Each year, more Aussie 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 2025.
Here are some of the top tools to help you get ahead:
Business advisory and coaching
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the trades and construction industry by improving efficiency, problem-solving, and customer satisfaction. PROTRADE United, Australia and New Zealand’s leading business advisory and coaching organisation for trades and construction, provides awareness around AI, ensuring businesses optimise communication, streamline project management, and enhance customer experiences.
With over 20 years of experience, PROTRADE United provides tailored strategies and support to leverage AI responsibly, enabling trades businesses to reduce costs and increase profitability. Their expertise ensures that tradespeople make the most of tool and business advancements, like the use of AI, to stay competitive and grow sustainably.
Learn more at PROTRADE United
Field service management software
Simpro field service management software is built to streamline workflows, connect office and field teams, and fuel your trade business growth.
Designed to handle even the most complex workflows, Simpro is the go-to solution for multi-phase projects, preventive maintenance contracts, and service jobs across residential and commercial settings.
With an end-to-end platform, Simpro automates resource-intensive tasks, including:
Simpro empowers businesses to plan and manage projects, contracts, and jobs efficiently, keeping teams connected in real-time—whether on-site, in the office, or on the go.
Seamlessly integrating with popular accounting software, Simpro ensures accurate financials, reduces admin time, and provides real-time data insights to help leaders make better decisions.
With over 250,000 users globally, Simpro is a trusted provider of field service software, offering dedicated training, local support, and innovative tools to help your business grow.
Learn more about Simpro today and discover how it can transform your trade operations.
Accounting service for sole traders
Running your own business is difficult enough, without having to manage all your own tax and financial admin.
That’s where Hnry comes in – they’re an award-winning tax and financial admin service, designed specifically for sole traders.
For just 1% +GST of your self-employed income (capped at $1,500 +GST annually), they’ll keep all your admin in check, including:
You also get unlimited access to the Hnry app, so you can create and send invoices and quotes on the go. Plus, if you use their Hnry Debit Card, your purchases will be automatically raised as expenses – no more hunting for lost receipts come tax time. Easy!
Save time, money, and energy. Join Hnry, and never think about tax again.
Learn more about Hnry.
A simple health and safety system
HazardCo is a health and safety system that makes WHS simple, giving you the confidence you’re keeping your crew and business safe while cutting the time you spend on paperwork.
HazardCo’s aim has always been to give their members the systems and advice they need to make their job safer and easier to do. Their digital tools do exactly that. It’s what you need, when you need it… all from your back pocket!
Job management software
Fergus is a powerful job management software designed to help tradies run their business smarter, simpler, and more profitably. Built specifically for trade businesses, Fergus streamlines day-to-day operations by simplifying quoting, scheduling, reporting, and payments – all in one powerful platform.
With Fergus, collecting payments is easier than ever. Clients can pay directly through the platform, reducing admin time and improving cash flow. Plus, Fergus integrates seamlessly with leading accounting and supplier tools, automating admin and eliminating manual data entry.
The Fergus Go mobile app keeps teams productive on the go. From tracking job progress to capturing real-time information on site, it ensures everyone stays on the same page, no matter where they are.
Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, or builder, Fergus empowers you to focus on what matters most—delivering great work—while driving business profitability and efficiency.
Learn more about Fergus.
Pre-accounting software
Dext provides automated accounting solutions for the construction industry, simplifying bookkeeping for more accurate, efficient and productive financial reporting and performance. Rather than expecting employees to spend hours manually entering expenses data into spreadsheets, professionals can use Dext Prepare to capture documents quickly and accurately. This not only makes records more accurate and consistent but it also frees up time for teams to focus on other valuable tasks.
This solution enables business owners to snap paper receipts and financial documents with one click using the mobile app, forwarding paperwork via email or uploading it directly into the software. Dext does the hard work of capturing, extracting and categorising the relevant data, so it’s ready to be published into their accounting software of choice. This makes it easier for builders, plumbers, electricians and any industry workers to ensure their accounts are organised, keep track of expenses, accurately quote projects and make informed decisions to boost revenue and productivity.
With Dext Prepare, construction business owners can enjoy:
Find out why businesses owners of all industries choose Dext Prepare.
