Each year, more tradies are turning to digital tools and software to streamline their work both on-site and in the office. From electricians to plumbers, carpenters to landscapers, those with efficient systems and processes – especially digital ones – are building stronger, more resilient businesses that can tackle any challenge.
If you’re still buried in paperwork or losing time on repetitive tasks, now is the time to explore the latest tech solutions designed to simplify your operations. Go digital and set your trade business up for success in 2026.
Here are some of the top tools to help you get ahead:
Business advisory and coaching
PROTRADE United is a leading business advisory and coaching organisation for the trades and construction industry across Australia and New Zealand. With over 20 years’ experience, they help businesses improve performance, profitability and sustainability, including building awareness around emerging tools like AI to streamline operations and stay competitive.
Learn more at PROTRADE United.
Field service management software
Simpro is an end-to-end field service management platform designed to help trade businesses streamline workflows and connect office and field teams. Built for complex service jobs, maintenance contracts and multi-phase projects, Simpro automates scheduling, job costing, inventory, invoicing and more, while integrating with popular accounting software.
Accounting service for sole traders
Hnry is an award-winning tax and financial admin service built specifically for sole traders. For a simple percentage of income, Hnry manages tax, BAS, expenses and invoicing as you earn, removing the stress of compliance and paperwork so you can focus on running your business.
A simple health and safety system
HazardCo is a simple, digital WHS system that helps builders stay compliant while reducing paperwork. With guided SWMS, site-specific safety plans, incident reporting, contractor management and a dedicated Advisory Team, HazardCo makes health and safety easier to manage on site.
Job management software
Fergus is a job management platform designed to help tradies run more profitable and efficient businesses. It simplifies quoting, scheduling, job tracking, reporting and payments, while integrating with accounting and supplier tools. The Fergus Go mobile app keeps teams connected and productive on site and on the go.
Pre-accounting software
Dext helps builders and trades automate expense tracking and document capture. With 99% data extraction accuracy, Dext Prepare reduces manual entry, keeps records organised, and publishes clean data directly into accounting software like Xero.
Find out why businesses owners of all industries choose Dext Prepare.
GPS fleet and asset tracking software
Fleet Complete is a GPS fleet, asset and workforce management platform designed to help construction businesses improve safety, efficiency and compliance. With real-time tracking, AI-powered safety alerts and data-driven insights, Fleet Complete helps builders and contractors better manage vehicles and equipment across demanding job sites.
Find out more about Fleet Complete.
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps builders manage finances from anywhere. It connects with banks, accountants, bookkeepers and apps like Dext, making it easy to stay on top of cash flow, expenses and reporting on site or in the office.
Tradify is a purpose-built job management app that helps tradies manage jobs from enquiry to payment. Designed for electricians, plumbers and HVAC businesses, Tradify streamlines quoting, scheduling, invoicing and timesheets, with cloud access and seamless integrations with accounting software like Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks.
Each year, more builders are turning to construction software to simplify the way they work – both on site and behind the scenes. In 2026, the businesses pulling ahead are the ones with strong systems and streamlined digital processes, giving them the resilience to handle whatever the market throws their way. If paperwork is still eating into your time and slowing the team down, now’s the moment to take a serious look at today’s construction tech. Go digital and set your building business up for success in 2026 and beyond.
Here are some of the top tools to help you level up:
HazardCo is a simple, digital WHS system that helps builders stay compliant while reducing paperwork. With guided SWMS, site-specific safety plans, incident reporting, contractor management and a dedicated Advisory Team, HazardCo makes health and safety easier to manage on site.
Landchecker is a map-based property research platform that helps builders and developers assess sites quickly and confidently. You can access zoning, overlays, hazards, site dimensions, titles, planning data and high-resolution aerial imagery to support feasibility and due diligence.
ProCalc helps residential builders quickly qualify leads by identifying whether projects are financially viable before investing time in detailed quotes. Backed by Australian construction data, it delivers fast, adjustable ballpark estimates to protect margins and prioritise the right jobs.
Start your free ProCalc trial today.
Gtee simplifies builder handovers by digitising warranty and maintenance information for homeowners. You can select products from a database, ensuring compliance, reducing admin and providing clients with 24/7 access to their digital account for at least 15 years.
Learn more about Gtee. Watch a short demo video.
Dext helps builders and trades automate expense tracking and document capture. With 99% data extraction accuracy, Dext Prepare reduces manual entry, keeps records organised, and publishes clean data directly into accounting software like Xero.
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps builders manage finances from anywhere. It connects with banks, accountants, bookkeepers and apps like Dext, making it easy to stay on top of cash flow, expenses and reporting on site or in the office.
