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Subcontractors & Casual Pools
The Subcontractor & Casual Crew Timesheet + Site Docket App (Zero Per-Seat Tax)
If you run a commercial cleaning contract, civil/trade crew, security company, or facilities business in Australia, your workforce isn't a static list of 9-to-5 office staff. You might have 8 regular crew members who work 4–5 days a week, plus 15 casuals or ABN subcontractors who rotate across jobs, cover sick leave, or come in for two days on a big site fitout.
With traditional per-seat software (Deputy, Tanda, Tradify, aroFlo, Clockify), you face an ugly choice: pay a full monthly subscription (A$9 to A$55/month) for every subcontractor even if they only worked two shifts this month, constantly deactivate and re-invite seats before billing day, or leave subcontractors off the system and go back to chasing messy text messages and paper dockets on Friday afternoon.
Why Per-Seat Software Breaks for Subcontractors & Casual Pools
Unlimited Crew Profiles on Team (A$149/mo ex GST / A$163.90/mo inc GST) & Scale (A$299/mo ex GST / A$328.90/mo inc GST):
Keep 15, 40, or 100 casuals and subcontractors on your roster at $0 per seat. A subcontractor who works zero days this month uses zero credits.
Fair Active Worker-Day Credits (2 Credits = 1 Active Worker-Day):
Credits are only used on days a worker actually checks in and works (~A$0.10–$0.20 per active worker-day). Checking in/out, approving shifts, assigning sites, and exporting CSVs are always included.
Onboard a Subbie in 30 Seconds via Telegram (No App Store Friction):
Subcontractors hate installing proprietary company apps on their personal phones. In ZimQi, they tap your invite link in Telegram (or open their personal browser link), check in when they arrive on site, type their notes or fill the site docket when they finish, and knock off.
Turn Your Existing Paper/PDF Dockets into Digital Forms — Filed in YOUR Cloud:
Upload a photo, PDF, Word doc, or Excel sheet of your current site sign-off, pre-start checklist, or subcontractor docket. ZimQi's AI converts it into a clean digital form (or use BYO-AI with your own Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, or Grok key for 0 ZimQi credits). When a subbie submits the form, the PDF and CSV row are filed straight into your own Google Drive or Dropbox (ZimQi Forms/<Form Name>/<YYYY-MM>/) so you own your records forever.
Subcontractor Cost Comparison: 10 Full-Timers + 20 Rotating Subbies (30 Profiles Total)
Competitor pricing and feature availability verified from each vendor's public Australian/global pricing page as of October 2026. Where a vendor publishes prices in USD, figures are clearly labelled US$ alongside approximate A$ equivalents. Vendors change plans and pricing over time; check each vendor's website for current rates.
| Software | How 30 Profiles (10 Regular + 20 Rotating Subbies) Are Billed | Est. Monthly Software Bill |
|---|---|---|
Tradify (A$47–$55/user/mo) |
Billed per active user login | A$1,410 – A$1,650/mo |
Deputy (Core A$9/user/mo – Pro A$13.50/user/mo ex GST) |
Billed per user on account | A$270 – A$405/mo ex GST |
Clockify (Pro US$7.99/seat/mo) |
Billed per seat in USD | US$239.70/mo (~A$368/mo) |
ZimQi Team Plan |
Flat monthly band — unlimited crew & sites (2,500 credits = ~1,250 active worker-days/mo) | A$149/mo ex GST (A$163.90/mo inc GST) |
Honest Verdict: When Per-Seat Software Works vs. When ZimQi Wins for Subbies
Pick traditional per-seat software if:
Every single person on your books is a full-time employee who works 5 days a week every week of the year, and wants a dedicated company app installed on their phone.
Pick ZimQi if:
You run a mix of regular crew, rotating casuals, and ABN subcontractors—and you want everyone logging site hours and dockets in Telegram or via a browser link under one flat monthly AUD band.
ZimQi Single-Price Summary (ex GST & inc 10% AU GST)
Every account starts with a free trial: 30 days or 100 credits, whichever comes first (no card required, includes 3 free AI form template imports). Starter: A$19/mo ex GST (A$20.90/mo inc GST) · Solo: A$49/mo ex GST (A$53.90/mo inc GST) · Team: A$149/mo ex GST (A$163.90/mo inc GST, unlimited crew & sites) · Scale: A$299/mo ex GST (A$328.90/mo inc GST, unlimited crew & sites). 2 credits = 1 active worker-day (~A$0.10–$0.20/day). BYO-AI (Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, Grok) = A$0 / 0 ZimQi credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay per user for subcontractors in ZimQi?
No. ZimQi uses flat monthly bands rather than per-seat fees. On the Team plan (A$149/mo ex GST / A$163.90/mo inc GST) and Scale plan (A$299/mo ex GST / A$328.90/mo inc GST), you can add unlimited crew members and subcontractors. Credits are only used on days a worker actually works (2 credits per active worker-day).
Where are completed subcontractor site forms stored?
Completed forms and dockets are saved directly into your own connected Google Drive or Dropbox account in organised monthly folders, as well as being available for instant CSV and PDF export.
More Australian Timesheet & Crew App Comparisons
- 2026 Guide: Best Timesheet Apps in Australia Compared →
- ZimQi vs Deputy & Tanda: Flat-Band Alternative for Field Crews →
- ZimQi vs Tradify & ServiceM8: Timesheets & Site Forms Without Per-Tech Fees →
- Timesheet App for Xero, MYOB & QuickBooks Bookkeepers in Australia →
- ZimQi vs Clockify, Jibble & Connecteam: Built for On-Site Aussie Crews →
