How to cancel your Freelancer account in new zealand and protect your remaining funds
Understanding Freelancer and your membership structure
Freelancer is a global online marketplace that connects you with employers and other freelancers to bid on projects, contests, and ongoing work. The platform operates internationally and serves New Zealand users with optional paid membership tiers, verification badges, and integrated payment systems to manage projects and billing.
When you create an account, you gain access to the core platform features at no cost. However, Freelancer offers paid upgrades that increase your bidding capacity, improve your profile visibility, and unlock access to higher-value projects reserved for premium members. Understanding what you are paying for makes your cancellation decision clearer and more informed.
What paid membership includes
Freelancer's Corporate membership tier provides corporate bid cards, a dedicated corporate profile badge, and access to projects that employers restrict to verified members only. The Verified by Freelancer badge requires a one-time purchase and increases your credibility with employers, though this fee is non-refundable once the purchase is complete.
You also store payment methods and account credit on the platform. This credit accumulates from project earnings or deposits you make yourself, and it remains separate from your membership status. Cancelling your membership does not automatically refund or remove your stored account credit.
Why cancellation might be right for you
You may cancel because you are reducing freelance activity, switching to a competing platform, or finding that paid features do not justify the ongoing cost. Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers understand their cancellation rights on digital platforms like Freelancer, and we know that many users cancel because automatic renewals surprise them or because they no longer use the paid features.
Pricing and billing cycles you should know
Freelancer displays all pricing in New Zealand dollars on the platform itself, though not all membership tiers are equally visible on the public website. The table below outlines the main membership and badge costs you may encounter.
| Plan or service |
Price (NZD) |
Billing cycle |
What you get |
| Corporate membership (monthly) |
$17.95 |
Monthly renewal |
Corporate bid cards, profile badge, premium project access |
| Corporate membership (annual) |
$215.40 |
Annual renewal |
Same benefits as monthly, billed once per year |
| Verified by Freelancer badge |
$165.00 |
One-time purchase |
Verification badge (non-refundable) |
| Preferred Freelancer badge |
$130.00 |
One-time purchase |
Preferred status badge and profile boost |
| Account credit (variable) |
Your deposit |
As you load funds |
Funds available for project work and platform fees |
Beyond membership, you pay platform commissions on each project milestone and optional upgrades such as featured project listings. These are separate transaction fees applied at the time you use them and are outlined in Freelancer's published service terms.
Your consumer rights under new zealand law
As a New Zealand consumer, you are protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 when you purchase services from Freelancer, even if the service is delivered entirely online or digitally.
What the consumer guarantees act means for your membership
Under this legislation, Freelancer must provide services that are of acceptable quality and fit for their purpose. If the platform fails to deliver the service you paid for-such as persistent technical failures preventing you from accessing paid features, bidding on projects, or withdrawing funds-you have grounds to request a refund or compensation. The burden falls on Freelancer to prove that any failure is your responsibility, not theirs.
The Consumer Guarantees Act also protects you against misleading statements about what membership includes. If Freelancer advertises a feature as part of your paid tier but then removes it or makes it unavailable without notice, that constitutes a breach of the guarantee of acceptable quality.
Your legal position on cancellation and refunds
New Zealand consumer law does not mandate a cooling-off period for digital services purchased online, unlike some other jurisdictions. However, you retain the right to cancel your membership at any time. Freelancer's terms of service govern whether you receive a refund for the current billing period. If you cancel mid-cycle, Freelancer may not refund your remaining time unless their terms explicitly allow it or unless the Consumer Guarantees Act applies (such as if the service is faulty or unfit for purpose). Conversely, if the platform has failed to deliver services you paid for, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission, New Zealand's consumer protection authority, to request a refund or compensation.
Methods available to cancel your membership
Freelancer offers a straightforward cancellation process entirely within your account settings. You do not need to contact customer support or send an email unless you encounter technical problems or wish to dispute a charge.
