Join Australia’s top IT Contractor Community
Thrive as an Independent
IT Contractor
A private, member-led community for Australia’s top IT contractors who want more than just their next contract. Built for those ready to grow with the backing of a high-performing network.
If you are an IT professional and you are interested in exploring Umbrella Club, please complete this form. From here we will schedule an appointment so we can get to know each other.
Belonging that matters
We value accountability, transparency and peer-driven growth for members and clients.
Power in the peer network
By working together, we achieve more. Our members and clients connect faster, smarter and with better outcomes.
Partnerships that open doors
Strategic partnerships help our members grow and give our clients long-term, on-demand access to expertise.
Growth through real connection
Shared success starts with real relationships. At Umbrella Club, we invest in both.
How to join Umbrella Club
Apply
Complete a short application to tell us about your IT contracting experience.
Review
We’ll review your application and contact you to confirm we’re the right fit.
Join and thrive!
Once approved, you’ll unlock access to the Umbrella Club community, peer-powered job support, and more!
You’re great at what you do.
So why does it feel like you’re doing it all alone?
You’ve built a career on your skills, your work ethic, and your ability to deliver. But contracting can be isolating. You’re juggling negotiations, chasing leads, and constantly searching for your next job, all on your own.
There’s no safety net. No trusted sounding board. No way to know if there’s a better opportunity just around the corner. And frankly? It’s exhausting.
Maybe you’ve thought: “There must be a better way to grow my career… without giving up my independence.”
You’re not alone in thinking that.
Here’s what’s really causing the problem: you’ve been trying to do it all solo.
And that’s what most contractors are told to do. Go out on your own. Hustle harder. Keep proving yourself. But here’s the truth:
The best contractors don’t operate in isolation.
They operate in networks.
At Umbrella Club, we’ve built a smarter, stronger way to contract, with independence and support. You stay in charge of your career, but with the right people, opportunities, and backing behind you.
If you don’t fix this, the cycle continues.
You’ll keep chasing low-quality gigs that drain your time and undercut your value. You’ll stay stuck without a trusted network to lean on or refer to. You’ll waste hours applying for contracts that go nowhere.
And worst of all? You’ll miss out on the long-term growth, income, and confidence that come from being connected to a high-performing peer network.
Here’s what you’re dealing with right now:
- You’re spending valuable hours searching for your next contract
- You’re unsure who to trust for referrals, support or guidance
- You’re working hard but not building long-term momentum
- You’re negotiating alone and second-guessing your worth
- You’re great at delivery but have no system to grow your career
Here’s how it could look instead:
- You’re referred into high-value contracts by peers who know your work
- You negotiate with confidence & set better rates, because the market knows your value
- You’re surrounded by people who want to see you succeed and help open doors
- You grow faster, not by hustling harder, but by being in the right network
- You stop going it alone, without giving up your independence
It’s a great experience to be a member of Umbrella Club . It’s a great platform for self-employed professionals to extend your network, find like-minded people, and simplify the process of finding new projects or clients.
Patrick Goessens
Here’s what makes those outcomes possible:
At Umbrella Club, we don’t just believe in community, we operationalise it.
Our members support each other through trusted referrals, shared insights, and a collaborative peer network. It’s not a job board. It’s not a recruitment agency.
It’s a high-performing community where everyone wins, because everyone contributes.
Introducing: Umbrella Club Membership
For Independent IT Contractors Who Want to Grow With the Right People Behind Them
This isn’t another freelance platform. Umbrella Club is a member-led ecosystem built to help top-tier contractors stay independent and supported.
Here’s what’s included in your membership:
✔ Curated Contract Opportunities
Get referred into high-value roles by trusted peers and partner organisations.
✔ Community Access
Connect with Australia’s pre-vetted, trusted IT contractors in private channels and specialist chapters.
✔ Member Success Team
Strategic career guidance, negotiation support, and growth planning when you need it.
✔ Events & Peer-Led Learning
Join regular online and in-person events, workshops, and mentoring sessions.
✔ Bonus Programs
Earn through referrals, participate in beta projects, and access exclusive perks.
✔ Strategic Hiring Network
Clients come to you, not the other way around. Stay top-of-mind in the Umbrella partner network.
Here’s what you get as part of your journey:
Community That Opens Doors
Grow With the Right People: Peer Network Access
Get instant access to a community of vetted professionals who refer, support, and grow together.
- Connect with like-minded contractors
- Share insights and solve real problems
- Gain referrals and peer-led leads
Strategic Opportunity Engine
Work Smarter: Curated Roles & Client Access
You don’t have to chase every listing. Get matched with high-quality opportunities through our partner network.
- Save time on job hunting
- Land better-fit roles faster
- Increase your project success rate
Member-partner, What’s all this worth to you
Think about the time you’ve lost searching for work that doesn’t stick. Think about the money left on the table in low-paying roles. Think about the energy spent trying to figure it all out alone.
Most contractors spend thousands per year on generic recruiter platforms and still feel unsupported. With Umbrella Club, you gain a real network, real access, and real results for a fraction of the cost.
Umbrella Club Is For You If…
- You’re a top-tier IT contractor who wants more than a job board
- You’re ready to grow, but don’t want to give up your independence
- You value community, referrals, and career momentum
- You’re looking for long-term opportunities, not short-term gigs
It’s Not For You If…
- You’re new to contracting and still building experience
- You prefer to compete with other contractors instead of collaborate
- You’re looking for a quick fix instead of long-term growth
- You don’t want to be part of a values-led, peer-driven community
Hello, I’m Walter Buter
I created Umbrella Club because I saw great contractors struggling to grow, not because they lacked skills, but because they lacked support.
After building successful companies in Europe and Australia, I knew the power of peer-driven communities. With Umbrella Club, we’ve built one for IT contractors: trusted, collaborative, and ready to help you succeed, on your terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Umbrella Club is designed for established IT contractors who are already delivering high-quality work and looking to grow.
Through trusted referrals, partner clients, and strategic matches, all backed by peer recommendations.
We don’t promise work, we promise access. With the right network and support, the opportunities follow.
No, but we offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If it’s not right for you, we’ll refund you.
Still unsure?
Ready to Join Australia’s Top IT Contracting Community?
Umbrella Club Membership
Annual access to everything you need to grow, without going it alone.
✔ Community
✔ Opportunity
✔ Support
✔ Shared Success