Best side hustles in Australia
Australian side hustles, and the ATO rules that decide what you keep.
The ideas below suit Australia's market. Costs are shown in USD estimates, so convert for planning.
ATO rules in brief
- Declare side hustle income in your tax return, whether it's a hobby or a business affects how (ATO: hobby or business).
- If you're carrying on a business, you'll usually need an ABN.
- GST: register once your GST turnover reaches $75,000. Ride-sourcing drivers must register for GST regardless of turnover (ATO: registering for GST).
12 side hustles compared
| Idea | Startup cost* | Time to first sale* | Skills needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance writing / copywriting | $0–$300 | 2-6 weeks | Clear writing, research, pitching |
| Virtual assistant | $0–$200 | 1-4 weeks | Organisation, email/calendar tools, reliability |
| Video editing / short-form clipping | $0–$1,500 | 1-4 weeks | Editing software, pacing, captions |
| Online tutoring | $0–$200 | 1-3 weeks | Subject expertise, patience, clear explanations |
| Reselling / thrift flipping | $50–$500 | 1-2 weeks | Product knowledge, photography, negotiation |
| Etsy / handmade shop | $100–$1,000 | 1-3 months | A craft, product photos, listing SEO |
| Pet sitting & dog walking | $50–$500 | 1-2 weeks | Reliability, animal handling |
| Cleaning service | $200–$1,500 | 1-3 weeks | Thoroughness, scheduling |
| Photography | $500–$5,000 | 2-8 weeks | Camera skills, editing, posing people |
| Graphic design | $0–$700 | 2-6 weeks | Design tools, typography, briefs |
| Delivery & gig apps | $0–$500 | Days | A vehicle or bike, time |
| Garden & lawn care | $300–$3,000 | 1-2 weeks | Equipment, reliability |
*Solopreneur.co estimates for a lean, one-person start (equipment you don't already own, software, samples, basic insurance where relevant). Not survey data; your costs will vary by location.
1. Freelance writing / copywriting
Write web pages, emails, case studies or blog posts for businesses that don't have an in-house writer.
- Startup cost
- $0–$300
- First sale
- 2-6 weeks
- Skills
- Clear writing, research, pitching
How to start
- Pick one industry you already understand (e.g. SaaS, dentists, real estate).
- Write 3 sample pieces for that industry and host them on a free portfolio page.
- Pitch 10 businesses a day for two weeks with a specific idea for their site.
- Price per project, not per word, once you have two paying clients.
Watch out: Generic AI-written content is now cheap; you win on research, interviews and results.
Sources: BLS: Writers and Authors
2. Virtual assistant
Handle inboxes, scheduling, bookkeeping prep, travel or customer emails for busy founders.
- Startup cost
- $0–$200
- First sale
- 1-4 weeks
- Skills
- Organisation, email/calendar tools, reliability
How to start
- List 5 tasks you can do well today (inbox triage, scheduling, data entry, Canva graphics).
- Offer a fixed monthly package (e.g. 10 hours) instead of open-ended hourly work.
- Find first clients through your own network and founder communities.
- Document every recurring task as a checklist so you can raise rates later.
Watch out: Low barrier means price pressure; specialise (e.g. podcast VA, real-estate VA).
3. Video editing / short-form clipping
Edit long videos and podcasts into short clips for creators, coaches and brands.
- Startup cost
- $0–$1,500
- First sale
- 1-4 weeks
- Skills
- Editing software, pacing, captions
How to start
- Learn one editor (free options exist) and make 10 sample clips from public-domain or your own footage.
- Offer a weekly clip package to podcasters and YouTubers.
- Agree on turnaround time and revision limits in writing.
- Track which clips perform and use that data to raise rates.
Watch out: 'Clipping' programs that pay per view vary widely; read payout terms before investing time.
Sources: BLS: Film and Video Editors
4. Online tutoring
Teach school subjects, test prep, languages or coding over video.
- Startup cost
- $0–$200
- First sale
- 1-3 weeks
- Skills
- Subject expertise, patience, clear explanations
How to start
- Pick a subject and level where results are measurable (exam scores, grades).
- List on one tutoring marketplace to get first reviews, then move repeat clients to direct booking.
- Sell packages of 8-10 sessions rather than single sessions.
- Ask parents/students for permission-based referrals.
Watch out: Working with minors may require background checks depending on platform or location.
Sources: BLS: Teachers (related occupations)
5. Reselling / thrift flipping
Buy underpriced items (thrift stores, garage sales, clearance) and resell online.
- Startup cost
- $50–$500
- First sale
- 1-2 weeks
- Skills
- Product knowledge, photography, negotiation
How to start
- Choose one category you know (sneakers, vintage clothing, electronics).
- Check sold (not listed) prices before buying.
- Photograph well and list on 2-3 marketplaces.
