Quick answer
Compare like with like: subscriptions and job ads usually support direct hiring, while temporary staffing fees often include worker administration. Price the full hiring outcome—platform fees, wages, statutory costs, manager time, unused capacity and whether the candidate relationship remains useful.
An A$99 job ad, an A$15 weekly subscription and a 22% service fee are not competing prices for the same service. One buys visibility, one buys software access and one may sit inside a temporary staffing relationship with job administration.
All figures below are public prices or pricing descriptions observed on first-party pages on 9 August 2026. Taxes, eligibility, custom agreements and product changes can alter the real amount.
Public pricing snapshot
| Platform | Public pricing observed | What the model generally buys | Check before purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| HospoMatch | Free; Solo A$7/wk; Growth A$15/wk; Venues A$35/wk | Recruitment access and plan-based workflow/automation | Role, match, SMS and AI allowances |
| Barcats | A$99 one-shift; A$195 casual; A$285 full-time, excl. GST | A hospitality job ad and candidate invitations | Ad duration, invite limits, surcharge and GST |
| Sidekicker | Standard 22% service fee per completed job; custom possible | Temporary staffing platform/service | Loaded wage, statutory costs and agreement |
| Shiftly | Core workforce platform advertised free; on-demand 8% of shift cost | Roster/pay tools or temporary staffing access | Current on-demand launch area and shift-cost definition |
| Indeed | Eligible free posts; sponsored results-based budgets | General job visibility and employer tools | Eligibility, clicks/applications and minimum live budget |
| SEEK | Dynamic price shown during posting | Broad job-ad reach | Actual role/location quote and product tier |
| ShiftSnap | Proposed first five posts free, then pay per post | Planned shift marketplace | Product was pre-launch; final price may change |
| Supp | No simple universal venue figure on pages reviewed | Temp/permanent marketplace and optional roster | Request current manager and roster pricing |
| FlareHQ | Free recruitment entry messaging; broader pricing not fully public | All-in-one workforce modules | Obtain per-location/current quote |
| QuickGig / FreeTimes | Complete employer fee table not found | Shift transactions | Payment, insurance, fee and worker-status terms |
Four cost models
- Subscription: predictable access, but check allowances and whether you hire often enough to use it.
- Pay per ad: simple for occasional vacancies, but every reopened role may require another spend.
- Results-based advertising: flexible reach, but cost depends on candidate engagement and market conditions.
- Temporary staffing fee: often covers more operational administration, so compare loaded job cost rather than the percentage alone.
Calculate the real cost of a hire
Add platform spend, manager screening time, interviews, reference or compliance work, onboarding, training and the cost of an unfilled roster. Then record whether the process leaves a reusable shortlist. The cheapest click is not necessarily the cheapest appointment.
Do not turn this into an unsupported turnover calculator. A platform cannot promise that a person will stay. Work design, pay, hours, leadership, safety and development remain decisive.
HospoMatch pricing in plain English
Free is for a venue working from its own pool, including QR and bulk-upload acquisition. Solo adds eligible network reach and an organised workflow. Growth adds larger limits and included SMS/AI/scheduling tools. Venues adds multi-location coordination and larger allowances.
HospoMatch does not bundle wages, payroll, timesheets or award calculations. That makes its subscription easy to identify, but those employer obligations and operating tools still exist elsewhere.
Five questions for every quote
- Does the price include wages, superannuation, insurance or statutory on-costs?
- Who employs and pays the worker?
- What happens if a shift is cancelled or a hire does not commence?
- What candidate data and talent-pool access remain after the role closes?
- Which features are allowances, add-ons, trials or not yet launched?
Frequently asked questions
How much does HospoMatch cost?
At review, public pricing was Free, Solo A$7/week, Growth A$15/week and Venues A$35/week. Confirm current billing intervals, limits and add-ons on the pricing page.
Is a 22% temp staffing fee expensive?
It cannot be judged in isolation. Review the loaded wage, statutory costs, included employment administration, cancellation risk and your alternative cost.
Which platform has free job ads?
Indeed described eligible free posts under conditions; HospoMatch has a Free private-pool plan; Shiftly advertises its core workforce platform as free. These free offers solve different jobs.
Sources and research notes
Product descriptions and prices come from the linked first-party pages where available. Any performance figure belongs to the vendor that published it and is not independently verified by HospoMatch.
- HospoMatch pricing
- Barcats venue pricing
- Sidekicker costs
- Shiftly pricing
- Indeed Australia pricing guide
- SEEK FY2024 report
Product information and public prices reviewed 9 August 2026. Features, fees and availability can change; verify directly before purchasing.