking, registration and insurance for a car or scooter, or maintenance and battery costs for an e-bike.

• Phone costs. Data and a phone mount.

• Gear. An insulated bag, rain gear, lights and a helmet.

• Tax. As a contractor, you're generally responsible for your own tax. You'll typically need an ABN and should set money aside for your tax return. The Australian Taxation Office has guides for gig workers.

• No paid leave. If you're sick or it's raining, you don't get paid.

• Safety. Delivery work involves a lot of time on the road. Accidents are a real risk, especially at night or in bad weather.

• Time. Waiting for orders can eat into your day, and unpaid waiting time isn't covered by the minimum rate.

Before you start, work out your net hourly rate: income minus costs, divided by your total logged-in hours.

Delivering vs. other student jobs

A casual job can be a better fit if you want steady hours, workplace protections and experience you can use later. See our guides to student jobs in Melbourne, getting an RSA certificate and writing an Australian resume.

Safety tips

• Follow the road rules. Obey traffic laws, wear a helmet and use lights at night.

• Don't ride while distracted. Mount your phone, and pull over to check it.

• Dress for the weather. Skip shifts in dangerous conditions.

• Check your vehicle. Brakes, tyres and batteries need to be safe.

• Protect your accounts. Never share your login, and report any suspicious messages.

• Know your insurance. Check what the platform's insurance covers, and what your own policy does.

• Report problems. If something goes wrong, take photos and save messages.

If something goes wrong

• Pay disputes. Use the platform's dispute process, which the new order requires to exist, and keep records.

• Deactivation. If your account is suspended, ask for the reason in writing and use the appeals process.

• Workplace rights. The Fair Work Ombudsman offers free information and help.

• Visa concerns. If you think you've gone over your work limit, speak to your university's international student office or a registered migration agent straight away.

• Accidents. Get medical help first, then report the incident to the platform and keep evidence.

Quick answers

Is there a minimum wage for Uber Eats and DoorDash in Australia?

According to the changes described in this guide, delivery workers covered by the order have a minimum rate of about $31.30 to $32 an hour for engaged time, depending on vehicle. Waiting time isn't included. Check the current Fair Work Commission order to confirm the rate and coverage.

Can I deliver on a student visa?

If your visa gives you work rights, potentially yes, but the hours count toward your applicable limit. Check your visa conditions.

Do delivery hours count toward the 48-hour limit?

Work done through an app generally counts as work. Track your hours across all jobs and confirm how your circumstances are treated with an appropriate adviser.

Do I need an ABN?

Many delivery workers operate as contractors and may need an ABN. Check the Australian Taxation Office's guidance for your circumstances.

Can I use someone else's account?

No. It can breach platform rules and your visa conditions.

Is it better than a cafe job?

It depends. Delivery is more flexible, but a casual job often offers steadier hours and protections.