- Track profit per item after fees and shipping.
Watch out: Marketplaces report payments to tax authorities above thresholds; keep records.
Sources: IRS: Form 1099-K FAQs
6. Etsy / handmade shop
Sell handmade goods, crafts or vintage items through a marketplace or your own store.
- Startup cost
- $100–$1,000
- First sale
- 1-3 months
- Skills
- A craft, product photos, listing SEO
How to start
- Make 10-20 items and price them including your time.
- Write listings with the words buyers actually search.
- Invest in good photos (natural light, consistent background).
- Add a simple email list for repeat buyers.
Watch out: Your time is the hidden cost; price for it or the shop won't be sustainable.
Sources: SBA: calculate startup costs
7. Pet sitting & dog walking
Walk dogs or care for pets while owners work or travel.
- Startup cost
- $50–$500
- First sale
- 1-2 weeks
- Skills
- Reliability, animal handling
How to start
- Start with neighbours and local community groups.
- Get pet-care insurance and, if you like, a pet first-aid course.
- Use a simple booking and payment process.
- Build routes so walks cluster geographically.
Watch out: Liability: one bad incident can end the business; get insurance.
Sources: BLS: Animal Care and Service Workers
8. Cleaning service
Clean homes or small offices on a recurring schedule.
- Startup cost
- $200–$1,500
- First sale
- 1-3 weeks
- Skills
- Thoroughness, scheduling
How to start
- Start with recurring residential clients (weekly/biweekly).
- Use a checklist per visit so quality is consistent.
- Get liability insurance and, if hiring later, bonding.
- Price per visit after timing your first few jobs.
Watch out: Physical work and travel time limit how far one person can scale.
Sources: BLS: Janitors and Building Cleaners
9. Photography
Shoot portraits, events, products or real estate.
- Startup cost
- $500–$5,000
- First sale
- 2-8 weeks
- Skills
- Camera skills, editing, posing people
How to start
- Choose one niche (headshots, product, real estate, weddings).
- Build a portfolio with 10-20 strong images in that niche.
- Publish clear packages and prices.
- Use contracts that cover usage rights and deposits.
Watch out: Gear costs can spiral; rent before buying.
Sources: BLS: Photographers
10. Graphic design
Design logos, social graphics, packaging or pitch decks.
- Startup cost
- $0–$700
- First sale
- 2-6 weeks
- Skills
- Design tools, typography, briefs
How to start
- Pick a niche (e.g. podcast covers, restaurant menus).
- Build 6-10 portfolio pieces, including self-initiated briefs.
- Sell fixed packages with revision limits.
- Ask every client for a referral.
Watch out: Template tools and AI compress low-end prices; specialise up.
Sources: BLS: Graphic Designers
11. Delivery & gig apps
Deliver food or parcels through gig platforms.
- Startup cost
- $0–$500
- First sale
- Days
- Skills
- A vehicle or bike, time
How to start
- Compare platforms in your city.
- Track all mileage from day one (deductible in many tax systems).
- Work peak hours only.
- Treat it as a bridge while building something with more upside.
Watch out: After vehicle costs, net pay can be low; track it honestly.
Sources: IRS: gig economy tax center
12. Garden & lawn care
Mow, weed and maintain gardens on a recurring schedule.
- Startup cost
- $300–$3,000
- First sale
- 1-2 weeks
- Skills
- Equipment, reliability
How to start
- Start in your own neighbourhood to minimise driving.
- Sell season-long plans.
- Add higher-margin services (planting, cleanup).
- Check pesticide licensing if you apply chemicals.
Watch out: Pesticide application commonly needs a licence.
How to choose between these ideas
Score each idea 1–5 on four questions and start the one with the highest total:
- Can you get paid in 30 days? Services usually beat products here.
- Do you already have the skill? Learning and selling at once doubles the risk.
- Do you know where buyers gather? A community, marketplace, local street or your old industry.
- Could it run on 5–10 hours a week? Most people start alongside a job.
Then validate before spending money: see how to test a business idea.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ABN for a side hustle in Australia?
When do I register for GST in Australia?
Sources
- ATO: hobby or business ato.gov.au
- ATO: registering for GST ato.gov.au
- BLS: Writers and Authors bls.gov
- BLS: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants bls.gov
- BLS: Film and Video Editors bls.gov
- BLS: Teachers (related occupations) bls.gov
- IRS: Form 1099-K FAQs irs.gov
- SBA: calculate startup costs sba.gov
- BLS: Animal Care and Service Workers bls.gov
- BLS: Janitors and Building Cleaners bls.gov
- BLS: Photographers bls.gov
- BLS: Graphic Designers bls.gov
- IRS: gig economy tax center irs.gov
- EPA: pesticide applicator certification epa.gov
Checked 21 Oct 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Update history
- : first published; figures checked against the sources listed.