GPS fleet and asset tracking software
Fleet Complete has been a trusted provider of fleet, asset, and workforce management solutions globally for over 20 years. With its Australian headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia, it combines local expertise with a strong presence across all mainland states.
Partnering with Geotab, the world’s leading telematics provider, Fleet Complete delivers cutting-edge solutions to optimise fleet performance.
In construction, fleet requirements are specific. Safety, efficiency, and real-time tracking are essential for managing a wide range of vehicles and equipment across demanding job sites, Fleet Complete is here to help streamline operations and maintain compliance.
Drive Efficiency, Safety and Sustainability with Your Construction Assets and Fleet
Find out more about Fleet Complete
Accounting software
Xero is online accounting software for your building company which makes it super easy to automate your admin. Plus, you can work from anywhere, even your ute!
When it comes to construction accounting, if you don’t do it regularly it’s easy to fall behind and things can quickly get out of control. By building accounting into your regular workflows you’re always on top of it. Xero is cloud-based and simple to use. Whether you are on-site or in the office you can access Xero on your smartphone or tablet so you’ll never get behind.
Xero connects to your bank, bookkeeper, accountant and other financial apps you might use such as Dext.
Find out more about Xero.
Each year, an increasing number of builders are adopting construction software to streamline operations both on-site and in the office. Companies that have well-established systems and processes, especially digital ones, are able to build strong, resilient businesses ready for any challenge. If you’re still buried in paperwork and bogged down by time-consuming tasks, it’s time to explore the latest in construction software. Go digital and set your business up for success in 2025.
Here are some of the top tools to help you level up:
Construction management and estimating software
Buildxact is job estimating and job management software designed specifically for residential builders, renovators and trades. It’s the market-leading option for Aussie builders who want to run their construction project from takeoff to the final invoice, all-in-one place.
Buildxact continues to evolve and bring out new tools. It now integrates directly with your favourite suppliers to get the latest prices, which makes the quoting process quicker and more accurate. And a new mobile tool connects you with your on-site crew, to make sure you never miss a beat from the job site again.
Take advantage of estimating software uniquely designed for residential builders and trades.
Learn more about Buildxact.
A simple health and safety system
HazardCo is a health and safety system that makes WHS simple, giving you the confidence you’re keeping your crew and business safe while cutting the time you spend on paperwork.
HazardCo’s aim has always been to give their members the systems and advice they need to make their job safer and easier to do. Their digital tools do exactly that. It’s what you need, when you need it… all from your back pocket!
Property Information
Looking for an efficient way to search for potential sites and check feasibility? Conducting due diligence and reconnaissance from your laptop is really easy with Landchecker’s on-map functionality.
Quickly and easily searches properties to identify key insights, such as; heritage overlays, flood zones, bushfire-prone areas property boundaries, site dimensions, zoning maps, planning permit applications, topography, precinct structure plans, last sold price and more.
Access property titles and plans at competitive prices with one click purchase.
All paid plans now come with High-Resolution Aerial Imagery so you can analyse geospatial data for a “full-picture” view that reveals how potential development site locations/suburbs are
changing over time.
Client budget validator
ProCalc saves builders’ time by identifying unviable quotes before you invest time in creating them.
Backed by data from thousands of residential Australian projects, ProCalc enables builders to:
Builders use ProCalc to:
Built by Builders, for Builders, ProCalc fills the gap in qualifying which prospects can afford your services—helping you prioritise your time more effectively.
Start your free ProCalc trial today!
Experience how ProCalc can streamline your estimating process and help you close more profitable jobs.
Digital Warranty and Maintenance
Gtee offers a digital solution for managing all the warranty and maintenance information for your clients. You no longer need to collate this information, simply select the products you have used from Gtee’s product database.
It saves admin time, is cost-effective at $290 per build, and provides clients with 24/7 access to their digital accounts. It will also send automated maintenance reminders.
Gtee ensures legal compliance with warranty and maintenance requirements and allows builders to provide evidence of notifications for any warranty claims. The accounts are guaranteed to be active for at least 15 years.