Fatigue is now considered a workplace hazard, one that you can no longer ignore. This is one of the most common, and most underestimated, hazards on site. It’s often brushed off as “just being tired”, but fatigue can seriously affect how safely someone works. When workers are fatigued, they’re more likely to make mistakes, ignore risks and get hurt. Long hours, physically demanding work and shift schedules can all contribute to fatigue, sometimes before people even realise it’s affecting them.
Fatigue isn’t just about physical tiredness. It’s a state of physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that impacts concentration, alertness, reaction times and decision-making. A fatigued worker may take shortcuts, struggle to focus or react more slowly to changing conditions. In high-risk environments, that loss of awareness can quickly lead to incidents.
Workplace fatigue usually builds over time and is rarely caused by one thing alone. Factors such as:
Because fatigue builds gradually, it’s not always easy to spot. Fatigue is a serious safety issue because it increases the risk of vehicle and plant incidents, slips, trips and falls, procedural errors and slower responses in emergencies.
Over the long term, ongoing fatigue can also contribute to health problems such as mental health issues, heart disease and musculoskeletal injuries.
Managing fatigue is a shared responsibility. Businesses need to plan work safely by managing hours, workloads and conditions, and making sure workers have time to rest and recover. Workers also need to take breaks, manage rest where possible and speak up if they’re feeling fatigued or unfit for work.
The best way to manage fatigue is to prevent it. Simple steps like:
Fatigue might be common, but it shouldn’t be accepted as part of the job.
To better help you navigate this, HazardCo has :
If you need further information or help, call our Advisory Team on 1800 954 702.
Good health and safety isn’t about stopping work — it’s about having simple, clear processes so everyone understands how to get the job done safely.
When you plan the work and manage the risks, you build a site where safety becomes second nature.
Before starting any task, pause and look at what could go wrong. A couple of minutes now can prevent someone from getting hurt later.
If it’s not recorded, it’s easy to miss and hard to manage.
A clean, well-run site is a safer site. Regular checks keep everyone on track.
Good sites don’t just happen they’re reviewed and improved every day.
Safety isn’t a box to tick, it’s how you work.
When everyone takes action, speaks up, and looks out for each other, safety becomes part of everyday work, not just an extra task.
Any questions, get in touch with the team at HazardCo
It’s that time of year again – the calendar’s full, the jobs are piling up, and everyone’s looking forward to a well-earned break. You’re pushing to get the last few projects over the line, finish the paperwork, and keep the team happy.
We get it. The end-of-year rush can be intense. But when the pressure’s on, it’s easy for safety checks to slide down the list. The focus shifts to finishing fast, not necessarily finishing right.
Before you pack up the tools and head home, take a moment to make sure your sites are still running safely and smoothly. A few minutes of care now can save you a whole lot of stress in the new year.
When things get busy, the best way to stay on top of safety is to make it simple. That’s where the Site Review feature in the HazardCo App comes in.
A quick walk around your site with a Site Review helps you spot what’s working well and what needs a tidy-up before the holidays. Think of it like your site’s end-of-year health check – quick, straightforward, and right there on your phone.
You can snap photos, add comments, and tick off areas as you go, so you’ve got a clear, time-stamped record of your site’s condition. It’s an easy way to confirm that everyone’s working safely, everything’s in order, and nothing’s been missed in the year-end rush.
And if you’re a business owner or site supervisor, it’s a great peace of mind, you’ll know your sites are in good shape while you’re taking that well-deserved break.
Not sure what to look for? No problem. The Site Review feature guides you step-by-step through what to check on-site, from tidy work areas and secured materials to the basics like PPE, access ways, and equipment condition.
It’s designed to make safety simple, even if you don’t have a dedicated health and safety person on your team. You’ll quickly see what’s running smoothly and what could use improvement, and you’ll have a clear, digital record you can refer back to anytime.
That means less guesswork, less paperwork, and fewer headaches when you come back in January.
Before you shut down for the year, take a few minutes to complete a Site Review. It’s a small step that helps you wrap up confidently, knowing your sites are tidy, safe, and ready for a fresh start in the new year.
When you come back after the break, you’ll hit the ground running, not scrambling to fix what got missed in the rush.
So before you call it a year, do one last thing to protect your team, your reputation, and your business: run a Site Review in the HazardCo App.
You’ll finish the year strong, and start the next one even better.
Thank you to everyone who entered our ‘From Hard Hats to Holidays – Win a $4,000 Escape!’ competition during October. Keep an eye out in your inbox for our health and safety updates.
