Cancel Upwork: The Right Way to Stop Recurring Charges

How to cancel your Upwork account and stop recurring charges in australia

Why you might want to cancel Upwork

Your reasons for stepping away from Upwork are entirely your own - whether you've landed permanent employment, found the platform's fees incompatible with your business model, or prefer sourcing clients through other channels. Whatever your situation, you have the right to cancel your subscription without unnecessary friction.

If you've enrolled in Upwork's paid membership plans (such as Freelancer Plus), your account automatically renews on a recurring cycle and charges your payment method each billing period. Understanding your billing source and your cancellation rights under Australian Consumer Law is the first step toward taking control of your account. Tocancel recognises that this process should be straightforward and empowering, not buried in confusing terms and conditions.

When to cancel Upwork

You should cancel before your next billing date if you want to avoid the next charge. Upwork's free Basic membership does not charge, so if you use only the free tier, you have nothing to cancel. However, if you have purchased Connects (bidding credits) or a paid membership like Freelancer Plus, those recurring charges will continue until you actively cancel.

Check your most recent invoice or email receipt to locate your billing date. Mark that date in your calendar and aim to cancel at least seven days before to ensure your request processes in time before payment is taken.

What happens to your Upwork data after cancellation

Cancelling your paid subscription does not automatically delete your Upwork account. Your profile, work history and portfolio remain visible on the platform unless you choose to delete the account separately. If you want to fully remove yourself from the platform, you will need to request account deletion after cancelling your subscription.

Upwork's subscription plans and pricing explained

Upwork operates several billing models, and understanding which one applies to you is essential for a successful cancellation.

Current Upwork membership tiers

Upwork offers a free tier and several paid options. Your pricing may differ depending on whether you purchased directly through Upwork or via a third-party app store such as Apple's App Store or Google Play. Tocancel recommends checking your most recent receipt to confirm your billing source before you attempt cancellation.

Prices shown are converted from USD and include an estimate for Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST). Actual charges may differ based on your tax residence, exchange rates and the payment method you use. Always verify the exact amount on your invoice before deciding to cancel.

Where your subscription is billing from matters

This is one of the most common sources of confusion. If you purchased your membership directly through Upwork's website, you cancel through Upwork's Help Center or by contacting support. If you purchased via an app store (Apple App Store, Google Play), you must cancel through that app store's billing settings, not through Upwork itself.

Check your most recent receipt email. If it came from Apple, Google or another app-store operator, your subscription is managed by them. Tocancel strongly recommends verifying this before attempting cancellation - contacting the wrong company wastes your time and delays your cancellation.

Your cancellation methods and how to choose the right one

Upwork provides multiple cancellation pathways, and your choice depends on where your subscription is active and how quickly you need action taken.

Cancel via the Upwork help center (direct subscriptions)

If you subscribed directly through Upwork's website, the Help Center is your quickest option. This method takes roughly 5-10 minutes and requires no postal delays.

1. Log in to your Upwork account at upwork.com
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings
3. Navigate to Billing and payments
4. Locate your active subscription (e.g., Freelancer Plus) and click Manage
5. Click Cancel membership or Cancel subscription
6. Upwork will ask you to confirm your cancellation and may offer a discount to keep you - decline if you are certain
7. Confirm the cancellation and save a screenshot of the confirmation page as proof

Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. You will not be charged again after that date. This method is immediate and leaves a clear digital record of your request.

Cancel via email (direct subscriptions)

If you prefer to cancel by email, send a written request to [email protected] with the following information:

• Your full name
• Your Upwork username
• Your registered email address
• The subscription plan you wish to cancel (e.g., Freelancer Plus)
• A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my subscription effective immediately"

Expect a response within 2-5 business days. Request a cancellation confirmation email and keep it for your records. Tocancel advises using email when you want a written trail of your cancellation request, especially if you are concerned about recurring charges.

Cancel via postal mail (direct subscriptions)

For the most formal cancellation method, send a written notice to Upwork's Global Headquarters. This approach is slower (allow 10-21 business days for processing) but creates an undisputable paper trail.

