How to cancel your Freelancer account and withdraw your earnings in australia
Understanding Freelancer and why you might cancel
Freelancer is a global online marketplace connecting Australian businesses and independent contractors across software development, design, writing, marketing, and dozens of other professional services. The platform operates on a freemium model: you can create a basic account at no cost, or upgrade to one of four paid membership tiers-Basic, Plus, Professional, and Premier-each offering increased bid allocations, skill listings, and premium visibility features designed to improve your chances of winning projects.
You may decide to cancel your Freelancer membership for legitimate business reasons: the return on investment does not justify the monthly subscription cost, you have secured ongoing work elsewhere, or you want to pause platform activity while you manage existing projects. When you cancel, protecting your earnings and understanding your consumer rights become critical. At Yafee, we recognise that cancellation involves more than switching off a service, particularly when funds or dispute resolution may still be pending on your account.
This guide walks you through the cancellation process, your rights as an Australian consumer under the Australian Consumer Law, and the practical steps to safeguard your earnings before you deactivate your account.
Freelancer membership pricing in australia
Freelancer displays all prices in Australian dollars (AUD) inclusive of goods and services tax (GST), and offers both monthly and annual billing options with discounted rates for annual commitments.
| Membership plan |
Monthly price (AUD) |
Annual price (AUD) |
Key features |
| Basic |
$7.65 |
$85.14 |
50 bids per month, 50 skill listings, contest entry access |
| Plus |
$9.85 |
Discounted rate available |
100 bids per month, 80 skill listings, daily fund withdrawals, external invoicing |
| Professional |
$65.95 |
$659.34 (approximately $54.95 per month annualised) |
300 bids per month, premium insights, highlighted contest entries, advanced analytics |
| Premier |
$131.95 |
$1,319.34 (approximately $109.95 per month annualised) |
1,500 bids per month, unlimited invoicing, premium support, featured profile |
When you should cancel your membership
Cancel your paid Freelancer membership if your monthly bid allocation and premium features are not generating proportional project income and earnings. Many Australian freelancers find that the Basic or Plus plans provide sufficient value; the Professional and Premier tiers demand substantially higher project volumes and bid success rates to justify their cost.
Yafee recommends you track your project wins and earnings against your subscription cost across at least two complete billing cycles before making your decision. Importantly, if you cancel mid-billing cycle, you retain full access to your membership benefits until the end of that period, so you face no penalty for timing your cancellation strategically.
Your consumer rights under australian law
As an Australian consumer, you have statutory protections under the Australian Consumer Law that apply directly to Freelancer's subscription services and platform terms.
What the australian consumer law means for your cancellation
The Australian Consumer Law, contained in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), protects you when you purchase goods or services. If Freelancer fails to deliver the service as described, charges you without clear consent, or refuses to process a legitimate cancellation request, you have legal grounds to lodge a formal complaint.
Your key protections include the following: the right to refunds for services not rendered or substantially defective; the right to clear, accessible information about charges, billing cycles, and cancellation terms; and the right to cancel ongoing subscription services on reasonable notice. Freelancer must display cancellation terms clearly and prominently; if the platform deliberately obscures or hides cancellation information, you can escalate your complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
If Freelancer refuses to cancel or withholds your funds
If you submit a legitimate cancellation request and Freelancer does not honour it within a reasonable timeframe, or if the platform withholds your earnings without a clear reason, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the ACCC. Visit accc.gov.au to submit a formal complaint; the ACCC investigates unfair contract terms, misleading conduct, and breaches of the Consumer Law. A formal complaint creates an official record and often prompts faster resolution from the company.
Your legal position: Under the Australian Consumer Law, you have the right to cancel subscription services at any time on reasonable notice. Freelancer cannot impose unreasonable cancellation fees, withhold your earnings indefinitely, or delete your account data without clear notice. If the platform refuses to process your cancellation or blocks you from withdrawing funds, you can escalate to the ACCC, which has enforcement power to compel compliance and award compensation.
How to cancel your Freelancer account
Freelancer offers multiple cancellation channels; the online method via account settings is the fastest and creates an immediate digital record of your request.
Cancel through your online account settings
- Log in to your Freelancer account using your registered email and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the email reset link.
- Navigate to "Settings" in your account dashboard.
