I'm recovering from a c-section and finding it hard to bend over to reach our baby in the bassinet we have. I'm also tall so it's hurting my back a lot. It's been suggested we hire a hospital bassinet for the next month while I continue to recover. Can you tell me about the safety of hospital bassinets, including for babies that are more than a couple of days old? Our baby is five weeks. Are the plastic sides considered safe?

There are no Mandatory Standards for bassinets at the moment.
However, there are some guidelines which will be part of the new Mandatory Standards for all sleep spaces (including bassinets) from Jan 2026.
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/consumers/keep-baby-safe/settle-baby-to-sleep-safely/bassinets-and-cradles-guide
The information includes stability & height & type of material (eg mesh) for sides of bassinets’
Red Nose has also included this in our information on bassinets.
https://rednose.org.au/article/bassinets

I’m not sure that the bassinet you refer to would meet these guidelines .
As far as I am aware, the hospital bassinets are primarily suggested for use for newborn babies. I would be concerned that the size may be too small for a 5 week old baby.
Would a cot, with mattress at upper level help reduce the strain on your back?

Remember that a bassinet is for very short term use only - once baby is attempting to roll or pull at/on sides they need to be moved to a cot  &/or the mattress level of cot moved to lower level. (for safety)
 This can be as early as 3 months age.