Amazon Flex enables Australians around the country to earn extra money in their spare time, using their own vehicles to deliver parcels for Amazon. We want to make sure that both our delivery partners and our customers have a safe and positive experience, and have designed the program to help make it a success for everyone.
Whether you’re thinking about becoming an Amazon Flex delivery partner or you’re just curious about how it works, here are six fundamentals about the program:
Amazon Flex enables Australians around the country to earn extra money in their spare time, using their own vehicles to deliver parcels for Amazon. We want to make sure that both our delivery partners and our customers have a safe and positive experience, and have designed the program to help make it a success for everyone.
Whether you’re thinking about becoming an Amazon Flex delivery partner or you’re just curious about how it works, here are six fundamentals about the program:
For many people, earning extra income can be a challenge due to other commitments. Amazon Flex provides a wide range of Aussies with an easy and convenient way to earn extra money. From parents working around school hours, to retirees wanting to stay active and connected, or those saving up for something special, Amazon Flex offers earning opportunities that are flexible, accessible and reliable. If you have an unrestricted delivery partner’s license, an eligible vehicle, and a smartphone you could be on your way to becoming an Amazon Flex delivery partner!
“The good thing about Amazon Flex is that it’s supplementary income that fits around my schedule as well.”
The safety of our delivery partners and the community is our top priority and we prioritise safeguarding them in every aspect of our operations. This commitment begins right from the initial onboarding process. To become an approved delivery partner for Amazon Flex, individuals undergo a comprehensive background and driving record check, where we verify that they hold a valid and unrestricted driver’s license.
As part of their onboarding, delivery partners are also required to complete online safety training. This training covers a wide range of safety topics, including how to identify and safely deliver around dogs, delivering in busy urban environments, and ergonomic techniques for lifting and moving packages. We never expect a delivery partner to make a delivery if they feel unsafe. We provide 24/7 support for delivery partners on-the-road to help them make deliveries to customers. If something occurs that requires additional safety support, delivery partners can contact Amazon’s Delivery Partner Support Helpline via the app and, in the rare case of emergencies, delivery partners are encouraged to call 000 immediately.
"The training is all done online and that’s something new for a person of my age, but I found it easy to navigate and I was very impressed. The online training videos work very well in explaining what’s expected of you as a delivery partner.”
It’s paramount that delivery partners have unobstructed visibility when they are driving and that’s why we urge them to engage with our delivery station staff if they have concerns about fitting allocated packages safely into their vehicles. This messaging is also extended to our staff, whom we ask to be vigilant about identifying any instances where overloading may pose a safety risk. In situations where packages cannot be accommodated securely, we take proactive steps to remove them, ensuring that delivery partners have full visibility and can operate their vehicles safely.
Throughout the entire delivery process, we maintain a continuous focus on safety. Delivery partners are required to wear high visibility vests and closed-toed shoes when delivering, and we have recently introduced a series of in-app notifiers designed to notify delivery partners to the presence of dogs at delivery locations.
In addition, we consistently provide delivery partners with safety tips through in-app messaging and newsletters. This proactive approach ensures that our delivery partners remain well-informed about safety best practices. Whenever we identify unusual weather alerts or introduce new safety features within the app, we promptly communicate these updates to our delivery partners.
At the end of each block, we actively seek feedback from delivery partners regarding their delivery experience. This feedback plays a pivotal role in our ongoing efforts to refine and optimise our processes and we welcome feedback from our delivery partners.
Amazon Flex delivery partners are paid competitively for the time they spend delivering Amazon packages. The minimum pay for sedan delivery partners in Australia is $114 for a four-hour block. The average national pay of Amazon Flex delivery partners from 1 July to 1 September 2023 was $138.20 for a four-hour block, delivered using a sedan.
“I love driving around Melbourne and the money is good. It helps me pay the bills and save money.”
Delivery partners can schedule flexible work in advance so there's no unpaid time spent waiting for work to come to them. We provide transparency and certainty with the estimated block duration and how much will be paid for that block before the delivery partner chooses to accept it, and they get paid quickly by weekly direct deposit. Delivery partners can also schedule a block up to seven days in advance so they can plan their week around their commitments.
We aim to give delivery partners the right number of packages that they can safely and comfortably deliver within the allocated block time. We also assign time within the delivery block for returning undelivered packages to the delivery station.
“It’s an easy job, and you can relax your mind, because you don’t have to rush. I usually deliver all my packages in less than the allocated time.”
The majority of delivery blocks are completed with time to spare. However, sometimes blocks will take longer for unexpected reasons such as roadwork or bad traffic. We do a reconciliation each month to make sure delivery partners are paid for extra time spent doing deliveries.
We clearly communicate the expected standard of service to delivery partners when they sign up for the program. This supports delivery partners and helps to ensure our customers also have a positive delivery experience.
The priority for delivery partners is to arrive on time for the delivery blocks they commit to and deliver the parcels they are allocated. Delivery partners are notified in any instance where they do not meet the reasonable requirements for delivering with the program.
“I find delivering packages with Amazon Flex enjoyable and relaxing."
If a delivery partner repeatedly fails to meet their obligations—for example, if they repeatedly don’t deliver the parcels they’ve been allocated, repeatedly fail to turn up for delivery blocks they committed to, or repeatedly cancel their blocks just before start time, they are no longer able to participate in the program.
Any concerns are always flagged with the delivery partner and we have an appeals process so that delivery partners can contest any decisions that may impact their ability to continue delivering with the program. And, of course, if there are mitigating circumstances, we take that into consideration too.
Many of our delivery partners take pride in going above and beyond when making their deliveries and in supporting each other. The community offers one another practical tips and help—whether it’s about how to load packages into a vehicle in the most efficient way, or navigating the city.
Michael, a 44-year-old from Melbourne, for example, started up social media groups for Amazon Flex delivery partners in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and on the Gold Coast to facilitate the sharing of tips and ideas with other delivery partners.
“I give tips and ideas because I’ve been doing it so long. We help answer questions and help new delivery partners when they first sign up for the app. It’s all about sharing advice with each other to make the job even easier.”
“I think what makes a good Amazon Flex delivery partner is to go that extra mile. If you’re in an apartment block and you can get up to the top floor to deliver to their door, then do so. Don’t just leave it by the door on the ground floor. And the customers really appreciate it.”
To learn more about Amazon Flex, visit here.
