Why GPS Tracking Has Become Essential for Aussie Tradies
For many Australian trade businesses, GPS tracking has shifted from “nice to have” to part of running a professional operation.
Whether you’re plumbing, electrical, HVAC, construction, or maintenance, GPS tracking helps tradies:
- Reduce wasted travel time
- Respond faster to urgent jobs
- Schedule work more realistically
- Improve communication between the office and field
The challenge isn’t deciding if you need GPS tracking — it’s choosing a solution that actually works for how tradies operate day to day.
What Aussie Tradies Should Look for in GPS Tracking Software
Before comparing brands, it’s worth understanding what matters most in a GPS tracking tool for trades:
1. Built for Trade Workflows
GPS tracking works best when it’s part of job management — not a standalone tracking map.
2. Real-Time Visibility Without Micromanagement
Good systems provide visibility for schedulers and office staff without turning GPS into a surveillance tool.
3. Easy for Tradies to Use
If it drains batteries, slows phones, or adds steps, tradies won’t use it properly.
4. Clear Links Between Location and Jobs
Knowing where someone is only matters if it connects to:
- Job status
- Travel time
- Time on site
5. Scales as the Business Grows
What works for two tradies should still work for ten or twenty.
With those criteria in mind, here’s how some of the most commonly used GPS tracking options for Aussie tradies compare.
GPS Tracking Software Options Used by Australian Trade Businesses
1. AroFlo
AroFlo’s GPS tracking is designed specifically for trade and field service businesses, with location data tied directly to jobs, schedules, and field activity.
Rather than operating as a separate tracking system, GPS data in AroFlo supports:
- Smarter job allocation
- Better visibility for office teams
- Clear records of travel and site time
Because GPS tracking sits inside a broader job management platform, it fits naturally into how many Aussie tradies already run their day.
Best suited for:
Trade businesses that want GPS tracking tightly connected to job scheduling and daily operations.
2. Simpro
Simpro offers GPS tracking as part of its wider field service and job management ecosystem, commonly used by mid-sized and growing trade businesses.
GPS data can support:
- Job coordination
- Asset and service tracking
- Larger operational reporting
Simpro is often considered by businesses managing complex workflows or larger teams across multiple regions.
Best suited for:
Growing trade businesses that need GPS tracking as part of a broader operational system.
3. BigChange
BigChange provides GPS tracking alongside workforce management, job tracking, and reporting tools.
Its GPS capabilities are often used to:
- Track fleet movement
- Support operational oversight
- Improve visibility across mobile teams
BigChange is commonly seen in UK businesses with structured operations and higher reporting needs.
Best suited for:
Trade and service businesses looking for detailed operational visibility across larger field teams.
4. Dedicated Vehicle GPS Tracking Tools
Some tradies use standalone vehicle GPS tracking solutions that focus purely on fleet location and movement.
These tools can be useful for:
- Monitoring vehicles
- Basic route tracking
- Fleet compliance
However, because they don’t usually integrate deeply with job management, they often require manual work to connect location data back to jobs and schedules.
Best suited for:
Businesses primarily focused on vehicle tracking rather than job-level insights.
5. All-in-One Workforce Apps
A small number of general workforce or time-tracking apps also include basic GPS features.
These tools can provide:
- Simple location logs
- Time-stamped check-ins
But they’re not always designed with trade workflows in mind, which can limit their usefulness for job-based businesses.
Best suited for:
Very small teams with simple requirements.
Why Integration Matters More Than GPS Alone
One of the biggest lessons from Aussie tradies already using GPS tracking is this:
GPS data is only valuable when it connects to jobs, schedules, and decisions.
When GPS tracking lives inside job management software:
- Office staff don’t need to call tradies for updates
- Schedulers can assign work based on real location
- Travel and site time becomes visible and measurable
This is often where trade-focused platforms stand apart from generic tracking tools.
Choosing the Right GPS Tracking Tool for Your Trade Business
There’s no single “right” answer for every business. The best GPS tracking solution depends on:
- Team size
- Job complexity
- How much scheduling and admin happens in the office
- Whether you want GPS as a standalone tool or part of your core system
For many Aussie tradies, the deciding factor comes down to how seamlessly GPS fits into daily work — not just how accurate the map looks.
Final Thoughts for Aussie Tradies
GPS tracking isn’t about watching tradies. It’s about running a tighter, calmer, more predictable business.
Whether you’re managing two vans or twenty, choosing a GPS tracking solution that supports how your trade business actually works will save time, reduce stress, and protect margins over the long term.
