Side Hustle Starter
50 real ways to earn extra income — from this weekend onwards
Last reviewed October 2026
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0 of 50 explored
Most of these cost nothing to start. Pick one, start this week, and see what happens. ✓
Startup cost:
Free to start
Under $100
Some investment
Sell Things
12 ideas
Ideas for making and reselling as an ongoing income. Selling the things you already own is covered in Find Me Money (Sell What's Around Your House).
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001
Sell other people's things on commission
Lots of people want to declutter but don't have time to list and sell. Offer to photograph, list and handle buyers for a percentage of the sale price — older neighbours, busy families and deceased estates are common clients. Agree the split in writing.
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002
Fix up and resell bikes
Second-hand bikes, especially kids' bikes, are easy to find cheaply. A clean, new tubes, brake and gear adjustment and a fresh seat can add real value. Check sold listings first, and learn basic safety checks before you sell.
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003
Flip op-shop finds on eBay or Marketplace
Buy low at op shops and garage sales, then resell online. Vintage homewares, collectibles and brand clothing flip best — check eBay sold listings before you buy. Regular buying to resell may count as a business for tax.
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004
Sell homemade food at local markets
Baked goods, jams and sauces sell well at weekend markets. Before you start, check council approval and food safety requirements (the NSW Food Authority in NSW). Stall fees vary by market.
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005
Sell handmade crafts on Etsy
Candles, jewellery, prints and personalised gifts are popular. Price in Etsy's fees, postage and your time, and check product safety and labelling rules for items like candles and skincare.
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006
Upcycle and resell furniture
Buy tired solid-timber pieces cheaply, then sand, paint or re-stain and resell. Before-and-after photos sell the transformation. Use low-VOC products and a mask when sanding.
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007
Sell printables on Etsy
Budget planners, wall art and meal planners can be designed once in Canva and sold as digital downloads. It takes time to build listings and sales — and check Canva's licence terms for selling templates and elements.
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008
Grow and sell plants or seedlings
Propagate succulents, herbs or native plants from cuttings and sell at markets, on Marketplace or through community groups. Very low cost to start. Check biosecurity rules before posting plants interstate.
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009
Sell eggs from backyard chickens
A small flock can lay more eggs than one family needs. Before selling, check your council's rules on keeping poultry and your state's food safety rules for selling eggs (e.g. egg stamping requirements).
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010
Buy clearance stock and resell online
Buy discounted end-of-season or clearance stock (toys, homewares, branded clothing) and resell it on eBay or Marketplace when demand is higher. Check sold prices before you buy, start small, and keep records — buying to resell regularly is a business for tax.
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011
Sell photos on stock photo sites
Upload to sites like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock or Alamy and earn a royalty when images are licensed. Per-download earnings are small, so it takes a large portfolio. You'll need model releases for recognisable people.
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012
Make personalised items to order
Personalised names, labels, signage, cake toppers and gifts are popular for parties, schools and weddings. A cutting machine (like a Cricut) or a small engraver is the main cost. Take orders through Etsy, Marketplace or local parent groups, and price in your materials and time.
Offer a Service
14 ideas
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013
Lawn mowing and garden maintenance
Start with neighbours, then list on Airtasker and local Facebook groups. Rates vary by area and lawn size. Public liability insurance is strongly recommended. (Startup assumes you already own a mower.)
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014
House cleaning
Rates commonly sit around $35–55 an hour, more for end-of-lease or deep cleans. Word of mouth grows fast. No formal qualifications are required, but public liability insurance is strongly recommended.
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015
Dog walking and pet sitting
List on Pawshake or Mad Paws and set your own rates. Regular clients often book weekly, making this reliable recurring income once established. Factor in platform fees.
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016
Tutoring kids or adults
Tutoring commonly pays around $40–80 an hour; maths, science and English are in high demand. Advertise locally or apply to tutoring companies. You'll generally need a Working With Children Check for under-18s.
