Repair and handyman services in Australia: setting up on Websta

What your Websta profile should contain

Your profile page is a working tool, not a portfolio. Keep it practical. Start with a clear description of what you do - whether that is general handyman work, plumbing fixes, electrical repairs, carpentry, appliance repair, or a mix. Be specific about the kinds of jobs you take on and the kinds you do not.

Add photos of your actual work: a completed repair, your tools or van, your workspace. Customers want to see that you exist and what your work looks like. Three to five clear photos work better than many blurry ones.

List your services as separate items if you offer more than one type of work. For each service, note whether you ask for a quote or accept direct bookings. Some repair work needs a quote because the cost depends on what you find when you arrive; other work has a fixed scope and fixed timing.

Include a contact form or online booking so people can reach you without hunting for your phone number. Websta handles this for you. If you offer quotes, people will post a task in the marketplace and you can make an offer. If you offer bookings for specific services at set rates, people book directly from your profile.

Photos that matter for repair work

Repair work photographs differently than other trades. A finished kitchen renovation is obvious. A fixed door hinge is not. Show the problem and the result side by side if you can. A before-and-after photo of a repaired wall or appliance tells the story.

Include at least one photo that shows you or your work in context - in a customer's home, in your van, with your tools. This builds trust. Avoid generic stock images.

How customers find repair services in Australia

People in Australia search for repair and handyman services in two ways. Some use Google or other search engines with terms like 'handyman near me' plus their suburb or postcode. Others use online marketplaces - Websta included - where they search by service and location and either browse provider profiles or post a task for providers to bid on.

Your postcode and the suburbs you serve matter. List every area you cover, or be clear about the radius you work in. If you only service Melbourne's inner suburbs, say so. If you travel across regional New South Wales, list the towns or give the distance you will travel.

Publish your profile in English. English is the working language across Australia for business, and repair work is searched and booked in English.

What to check with local authorities before you start

Australia does not have one national set of rules for repair and handyman work because each state and territory sets its own standards. What matters depends on the type of repair you do and where you work.

If you do electrical work, you will need a license or accreditation - this is set by each state. In most states, minor repairs may fall under different rules than installation work. Check with your state's electrical regulator.

Plumbing work also requires licensing in most states. Even if you do only maintenance or minor fixes, check your state's plumbing authority.

General handyman work - carpentry, painting, fixing hinges, patching walls, furniture assembly - usually does not need a trade license, but check with your local council or your state's fair work or small business authority to be sure there are no rules in your area.

You will need an Australian Business Number (ABN) if you are a sole trader earning income from the business. Register this with the Australian Business Register.

Check whether you need public liability insurance. Many customers will ask for proof of insurance before you start work. Even if it is not legally required, it protects you and is often a condition for booking.

Online booking versus quote requests

Decide which model suits your work. If you offer a service with a fixed scope and price - for example, assembling flat-pack furniture or changing a tap washer - you can use online booking. A customer picks a date and time, pays through the platform, and you turn up.

If most of your jobs need a site visit first - the cost depends on what you find - use the quote model. Post your services in the marketplace and let customers describe the job. You visit, assess it, and send a quote. Once they accept, you do the work.

Many repair providers use both: some services are bookable, others go through quotes.

What to write in your first hour

Start with the essentials. Write a one or two sentence description of what you do. Example: 'General handyman and repairs in the Geelong area - plumbing fixes, carpentry, painting, and household repairs.' Say what you do and where.

List three to five services you offer. For each one, add a short note about what it covers.

Add your location or service area by postcode or suburb. Be accurate. If you say you cover 'Melbourne and surrounds' but you only go to certain suburbs, fix this before your first customer books.

Upload one clear photo of recent work if you have one. A photo of the repair itself is better than a photo of you.

Set up your contact form or choose your booking or quote model. Websta handles the technical side; you decide how people reach you.

Make sure you have a way for customers to pay - Websta uses Stripe, which pays out to your bank account. Set this up before you take your first booking.

The Websta marketplace for repair services

Beyond your profile page, Websta has a marketplace where people nearby post tasks and providers make offers. Someone might post 'Fix leaking tap in my Brisbane bathroom' and you can respond with a quote or acceptance if you service that area and do that work.

The marketplace runs by location and category. For repair and handyman services in Australia, browse the marketplace at /marketplace/repair. This shows you how people describe jobs in your area and what providers are already offering.