- Look for the "Settings" or "Account Settings" menu, typically located in the top right navigation bar or under your profile name.
- Locate the "Deactivate Account" or "Close Account" option within Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page; you will find a section labelled "Danger Zone" or "Account Closure".
- Read the warning carefully: closing your account is permanent and will hide your profile from the platform.
- Select "Deactivate" or "Close Account" and confirm your request.
- Freelancer may ask you to enter your password again to verify your identity.
- The platform will display a confirmation message and may offer a survey asking why you are leaving.
- Verify the cancellation confirmation email sent to your registered address.
- Check your inbox and spam folder within 5 minutes of submission.
- Save this email as proof of your cancellation request; you will need it if any dispute arises with Yafee or the ACCC.
Cancel through Freelancer live chat support
- Access the Freelancer Help Center at the official Freelancer support URL.
- Log in with your account credentials if prompted.
- Open the live chat widget, typically located in the bottom right corner of the Help Center page.
- Freelancer offers 24/7 live chat support in English; you will be connected to a support agent within 2 to 5 minutes during peak hours.
- Tell the support agent clearly: "I want to cancel my Freelancer membership and close my account permanently."
- Provide your full name and the email address associated with your account.
- Specify whether you are cancelling a monthly or annual subscription.
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation request.
- Ask the agent to email you a cancellation confirmation ticket number.
- Do not close the chat until you have received this confirmation.
- Save the entire chat transcript by taking a screenshot or requesting that the agent email the transcript to you.
- This transcript serves as proof of your request if Freelancer later claims no cancellation was made.
Cancel via email to Freelancer support
- Compose a cancellation email to Freelancer support at [email protected] (or the contact address listed on the Freelancer website).
- If you cannot locate the support email, log into your account and use the in-platform support form.
- Include the following information in your email:
- Your full name
- Your registered email address on the Freelancer account
- Your Freelancer user ID or profile URL
- Clear statement: "I request permanent closure of my Freelancer account and cancellation of my membership subscription effective immediately."
- The date and reason for cancellation (optional but helpful)
- Request a confirmation email response with a cancellation ticket number.
- Write: "Please confirm receipt of this request and provide a reference number for this cancellation."
- Send the email using "Read Receipt" or "Request Confirmation" if your email provider offers this feature.
- This proves Freelancer received your request.
- Wait for confirmation within 48 business hours.
- If you do not receive a response, follow up with a second email or escalate to live chat.
Withdraw your funds before you cancel
Before you close your account, withdraw all earnings from your Freelancer account to your bank account or nominated payment method. Once your account is deactivated, accessing your funds becomes significantly more difficult.
How to withdraw your earnings
- Log into your Freelancer account and navigate to "My Earnings" or "Wallet."
- This section displays your current account balance, available for withdrawal, and any funds on hold.
- Check that no funds are on hold or subject to dispute.
- If a project is disputed or under review, Freelancer may hold your payment for up to 30 days.
- Wait for disputes to resolve before withdrawing, or contact support to accelerate resolution.
- Select your withdrawal method.
- Freelancer offers bank transfer, PayPal, Wise (formerly TransferWise), Payoneer, and other regional methods depending on your location.
- Bank transfer is the most reliable method for Australian account holders.
- Enter your withdrawal amount and confirm.
- You can withdraw your full balance or a partial amount; Yafee recommends withdrawing everything.
- Check for withdrawal fees; bank transfer and Wise typically charge less than PayPal.
- Verify that the withdrawal has completed.
- Most withdrawals process within 3 to 5 business days.
- Check your bank statement and confirm receipt before closing your account.
What happens after you cancel
Cancelling your Freelancer account is permanent and immediate; you cannot undo it through the platform interface.
After cancellation: your account access and data
Once your account is closed, Freelancer deactivates your profile and removes your listing from the platform's search results within 24 to 48 hours. You can no longer log in, submit new bids, or accept new projects. Your historical project feedback, ratings, and portfolio remain visible to the public for a period (typically 12 months), but your profile is flagged as inactive. If you later change your mind, you must contact Freelancer support to request account reactivation; the platform may impose conditions or delays on reactivating a permanently closed account.
