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Side hustle ideas for students in Australia

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 6h ago

How to use this list

This guide lists common side hustles for students in Australia, from casual jobs to small freelance businesses. It does not rank them, because the right choice depends on your timetable, skills, visa conditions and location. Each entry explains how the option works and what you need, using official sources for visa, wage and tax rules. Check current rules before you start, as they change.

Comparison table

| Side hustle | Employee or self-employed | ABN usually needed | Typical requirements |

|---|---|---|---|

| Casual retail or hospitality | Employee | No | Tax file number, availability on weekends and evenings |

| Tutoring | Either | If self-employed | Subject knowledge; Working With Children Check for under-18s |

| Food delivery | Contractor on most apps | Yes | Bike, scooter or car; smartphone; app approval |

| Pet sitting and dog walking | Usually self-employed | Yes | Experience with animals, reliability |

| Selling second-hand items | Hobby or business | If a business | Photos, postage costs |

| Freelance design or writing | Self-employed | Yes | Portfolio, invoicing |

| Campus jobs | Employee | No | Student enrolment |

| Event and festival work | Employee | No | Responsible service of alcohol for bar roles |

| Seasonal farm work | Employee | No | Available during breaks; travel |

1. Casual retail and hospitality

Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and shops hire many students on a casual basis. As an employee you are entitled to at least the minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission, plus a casual loading, and your employer withholds tax and pays superannuation where required. Ask for your pay rate in writing and check it against the relevant award with the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay calculator.

2. Tutoring

Students who did well in high school subjects can tutor younger students, either through a tutoring company as an employee or independently. Working with children usually requires a Working With Children Check in your state or territory. Independent tutors set their own rates and will usually need an ABN.

3. Food delivery

Delivery apps let you choose when to work, but riders and drivers on most platforms are treated as independent contractors rather than employees. That means you need an ABN, pay your own tax and are not covered by the minimum wage in the same way as employees. Costs include fuel, maintenance and phone data, and the risks include road accidents, so insurance matters.

4. Pet sitting and dog walking

Many pet owners need help during work hours or holidays. You can work through an app or build a local client base. Experience with animals and reliability are the main requirements. Clear agreements on feeding, medication and emergencies help avoid problems.

5. Selling second-hand items

Selling clothes, textbooks and electronics you no longer need is a simple way to raise cash. The ATO explains that occasional sales of personal items are generally not business income, but buying items to resell for profit can be a business. Keep records of what you buy and sell.

6. Freelance design, writing and coding

Students with creative or technical skills can find small projects through freelance platforms or directly. Build a portfolio, set clear prices and use written agreements. You will usually need an ABN and must declare the income.

7. Campus jobs

Universities hire students for roles such as library assistants, student ambassadors, research assistants and events staff. Campus roles often fit around timetables and can build useful experience. Check your university careers service.

8. Event and festival work

Concerts, sporting events and festivals hire casual staff for ticketing, bar work and setup. Bar roles usually need a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. Event work can be irregular but well suited to breaks.

9. Seasonal work during breaks

Fruit picking, packing and tourism jobs are available in many regions during summer. International students should note that the 48-hours-per-fortnight limit generally applies only while the course is in session; scheduled breaks allow unlimited hours under most student visas. Accommodation and travel costs can be significant, so compare them with expected pay.

Visa rules for international students

The Department of Home Affairs says student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. A fortnight means a two-week period starting on a Monday. Breaching work conditions can lead to visa cancellation, so track your hours carefully across all jobs, including self-employed work.

Minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year, with new rates usually starting from 1 July. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour for adult employees not covered by an award, and casual employees receive a casual loading on top. Many jobs are covered by awards with higher minimum rates. Use the salary calculator on this site to compare weekly and annual figures.

Worked example: a student works 15 hours a week as a casual employee at a base rate of $26.44 plus a 25% casual loading. That gives $33.05 an hour and $495.75 a week before tax. These figures are illustrative; your rate depends on your award and age.

Tax and the tax-free threshold

Australian residents for tax purposes pay no income tax on the first $18,200 of taxable income each year. When you start a job, your employer asks for your tax file number and whether to claim the tax-free threshold. International students may not be residents for tax purposes, which changes the rates. Self-employed income must be declared in your tax return, and the ATO's sharing economy guidance covers ride-sourcing, delivery and other platform work.

Getting an ABN

If you run your own business, you can apply for an Australian Business Number free through the Australian Business Register. An ABN is needed for many contractor roles, such as delivery apps. Only apply when you are genuinely carrying on a business, and keep records of income and expenses.

Scams to avoid

Students are frequent targets for job scams. Be wary of offers that pay unusually high rates for simple tasks, ask you to pay for training or equipment upfront, request your bank details before any interview, or ask you to receive and transfer money. Check employers through official business registers and never share your tax file number with anyone except a genuine employer or the ATO.

Balancing work and study

Earning money helps with rent and living costs, but study comes first. Plan your work hours around assessment periods and keep at least one evening free each week. Many students find that a regular small job is easier to manage than several irregular gigs.

Superannuation

Employees aged 18 and over are generally entitled to superannuation contributions from their employer, paid into a super fund on top of wages. Students under 18 qualify if they work more than 30 hours in a week. Check that contributions appear in your fund, and consider consolidating funds if you change jobs often. Contractors usually arrange their own super.

Keeping track of hours and income

A simple spreadsheet with dates, hours, employer or platform and pay makes it easier to check payslips, stay within visa limits and complete your tax return. Save payslips and platform statements as PDFs. If you have more than one job, note which employer you claim the tax-free threshold with, because normally you claim it with only one.

Questions to ask before you start

- Am I an employee or a contractor?

- What is the hourly rate, and is it at or above the award rate?

- Will hours fit around my timetable and visa limits?

- What costs will I pay, such as fuel or equipment?

- Is the business registered and easy to verify?

Where to look for work

University careers services, the Australian government's Workforce Australia jobs board, local noticeboards and employer websites are good places to start. Apply directly through official company sites where possible, and be cautious with roles advertised only through messaging apps or social media.

Questions from readers

Have a question about working while studying in Australia? Send it through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This guide is general information based on official Australian government sources at the time of writing. Visa, wage and tax rules change. It is not financial, legal, tax or migration advice.

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