Which Food Delivery Service Pays Best in Australia

The average annual base salary of a food delivery driver in Australia is $52,250. How much you actually make, though, differs from one service to another. 

So which food delivery service pays best in Australia?

From Uber Eats and Menulog and DoorDash, let’s take a closer look at the highest-paying delivery services in the country. 

Delivery Driver Pay Rate in Australia: How Does It Work?

Delivery drivers in Australia typically work as independent contractors, which means they are not entitled to superannuation, sick pay or other benefits. This makes it all the more important to partner with a delivery service that pays well—if you are not getting any employment perks you should at least get adequately compensated.

On the plus side, you are not tied down with working hours and if you get paid per meal delivered rather than an hourly rate, you could end up making more than most of the casual workers in the country. 

Plus, with 5.5 million Australians using food delivery services, you are not likely to run out of a job anytime soon.

Which Food Delivery Service Pays Best in Australia?

1. DoorDash — Highest Average Hourly Pay

DoorDash, one of the biggest on-demand food delivery services in the world, is open to all Aussies who are over 18 and own a smartphone. 

Dashers are paid a base rate depending on the location, the amount of the order and the time of day you deliver. In addition to the base pay, DashDoor delivery drivers can get 100% of tips plus take advantage of the Peak Pay promotion (helping you earn more during peak hours) and Challenges (complete a specific number of deliveries in a given time). 

According to the company’s estimations, DashDoor employees can make an average of $31 an hour, which is much higher than other services in Australia. This means that if you work for DoorDash 20 hours for three weeks, you can make enough to cover the average electricity bill. 

On top of that, Dashers are eligible for various discounts and promotions as well as taking part in the Top Dasher Program, which can lead to more perks and higher earnings.

2. Uber Eats — Most Popular Food Delivery Service

Uber Eats, Uber’s food delivery service, is available in almost all cities in Australia and pays quite well. An Uber Eats driver makes around $30 an hour, plus they get to keep 100% of tips made by customers in-app. 

The base Uber Eats pay in Australia is calculated according to the delivery time and whether you are covering multiple pick-ups and drop-off points at once. 

You could also get a trip supplement if you make deliveries during busier times, have a longer waiting time at a pickup location or if you work in an area where there’s a shortage of drivers. 

Using any of Uber Eats’ promos could add a few extra dollars to your pay, too. Currently, there is a sign-up bonus of $500 for delivering 30 meals in your first 20 days, but it only applies to employees based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. 

Best of all, since this is the most popular food delivery service in Australia—covering more than 50% of the market—there are always opportunities to pick up extra orders and make more. 

3. Menulog — Biggest Number of Locations Covered 

Menulog, recently part of international food delivery company JustEat, is Australia’s widest-reaching food delivery service, covering more than 200 locations across the country. 

But does Menulog pay well in Australia? 

The average hourly Menulog driver pay in Australia is around $24, so 30 hours on a Menulog driver’s wage can cover monthly expenses on groceries. 

It’s not a lot, but on the plus side, Menulog never charges any commission on the orders you make, so the money you earn is all yours. 

For each order, the company offers Transit Pay, which is basically the base rate and depends on the order itself—driving distance, traffic route, estimated time and similar factors (Menulog reimburses couriers for delays caused by restaurants). 

Like with other delivery services, you can increase the base pay by using promotions or incentives available in your area. You can find these along with your order history and a detailed overview of the trips in the Menulog Courier app. 

Which Food Delivery App Should I Join?

Each service comes with its own pros and cons, but these factors will hopefully help you narrow down your options. 

1. Availability 

For starters, you should check if the service is available in your area and if they are in need of drivers. For example, Menulog is available throughout the country, whereas DoorDash is only present in some major cities. So, if you are having a ‘DoorDash vs Menulog’ dilemma in Australia, availability will make the choice for you. 

2. Popularity 

Since your pay mainly depends on the number of meals you deliver, research which delivery service locals prefer to use. Uber Eats, for instance, is the go-to service for most Aussies but this may not be true for every region. 

3. Requirements

Most food delivery companies require drivers to be at least 18, have a valid driver’s licence, an ABN and permit to work. They also need to provide their own vehicle (which is licensed and insured). 

Check requirements carefully, though, as some services have stricter regulations regarding the type of vehicle, its age and condition. 

4.  Extra payments & perks

Look into how much extra each company pays on top of the base rate. Do they let you keep 100% of tips or do they charge a commission? Is there a program to reimburse you for waiting times at pick-up locations? 

It’s not always about the salary though. Some services, like DoorDash, offer discounts for drivers at several retailers—you can rent an e-bike from Zoomo with a 25% discount for your first six weeks working as a Dasher.  Others, provide insurance coverage—they are not technically bonuses, but they’re a nice perk to get if you can. 

5. Is it easy to get started?

Most companies have an easy sign-up procedure—you need to provide a vehicle (insured usually), registration, driver’s licence and ID. Some companies, like Uber Eats. run background checks while others have a screening process that involves an interview. 

DoorDash vs Menulog vs Uber Eats: What Is the Best Food Delivery Service to Work for in Australia?

It all comes down to your priorities and the area where you live. 

If you are looking for the highest average hourly wages, DoorDash is the best option, however, extra earnings can stack up with Uber Eats since most orders are delivered through them.

It’s important to remember that working as a delivery driver can pay well, but will never amount to the average salary in Australia. In other words, choose the platform that pays the best (including tips and promos) to get the most out of this side gig. 

FAQs:

1. How much do food delivery drivers make in Australia?

The average annual delivery driver pay rate in Australia is $52,250, although this depends on the service you join, the number of deliveries you make and the distance you travel. 

2. How much do Menulog drivers earn?

Menulog drivers get $24 per hour on average, which translates to $960 for a 40-hour working week. 

3. How much do Domino’s delivery drivers get paid in Australia?

Domino delivery drivers make between $15 and $22 per hour, however, Domino usually hires their own delivery people and does not use the services of Uber Eats or DoorDash. 

4. Which food delivery service gets paid the most?

When it comes to which food delivery service pays best in Australia per hourly rate, DoorDash is number one, offering an average of $31 per hour. Uber Eats follows with an average of $30.