Australia's gig economy could be reshaped by a finding that a former Foodora delivery rider, unfairly dismissed, was an employee, not an independent contractor.

Experts say the ruling last week by the Fair Work Commission has put the business models of competitors Uber Eats and Deliveroo under increased scrutiny.

Labor senator Murray Watt this year chaired the Future of Work inquiry, which examined the gig economy in which almost a million self-employed Australians work on a freelance or project basis, rather than in permanent jobs.

Foodora delivery rider Josh Klooger launched an unfair dismissal case against the company.

Senator Watt said the commission's decision was belated recognition that technology was creating new ways to exploit workers and that Australia's workplace laws had not kept pace with technology nor technological change.