How Trustrade works

1. The tradie sets the job up in stages and sends the client a contract.
2. The client reads it and signs it, or asks for changes.
3. The client funds the deposit before work starts. Each later stage is funded either before it starts, or, where the state's building law requires it, once the tradie finishes it and claims it (the contract's "How this job is paid" section says which). Payments are held in an account with Zai Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 527370), the licensed payment provider Trustrade uses, and are released only as the job's terms allow.
4. The tradie does the work and marks the stage complete (or claims it).
5. The client checks it and taps Release funds, or puts it on hold if something isn't right.

Nothing is released automatically. Money held for a stage isn't a bank account and isn't covered by the Financial Claims Scheme. The full rules are in the Terms of Use.