Pre-accounting software
Dext provides automated accounting solutions for the construction industry, simplifying bookkeeping for more accurate, efficient and productive financial reporting and performance. Rather than expecting employees to spend hours manually entering expenses data into spreadsheets, professionals can use Dext Prepare to capture documents quickly and accurately. This not only makes records more accurate and consistent but it also frees up time for teams to focus on other valuable tasks.
This solution enables business owners to snap paper receipts and financial documents with one click using the mobile app, forwarding paperwork via email or uploading it directly into the software. Dext does the hard work of capturing, extracting and categorising the relevant data, so it’s ready to be published into their accounting software of choice. This makes it easier for builders, plumbers, electricians and any industry workers to ensure their accounts are organised, keep track of expenses, accurately quote projects and make informed decisions to boost revenue and productivity.
With Dext Prepare, construction business owners can enjoy:
Find out why businesses owners of all industries choose Dext Prepare.
Accounting software
Xero is online accounting software for your building company which makes it super easy to automate your admin. Plus, you can work from anywhere, even your ute!
When it comes to construction accounting, if you don’t do it regularly it’s easy to fall behind and things can quickly get out of control. By building accounting into your regular workflows you’re always on top of it. Xero is cloud-based and simple to use. Whether you are on-site or in the office you can access Xero on your smartphone or tablet so you’ll never get behind.
Xero connects to your bank, bookkeeper, accountant and other financial apps you might use such as Dext.
Find out more about Xero.
Thank you to everyone who entered our ‘Win a $4k Holiday’ competition during October. Keep an eye out in your inbox for our health and safety updates.
Congratulations to the winner:
Emergencies and natural disasters can happen anytime. Although you can’t predict when they will happen, you can take actions to make your business more prepared.
Do you and your workers know what to do if a disaster strikes?
An emergency plan is a health and safety requirement necessary for keeping everyone safe, and not having one is a big risk for your business and your workers.
Your emergency plan should include the following:
What to consider when making an emergency plan:
When working out your emergency plan, you must take into account:
Maintaining and testing emergency plans:
A well-maintained emergency plan should be reviewed and updated when:
Testing your emergency plan is important to ensure it works:
Worker Engagement
Involve workers in emergency planning and decisions. All workers should know who is responsible for activating and coordinating emergency procedures and what they must do to keep themselves and others safe in an emergency.
First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers
Having first aid kits and fire extinguishers readily available ensures that workers can quickly address emergencies, potentially saving lives and preventing extensive property damage.
Keeping you and your workmates safe at work is a top priority, so it’s important to understand what your business needs for an effective emergency plan. Make sure you’re aware of these requirements to help keep everyone safe!
Use the handy templates available in the Hub to help you document your plan and drills so you can be prepared for any emergency situation. Find these below:
If you would like more information, get in touch with our friendly HazardCo team – we’re always happy to help!
We’re excited to announce that HazardCo is officially expanding into the UK! As a New Zealand-born company, we’ve been helping builders and tradies keep their worksites safe since 2007. Now, after years of growth and success in both New Zealand and Australia, we’re ready to bring our trusted health and safety system to the UK market.
Why HazardCo?
At HazardCo, we’re all about making health and safety simple. We know that builders don’t want to spend their time buried in paperwork or worrying about compliance. That’s why we offer digital tools and expert advice to make health and safety easy to manage on-site, in real-time. Whether it’s inductions, risk assessments, or creating safety plans, our system takes the hassle out of health and safety, so builders can focus on what they do best—getting the job done.
Our journey so far
We started in New Zealand, helping Kiwi builders tackle their health and safety challenges. Word spread fast, and soon we had thousands of businesses using our system to stay safe. In 2020, we expanded to Australia, growing to 70 employees and over 10,000 members, including more than 150,000 users actively managing on-site safety through our app.
What’s next?
Now, we’re bringing the same proven system to the UK. We’ve tailored our offering to meet the specific needs of British builders, and our local health and safety experts are ready to provide the support you need. With the recent introduction of the Building Safety Act, there’s never been a more important time for builders to step up their safety game—and we’re here to help make that as simple as possible.
As the construction industry moves toward more digital solutions, HazardCo is ready to help UK builders stay compliant, protect their teams, and keep projects running smoothly.
Ready to take the guesswork out of health and safety? We’ve got your back!
