About TradieAutomate
TradieAutomate is an independent Australian resource
that helps solar and electrical installers cut compliance chaos, automate admin, and win more business.
Too many skilled tradies are losing jobs not because of their workmanship — but because compliance paperwork, missed follow-ups, and manual admin eat their time and margins. We exist to fix that, with content built specifically for the Australian trade industry.
What TradieAutomate Does
Five topic areas where we give tradies the edge.
Solar & Battery Compliance
CER requirements, AS/NZS 5033 & 5139, STC documentation, grid connection compliance, and audit preparation — all in plain English, referenced to the actual standards.
Read the guide →ServiceM8 Automation & Comparisons
Setup guides, workflow templates, and honest head-to-head comparisons against simPRO, Tradify, Fergus, and AroFlo — so you pick the right tool the first time.
Read the guide →EV Charging & Heat Pumps
Appendix P compliance, load balancing, commercial EV charging business models, and heat pump hot water installation — the fastest-growing segment for Aussie electricians.
Read the guide →Licensing & Electrical Standards
State-by-state electrical contractor licensing for QLD, NSW, VIC, WA and beyond. Each guide links to the regulator's own forms so you always have the source of truth.
Read the guide →Trade Business Growth
Winning solar quotes, Google review automation, pricing strategy, hiring, and scaling your trade business without drowning in overhead.
Read the guide →Free Tools
Interactive calculators built for Australian solar and trade businesses — no sign-up required.
Explore tools →What Makes TradieAutomate Different
Five things that set us apart from every other trade content site.
1. Australia-only — not repurposed US content
Most trade blogs copy-paste US National Electrical Code content and swap in an Australian disclaimer. Every TradieAutomate guide references actual Australian standards (AS/NZS 3000, 5033, 5139) and state-specific regulators (NSW Fair Trading, VBA, EnergySafety, QBCC). No rewrites, no generalisations.
2. Compliance-first, not software-first
Sites like GetJobber.com or ServiceM8's own blog exist to sell software. We're independent — our primary focus is compliance and regulatory guidance. Software comparisons exist to help tradies choose the right tool, not to push one vendor. We are a ServiceM8 affiliate, but we also compare ServiceM8 honestly against simPRO, Tradify, and Fergus.
3. Practical, not theoretical
Generic content sites publish "10 Tips for Electricians" listicles. We publish step-by-step compliance workflows: how to lodge a CCEW via the eCert portal, how to prepare for a CER audit, how to claim STCs — with actual regulator references, deadlines, and dollar figures.
4. Built by an industry insider, not a content farm
TradieAutomate was founded by someone who understands the trade workflow — not a marketing agency running 50 affiliate sites. Every guide is written with the question "would a sparkie actually use this?" rather than "does this rank for a keyword?"
5. Transparent about affiliate relationships
Unlike review sites that hide their commercial relationships, we're upfront: we earn a commission if you sign up for ServiceM8 through our link. This never affects what we recommend — tools that don't suit tradies don't get promoted, regardless of commission. Our compliance content is funded by this affiliate model, not by paywalls or sponsored posts.
Who Uses TradieAutomate
- Solar installers — CER-accredited businesses navigating AS/NZS 5033 and 5139 compliance, STC claims, and audit preparation
- Electrical contractors — Sole traders and small crews (1–20 employees) running ServiceM8, looking to automate job management and compliance paperwork
- Trade business owners — Electricians scaling their business, hiring staff, and moving from "sparkie in a van" to a managed operation
- EV charger installers — Licensed electricians entering the commercial EV charging space and needing Appendix P compliance guidance
- Aspiring tradies — Unlicensed workers researching how to get their electrical contractor licence in their state
The Team Behind TradieAutomate
Shane Vandenborn — Founder & Strategist
TradieAutomate
Shane founded TradieAutomate in 2025 after spending years inside the Australian trade and compliance industry. He saw the same problem repeat: skilled electricians and solar installers losing time and money not because of their workmanship — but because compliance paperwork, software choice, and manual admin were dragging them down. The information that could help existed, but it was scattered across government PDFs, vendor sales pages, and US-centric forums.
