Updated January 2026
25+ proven ways to earn extra money in Australia. From delivery apps to freelancing, with realistic earnings in AUD and ATO tax guidance.
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The side hustle economy in Australia has exploded over the past few years. With rising living costs, particularly housing in Sydney and Melbourne, over 2.8 million Australians now generate supplemental income through side businesses. The gig economy has matured significantly, with Australian platforms offering competitive rates and reliable payment systems.
Whether you're saving for a house deposit, paying off HECS debt, building an emergency fund, or simply want extra spending money for travel, side hustles offer unprecedented flexibility. The ATO has provided clearer guidance on reporting requirements, and digital platforms make it easier than ever to find clients or customers.
This guide covers the best side hustles specifically for Australian residents in 2026, with realistic earnings in Australian dollars, Australia-specific platforms, and guidance on ATO reporting and GST obligations.
| Side Hustle | Hourly Rate (AUD) | Startup Cost | Time to First $ | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menulog Driver | $20-32 | $0-$400 | Same day | Beginner |
| Freelance Writing | $25-70 | $0 | 1-2 weeks | Intermediate |
| Uber/Ola Driving | $22-38 | $200-500 | 1-2 weeks | Beginner |
| Airtasker Worker | $25-50 | $50-300 | 3-7 days | Beginner |
| Airbnb Hosting | $500-2,500/mo | $400-900 | 2-4 weeks | Intermediate |
| Web Development | $60-140 | $0-100 | 2-4 weeks | Advanced |
| Online Tutoring | $30-75 | $0-150 | 1-2 weeks | Intermediate |
| Dog Walking (Mad Paws) | $18-35 | $0-100 | 1-2 weeks | Beginner |
| Virtual Assistant | $22-45 | $0 | 2-4 weeks | Beginner |
| Amazon FBA Australia | $800-5,000/mo | $1,000-3,000 | 4-8 weeks | Intermediate |
Earnings: $20-32/hour (peak times $35-40/hour)
Menulog is one of Australia's largest food delivery platforms, owned by Just Eat. Strong presence in all major cities and many regional areas. Deliver by bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, or car. Peak hour bonuses and incentives significantly boost earnings, especially during dinner rush and weekends.
Best for: Flexible workers, students, fitness enthusiasts, all states
Requirements: Age 18+, valid ID, smartphone, delivery vehicle, ABN
Payment: Weekly via direct deposit
Earnings: $18-30/hour + tips
Dominant in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Deliver food on your schedule with instant earnings visibility before accepting orders. Surge pricing during peak times. Instant Pay available to cash out earnings immediately for a small fee. Strong app interface and customer support.
Best for: Urban drivers, cyclists, those wanting flexible scheduling
Requirements: Age 18+, smartphone, delivery method, background check, ABN
Payment: Weekly (Instant Pay available daily)
Earnings: $20-32/hour
Rapidly expanding across Australia. Good coverage in suburban and regional areas where competition is lower. Schedule Dash blocks ahead or Dash Now when busy. Base pay plus customer tips, with Peak Pay bonuses during high demand periods. Less saturated than Uber Eats in many areas.
Best for: Car owners, suburban/regional drivers, schedulers
Requirements: Age 18+, valid license, insured vehicle, ABN, background check
Payment: Weekly via direct deposit (Fast Pay available)
Earnings: $22-38/hour after expenses
Ridesharing available in all major Australian cities. Requirements vary slightly by state. Best earnings during Friday/Saturday nights, special events, and airport runs. Vehicle must be less than 10 years old in most states. Ola offers slightly lower commission rates than Uber in some markets.
Best for: Car owners with newer vehicles, social personalities, night/weekend availability
Requirements: Age 21+, vehicle inspection, commercial rideshare insurance, background check, ABN
Startup costs: $200-500 (insurance upgrade, vehicle inspection, licensing varies by state)
Earnings: $27-35/hour
Deliver Amazon packages in set blocks (typically 2-4 hours). More structured than food delivery but guaranteed pay rate per block. Available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra. You'll need a reliable car or van for most routes. Higher hourly rate than food delivery but requires vehicle.