Send a letter to:

Upwork Global Inc.
555 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94105
United States

Include the following in your letter:

• Your full name and current address
• Your Upwork username
• Your registered email address
• The date of your letter
• A clear statement of your intent to cancel (e.g., "I hereby request cancellation of my Freelancer Plus subscription effective immediately")
• A photocopy of a recent invoice showing your account number or payment reference

Send the letter via registered mail or a service that provides proof of delivery (e.g., Australia Post registered post). Keep a copy of your letter, the proof of posting and any tracking number. This method protects you under Australian Consumer Law if Upwork later claims it did not receive your cancellation request.

Cancel app-store subscriptions (Apple app store or google play)

If you subscribed via an app store, you must cancel through that app store, not through Upwork directly.

For Apple App Store:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac
2. Tap or click your name at the top
3. Select Subscriptions
4. Find the Upwork subscription and tap or click it
5. Select Cancel subscription and confirm
6. Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page

For Google Play:

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android device
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select Payments and subscriptions
4. Tap Subscriptions
5. Find the Upwork subscription and select it
6. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm
7. Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page

App-store cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period. You will receive a confirmation email from the app-store operator (Apple or Google), not from Upwork. Keep this email as proof of your cancellation request.

Your consumer rights under australian consumer law

Australia's Consumer Law (part of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) gives you strong protections when cancelling a subscription service.

Your legal position

Under Australian Consumer Law, any automatic renewal subscription must include a clear, upfront disclosure of the terms (including the price, frequency and cancellation method) before you are charged. Upwork is required to provide a simple, straightforward cancellation mechanism that is at least as easy as the purchase process. If Upwork makes cancellation deliberately difficult or fails to honour a valid cancellation request, you have the right to file a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Additionally, if you are charged after submitting a valid cancellation request, you have the right to dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider and request a refund.

If Upwork refuses to cancel your account

If you have submitted a cancellation request through one of the methods above and Upwork continues to charge you, take these steps:

1. Send a follow-up email to [email protected] with a subject line "Cancellation not processed - request for immediate action" and reference your original cancellation date
2. If Upwork does not respond within 10 business days, lodge a complaint with the ACCC via their website at accc.gov.au
3. Contact your bank or credit card provider and initiate a chargeback dispute, citing "subscription not cancelled as requested"

The ACCC is the government agency responsible for enforcing consumer rights in Australia. They take automatic renewal complaints seriously and have the power to investigate and penalise businesses that breach consumer law. Tocancel recommends keeping all email correspondence, screenshots and invoices as evidence when escalating a complaint.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Understanding Upwork's refund policy will help you plan your cancellation with confidence.

When you will receive a refund

Upwork does not offer pro-rata refunds for early cancellation. Once you cancel your subscription, you will continue to have access to your paid membership until the end of your current billing cycle. After that date, you will not be charged again. If you have already been charged for your next billing period and then cancel, you do not receive a refund for that charge.

However, if you cancel within 14 days of purchasing a membership plan, you may be eligible for a refund under Upwork's 14-day money-back guarantee (this applies to direct website purchases only, not app-store purchases). Contact [email protected] within 14 days of your purchase with your order confirmation and reason for the refund.

If you were charged after cancelling

If your account was charged after you submitted a valid cancellation request, contact Upwork support immediately with proof of your cancellation request (email confirmation, Help Center screenshot, or postal receipt). Request a refund of the unauthorised charge. Most legitimate companies process these refunds within 10-15 business days.

If Upwork refuses to refund the charge, dispute the transaction with your bank. Provide your bank with proof of cancellation (email confirmation, screenshot, or postal receipt) and explain that the charge occurred after you requested cancellation. Your bank can initiate a chargeback on your behalf, and Upwork will be required to defend the charge or refund you.

Reclaiming connects

If you have purchased Connects (bidding credits) separately and cancel your subscription, your unused Connects remain in your account and do not expire simply because you cancel. You can use them to place bids on freelance work even after cancelling a paid membership plan. Upwork does not refund unused Connects unless they were purchased as part of a promotional bundle with specific terms.

