Tradie Stood You Up? Here's How to Report Them

1. Start With the Basics: Try Contacting Them Again

Before you jump straight to reporting, always give them another shot. Sometimes things go sideways on a job, phones die, emergencies pop up, or they genuinely mix up the booking.

Give them:

• One phone call


• One text


• One short email

Keep your message calm and factual:

• The date and time they were booked


• The issue (they didn’t arrive)


• What you need from them (new time, explanation, next steps)

If they respond quickly and apologise, great. If they ignore you again or keep delaying, move to the next step.

2. Document Everything

If things escalate, proof is your best mate. Keep a record of:

• All messages, emails, and call logs


• Screenshots of bookings or quotes


• Any deposits paid


• Photos of your job site (before and after, if relevant)

This makes your complaint stronger and helps authorities take you seriously. Don’t rely on memory; write it all down.

3. Leave an Honest Review on Their Business Listings

This is one of the quickest ways to warn other homeowners and often prompts tradies to respond. You can use:

• Google Reviews


• Facebook


• Service marketplaces (e.g. hipages, Airtasker, ServiceTasker, Oneflare)


• Local community groups

Stick to the facts. Avoid ranting. Clear, concise reviews are more believable and protected under consumer law.

Example:

“Booked for 10 am Thursday. The tradie didn’t show up or respond to messages. No explanation provided.”

This option:

• Helps future customers


• Gives the tradie a chance to make it right


• Is public and permanent

But if you’ve suffered financial loss or the behaviour was serious, reviews alone won’t cut it.

4. Report Them to Your State’s Consumer Protection Agency

If the tradie keeps ghosting you, especially if money has exchanged hands, it’s time to talk to the pros. Each state and territory has a consumer protection agency responsible for handling complaints about tradies.

Depending on where you live, that’s:

• Fair Trading NSW


• Consumer Affairs Victoria


• Queensland Office of Fair Trading


• Consumer and Business Services SA


• Consumer Protection WA


• Access Canberra


• NT Consumer Affairs


• Tasmania Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

What they can help with:

• Resolving disputes


• Investigating dodgy behaviour


• Ordering refunds


• Licensing checks


• Possible disciplinary action

This option is safe, reliable, and fully backed by law. It’s one of the best steps you can take if a deposit is involved or the tradie’s behaviour feels dishonest.

5. Check If They’re Licensed and Make a Formal Complaint

Many trades require a licence, especially:

• Builders


• Plumbers


• Electricians


• Gasfitters


• Pest controllers

If the tradie is licensed, their licensing authority often allows you to lodge a formal complaint. You’ll need evidence, but these complaints carry real weight because they affect the tradie’s licence and future work.

This step is ideal when:

• The tradie has taken the money


• The no-show caused financial loss


• You suspect intentional misconduct

6. Contact the Industry Ombudsman or Dispute Resolution Service

In some industries, you might be able to escalate your issue to:

• Industry associations


• Trade ombudsmen


• Professional bodies

They don’t have the same power as government agencies, but they can:

• Mediate the issue


• Apply pressure


• Provide expert advice

This works best when the tradie is part of a recognised industry group.

7. If You Paid a Deposit, Contact Your Bank

Banks take unauthorised or unfulfilled transactions seriously. You may be able to:

• Lodge a dispute


• Request a chargeback


• Freeze future payments

This step is especially useful when:

• You paid via credit card


• The tradie stops responding entirely

It’s safe, quick, and often effective.

8. When to Consider Reporting to Police

This is your nuclear option and should only be used when:

• A tradie takes money and disappears


• You suspect a scam


• The tradie never intended to do the job

Not showing up isn’t necessarily a crime, but fraud is.