Best for: Car owners, those wanting guaranteed rates, daytime availability
Requirements: Valid Australian driver's license, sedan or larger vehicle, smartphone, ABN
Payment: Twice weekly via direct deposit
Earnings: $25-70/hour ($0.10-0.50 per word)
Strong demand for Australian writers who understand local markets, Australian English spelling, and cultural nuances. Write for blogs, businesses, marketing agencies, or publications. Start on Upwork, Fiverr, or Australian platforms like Freelancer.com.au. Build direct clients for higher rates over time.
Best for: Strong writers, journalists, English graduates, subject experts
Australian platforms: Freelancer.com.au, Upwork, Fiverr, Contently, Australian Writers' Centre
Potential monthly income: $1,000-5,000 part-time
Earnings: $60-140/hour
Huge demand for WordPress, Shopify, and custom web development. Australian businesses prefer local developers for timezone alignment and communication. Even basic web development skills command $50-70/hour. Learn through TAFE courses, online bootcamps, or free resources like freeCodeCamp.
Best for: Tech-oriented individuals, problem solvers, logical thinkers
Skills needed: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, React, or Shopify
Potential monthly income: $2,500-8,000+ part-time
Earnings: $22-45/hour
Provide remote administrative support - email management, scheduling, data entry, customer service, bookkeeping, social media. Australian businesses often prefer Australian VAs for timezone matching and cultural fit. Specialize in areas like real estate admin, e-commerce support, or executive assistance for higher rates.
Best for: Organised individuals, former admin workers, parents with flexible schedules
Platforms: Upwork, Freelancer.com.au, The Virtual Hub, Virtalent
Potential monthly income: $800-3,000
Earnings: $30-75/hour
Tutor students in academic subjects, test prep, languages, or music. Strong demand for VCE, HSC, QCE, and WACE exam preparation. Tutor online via Zoom or in-person locally. Knowledge of state-specific curriculums is valuable. High demand for maths, science, English, and ATAR preparation.
Best for: Teachers, uni students, subject matter experts, patient communicators
Australian platforms: Cluey Learning, Tutor Doctor, MyTutor, Superprof Australia, Preply
Potential monthly income: $1,200-5,000
Earnings: $35-100/hour
Create logos, social media graphics, marketing materials, and brand identities. With tools like Canva Pro, Figma, and Adobe Creative Suite, you can serve clients globally. Australian businesses often prefer local designers for collaboration. Build portfolio with smaller projects, then scale rates as reputation grows.
Best for: Creative individuals, visual thinkers, detail-oriented designers
Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, 99designs (Australian-founded), Behance, Freelancer.com.au
Potential monthly income: $1,000-6,000
Earnings: $25-50/hour
Australian-founded platform connecting you with locals needing help with furniture assembly, moving, handyman work, cleaning, delivery, and more. Available Australia-wide with strong user base in major cities. Set your own rates and build reputation through reviews. Great flexibility and variety of tasks.
Best for: Handy individuals, problem solvers, physically capable workers
Popular tasks: Furniture assembly, removals, handyman work, cleaning, gardening, delivery
Potential monthly income: $1,000-4,000
Earnings: $18-35/hour for walking, $40-80/night for sitting
Use Mad Paws or Pawshake to connect with pet owners. Dog walking is perfect for morning/evening supplemental income. Pet sitting (especially during school holidays and Christmas) can be very lucrative. Build regular clients for steady, recurring income. Pet owners are willing to pay well for trustworthy care.
Best for: Animal lovers, students, retirees, active individuals
Australian platforms: Mad Paws, Pawshake, PetCloud, Aussie Pet Mobile
Potential monthly income: $500-2,500
Earnings: $25-40/hour
Consistent demand for reliable cleaners across Australia, especially in capital cities. Start with friends and family, then expand through Airtasker, Gumtree, or local Facebook groups. Build recurring weekly or fortnightly clients for predictable income. End of lease cleaning commands premium rates ($300-600 per job).
