Side Hustles
How to Choose the Right Side Hustle for You
How to choose a side hustle that fits your time, skills, budget and goals, with a simple scorecard, a hypothetical worked example and a 30-day test plan.
· 7 min read
Side hustles for Australian readers
Side Hustles in Australia: Find One That Fits, and Get the ATO Side Right
Airtasker jobs, delivery apps, selling on Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay or Vinted, freelancing and making money online in Australia can all add income, but most guides are written for the US, with platforms and tax rules that don't apply here. The free step-by-step method below shows how to choose a side hustle that fits your week, test it cheaply and work out whether you're running a hobby or a business in the ATO's eyes. Most people earn modest amounts in the first months.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
- No experience needed
- 7-day guarantee
- Honest numbers, no hype
The short answer
The best side hustles in Australia are the ones that fit your hours and skills: tasks and odd jobs through Airtasker or word of mouth, delivery apps such as Uber Eats or DoorDash, selling items on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay or Vinted, freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr, and selling handmade or digital products on Etsy. The ATO says income from a side hustle generally needs to be declared on your tax return; if it's a business you'll need an ABN, and you must register for GST once your GST turnover reaches $75,000, or from the start if you drive for a ride-sourcing app. Most people earn modest amounts at first, and results depend on your effort, market and execution.
Part of our honest guide to making money online.
Sound familiar?
Why most people never get started — or quit early
Hobby or business? You can't tell which you are
Selling a few crafts, doing the odd Airtasker job or flipping furniture can be a hobby, a business or just declared income, and each has different rules. Guessing wrong worries you all year.
ABN, GST, tax return: the paperwork feels like a wall
You've heard you need an ABN, that some apps make you register for GST from day one and that platforms report to the ATO, but nobody has laid it out for a small side hustle.
Most advice is American
Lists built around 1099s, TikTok Shop and US-only apps don't match Australia. TikTok Shop, for example, had not launched here as of our last check in 2026.
Rising costs, little spare time
After work, the commute and family, you have small pockets of time. Ideas that need long fixed blocks or a car on the road all evening often don't survive the first busy month.
The turning point
Why this approach works in Australia
Most Australian side hustles stall for three reasons: the wrong fit, numbers that were never worked out properly, and confusion about the ATO. This method handles each of them before you spend anything.
01
Fit before ideas
You start from your hours per week, your skills, your budget and your employment contract, then match those to a type of side hustle that actually operates in Australia.
02
Hobby or business, decided early
You look at what the ATO weighs, such as repeated activity, an intention to make a profit and keeping business-like records, so you know whether you need an ABN and what to declare before income arrives.
03
Small tests with records from day one
You try one idea for a few weeks with little money at risk and log every sale, hour, kilometre and expense, so tax time is a data entry job instead of a panic.
How this is different: Most side hustle content ranks ideas by the biggest income someone once reported, usually in US dollars. This page treats an Australian side hustle as a small experiment that has to fit your week, survive honest math in Australian dollars and be declared properly.
How it works
Your first steps
- 1
Check your time, skills and contract
Write down the hours you can really give each week, what you're good at and what you can spend, and check whether your employment contract limits outside work.
- 2
Shortlist ideas that work in Australia
Confirm the platform operates here before planning around it. Vinted launched in Australia on 1 July 2026 with no selling fees for sellers, while TikTok Shop had not launched here as of our last check.
- 3
Test one idea for four to six weeks
Post on Airtasker, list on Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay or Vinted, or set up a freelance profile. Track every hour, dollar and kilometre so you know your real hourly rate.
- 4
Decide hobby or business, then register what applies
If you're carrying on a business, apply for an ABN and keep records. Register for GST within 21 days of knowing your GST turnover will reach $75,000, or before your first trip if you drive for a ride-sourcing app.
- 5
Keep, fix or switch
Double down on what pays, drop what doesn't, and set money aside for tax as soon as income becomes regular, because tax usually isn't withheld from side income.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
The skills involved
What you'll need to learn
Choose a side hustle that fits an Australian week
Match ideas to your hours, commute and contract. Our guide on how to choose a side hustle walks through a simple scorecard.
Tell a hobby from a business
Understand the signs the ATO looks at, such as repeated activity aimed at a profit and business-like record-keeping, and why you can't get an ABN for a genuine hobby.
Declare side income correctly
Know that income from providing your labour, skills or goods for a fee generally belongs on your tax return, whether it came through an app or word of mouth, and which expenses you may claim against business income.
