Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) a tradesman, thus attrib.

1881		Alexandra and Yea Standard (Vic.) 7 Oct. 3/1: The Government hid smiled, /And trady Legislation / At last had been beguiled,.
2007		L. Redhead Cherry Pie [ebook] A bunch of tradies [...] bellowed along with the chorus.
2009		P. Temple Truth 47: They walked across the concrete yard, chatting side-on, could be tradies coming on site.
2019		C. Hammer Silver [ebook] His uncle knows all the local tradies.
2020		G. Disher Consolation 123: Just a couple of blokes, looked like tradies. A white van.
2021		rnz.co.nz 14 Apr. 🌐 Women tradies say they’re working without toilet access and having to deal with sexist comments about their appearance.