Cancelling via your account settings
The primary and most direct method is to log in to your Freelancer account and navigate to your membership or billing section. This is where you can view your active memberships, see your renewal dates, and initiate cancellation immediately.
Contacting Freelancer support if you cannot cancel online
If your account settings do not display a cancellation option or if you experience technical errors, you can contact Freelancer's support team. Freelancer does not maintain a dedicated postal address for New Zealand users; correspondence is handled through their registered office in Australia or via their online support portal.
Step-by-step guide to cancelling your Freelancer membership
Follow these steps to cancel your membership safely and protect your account credit and personal data.
Step 1: log in and locate your membership settings
- Go to Freelancer.com and log in with your email address and password.
- Click on your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the page.
- From the dropdown menu, select "Settings" or "Account Settings".
- Look for a tab or section labelled "Membership", "Billing", "Subscriptions", or "Plans".
Step 2: review your active memberships and renewal dates
- In your membership section, you will see all active paid memberships or subscriptions listed.
- Each entry will show the name of the membership (such as Corporate membership), the amount you are paying, the renewal date, and the status.
- Note the renewal date; if you cancel before this date, you typically lose access to paid features immediately, though you may not receive a partial refund for unused time.
- Check whether you have any one-time badge purchases (such as Verified by Freelancer) listed separately; these cannot be cancelled but their costs may still appear in your history.
Step 3: select the membership you wish to cancel
- Click on the membership entry you want to cancel (for example, "Corporate membership - monthly").
- A details panel or modal window will open showing the membership terms, your current billing cycle, and any active features.
- Look for a button or link labelled "Cancel membership", "Unsubscribe", "Cancel subscription", or similar wording.
- If you see only a "Pause" or "Suspend" option, you may use that if you wish to keep your account but pause charges temporarily.
Step 4: confirm the cancellation and check for warnings
- Freelancer will ask you to confirm your cancellation and may offer a retention incentive (a discount to stay, for example).
- Read any warning messages carefully; they will tell you when your access to paid features ends (usually immediately or at the end of the current billing cycle).
- Confirm that you understand you will lose access to corporate bid cards, profile badges, or other premium features once the cancellation is complete.
- Click the final "Confirm" or "Cancel membership" button to complete the process.
Step 5: verify cancellation and keep your confirmation details
- After you submit your cancellation, Freelancer will display a confirmation message on your screen.
- Return to your membership section and confirm that the cancelled membership no longer appears in your active list, or shows a status of "Cancelled" or "Inactive".
- Freelancer will also send a confirmation email to your registered email address.
- Save this confirmation email or take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page for your records.
Step 6: check your account credit and withdrawal options
- Once your membership is cancelled, navigate to your "Wallet" or "Account Credit" section.
- Any funds you deposited or earned through completed projects will remain in your account.
- Review Freelancer's withdrawal policy to understand how and when you can transfer your remaining credit to your bank account.
- If you plan to leave the platform entirely, withdraw your credit within a reasonable timeframe; some platforms may close dormant accounts or freeze funds after an extended period of inactivity.
What happens after you cancel your membership
Cancelling your Freelancer membership ends your paid benefits and billing obligations, but your account and funds remain intact.
Your access to the platform after cancellation
You retain your free account on Freelancer and can still log in, view your project history, and communicate with employers and other freelancers. However, you lose access to paid features such as corporate bid cards, premium project listings, and profile badges. Your existing projects and earnings history remain on your account indefinitely.
Your account credit and withdrawal rights
Any balance in your account credit remains available to you. You can use this credit to pay platform fees on new projects or withdraw it to your bank account, subject to Freelancer's withdrawal terms. Some platforms impose withdrawal minimums or charge processing fees; check Freelancer's wallet settings to confirm the current policy.