Refunds for unused membership time
Freelancer does not automatically refund unused membership time if you cancel mid-cycle. For example, if you purchased a monthly membership on the 1st of the month and cancel on the 15th, you do not receive a pro-rata refund for the remaining 15 days. However, under the Australian Consumer Law, if you can demonstrate that you requested cancellation within a reasonable timeframe (for example, within 14 days of purchase), you may have grounds to request a refund under the Consumer Law's "right of withdrawal" principles.
Contact Yafee or the ACCC if Freelancer refuses a refund that you believe is lawful under Australian Consumer Law. Keep your payment receipt and cancellation confirmation email; these documents are essential proof of your request.
Common mistakes to avoid when you cancel
Cancellation is straightforward if you follow the correct steps; most issues arise from incomplete communication or failure to withdraw funds first.
Not withdrawing your funds before you deactivate
Many freelancers close their accounts without withdrawing their remaining balance, assuming they can access the money later. This is a critical error. Once your account is permanently deactivated, Freelancer may not allow you to log back in, and retrieving your funds requires escalating to support, which can take weeks. Always withdraw your full balance before you submit your final cancellation request.
Cancelling without written confirmation
If you cancel via live chat or email without saving confirmation, Freelancer may later claim no cancellation request was ever made, particularly if you are disputing charges. Screenshot every conversation, save every confirmation email, and record ticket numbers. This documentation is your proof if you need to lodge a complaint with the ACCC or dispute a charge with your bank.
Failing to check your credit card statements after cancellation
Even after you deactivate your account, Freelancer may continue charging your payment method if you do not also cancel your subscription through your payment provider (e.g., if you pay via credit card). Log into your credit card issuer's website and check for recurring charges from Freelancer. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your card issuer and dispute it immediately; your bank will typically side with you if you provide evidence of your cancellation request.
Not allowing time for the cancellation to process
Cancellation requests may take 24 to 48 hours to process, particularly if you submit via email. Do not assume the cancellation has failed if your account still appears active the same day. Wait two business days and then verify your account status by attempting to log in; if you can no longer access your account, the cancellation has succeeded.
Checklist for a smooth cancellation
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step in the correct order:
| Step |
Action |
Completed |
| 1 |
Log in to your Freelancer account and verify your current balance in Wallet or Earnings |
☐ |
| 2 |
Check for any disputes or holds on your funds; resolve if necessary |
☐ |
| 3 |
Withdraw your full account balance using your preferred payment method |
☐ |
| 4 |
Wait 3 to 5 business days and confirm the withdrawal appeared in your bank account |
☐ |
| 5 |
Submit your cancellation request via account settings, live chat, or email |
☐ |
| 6 |
Save the confirmation email or chat transcript as proof of your request |
☐ |
When to escalate your cancellation to the ACCC
If Freelancer does not respond to your cancellation request within 5 business days, continues charging your account after you cancel, or withholds your funds without explanation, escalate to the ACCC immediately.
How to lodge a complaint with the ACCC
Visit accc.gov.au and navigate to the "Complaints" section. You can submit a complaint online; the ACCC will assign your complaint a reference number and investigate Freelancer's conduct. Provide the following information: your cancellation request date and method (email, chat, or settings), any confirmation numbers or tickets, screenshots of your conversations, and details of any unauthorised charges or withheld funds. The ACCC will contact Freelancer on your behalf and, if it finds a breach of the Consumer Law, can compel the company to process your cancellation and refund unauthorised charges.
Summary: your path to cancellation
Cancelling your Freelancer account involves three clear stages: withdraw your earnings, submit your cancellation request, and verify the deactivation. Yafee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel subscription services while protecting their earnings and enforcing their consumer rights. By following the steps above and keeping written proof of your request, you ensure that Freelancer processes your cancellation promptly and without dispute.
If Freelancer resists your cancellation or withholds your funds, remember that the Australian Consumer Law protects you. Contact the ACCC, which has the statutory power to enforce your rights and, if necessary, award compensation for losses incurred. Your consumer rights do not disappear when you sign up for a platform; they remain with you throughout the entire cancellation process.
For more guidance on cancelling other Australian services and protecting your consumer rights, visit Yafee.com, where our team of contract law specialists provides clear, legally grounded cancellation guides for hundreds of services. Yafee ensures you understand not just how to cancel, but why your rights matter and how to enforce them if a company refuses to cooperate.