Common mistakes when cancelling Upwork

Cancellation problems often stem from confusion, not from Upwork acting in bad faith. Here are the pitfalls Tocancel sees most often.

Cancelling through the wrong channel

The most frequent error is attempting to cancel an app-store subscription through Upwork's Help Center, or vice versa. If you subscribed via Apple App Store, you must cancel through Settings > Subscriptions. If you subscribed directly through Upwork's website, you must cancel through the Help Center. Cancelling through the wrong channel will not work, and you may waste days wondering why you are still being charged.

Check your email receipt immediately. If it came from Apple, Google or Amazon, use that company's app or website to cancel. If it came from Upwork, use Upwork's Help Center or email support.

Deleting the Upwork app without cancelling the subscription

Removing the Upwork app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your subscription remains active in the background, and you will continue to be charged. You must cancel through either the app store (if that is where you subscribed) or Upwork's Help Center (if you subscribed directly).

Failing to cancel before your billing date

Upwork processes billing automatically on your renewal date. If you cancel on the day your payment is due, you may still be charged because the payment processes before your cancellation request is recorded. Cancel at least seven days before your billing date to allow time for the system to process your request.

Not saving proof of cancellation

The biggest risk is losing evidence that you cancelled. Screenshot your Help Center confirmation, save the email confirmation from support, or retain your postal receipt. If a dispute arises, you need proof that you requested cancellation. Tocancel recommends saving cancellation confirmations in a dedicated folder or email label for future reference.

Assuming the account is deleted

Cancelling your subscription and deleting your account are two separate actions. After cancelling, your profile, portfolio and work history remain on Upwork unless you explicitly request account deletion. If you want to be completely removed from the platform, request account deletion separately through the Help Center after your subscription is cancelled.

After your cancellation is complete

Once your cancellation is confirmed, a few housekeeping tasks will help you avoid surprises.

Monitor your next billing date

Wait until the date that would normally trigger your next charge, then check your bank account to confirm you were not charged. If a charge appears, contact Upwork support immediately with your cancellation confirmation. The sooner you dispute an unexpected charge, the easier it is to resolve.

Update your records

Keep your cancellation confirmation email and any reference numbers in a safe place. If Upwork later sends you a bill or continues to charge you, you will need this proof. Tocancel advises storing cancellation confirmations in a separate folder or tagging them in your email for quick retrieval.

Consider alternative platforms

If Upwork did not meet your needs, explore other freelance platforms such as Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer or Guru. Each has different fee structures, audience sizes and features. Moving to a platform that aligns better with your business model can increase your earnings and job satisfaction.

Leave a review if relevant

If your cancellation experience was smooth or problematic, consider leaving a review on Trustpilot or your payment provider's platform. Honest feedback helps other freelancers make informed decisions and holds Upwork accountable to service standards.

Final checklist before you cancel

Use this checklist to ensure you are fully prepared before submitting your cancellation request.

Key takeaways and next steps

Cancelling your Upwork subscription is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps for your subscription type. Your Australian Consumer Law rights protect you from unfair contract terms and hidden charges. If Upwork refuses to cancel or continues to charge you after a valid cancellation request, you have the power to escalate your complaint to the ACCC.

The most important action is to cancel before your next billing date and to keep proof of your cancellation request. Whether you choose to cancel through the Help Center, email or postal mail, all three methods are equally valid and legally binding.

If you need guidance on cancelling Upwork or any other subscription service, Tocancel is here to support you. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute unfair charges and reclaim their money. Visit Tocancel at tocancel.com to access step-by-step cancellation guides for Upwork and hundreds of other services, plus templates for dispute letters and escalation advice tailored to Australian Consumer Law.

Cancellation address for postal requests:

Upwork Global Inc.
555 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94105
United States

Send your cancellation letter via registered post to ensure proof of delivery. Keep your postal receipt and allow 10-21 business days for processing. Tocancel recommends always retaining a copy of your letter for your records.