Re-subscribing if you change your mind
If you cancel and later decide you want to return to a paid membership, you can re-subscribe at any time from your account settings. Freelancer will charge you the current membership rate; if the price has increased, you will pay the new amount. Your old projects and feedback history will remain on your account.
Refunds and charges after cancellation
Understanding Freelancer's refund policy protects you from unexpected charges and ensures you recover funds you are entitled to under New Zealand law.
Refund eligibility under freelancer's terms
Freelancer's standard policy does not refund membership fees for time remaining in the current billing cycle. If you cancel on the first day of a monthly cycle, you typically do not receive a refund for the remaining 29 days. However, Yafee advises that you check Freelancer's current terms and conditions, as refund policies can change. If you believe a refund is owed under the Consumer Guarantees Act-because the service was faulty or unfit for purpose-you have separate rights to pursue a claim even if Freelancer's standard terms deny refunds.
One-time badge purchases are not refundable
Verified by Freelancer and Preferred Freelancer badges are one-time purchases and explicitly non-refundable in Freelancer's terms. You cannot cancel these purchases or reclaim the fee once paid. If you believe the badge did not work as promised (for example, employers reported that the badge had no effect on response rates), you may have grounds for a refund under consumer law; in that case, contact the Commerce Commission.
Disputes and chargebacks if you are charged after cancellation
If Freelancer continues to charge you after your cancellation date, contact Freelancer's support team immediately with your cancellation confirmation. Request a refund for any charges incurred after the cancellation date. If Freelancer refuses to refund, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card provider and request a chargeback. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission, which will investigate whether Freelancer breached consumer law.
Avoiding common mistakes during cancellation
Cancelling your membership is straightforward, but a few pitfalls can catch you off guard. Take care with each of these points to protect yourself.
Not checking your renewal date before cancelling
If you cancel mid-cycle, you typically lose access to paid features immediately and do not receive a refund for unused time. Check your renewal date before you hit cancel. If you are only a few days away from your renewal date, you might delay cancellation by a day or two to minimize wasted fees, or you might decide the loss is small enough to cancel immediately and stop future charges.
Confusing membership with one-time badge purchases
Verified by Freelancer and Preferred Freelancer badges are one-time purchases, not subscriptions. You cannot cancel them, and Freelancer will not refund the fee. If these items appear in your account history, accept that they are sunk costs and focus on cancelling only your recurring memberships.
Forgetting to withdraw your account credit
Your account credit does not disappear when you cancel your membership, but it will remain frozen in your account unless you withdraw it. Yafee recommends checking Freelancer's withdrawal minimums and processing times; if there is a long withdrawal window, initiate the process shortly after you cancel to avoid delays.
Not saving your cancellation confirmation
Always save the confirmation email or screenshot that Freelancer sends you. If a dispute arises-for example, if you are charged again after cancellation-you will need this proof to support your claim to your bank or the Commerce Commission.
Steps to take after your cancellation is complete
Cancellation is the beginning, not the end. These follow-up actions protect your account and ensure a clean break from Freelancer if you do not plan to return.
Monitor your bank statements for new charges
Check your bank or credit card statement 5 to 7 days after your cancellation to confirm that no new charge from Freelancer appears. Most platforms process refunds or stop charges within this window. If you see a charge after your cancellation date, contact Freelancer immediately and request a refund.
Withdraw your remaining account credit
Log in to your account within a week of cancellation and navigate to your wallet or account credit section. Initiate a withdrawal to your bank account. Keep a record of the transaction ID and estimated processing time. If your withdrawal does not arrive within the stated window, contact Freelancer's support team with your withdrawal reference number.
Update your payment method if you keep your account
If you plan to keep your Freelancer account for future use but want to prevent accidental re-subscription, remove or replace your stored payment method. This adds a layer of protection; if Freelancer attempts to charge you in the future, the payment will fail and alert you to the problem.
