PEOPLE could soon be paying for home repairs and handymen by cooking them cakes and muffins.

A NEW bartering system has been set up in Bathurst called BatLETS, which allows residents to hire professionals without paying any money.

Website guru Hugh Dickson has set up the scheme, after being involved with a similar system in Brisbane.

"LETS stands for local energy trading system. There are quite a few around in the capital cities," Mr Dickson said.

"It's basically just people offering their services to the network. People who are happy to do jobs for people without the use of cash."

He said it will be run through an internet site, which is free to join. The site will then list services that other members offer so someone can go in a browse the list to find what they're looking for then contact whoever is offering that service.

"It can be learning a new language, IT help, transport, handyman jobs, cooking, any skill people have. And people shouldn't feel they can't think of anything to offer. There can be working bees or even things like just being a companion for someone," Mr Dickson said.

"It works on the level that if you don't have the money you can still access these services."

The system will work with a special currency called BATS. Each time a user completes a job for someone they go online and earn more BATS.

"It's great for organisations. People are always happy to do favours for friends so this ends up as a way of breaking down barriers in the community.

"The system has been around for a while. It was first organised in the 1980s in Canada and is now a world-wide thing. You can even use the BATS you earn in Bathurst in another city or even another country on things like accommodation. So you could travel somewhere and not have to pay anything for accommodation.

"This ends up opening up social networks. It is great and everyone likes the idea of helping someone. They can do massage, art or sculpture or music, anything."

Mr Dickson said every time he has been back to visit his parents he has asked if there is a LETS system set up in Bathurst.

"My parents live here and every time I came here I asked where's your LETS? So I thought I would start something," he said.

To access the LETS site go to www.batlets.org.au.