Last updated 13 October 2026 · v1.2

Worker Agreement

Independent Contractor Agreement — agreed once, before a Worker’s first job

1. Status: independent contractor

1.1.You are engaged as an independent contractor. You are not an employee of Helpers NZ (“Helpers”) and this Agreement does not create an employment relationship, however it is described elsewhere.

1.2. Consistent with contractor status, you control how, when, and in what order you accept jobs; you may decline any job offered to you; you may work for other platforms or Clients found through other means.

1.3.Because contractor status depends on the real substance of the relationship (the NZ Employment Relations Act 2000 “real nature” test), Helpers will not direct your day-to-day work, set your hours, or require exclusivity, and this Agreement should be read consistently with that at all times.

2. Scope of work

2.1.You may accept jobs listed on the Helpers platform in categories you’re approved for (gardening, cleaning, errands, and any categories later added). Each accepted job is a separate service contract between you and the Client; this Agreement covers the ongoing relationship between you and Helpers as the platform operator.

2.2. Unless your profile states otherwise, jobs are labour only. Homeowners are expected to provide the tools and equipment needed for standard jobs. If you can bring specialist equipment, you may state this in your profile and set your rate accordingly — workers with additional tools or specialist equipment may charge a higher rate to reflect that.

2.3.Where you use a Client’s tools or equipment, you are responsible for handling them with reasonable care. If damage occurs as a result of your negligence, liability for that damage sits with you. Accidental damage unrelated to negligence should be reported to Helpers promptly so it can be assessed fairly.

3. Payment and platform fees

You set your own hourly rate when your profile is created. The following fee structure applies to every job booked through the platform:

• Standard bookings: Clients are charged your rate × hours × 1.23. You receive your rate × hours in full.
• Repeat bookings (same worker and client, booked again through the platform): Clients are charged your rate × hours × 1.18. You receive your rate × hours in full.
• Example (standard): You set a rate of $30/hr and complete a 3-hour job. The client pays $30 × 3 × 1.23 = $110.70. You receive $30 × 3 = $90.00.
• Example (repeat): Same worker and client, 3 hours. The client pays $30 × 3 × 1.18 = $106.20. You receive $30 × 3 = $90.00.

3.1. Payment timing. Payment is released to your bank account via Stripe after the Client confirms the job complete (or after the automatic confirmation window lapses). Funds typically appear within 2–5 business days of release.

3.2. Hours accuracy. You are responsible for submitting a fair and accurate account of hours worked. Disputes are handled under the platform Dispute Resolution Policy.

3.3. Fee changes. Helpers may update the fee structure in the future. You will be notified at least 30 days in advance of any change, and changes will not apply retroactively to jobs already accepted at the previous rate.

4. Cancellation policy

4.1. If you need to cancel an accepted job, you must notify the Client and Helpers as soon as possible — and no later than 24 hours before the agreed start time where reasonably practicable.

4.2. Repeated late cancellations may affect your account standing and visibility on the platform.

4.3.If a Client cancels after payment has been held, the authorisation is released and no charge applies. If a Client cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice after you have already travelled to the job, you may raise a dispute through the platform.

5. Staying on-platform

Helpers invests in vetting, matching, and marketing to build the Client relationships you’re introduced to. You’re asked, in good faith, not to move a recurring relationship introduced through the platform off-platform purely to avoid Helpers’ fees — but this is a request backed by better on-platform incentives, not a financial penalty at this stage.

5.1. If Helpers ever introduces a fee connected to this clause in future, it will tell you at least 30 days in advance, in plain terms, and it will not apply retroactively to relationships that existed before the change.

6. Tax, ACC, and your obligations

• You must declare income earned through Helpers to Inland Revenue. Helpers will provide earnings records to help with this but does not withhold PAYE.
• You should register for GST if your total self-employed turnover requires it under IRD rules.
• ACC cover for injury applies automatically to self-employed people in NZ, but you should check your levy classification with ACC directly.
• Helpers is not your tax agent and this Agreement is not tax advice — talk to an accountant if unsure.

7. Insurance — what is and isn’t covered

• Helpers holds public liability insurance for the platform’s own operations. This does not cover your personal negligence while performing a job.
• You are described publicly as “ID-checked” and “vetted” — not “insured” — because your work as an individual contractor is not covered under Helpers’ platform policy.
• You’re encouraged to look into your own liability cover, particularly for higher-risk categories like gardening work involving power tools.

8. Conduct and professionalism

• Arrive on time, communicate clearly with Clients, and present yourself appropriately when entering someone’s home.
• Treat all Clients with respect. No conduct that would put a Client — especially an elderly or vulnerable Client — at risk.
• Do not use a Client’s property, belongings, or personal information for any purpose outside the job.
• Report any incident, near-miss, damage, or injury to Helpers as soon as reasonably practicable.

9. Ratings and account standing

Your on-platform rating and completed-job history affect the jobs you’re shown and your visibility to new Clients. This history is a platform record and does not transfer if you leave the platform.

10. Updates to this Agreement

Helpers may update this Agreement from time to time. You will be notified by email with at least 14 days’ notice before any material change takes effect. Continuing to accept jobs after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the updated Agreement. If you do not agree to a change, you may end this Agreement under clause 11 before the change takes effect.

11. Ending this Agreement

Either you or Helpers may end this Agreement at any time by notice. Obligations that already arose before termination survive it.

12. Governing law

This Agreement is governed by New Zealand law.