Consider deactivating your account if you no longer need it
Freelancer allows you to deactivate or fully delete your account through your settings if you have no intention of returning. Deactivation makes your profile invisible to employers but preserves your project history. Full deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Yafee advises consulting Freelancer's support team about the exact implications of each option before proceeding, as these actions may affect your ability to withdraw remaining funds or dispute charges.
Your options if Freelancer refuses to cancel or refund
In rare cases, Freelancer may fail to process your cancellation or may refuse to refund charges you dispute. New Zealand law gives you recourse.
Escalating your complaint to the commerce commission
The Commerce Commission is New Zealand's consumer protection authority and oversees compliance with the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 2022. If Freelancer breaches consumer law-such as by charging you after you cancel, failing to provide the service you paid for, or making misleading claims about membership benefits-you can lodge a formal complaint with the Commission. You do not need a lawyer to do this. Visit www.comcom.govt.nz to file a complaint online.
Disputing charges with your bank
Your bank or credit card provider has a process for disputing charges and issuing chargebacks. Contact your bank directly if Freelancer continues to charge you after cancellation. Provide your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of your account settings showing cancellation, and any correspondence with Freelancer. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge in your favour.
Seeking legal advice if amounts are substantial
If the disputed amount is significant (typically over $500), consider consulting a consumer law lawyer. Many New Zealand law firms offer free initial consultations. Yafee can help you understand your position under consumer law, but a lawyer can assess your specific case and advise whether pursuing a formal claim or pursuing alternative dispute resolution is worthwhile.
Comparing your cancellation options and final decision table
The table below summarizes the key choices you face when cancelling Freelancer and the outcomes of each decision.
| Scenario |
Action |
Outcome |
| You cancel before your next renewal date |
Cancel immediately via account settings |
Paid features end now; no refund for unused time; billing stops |
| You want to pause instead of cancel |
Use the suspend or pause feature if available |
Charges pause; you retain access to paid features; can reactivate anytime |
| You want a refund for unused time |
Contact Freelancer support and request; escalate to Commerce Commission if refused |
Refund may be granted if service was faulty; otherwise unlikely unless Consumer Guarantees Act applies |
| You purchased a badge (Verified by Freelancer) |
Accept as non-refundable; focus on cancelling recurring memberships |
Badge fee is lost; cannot be cancelled or refunded |
| You want to keep your account but cancel paid features |
Cancel membership but keep your account active |
Free account remains; credit is accessible; no recurring charges |
| You want to leave Freelancer entirely |
Cancel membership, withdraw credit, then deactivate or delete account |
No access to your profile; funds transferred to your bank; cannot reverse |
How yafee can help you manage your cancellation
Yafee is a contract law specialist resource that helps New Zealand consumers understand their rights and obligations on digital platforms. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted memberships, dispute erroneous charges, and navigate consumer law disputes with online services. If you are unsure whether Freelancer's refund policy complies with New Zealand law, Yafee can provide guidance on your legal position and the steps to escalate your complaint if necessary.
Cancelling your Freelancer membership is a straightforward process that you control entirely through your account settings. By following the steps in this guide and keeping careful records, you protect your funds and ensure no unexpected charges appear after you cancel. If Freelancer breaches consumer law or refuses to honour your cancellation request, the Commerce Commission and your bank are your allies. Yafee remains available to clarify your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 2022 if your situation becomes complicated.
Freelancer's registered office and contact details
Freelancer Limited operates from its registered office in Australia. New Zealand users do not have a separate postal address for cancellations or complaints. Contact Freelancer through:
- Their online support portal at support.freelancer.com
- Your account settings, where a "Help" or "Support" link is usually available
- Email to Freelancer's support team via the contact form on their website
For escalation to the Commerce Commission, visit comcom.govt.nz or call 0800 943 600 to report breaches of consumer law or unfair trading practices. Yafee advises documenting all communications with Freelancer and keeping records of your cancellation confirmation, bank statements, and any disputed charges before you escalate your complaint.