TradieAutomate is his answer: one place where Australian tradies get plain-English compliance guides, honest software comparisons, and automation playbooks — all built for the way Australian trade businesses actually operate.
TradieAutomate is a small, focused operation — not a content mill. Every guide is researched, written, and maintained by people who understand the Australian trade industry. We don't outsource to freelance writers who've never filed a CCEW.
How TradieAutomate Works
We publish, you apply
Everything on TradieAutomate is free to access — no paywalls, no newsletter gate, no registration required. Guides are written to be actionable immediately.
We keep it current
Compliance guides are updated when standards change (AS/NZS updates, CER rule changes, fee adjustments). The publish date and last-updated date are on every article.
We're responsive
Missing a topic? Got something wrong? Message us on Instagram or Facebook — we fix errors fast and add requested topics to the publishing queue.
No sponsored content
We don't publish paid posts, sponsored reviews, or native advertising. Affiliate links are clearly disclosed on every page. If we recommend a tool, it's because we believe it genuinely helps tradies — not because someone paid for the placement.
Key Facts
| Company Name | TradieAutomate |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent information and compliance resource |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Founder | Shane Vandenborn |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Website | tradieautomate.com |
| Core Offering | Compliance guides, software comparisons, trade business resources, free calculators |
| Pricing | Free — no paywalls or registration required |
| Services | Blog articles, interactive calculators, ServiceM8 referral (affiliate) |
| Communication | Instagram direct message, Facebook page, email |
| Notable Clients | Australian solar and electrical contractors (SME) |
| Customers Served | 1,000+ monthly readers (targeting 10,000+) |
| Competitors | SolarQuotes, Generic SEO blogs, Software vendor blogs (ServiceM8, simPRO) |
| Social | Instagram · Facebook |
| Schema | brand-facts.json (machine-readable) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is TradieAutomate for?
Australian solar installers, electrical contractors, battery storage businesses, and trade business owners who need practical compliance guidance and honest software comparisons. We're not a general trade forum — everything we publish targets the specific workflows and regulatory requirements of the solar and electrical industry.
Is TradieAutomate a software company?
No. We are an independent information resource. We are an authorised affiliate of ServiceM8, but we are not owned by, funded by, or otherwise affiliated with ServiceM8, simPRO, Tradify, or any software vendor. Our software comparisons include honest trade-offs and alternative recommendations.
Are your guides Australia-specific?
Yes — entirely. Every compliance guide references Australian standards (AS/NZS 3000, 5033, 5139), state regulators (NSW Fair Trading, VBA, EnergySafety WA, QBCC), and Clean Energy Regulator requirements. We don't repurpose US or UK content.
How is TradieAutomate funded?
Primarily through affiliate commissions (ServiceM8 referrals). We earn a commission if you sign up for ServiceM8 through our link — this is clearly disclosed on every page. We do not run display ads, accept sponsored posts, or charge for access. The affiliate model lets us keep everything free for readers.
Can I trust your software recommendations?
We recommend tools we believe genuinely help Australian tradies. When we compare ServiceM8 against simPRO or Tradify, we list real trade-offs — ServiceM8 wins on CCEW compliance and mobile workflow; simPRO wins on inventory and reporting. We don't hide weaknesses in the tool we're affiliated with.
Ready to cut the compliance chaos?
Start with our free 2026 Solar Compliance Checklist.
Transparency
Some links on TradieAutomate are affiliate links — primarily to ServiceM8, our recommended field service management platform for Australian solar and electrical installers. If you sign up through our link, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences what we recommend — we only endorse tools we believe genuinely help Australian tradies.
All compliance content is based on publicly available Australian standards and Clean Energy Regulator guidelines. It is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional legal or safety advice.