Best for: Detail-oriented, physically capable, trustworthy individuals
Startup costs: $100-250 for supplies and public liability insurance
Potential monthly income: $1,000-3,500
Earnings: $25-50/hour
Lawn mowing, hedge trimming, weeding, and garden maintenance in high demand year-round in most of Australia. Especially busy in spring and summer. Start with basic equipment, market through Airtasker, Gumtree, and local community groups. Build regular fortnightly clients for steady income.
Best for: Outdoors lovers, physically fit, entrepreneurial types
Startup costs: $400-1,000 for mower and basic tools
Potential monthly income: $1,200-4,000
Earnings: $30-70 per car ($25-50/hour)
Offer mobile car washing and detailing services, travelling to customers' homes or workplaces. Low overhead, good margins, and year-round demand. Full detailing services command premium rates ($150-400 per car). Market through Airtasker, Gumtree, local Facebook groups, and word of mouth.
Best for: Detail-oriented, physically capable, customer-focused individuals
Startup costs: $200-500 for equipment and supplies
Potential monthly income: $800-3,000
Earnings: $500-2,500/month
Rent out a spare room, granny flat, or entire property when away. Strong demand in tourist areas, capital cities, and near beaches. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Byron Bay are particularly lucrative. Check local council regulations - some areas have restrictions on short-term rentals. Stayz (Australian platform) is also popular.
Best for: Property owners with spare space, good hosts, tourist area residents
Startup costs: $400-900 (quality linens, amenities, lockbox, welcome pack)
Note: Check local council STR regulations and strata rules
Earnings: $300-3,000/month
Sell handmade items, vintage goods, or digital products to global customers. Australian sellers do well with native fauna designs, Aboriginal-inspired art (if appropriate and respectful), printables, and handmade jewellery. International shipping can be costly, so consider digital products or partner with POD services.
Best for: Crafters, artists, creative entrepreneurs, makers
Startup costs: $100-500 depending on product type
Popular Australian niches: Digital printables, Australian wildlife art, beach decor, personalised gifts
Earnings: $800-5,000/month
Source products wholesale or from overseas, send to Amazon's Australian fulfillment centres, and Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping. Amazon.com.au is growing rapidly but less saturated than US/UK markets. Requires upfront inventory investment. Research products carefully and start with proven sellers.
Best for: Entrepreneurial mindset, willing to invest capital, data-driven thinkers
Startup costs: $1,000-3,000 for initial inventory
Time to profit: 2-5 months typically
Earnings: $400-2,500/month
Buy items at garage sales, op shops (Salvos, Vinnies), or Facebook Marketplace and resell for profit. Gumtree is huge in Australia for local sales with no postage hassles. eBay.com.au for nationwide sales. Popular categories include vintage clothing, electronics, collectibles, and sporting equipment. Research sold listings to understand pricing.
Best for: Bargain hunters, negotiators, patient researchers, organised sellers
Startup costs: $150-400
Popular categories: AFL/NRL memorabilia, vintage clothing, electronics, surfboards, tools
Earnings: $100-300/month
Not substantial income, but genuinely easy passive earnings. Swagbucks Australia, Octopus Group, and PureProfile pay for opinions. Cashrewards and ShopBack offer cashback on purchases from Australian retailers. Use during TV time, commuting, or other downtime. User testing sites pay $10-15 for 15-20 minute tests.
Best for: Supplemental income, spare time utilisation, online shoppers
Australian platforms: Octopus Group, PureProfile, Swagbucks AU, Cashrewards, ShopBack, UserTesting
Realistic expectations: $4-8/hour, best combined with other activities
$30-85/hour
Manage social accounts for Australian small businesses. Local market knowledge valuable.
$60-200/hour
Events, portraits, real estate, or stock photography. Weddings especially lucrative.
$30-65/hour
Help small businesses with BAS, payroll, and accounts using Xero or MYOB.
$35-65/hour
Provide disability support services. Growing sector with good hourly rates.
$35-90/hour
In-person or online fitness coaching. Cert III & IV in Fitness required in Australia.
$100-300 per episode
Edit audio for podcasters. Growing Australian podcast market.
