What is a Slot?
Slots let you pre-book work for a set period of time, with a guaranteed earnings amount subject to the applicable requirements.
With these, you can view and pre-book runs for the upcoming week, helping you plan your work and have a steady & stable income flow.
There are two types of Slots: Partner Slots and Sherpa Slots.
Quick guide
| Partner Slots | Sherpa Slots | |
| Pickup |
Single pickup A run of jobs from a single business partner |
Multi-pickup Jobs will be assigned by the Sherpa Dispatch team. These jobs will be within a particular area |
| Job assignment | Your run of jobs will be assigned to you just before your pickup time | Jobs will be assigned to you throughout the slot duration |
| Can more jobs be added? | Additional jobs may be occasionally offered. We'll contact you first and they'll only be added if you accept. | Yes, jobs may be added or removed based on demand. |
| Key details before booking |
You can see:
|
You can see:
|
| How payment works | Earnings range shown before booking. Final payment is based on completing the assigned run as required | Fixed Slot fee. Payment maybe adjusted based on Slot requirements and completion. |
| Additional fees | May apply depending on the run, such as applicable surchages | Additional compensation may apply for approved extra jobs or overtime. |
General information for all Slot types
- How can I view and accept a Slot?
- What are Slot reminders?
- What should I do if I'm no longer available for a Slot?
- How are Slot payments calculated?
- Slot unassignment and penalties
- Commitment guidelines for Slot drivers
What are the different types of Slots?
Tips for mastering Slots and meeting expectations
General information for all Slot types
How can I view and accept a Slot?
Slots appear as grey pins on the map. Tap the job card for more details.
You can also book Slots in advance - tap on 'Future dates' and look for Slots
What are Slot reminders?
You will receive a reminder one day before your scheduled Slot at 8 am, which must be confirmed within 4 hours, or the Slot will be unassigned. If confirmed, another reminder will be sent 1 hour before the pick-up time.
What should I do if I'm no longer available for a Slot?
Unassign yourself as soon as possible through notifications or within My Jobs. Unassigning within 2 hours of the start time will affect your unassignment rate.
Please note that frequent late unassignments or withdrawals may result in limited future Slot offers.
How Are Slot Payments Calculated?
How your Slot payment is calculated depends on the type of Slot you book: Partner Slots show an earnings range before you book, while Sherpa Slots have a fixed Slot fee.
The following payment rules apply to both types of Slots:
Payment may be adjusted or withdrawn if:
Deliveries are incomplete, missing, or damaged.
A Slot is unassigned after it has started.
Your Slot payment will be assessed, adjusted, and reflected in your driver account following review.
All Slot earnings and adjustments will appear in your Payment Summary and RCTI.
Example of Payment Summary Including Slot Fees
RCTI
More specific payment rules are outlined in the Partner Slots and Sherpa Slots sections.
Slot unassignment and Penalties
To ensure fair access to Slots and minimise disruptions, Sherpa monitors unassignment and may apply penalties when they occur frequently or too close to the Slot start time.
Unassigning before a Slot starts
Drivers may unassign from a Slot more than 1 hour before the Slot start time without any penalty.
However, repeated unassignments are tracked.
If you unassign from Slots more than 4 times within a 7-day period, you will be temporarily restricted from booking new Slots for the next 7 days.
Unassigning close to Slot start time
You can unassign a Slot within 1 hour of the start time. However, this will affect your access to future Slots.
- A warning will be issued for the first occurrence
- If you unassign 2 slots within 1 hours of the start time in the same week, you may be temporarily restricted from booking Slots
Commitment guidelines for Slot drivers
Here's what you can expect when you book and confirm a Slot:
1. Be ready for the full Slot period
Once you’ve confirmed your Slot, please stay available and ready to complete jobs throughout the scheduled time.
2. Complete all jobs assigned during your Slot
You’ll need to complete all jobs allocated during that time to qualify for your guaranteed earnings.
Please note that you cannot request for jobs to be removed, as all allocations are made to support efficient route planning.
3. Let us know early if you can’t make it.
Things happen! If you’re no longer available for your Slot, please unassign yourself as early as possible. Cancelling less than two hours before the start time may affect your future opportunities.
Repeated late cancellations or unassignments may also reduce future Slot invitations and affect your driver rating.
What are the different types of Slots?
1. Partner Slot:
You’ll be assigned a run of jobs from a single business partner shortly before the pick-up time.
What to expect from a Partner Slot
- You'll receive a complete run of jobs from a single business partner
- All jobs in the run will be collected from one pickup location
- You're expected to complete all the jobs assigned as part of the run
- Additional jobs may be offered after your run has been assigned, but they'll only be added if you choose to accept them
Partner Slot payments
Partner Slots show an earnings range before you book, so you can see what you can expect to earn from the run.
