Feedback sought on WHS protections for crowd platform workers
01 Apr 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia is seeking public feedback on how crowd platform arrangements are regulated under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. The consultation aims to ensure workers using these platforms have the same WHS protections as other workers.
Crowd platforms connect workers with clients through a digital labour platform. Workers bid for jobs, and clients choose from the applicants. The client and worker often negotiate directly over the terms.
These arrangements differ from on-demand platforms, such as food delivery and ride-hailing platforms, where algorithmic systems directly assign workers tasks involving goods or services requested by end-users.
Uncertainty about who holds WHS responsibilities in crowd platform work has raised concerns that some workers may not have adequate protection from health and safety risks.
Safe Work Australia has released a consultation paper to help explore these issues. Responses to this consultation, along with any future related consultations, will inform discussions among Safe Work Australia Members.
The agency is encouraging people with an interest in, or direct experience of, crowd platforms to take part. The consultation paper and survey are available through its Consultation Hub.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to general WHS duties and identify areas that may need closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check