There are three big online platforms for finding tradies in Australia: Hipages, Airtasker, and Oneflare. Each works differently, charges different fees, and attracts different types of tradespeople. If you're a homeowner in Brisbane trying to get your deck built, bathroom renovated, or garden tidied, choosing the right platform can save you time, money, and frustration. Here's how they compare in 2026.
| Feature | Hipages | Airtasker | Oneflare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Licensed tradies, larger jobs | Any task, quick gigs | Professional services, quotes |
| Homeowner cost | Free to post | Free to post (service fee on job) | Free to browse |
| Service fee | Nil (tradies pay subscription) | 15–25% added to job total | Nil (tradies pay per lead) |
| Tradie payment model | Monthly subscription (~$100–$250/mo) | Commission per job (15–25%) | Pay-per-lead ($5–$15 each) |
| Quote style | Fixed-price quotes from tradies | Task posted, offers come to you | You request quotes, tradies reply |
| Insurance / guarantees | Tradies verified, ins. checks | Up to $20M cover on eligible tasks | Limited (tradie-dependent) |
| QLD coverage | Excellent — strong in Brisbane, GC, Sunny Coast | Very strong — most active in SEQ | Good — solid in Brisbane metro |
| App quality | Good (web + app) | Excellent (mobile-first) | Good (web + app) |
Hipages is the most established platform for homeowners who want licensed, insured tradies rather than casual workers. Tradies pay a monthly subscription to receive job leads, which means they're generally more professional and committed.
Best for: Bathroom renovations, full-house painting, electrical work, roofing — any job requiring a licensed tradie with insurance.
Airtasker is the most popular platform for getting things done quickly. You post a task, set a budget, and tradies (or "Taskers") offer to do it. It's more casual and the pool of workers is huge — but the quality varies more.
Best for: Quick jobs, furniture assembly, garden tidy-ups, moving help, cleaning, and small handyman tasks where speed matters more than credentials.
Oneflare works like a middle ground. You post a job description and local businesses send you quotes. Tradies pay per lead they respond to, which means they're selective about the jobs they quote on.
Best for: Medium-to-large jobs where you want 3–5 written quotes to compare — home renovations, landscaping, fencing, carport builds.
This matters a lot. Airtasker adds a service fee (15–25%) to every job, which can mean paying $75–$125 extra on a $500 job. Hipages and Oneflare don't charge homeowners directly — the tradie pays the platform fee. However, tradies on Hipages may factor their subscription cost into their quotes. On Oneflare, some tradies price higher because they're paying per lead.
Winner for cost: Hipages (no extra fees, no lead cost passed on).
Hipages verifies licences and insurance before listing tradies. Oneflare lets tradies display their credentials voluntarily. Airtasker does background checks on Taskers but doesn't verify trade licences specifically — always ask for proof yourself.
Winner for quality: Hipages (strictest verification).
Airtasker is the fastest — you can have someone booked within hours for small jobs. Hipages typically takes 24–48 hours to get responses. Oneflare falls somewhere in between.
Winner for speed: Airtasker.
All three platforms have strong coverage in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast. Airtasker has the highest volume. Hipages has the most licensed tradies. Oneflare has good coverage but fewer total businesses than the other two.
Brisbane winner: Hipages (best for finding licensed tradies in QLD).
For licensed trade work (electricians, plumbers, roofers, painters): Use Hipages — you'll get verified tradies with no hidden fees.
For speed and small jobs (cleaning, handyman, assembly): Use Airtasker — the fastest way to get things done.
For comparing quotes on medium-to-large projects: Use Oneflare — easy to compare multiple quotes side-by-side.
Pro tip: Post on Hipages AND Airtasker simultaneously for the best coverage. Many tradies work across both platforms.
Whether you're managing a tradie or tackling a DIY project yourself, these tools help you get the job done right (affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you):