If you’re a tradie or small business owner, you already know that most of your jobs come from within a few kilometres of where you live and work. So why waste money advertising to people across the entire city—or worse, the whole country? With smart local targeting, you can run Facebook ads in Australian suburbs that deliver real leads without draining your budget.
Here are some proven local targeting tips that actually work.
1. Start with Suburb-Specific Ads
Facebook lets you target audiences by postcode, radius, or even by dropping a pin on the map. Instead of blasting your ads across Sydney or Melbourne, drill down into the specific suburbs where you’ve already worked or where you’d like to get more jobs.
Pro tip: Call out the suburb in your ad copy. For example, “Need a plumber in Parramatta?” feels far more personal and relevant than a generic headline.
2. Highlight Local Proof
People trust businesses with a footprint in their neighbourhood. Show off jobs you’ve completed nearby with before-and-after photos, testimonials, or even a short video clip. Mentioning streets or areas by name builds trust and makes your ad more relatable.
For example: “We’ve just completed a kitchen reno in Brighton—yours could be next.”
3. Layer Demographics for Precision
Location is just the start. Use Facebook’s demographic filters to zero in on homeowners, age groups, and income levels that match your ideal customer. For tradies, targeting 30–55 year-olds who show interest in property, renovations, or home improvement often brings in the best leads.
This ensures you’re not paying to show ads to students, renters, or people unlikely to book your services.
4. Leverage Retargeting Locally
Retargeting is one of the most cost-effective ways to run Facebook ads in Australian suburbs. If someone in your service area visits your website, watches a video, or clicks an ad but doesn’t call, you can show them follow-up ads. These are cheaper to run and keep your business top of mind until they’re ready to book.
5. Time Your Ads for Local Demand
Certain services peak at different times of the year. For example, landscapers often get more enquiries in spring, while heating services see spikes in winter. Align your ad campaigns with these seasonal demands to capture interest right when people need you most.
6. Test, Measure, and Scale
Not every suburb will perform the same. Start small by targeting 2–3 postcodes, then monitor which ones bring in the best cost per lead. Scale up in the areas delivering results and refine (or drop) the rest.
Done right, Facebook ads in Australian suburbs give tradies and local businesses a powerful edge. By narrowing your audience, showcasing local proof, and retargeting smartly, you’ll spend less and book more jobs.
👉 Book a FREE strategy call here and we’ll help you create suburb-specific ad campaigns that generate real, local leads.