Understand ABN and GST basics
Learn when you need an ABN, how the $75,000 GST turnover threshold works and why ride-sourcing drivers must register for GST from the start regardless of turnover.
Know what platforms report to the ATO
Under the sharing economy reporting regime, in force for most platforms since 2024 (from 1 July), platforms for ride-sourcing, short-term accommodation, food delivery, asset hire and many services report sellers' transactions to the ATO; outright sales of goods are generally excluded.
Sell and take on tasks safely
Use Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, Vinted and Airtasker well, price from completed listings and meet buyers safely. Our Vinted reselling guide covers how the platform works.
Win your first freelance clients
Build a few samples, set up a profile on Upwork or Fiverr and pitch consistently. Our guide on how to start freelancing covers the first steps.
Calculate your real hourly pay
Subtract platform fees, fuel, vehicle wear, supplies and a tax set-aside before deciding an idea is worth your evenings.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
Realistic expectations
Australian side hustles compared (ranges, not promises, as of 2026)
| Side hustle | Startup cost | Platforms or channels in Australia | Time to first income | Rule or catch to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling things you already own | None | Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, Vinted | Days to a few weeks | Limited by what you own; one-off sales of personal items are usually not a business |
| Tasks and odd jobs | Low (tools you own) | Airtasker, neighbours, local groups | One to three weeks | Physical work and travel; repeated paid tasks can mean you're in business |
| Food delivery | Low if you already have a vehicle or bike | Uber Eats, DoorDash | One to two weeks after approval | Fuel and wear cut real pay; delivery platforms report transactions to the ATO |
| Ride-sourcing | Moderate (eligible car, checks) | Uber, DiDi | A few weeks after approval | ABN and GST registration required before your first trip |
| Freelancing (writing, design, admin) | Low if you have a computer | Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn | Several weeks to a few months | Slow to win first clients; platform fees and payout holds |
| Handmade or digital products | Low to moderate | Etsy, your own shop | Several weeks to months | Listing and transaction fees; slow to build |
Illustrative ranges; results vary by state, skill and time invested. Tax rules from the ATO, the Australian Business Register and business.gov.au (hobby vs business, ABN, GST registration, sharing economy reporting) as of 2026. Check current platform availability and terms before you start.
Is it right for you?
Who this is for — and who it isn't
This is for you if…
- Australian residents with a job, studies or family who can set aside a few regular hours a week
- Beginners who want to make money online in Australia without following US-only advice
- People already doing Airtasker jobs, deliveries or selling online who want to know if they're in business
- Anyone who wants the ABN, GST and ATO basics clear before the side income grows
This is NOT for you if…
- Anyone expecting a full-time income from a few hours a week
- People who need a large sum within days to cover an emergency; side hustles usually ramp up too slowly
- Anyone hoping to keep side income off their tax return
- People who need personalised tax advice; for that, contact the ATO or a registered tax agent
401
free guides published
3,028
official sources cited
0
income promises
Oct 3, 2026
last updated
Every guide is checked against official sources. See our editorial policy.
From readers of the ebook
What buyers told us
“I found some interesting ideas for earning extra income in my spare time.”
Emily S. · ebook buyer “The examples helped me think about how I could use my skills for freelance work.”
James M. · ebook buyer “I liked exploring extra-income options that could fit around my studies.”
Olivia R. · ebook buyer “The information gave me a starting point for planning a small side project.”
William A. · ebook buyer “I felt more organized after outlining what I could offer and how much time I had available.”
Charlotte P. · ebook buyer
Shared by buyers who agreed to publication. These are individual experiences, not typical results, and none of them describes earnings. See our earnings disclaimer.
Who's behind this
Why trust Getback
Getback publishes free, practical guides on making money online and managing it well. We show real costs, realistic timelines and the trade-offs most “gurus” skip — and we never promise income. Read how we research and update every guide in our editorial policy.
Go deeper
Compare every path before you commit
The ebook
The Honest Guide to Making Money Online
A practical, beginner-friendly ebook about realistic ways to earn money online. Instead of promising quick or guaranteed income, it explains how each method works, what it may cost to start, the skills involved, common mistakes to avoid and practical first steps.
