Fair Conduct and Accountability Standards for On-Demand Workers 

The Victorian Government has released new Fair Conduct and Accountability Standards to promote fairness and transparency in dealings between on-demand platforms and gig workers.  

The Standards cover pay and conditions, consultation, the right to representation, dispute resolution and safety.  

NDS made a submission to the government on the development of the Standards, raising concerns about the risks to service quality and safety by the on-demand ‘gig-style’ model of disability service provision. NDS was also concerned about a lack of protections and training for support workers on on-demand platforms.  

The new Standards will be voluntary when introduced in the first quarter of 2023, but the Government plans to introduce laws next year to ensure compliance with the Standards.  

A Gig Worker Support Service will also be launched at the same time as the Standards, allowing gig workers to obtain information about the conditions they should expect from platform providers. 

NDS is pleased that the Standards introduce new safety guidelines for the on-demand sector, including requirements around minimum training, occupational health and safety conditions, and insurance. 

NDS will continue to advocate for greater checks and balances on gig workers and platforms, including mandatory NDIS screening for all workers supporting NDIS participants. 

NDS understands the Federal Government has expressed concerns about the current pay and conditions for gig and ‘employee-like’ workers using large online platforms, and may be considering its own legislative changes to address these concerns.  

Victorian Skills Plan Updates 

The Victorian Skills Authority has released an Industry Insights Report on the health and community services industry, outlining the workforce issues facing the sector, including the demand for occupations and need for education and training.  

The report notes that the number of NDIS participants is expected to grow by 60 per cent by 2030 and estimates the NDIS workforce reforms will require an additional 83,000 full-time equivalent workers by 2041, with the majority of occupations also servicing the aged care sector. 

New skill sets are available on the Victorian Government’s Funded Course List to support skill development for the workforce, including: 

• Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme 
• Performing Allied Health Tasks and Supporting People with Disability 
• Identifying, Reporting and Preventing Abuse and Grooming of People with Disabilities 
• Entry into Care Roles Skill Set. 

Read both the Fair Conduct and Accountability Standards and the Industry Insights Report on the Victorian Government website.