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017
Food and grocery delivery
Deliver for platforms like DoorDash or Uber Eats, or offer an errand service to older neighbours. You're usually an independent contractor — you'll need an ABN, and vehicle costs, insurance and tax come out of what you earn.
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018
Flat-pack furniture assembly
Flat-pack assembly is one of the most common Airtasker tasks. Charge per job or by the hour. One job on a Saturday can pay well with basic tools.
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019
Car washing and detailing
Offer a mobile service and go to the customer. Check your council's rules — wash water generally mustn't run into stormwater drains.
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020
Home organising and decluttering
Help people sort, organise and donate. Rates commonly sit around $50–80 an hour. Before-and-after photos (with permission) sell this service visually.
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021
Babysitting
Babysitters commonly earn around $20–35 an hour depending on experience. Use platforms like Juggle Street or Babysits, or local parent groups. In NSW, babysitting by private arrangement doesn't need a Working With Children Check, but agency babysitting does (rules differ by state) — many parents will ask for one anyway. A first aid certificate is recommended.
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022
Pool cleaning and maintenance
A regular round of clients can build steady weekly income. Learn safe chemical handling, get public liability insurance, and budget for test kits and equipment.
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023
Tech support for older people
Set up phones, fix slow computers, help with online banking and printers. Rates commonly around $40–80 an hour. Build trust: never ask for passwords, and help clients spot scams.
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024
Ironing and laundry service
Offer a collect, iron and return service for busy families, charging per hour or per basket. Low overheads and done from home.
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025
Paid market research
Focus groups and user testing may pay around $50–200 for a session of 1–2 hours. Register with research platforms such as Askable. Many studies are online. Never pay to join.
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026
Run a mobile coffee or food van
A coffee cart at markets and events can earn well on good days, but startup costs often run into the thousands. You'll need food business registration, council permits and insurance before trading.
Digital & Online
12 ideas
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027
Freelance your professional skills
Whatever your day job — admin, finance, HR, marketing, compliance — someone may need it freelance. List on Upwork or Fiverr, or approach small businesses directly. Check your employment contract first.
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028
Social media management for small businesses
Many small businesses know they need social media but don't have time. Charging around $300–800 a month per client, two clients becomes a solid second income. Make sure client content meets advertising rules.
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Virtual assistant
Inbox management, scheduling, data entry, research and customer service — all doable remotely. Rates vary widely with experience and skills. Great for organised people.
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030
Copywriting and content writing
Businesses constantly need blogs, emails, product descriptions and website copy. Price per project, per word or by the hour. Start with industries you already know well.
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031
Bookkeeping for small businesses
If you know Xero or MYOB, small businesses may pay for regular bookkeeping. Important: to provide BAS services for a fee (e.g. preparing or lodging BAS) you must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board.
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032
Create and sell an online course
Package what you know into a short course on platforms like Teachable, Thinkific or Podia. Example: a $47 course with 100 buyers is $4,700 before platform fees and marketing costs. Teach what you already do well.
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033
Transcription work
Transcribe audio or video into text through platforms such as Rev. Rates are low and demand has fallen as AI tools improve — treat it as small, flexible income.
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034
Canva template design
Design Instagram templates, business card sets or presentation decks and sell them on Etsy or Creative Market. Check Canva's licence terms for selling templates.
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035
Affiliate marketing through a blog or social
Recommend products you genuinely use and earn a commission on sales. Amazon Associates, Commission Factory and Rakuten Advertising operate in Australia. You must clearly disclose affiliate links.
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036
Website setup for small businesses
Many tradies and local businesses need a simple website. Build one with Squarespace or Wix and offer ongoing updates as an add-on service.
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Paid online surveys
Not a life-changer, and not passive — you're trading time for small amounts. Try sites such as Pureprofile or Swagbucks, protect your personal details and never pay to join.
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038
Proofreading and editing
Proofread essays, business documents, website copy and self-published books. Strong attention to detail is the main requirement.
