Staffing platform gets $20m funding boost

Sidekicker, a temporary and casual staffing platform used by many aged care businesses, has secured $20m in funding from SEEK investments.

The funding will be used to accelerate further expansion across Australia and New Zealand as more businesses turn to Sidekicker for staffing support. It will also be used towards platform upgrades, providing improved ways for businesses and workers to interact.

Since its launch in 2013, Sidekicker has provided work opportunities to over 40,000 casual workers at over 5000 organisations across Australia and New Zealand. The company is currently placing an average of 2500 workers — known as Sidekicks — into jobs per week.

Over the past year, as worker shortages have increased competition to secure talent, Sidekicker has seen businesses increasingly offering its workers rates above the minimum wage. In particular, the healthcare and hospitality sectors have increased their casual rates significantly, rising between 15% and 25% and up to and beyond 30% for certain roles compared to six months ago.

Sidekicker CEO Thomas Amos, who created the company with Co-Founder Jacqui Bull, said this funding round will allow the company to continue to invest in expanding its current categories across ANZ while delivering new capabilities to the platform that will benefit both Sidekicks and customers.

“Our continued growth is evidence that we are addressing demand for both employees and workers, and this additional funding will continue to ensure we empower anyone choosing to participate in the casual and temporary employment market; whether they be uni students seeking flexible work around their studies, parents re-entering the workforce or international visa holders."

SEEK Investments CEO Andrew Bassat said, “SEEK Investments is pleased to be supporting Sidekicker in its next phase of growth. We are strong believers in Sidekicker’s strategy, innovative solution set, and are excited to support the team as Sidekicker continues its growth journey.”

For businesses, Sidekicker’s two-way rating and review system drives accountability and reliability of staff, while its transparent platform provides businesses the ability to choose their ideal workers.

Currently, Sidekicker has more than 12,000 casual workers on the platform, supporting more than 5000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand. With offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland and Wellington, it also hires 133 full-time staff.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Andrii Yalansky