Decide exactly what you need
Before you post anything, write down the trade, the stage of work, the site location, the dates, how many people you need and what they must hold, such as a particular licence or ticket. Vague posts attract vague applicants and take longer to sort through.
- Trade and the specific work involved
- Site suburb and access details
- Start date and expected duration
- Number of people and whether you want a crew or individuals
- Licences, tickets and gear required
Write a job post subbies will answer
Subbies decide in seconds whether a job suits them. Lead with the trade and the location, then the dates and what the work involves. Be clear about how you pay and when, because reliable subbies care about it.
On SubbieSpace this is a Crew Call. Subbies see the trade, location and dates before they apply, so the people who reply are the ones who can do it.
Review applicants side by side
Compare applicants on the same points: experience on similar work, licences and tickets, availability for your dates and how they communicate. Shortlist two or three, then talk to them before you decide.
Keeping every applicant for a job in one list, rather than spread across texts, calls and emails, makes this much faster and stops good people slipping through.
Check before they start
Confirm the licence for the work, their White Card and any high risk work licences, their ABN and their insurance. Anyone can check a NSW licence, its categories, expiry and any conditions on the Verify Licence site. In Queensland you can search the QBCC register.
Agree the scope, rates, payment terms and start time in writing before anyone goes on site.
Build a bench you can rehire
The best source of good subbies is the good subbies you have already used. Keep a list of the people you rate by trade, and contact them first when the next job comes up.
In SubbieSpace you can save individual subbies and invite them back to new Crew Calls. Paid plans add worker groups, private notes and applicant comparison for companies that hire often.
Sources: Verify a NSW licence · Find a licensed contractor (QBCC) · White cards (SafeWork NSW) · ABN Lookup (Australian Business Register)
Hire subcontractors for your next job on SubbieSpace
Post a Crew Call with the trade, site and dates. Subbies apply with their Work Passport, and you review, shortlist, message and hire from one list. The Starter plan is free.
Post a free Crew Call