To receive the applicable payment, you'll need to complete all jobs assigned to the slot by the deliver-by time. Payment deductions may apply if items are:
- Damaged
- Delivered to the incorrect address
- Not completed as required
Event Day Cancellations: No compensation is provided if a Slot is cancelled 30 minutes or more before the scheduled start time. Compensation details will be outlined in your Payment Summary and RCTI if cancelled within 30 minutes of the scheduled pick-up time.
2. Sherpa Slot:
During a Sherpa Slot, you'll be assigned jobs within a specific area for a set period of time. Unlike a Partner Slot, your jobs are not necessarily provided as a pre-built run. You may:
- Receive jobs throughout your Slot duration
- Complete multiple pick-ups
- Pick up from different stores within the same area
- Receive single jobs or runs
What happens when I accept a Sherpa Slot?
When you accept a Sherpa Slot, you’re committing to complete all deliveries assigned during that time.
Once accepted:
You may be allocated jobs that would otherwise go to the general crowd.
All previously listed job prices are replaced by the fixed Slot fee.
- Job allocation method is at Sherpa’s discretion, and individual job offers outside of the Slot structure will not apply.
At the start of your Slot
Be ready and available before the Slot start time.
Begin your pick-ups as soon as the Slot begins, or immediately once your first job is assigned.
Starting promptly helps you stay on schedule and avoid any delivery delays.
Please note: Drivers are expected to arrive on time and begin the Slot as scheduled.
If you arrive late to your first pick-up, the time lost will be deducted from your Slot payment.
During your Slot
Job numbers may increase or decrease depending on customer demand.
Pick-ups can come from multiple stores within the same area - this is normal.
Plan your route efficiently to make sure you complete all jobs within the Slot timeframe.
Slots are planned on the basis that drivers will complete an average of 3-4 jobs per hour. This delivery rate is used to set Slot duration, routing and job allocation. If delivery progress falls below this expected pace and there is no valid operational reason, your Slot payment may be adjusted and pro-rated to reflect the work completed.
Please note: You cannot request for jobs to be removed, as all allocations are made to support efficient route planning. Deliveries within a Sherpa Slot that are not completed within standard delivery windows will not qualify for a late rate adjustment.
At the end of your Slot
Your Slot end time is determined by the last job in your bucket. Sherpa assesses both distance and time required to complete all deliveries.
Your actual completion time is verified using Sherpa’s routing service to ensure fair and accurate compensation. If your Slot activity shows inefficient time usage (e.g. long idle periods, unnecessary delays), Sherpa may review your performance before confirming payment.
What happens with Sherpa Slot cancellations and overtime?
Sherpa-Initiated Cancellations
Cancelled before/soon after Start time: You will be notified immediately if a Slot is cancelled by us. If cancelled within 30 minutes of the start time, you’ll be compensated.
Early end: If Sherpa cancels a Slot early, you will be paid the greater of 50% of the total Slot value or the value up to the actual end time. This early-end calculation applies even when you completed every job assigned to you.
If Sherpa ends your Slot before its scheduled finish time, we compare:
- 50% of the original Slot value; and
- The proportional value of the Slot from its scheduled start time to the actual end time.
You will be paid whichever amount is greater, provided you have met the applicable Slot requirements. Slot offer values include GST. Your Payment Summary may display the payment excluding GST, with GST recorded separately on your RCTI.
For example, consider a four-hour Slot valued at $100 excluding GST:
| Actual end time | Slot completed | Value to actual end time, excl. GST | 50% minimum, excl. GST | Payment, excl. GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 hour | 25% | $25.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| After 2 hours | 50% | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| After 3 hours | 75% | $75.00 | $50.00 | $75.00 |
The payment shown is excluding GST. If you are registered for GST, GST will be added separately and recorded on your RCTI. Different payment rules apply if you withdraw from the Slot or do not complete assigned deliveries.
Overtime: If you are assigned more jobs than originally stated, we’ll contact you first. If you agree to take them on, you’ll be compensated for the extra work.
Driver-Initiated Cancellations
If you cancel or withdraw after your Slot has started, your payment will be adjusted according to the work completed:
You will be paid per delivery for completed jobs, calculated at marketplace delivery rates (not the Slot fee).
If you cancel after the Slot has started but do not complete any deliveries, Sherpa will calculate the time you were active and apply a 50% debit to your driver account for that portion of the Slot.
This policy reflects the time and operational impact of mid-Slot cancellations.
Repeated cancellations may limit access to future Slot opportunities.
Tips for Mastering Slots and Meeting Expectations
Don't see your question here? Contact Sherpa Support via email at support@sherpa.net.au.