Rent Out What You Own
6 ideas
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Rent out your car on Turo
List your car when you're not using it (Car Next Door / Uber Carshare closed in 2024). Read what Turo's host protection covers, tell your insurer and financier, and remember earnings are taxable.
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Rent your parking spot or garage on Spacer
If you have a spare driveway, garage or storage space, list it on Spacer. Earnings depend heavily on location — spots near train stations, CBDs and venues do best. Check strata or lease rules first.
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041
List a spare room on Airbnb
Income depends on location and how often you host. Check council and strata rules, NSW short-term rental registration if it applies, and the tax impact — including on your main residence CGT exemption.
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042
Rent out camera or AV equipment
Cameras, lenses, lighting and audio gear can earn money when you're not shooting. Rent through local creative groups or rental platforms operating in Australia, use a written agreement and take a bond.
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043
Rent tools and equipment to neighbours
Lawnmowers, pressure washers, drills and ladders are things most households rarely use. List in local community groups, take a bond and check your insurance.
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044
Rent your home as a film or photo location
Production companies hire homes for shoots. Register with location agencies and listing platforms, check insurance and strata rules, and agree terms in writing. Homes with character tend to book most.
Creative & Content
6 ideas
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045
Start a YouTube channel
YouTube's Partner Program requires 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months (or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days). Niche channels often grow faster. Expect 6–18 months before it pays.
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046
Grow an Instagram account and earn via brand deals
Micro-influencers can earn from sponsored posts, with rates varying widely by niche and engagement. Paid partnerships must be clearly disclosed. Consistency beats perfection.
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Wedding or event photography
Wedding photographers commonly charge in the thousands per event. Build a portfolio first, use written contracts, and get equipment and liability insurance.
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048
Face painting or balloon twisting at events
Kids' parties and community events book face painters and balloon artists. Use cosmetic-grade face paints, and check whether a Working With Children Check is needed for your gigs.
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049
Start a newsletter and monetise with sponsors
Engaged newsletters can sell sponsored mentions. Use Substack or Beehiiv and build around a topic you know deeply. Label sponsored content clearly.
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050
Sell your own digital products
eBooks, guides, templates, checklists and planners. Sell through Gumroad, Stan Store, Podia or your own website. It can scale — but still needs marketing and customer support.
Important information — please read
- General information only
- This guide shares general information and personal experience only. It doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not financial, tax, legal or credit advice. Living Invested is not a financial adviser, tax agent, lawyer or credit provider. Before acting, consider whether the information suits your circumstances and speak with an appropriately licensed or registered professional.
- Earnings are illustrative
- Earning ranges and startup costs are illustrative estimates based on typical market rates — not guarantees. Results depend on effort, location, skills, time and demand.
- Tax, registration and licences
- Side hustle income is generally taxable and must be declared. You may need an ABN, and you must register for GST once turnover reaches $75,000 (or from the first dollar for ride-sourcing). Some platforms report earnings to the ATO. Some hustles need insurance, licences, food or council approvals, or a Working With Children Check. If you receive Centrelink payments, you must report your income.
- Check it's still current
- Details were checked in October 2026. Government payments, thresholds, tax rules, platform terms, fees and prices change often. Always confirm with the official source (e.g. ato.gov.au, servicesaustralia.gov.au, moneysmart.gov.au, fairwork.gov.au) before acting.
- Brands are examples, not recommendations
- Companies, products, apps and platforms are mentioned as examples only — not as recommendations or endorsements. Read the terms, fees and any Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you sign up for anything.
- Your responsibility
- To the extent permitted by law, Living Invested accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of or reliance on this guide. Watch out for scams: legitimate opportunities won't ask you to pay upfront to earn money, and government agencies won't cold-call asking for payment.
© 2026 Living Invested · @livinginvested_ · livinginvested.com.au. For your personal use only — please don't share, copy or resell.