Congratulations to the winner:
Travis from G.J. Gardner Homes Warragul
HazardCo has partnered with Pointsbuild, one of Australia’s leading providers of online CPD and compliance training, to give HazardCo’s Complete members free access to the WHS Risk Management Training course, delivered by Pointsbuild.
This partnership is all about adding more value for HazardCo members and helping lift the standard of health & safety across the building industry. Together, we’re making it easier for builders and business owners to understand, manage, and reduce risk, because better knowledge means safer worksites and more confident teams.
Founded in 2007, Pointsbuild was Australia’s first approved CPD training provider for the Built Environment. Now offering nearly 200 courses and delivering more than 30,000 courses each month.
The one-hour online WHS Risk Management course takes HazardCo members through a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, controlling, and monitoring potential hazards and risks on-site. It covers:
By joining forces, HazardCo and Pointsbuild aim to make it easier for members to upskill, improve safety outcomes, and confidently meet compliance obligations.
The Risk Management Training, delivered by Pointsbuild, is available to HazardCo’s Complete members. Get in touch with the team to find out more.
Construction sites come with plenty of obvious hazards but some of the most dangerous ones are the ones you can’t see. One of those hidden risks is respirable crystalline silica dust (RCS), extremely small particles that can be breathed deep into your lungs, increasing the risk of serious lung diseases
If you’re cutting, grinding, sanding, or polishing materials like concrete, stone, brick, or mortar, there’s a good chance you’re creating RCS dust. And while it might not look like much, breathing it in can cause serious, long-term health problems.
When silica dust gets into your lungs, it can cause a disease called Accelerated Silicosis. This is a fast-acting, life-threatening condition that scars the lungs and makes it harder to breathe over time. The tricky part? You might not even notice symptoms until the damage is already done.
That’s why it’s so important to understand the risk and take simple steps to control it.
Safework Australia recommends several ways to reduce exposure and keep your crew safe:
Most people who develop silicosis didn’t realise they were at risk. That’s why it’s vital to talk about RCS, train your team, and make sure everyone knows how to stay safe.
At the end of the day, the goal is simple: everyone goes home safe and healthy.
Want to learn more about managing silica dust on-site? Get in touch with the friendly team at HazardCo. We’re here to help you keep health and safety simple.
From 1 October 2025, SafeWork NSW is rolling out a Silica Worker Register (SWR), a new system to track workers doing jobs that expose them to respirable crystalline silica dust.
If your crew cuts, drills, grinds, or polishes concrete, bricks, tiles, or any other silica-containing material, this change affects you.
The SWR is an online register where businesses (PCBUs) must record details of any worker carrying out high-risk silica work.
This helps SafeWork NSW track exposure, monitor worker health, and prevent silicosis and other dust-related diseases.
Key start date: 1 October 2025
Timeframe: You must register a worker within 28 days of them starting high-risk silica work.
Who needs to be registered?
You’ll need to register any worker who performs high-risk silica tasks, such as:
If you’re unsure whether work is high-risk, play it safe and register your workers.
You’ll need to enter details for both your business and the worker, including:
The register is part of NSW’s effort to reduce silica-related disease and improve worker safety across construction and trades.
Failing to register can lead to penalties but more importantly, this is about keeping your crew healthy and protected.
What Should Do Now
The Silica Worker Register isn’t just more paperwork, it’s about protecting your team’s health.
Check out these additional resources:
Or call our Advisory Team on 1800 954 702.
This blog is based on a webinar we ran earlier this year. You can get access to the recording here.
A visit from a safety regulator can make even the most experienced builder a little nervous. But as HazardCo’s Senior Health and Safety Advisor, Glenn Smith, shared in a recent webinar, these visits are not always about catching people out, they’re about ensuring everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
Regulators such as WorkSafe or SafeWork might visit your site for several reasons:
“Sometimes they’re just checking in, other times they’re responding to a concern,” Glenn explains. “But they’re not out to get you – they just want to make sure people are working safely.”
First rule: don’t panic. Always welcome the inspector onto your site politely and check their ID to confirm who they are. Regulators are usually easy to identify with branded uniforms, badges, and vehicles.
Be open and cooperative. “Don’t drop your hammer and bolt, they’re just doing their job,” Glenn says. Provide the documents they ask for, such as your SWMS, safety plans, induction records, and toolbox meeting notes.
Being organised makes a great first impression. Inspectors are far more comfortable when they can see your systems are in order. Having everything stored digitally, such as in the HazardCo App, can make this process fast and stress-free.
To find out the common mistakes to avoid and how to be inspection ready all year round, watch the webinar recording.
If you’re after more information about what to expect when your worksite is inspected by WorkSafe/SafeWork, check out this blog.