- Freelancing & remote work
- Side hustles
- Affiliate marketing & content
- Digital products & selling online
- AI tools & automation
- Other legitimate paths — compared honestly
How the ebook fits: The ebook compares realistic ways to earn on the side and online, including freelancing, selling online, digital products and side hustles, with the startup costs, skills and common mistakes of each. It is written for an international reader, not as an Australian tax guide: for ATO, ABN and GST rules, use this page and the official ATO and business.gov.au sites, and check your own situation.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
One-time payment · instant digital access
The Honest Guide to Making Money Online
Today's price is shown at checkout in your local currency. Payment and delivery by Hotmart.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
7-day money-back guarantee. Not for you? Ask for a refund within 7 days through Hotmart and get every cent back.
Try it for 7 days, risk-free
Go through the lessons. If you decide it isn't for you, request a refund within 7 days through Hotmart and you get your money back, no questions asked.
Free PDF
The Side Hustles starter checklist
Every step to get started, a 7-day plan, the numbers to track and the scams to skip — on two printable pages.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare side hustle income in Australia?
Generally yes. The ATO says that when you provide your labour, skills or goods for a fee, you usually need to report that income in your tax return, whether it came through a digital platform or word of mouth.
Do I need an ABN for a side hustle?
You need an ABN if you're carrying on a business, which usually means repeated activity with the intention of making a profit. You can't get an ABN for a hobby, and ride-sourcing drivers need one because they must register for GST.
When do I have to register for GST?
When your GST turnover reaches $75,000, and within 21 days of knowing it will. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers, such as those on Uber or DiDi, must register regardless of turnover.
Do apps report my side hustle income to the ATO?
Many do. Under the sharing economy reporting regime, ride-sourcing, short-term accommodation, food delivery, asset hire and many service platforms report sellers' transactions to the ATO; outright sales of goods are generally not covered.
What is the best way to make money online in Australia as a beginner?
Selling things you already own and offering one service you can already do are the simplest starts. Freelancing and selling products take longer but can grow; our beginner guide to making money online compares the paths.
What exactly is The Honest Guide to Making Money Online?
It's a beginner-friendly ebook that compares realistic ways to earn money online — freelancing, remote work, side hustles, affiliate marketing, digital products, AI tools, selling online and other legitimate paths. For each one it explains how it works, what it may cost to start, the skills involved, common mistakes and practical first steps. It's an overview to help you choose, not a specialist manual on a single method.
Who is it for?
Beginners who want an honest map before they spend time or money — people with a job, students, parents at home — and who are willing to put in consistent effort. It is not for anyone looking for a shortcut.
How long until I see results?
It varies a lot and depends on your skills, effort, market and execution. Many beginners need weeks to months of consistent work before earning anything meaningful, and some never do. Anyone promising fixed results or timelines is not being honest with you.
How much does it cost?
The price is shown at checkout in your own currency, as a one-time payment. Several of the methods in the ebook can be started with little or no money beyond a phone or computer; paid tools are explained with their real costs before you decide.
How do I get it after buying?
Payment and delivery are handled by Hotmart. After checkout you receive an email with access to the ebook, available right away.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. You have a 7-day money-back guarantee under Hotmart's refund policy. If it isn't for you, request a refund within 7 days of purchase and you get your money back.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. It's a digital ebook you can read on a phone, tablet or computer.
Is this legit or a scam?
The ebook is sold through Hotmart, a large digital-products platform, and comes with a money-back guarantee. It doesn't promise income — it explains methods, costs and risks so you can decide for yourself.
Side Hustles in Australia: Find One That Fits, and Get the ATO Side Right
Airtasker jobs, delivery apps, selling on Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay or Vinted, freelancing and making money online in Australia can all add income, but most guides are written for the US, with platforms and tax rules that don't apply here. The free step-by-step method below shows how to choose a side hustle that fits your week, test it cheaply and work out whether you're running a hobby or a business in the ATO's eyes. Most people earn modest amounts in the first months.
Check the price →
Secure checkout by Hotmart · 7-day money-back guarantee
Free Side Hustles in Australia guides
Side Hustles
What Is Gig Work? Pros, Cons and Your Rights
Gig work is short, on-demand paid work, usually found through an app. Here's how classification, taxes, benefits and your rights work in 2026.
· 11 min read
Sell Online
Vinted Reselling: How to Make Money Selling on Vinted
Vinted reselling explained: no seller fees, a buyer-paid protection fee, the rule against buying to resell, US vs UK rules, payouts and listing tips.
· 7 min read
Also consider: Side Hustles · Make Money Online for Beginners · or browse every way to make money online.
Earnings disclaimer: Results vary from person to person and depend on effort, market and execution. This is educational material and does not guarantee earnings. See our full earnings disclaimer.