Yes, you must declare all income to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), regardless of amount. Side hustle income is considered business income and reported using the Business and Professional Items Schedule in your annual tax return. You'll need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to operate legally.
Key points:
If your side hustle earns more than $75,000 in any 12-month period, you must register for GST and charge 10% GST on sales. You can register voluntarily below this threshold to claim GST credits on business purchases. Rideshare and taxi drivers must register for GST regardless of turnover.
GST obligations:
Note: Uber/rideshare drivers must register for GST immediately regardless of income level.
Side hustle income is added to your PAYG employment income and taxed at your marginal rate. Tax rates for 2026-26 range from 19% to 45%, plus 2% Medicare Levy. Claim deductions for business expenses to reduce taxable income.
2025-26 Tax rates (including Medicare Levy):
Rule of thumb: Set aside 25-35% of gross side hustle income for tax if you're in a middle to upper income bracket. Use the ATO's PAYG instalments calculator to estimate quarterly tax obligations.
You can claim deductions for expenses directly related to earning your side hustle income. Keep all receipts and maintain accurate records to substantiate claims.
Common tax-deductible expenses:
If you receive Centrelink payments, you must report all side hustle income through your myGov account. Income tests vary by payment type. For JobSeeker, you can earn up to $150 per fortnight before payments reduce by 50 cents per dollar. Always report income on time to avoid overpayments and potential penalties.
Business income is assessed differently than employment income. Contact Services Australia or use the Payment and Service Finder for specific guidance on your situation.
Tip: Use Australian accounting software like Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks to track income and expenses throughout the year. This simplifies tax time, ensures you claim all deductions, and makes BAS lodgement easier if you're registered for GST.
The best side hustles in Australia for 2026 include delivery driving with Menulog or Uber Eats ($20-32/hour), freelance work on Upwork or Airtasker ($25-70/hour), and Airbnb hosting ($500-2,500/month). High-skill options like web development and consulting can earn $70-200/hour. Airtasker is uniquely strong in Australia for local gig work.
Yes, you must declare all income to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), including side hustle earnings. You'll need an ABN to operate legally and must report business income in your annual tax return. If you earn more than $75,000 in 12 months, you must register for GST. Keep detailed records of all income and expenses for at least 5 years.
Side hustle income is added to your PAYG income and taxed at your marginal rate (19% to 45%) plus 2% Medicare Levy. You can claim business expense deductions including equipment, vehicle costs, and home office expenses. Set aside 25-35% of gross income for tax if you're in a middle to upper bracket. The first $18,200 is tax-free if you're under the threshold.
The fastest ways to start earning in Australia are delivery apps like Menulog, Uber Eats, or DoorDash (same day approval), Airtasker for local jobs (within days), selling items on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace (immediate), and survey sites like Octopus Group (instant payouts). Food delivery typically offers same-day earning potential once approved.
Yes, you can do a side hustle while receiving Centrelink payments, but you must report all income through your myGov account. Your payments will be reduced based on income tests for your specific payment type. JobSeeker recipients can earn up to $150 per fortnight before reductions apply. Always report income on time to avoid debt and penalties.
Most Australian side hustlers earn $800-1,800 per month working 10-20 hours per week. Delivery drivers typically make $20-32/hour, Airtasker workers $25-50/hour, freelancers $25-70/hour, and skilled professionals like developers $60-140/hour. Earnings vary significantly by location, with higher rates in Sydney and Melbourne.
Yes, most side hustles require an Australian Business Number (ABN). You need an ABN to invoice clients, work with delivery platforms, and legally operate as a sole trader. Applying for an ABN is free through abr.gov.au and typically processed within minutes. You'll need an ABN to claim business expense deductions in your tax return.
Menulog has stronger coverage in regional areas and smaller cities, while Uber Eats dominates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Menulog tends to have more restaurant partners in suburban areas. Earnings are similar ($20-32/hour), but availability varies by location. Many drivers work both platforms simultaneously to maximise order volume and earnings.
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Written by
Glen MeadeSide hustle expert who has personally tested 50+ platforms since 2019. Sharing real earnings data and honest assessments to help you find legitimate income opportunities.
Last updated: January 2026