Airtasker is Australia's largest homegrown gig platform — and for many Australians, it's the fastest way to start earning extra money. But is it actually worth your time in 2026? We spent three months testing it to find out.
What Is Airtasker?
Airtasker is an Australian marketplace where people post tasks they need done — anything from furniture assembly and lawn mowing to graphic design, data entry, and web development. You create a profile as a "Tasker," browse posted tasks, submit your offer, and if selected, complete the job and get paid.
Founded in Sydney in 2012, Airtasker now has over 4 million registered users and posts thousands of tasks daily across Australia. Unlike Upwork or Fiverr, it's specifically built for the Australian market — which means clients are local, payments are in AUD, and support is in AEST.
How Much Can You Earn on Airtasker?
| Task Category | Typical Pay | Time Required | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture assembly | $80–$200 | 2–4 hrs | $40–$80/hr |
| Lawn mowing | $60–$150 | 1–2.5 hrs | $50–$80/hr |
| Cleaning | $100–$300 | 2–5 hrs | $45–$70/hr |
| Removalist help | $150–$400 | 3–6 hrs | $50–$80/hr |
| Data entry / admin | $50–$150 | 2–4 hrs | $25–$50/hr |
| Graphic design | $80–$300 | 2–5 hrs | $40–$100/hr |
| Web development | $150–$800 | 3–10 hrs | $50–$120/hr |
| End-of-lease cleaning | $250–$500 | 4–8 hrs | $50–$80/hr |
In our testing, active Taskers who dedicate 15–20 hours per week consistently earn $500–$900/week. The top Taskers on the platform — those with 100+ reviews and specialised skills — report earning $1,500–$3,000/week.
Airtasker Fees: What They Take
Airtasker charges Taskers a service fee of 10–20% depending on your membership level:
- Free (Basic): 20% service fee on every completed task
- Airtasker Plus ($9.99/month): 15% service fee — worth it if you're earning $200+/week
- Airtasker Pro ($29.99/month): 10% service fee — worth it if you're earning $500+/week
On a $200 task, the difference between Basic (20% = $40 fee) and Pro (10% = $20 fee) is $20 per task. If you're completing 5+ tasks per week, the Pro membership pays for itself multiple times over.
Is Airtasker Legit?
Yes — Airtasker is a fully legitimate, Australian-owned platform that has been operating since 2012. Payments are secured via "Airtasker Pay" — funds are held in escrow from the moment a task is accepted and released to the Tasker only when the task is marked complete. This protects both parties.
Airtasker is also covered by Airtasker Insurance (provided by Chubb) for eligible tasks — covering public liability up to $10 million for tasks booked through the platform. This is a significant advantage over doing cash-in-hand work independently.
Pros and Cons of Airtasker
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Australian-first platform, local clients | 20% fee on Basic plan is high |
| Wide variety of tasks (physical + digital) | Competitive bidding on popular tasks |
| Secure payment via escrow | New profiles struggle without reviews |
| Airtasker Insurance on eligible tasks | Platform takes time to build momentum |
| No minimum commitment, flexible hours | Some tasks are lowballed by clients |
| Fast payment after task completion | Dispute resolution can be slow |
How to Get Started on Airtasker and Actually Win Tasks
Step 1: Build a complete profile. A profile photo, detailed bio, and listed skills dramatically increase your task acceptance rate. Profiles without photos rarely win tasks.
Step 2: Start with lower-competition tasks. Your first 5–10 tasks are about building reviews, not maximising earnings. Accept tasks slightly below your target rate to build your reputation quickly.
Step 3: Write personalised offers. Generic offers ("I can do this task") lose to personalised ones. Reference the specific task details, explain why you're the right person, and ask a clarifying question. This takes 2 extra minutes and doubles your acceptance rate.
Step 4: Price competitively but not cheaply. Undercutting everyone attracts poor clients and burns you out. Once you have 10+ reviews, price at market rate — clients with budgets worth your time will choose you for your reviews.
Step 5: Focus on a niche. The highest-earning Taskers dominate one category rather than spreading across everything. "The cleaning person" with 80 cleaning reviews beats a generalist every time.
Airtasker vs Competitors
| Platform | Best For | Fees | Australian Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airtasker | Local + digital tasks | 10–20% | ✅ Yes |
| Upwork | Professional freelancing | 10–20% | ❌ Global |
| Fiverr | Fixed-price services | 20% | ❌ Global |
| hipages | Trades and home services | Lead fees | ✅ Yes |
| ServiceSeeking | Trades and home services | Lead fees | ✅ Yes |
Who Is Airtasker Best For?
Airtasker works best for Australians who want flexible, locally-paid work without the complexity of building a client base from scratch. It's particularly well suited to:
- People with physical skills (cleaning, trades, gardening, removalist work)
- Freelancers wanting Australian clients who pay in AUD
- People new to gig work who want a trusted platform to start on
- Anyone wanting to test whether a skill is marketable before committing to full freelancing
It's less suited to those seeking high-volume international work (Upwork is better) or highly specialised professional services where direct client relationships generate higher rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Airtasker take from earnings?
Airtasker charges a service fee of 10–20% depending on your membership level. Basic (free) members pay 20%. Airtasker Plus ($9.99/month) pays 15%. Airtasker Pro ($29.99/month) pays 10%.
How long does Airtasker take to pay?
Once a task is marked complete by the poster, funds are released from escrow to your Airtasker balance immediately. Withdrawal to your bank account typically takes 1–3 business days.
Is Airtasker available all over Australia?
Yes — Airtasker operates in all Australian states and territories. Physical tasks are location-dependent, but online/remote tasks are available nationwide. Task volume is highest in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Do I need an ABN for Airtasker?
Airtasker recommends but doesn't always require an ABN. However, any income earned through Airtasker is taxable and must be declared to the ATO. Getting an ABN (free, takes 10 minutes) is strongly recommended to avoid 47% withholding tax.
Our Verdict
Airtasker is one of the best platforms for Australians wanting to earn extra income — particularly for physical and trade-based tasks where Australian-local pricing applies. The 20% Basic fee is high, but upgrading to Pro makes sense quickly once you're earning consistently. The review-based system means the first few weeks are slow, but once you have 15–20 positive reviews, task acceptance rates improve dramatically.
Rating: 4.2/5 — Excellent for Australian gig workers, especially those with physical skills or wanting local clients.