The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Airtasker releases Australia’s first Sharing Economy Monitor

  • Written by Harrison Polites


14 September 2015 — Airtasker has set a national benchmark for the growth of the sharing economy trend in Australia, releasing its first bi-annual Sharing Economy Monitor.

Measured by local market research firm Pureprofile, the monitor has revealed that just under half of the population (44.8 per cent) are aware of the companies driving the movement, including AirBnB, Uber and Airtasker.

It also found that approximately 16 per cent of the Australian population have engaged in a sharing economy transaction and that 6.7 per cent of the population have used the sharing economy to earn extra income.

“The figures are incredibly important given the ongoing, national debate around the sharing economy movement in Australia,” Airtasker CEO Tim Fung said.

“We have found that more and more everyday Australians are turning to our platform to get more done as attitudes towards getting tasks completed by local workers evolve.

“Time-poor working Australians are now buying themselves time, using Airtasker workers to do everything from everyday tasks like house cleaning to intensive chores like assembling IKEA furniture or moving house.

“Meanwhile, workers are turning to Airtasker to choose their own work and capitalise on the increased flexibility that comes with working in the sharing economy. In the past six months, they have earned millions by completing tasks alone.”

The sharing economy trend is less than a decade old but has seen rapid growth around the world. 

For the sake of overseas comparison, the local research harnessed the same methodology as earlier US-focused research from global consultancy firm Pricewaterhousecoopers. 

PwC’s research found that roughly 44 per cent of US consumers are aware of the sharing economy and 19 per cent of the US population have engaged in a sharing economy transaction. 

Uber was founded in San Francisco in 2009. AirBnB was founded in San Fransisco in 2009. Both companies officially launched in Australia in 2012. 

Airtasker triples users since March 2014

In addition to releasing its first Sharing Economy Monitor, Airtasker revealed internal user growth figures to demonstrate the speed of this trend. To date, there are roughly 320,000 members on Airtasker, triple the amount of members on the platform in March 2014.

Recent media reports say there are 15,000 drivers on Uber and AirBnB offers 40,000 rooms on its service across Australia.

“Businesses and policy makers need to recognise the growth, potential and the opportunity brought on by this trend,” Mr Fung said.

“Our own internal data reveals that the sharing economy is gaining momentum. For example, over 100,000 Australians have joined the Airtasker community over the past six months."


Method: 

Airtasker's Sharing Economy Monitor was conducted by local research firm Pureprofile. It was measured via an online survey of a representative sample of 1000 Australians. 

Case studies: 

John L.
St Kilda, VIC

John, 60, was a tradesman and a marine engineer before working 20 years in the corporate sector for BMW. He's now semi-retired and getting back to his roots doing renovations, electrical work and various handyman jobs. "I've never lost my touch," he says. "I've renovated a lot of my own houses over the years." John says that Airtasker is flexible, transparent and fits in with his lifestyle. 

Tori K. 
Sydney, NSW

Tori, 20, used Airtasker to find work after she finished high school. She worked alongside another friend, who is also an Airtasker, before doing jobs on her own. Some of her favourite tasks include being paid to count adds before a movie -- then watching the movie for free -- and transporting a "huge" dog from Wollongong to Bondi.
 

Mekita F. and Joe S.
Glenroy, VIC

Mekito and Joe are married and like to work on jobs together. Joe: "I work all day, she works on afternoons and we’ve got two little kids. Sometimes we barely see each other during the week. It allows us to go to different parts of Melbourne we’ve never been to. It’s good for our relationship and each job is a learning experience.


About Airtasker: 

Airtasker is a trusted community marketplace for people to outsource tasks, find local services or complete flexible jobs to earn money – online or via mobile.

Whether it’s handyman work, office admin, photography or anything else, users can simply post a task for free and then choose from rated, verified and reviewed people ready to work straight away. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs Tim Fung and Jonathan Lui, Airtasker has grown to support more than 330,000 users across Australia and over $20 million worth of tasks are processed on Airtasker per year. 



The author

Harrison Polites

This feature article published in collaboration with MultiViw

Property Times

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages and risks, and choosing the right one depends on your financial goals, ...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial intricacies of real estate demand more than just basic bookkeeping. A si...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

Food & Dining

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

Business Times

Ricoh Launches IM C401F A4 Colour MFP to Boost Speed and Security…

Ricoh, a leading provider of smart workplace technology, today launched the RICOH IM C401F, an enterprise-grade A4 colour d...

Laundrlab Expands with a New Flagship Store, Redefining Sustainab…

DESIGNED TO CALM. BUILT TO LAST. POWERED BY PURPOSE. THE FUTURE OF LAUNDRY STARTS IN POTTS POINT Sydney, N...

Navigating Leadership Mistakes with Confidence

I am always surprised by this question: How do leaders get over embarrassing mistakes and still succeed? The use of the w...

The Times Features

Why Mobile Allied Therapy Services Are Essential in Post-Hospital Recovery

Mobile allied health services matter more than ever under recent NDIA travel funding cuts. A quiet but critical shift is unfolding in Australia’s healthcare landscape. Mobile all...

Sydney Fertility Specialist – Expert IVF Treatment for Your Parenthood Journey

Improving the world with the help of a new child is the most valuable dream of many couples. To the infertile, though, this process can be daunting. It is here that a Sydney Fertil...

Could we one day get vaccinated against the gastro bug norovirus? Here’s where scientists are at

Norovirus is the leading cause[1] of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide. It’s responsible for roughly one in every five cases[2] of gastro annually. Sometimes dubbed ...

Does running ruin your knees? And how old is too old to start?

You’ve probably heard that running is tough on your knees – and even that it can cause long-term damage. But is this true? Running is a relatively high-impact activity. Eve...

Jetstar announces first ever Brisbane to Rarotonga flights with launch fares from just $249^ one-way

Jetstar will start operating direct flights between Brisbane and Rarotonga, the stunning capital island of the Cook Islands, in May 2026, with launch sale fares available today...

Introducing the SE 2 and Mini hair dryers from Laifen

The Mane Attractions for Professional Styling at Home Without the Price Tag Fast, flawless hair is now possible with the launch of Laifen’s two professional quality hair dryers th...