Weekend side hustles in Australia that fit a full-time job

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 1h ago

Why weekends work

With most full-time jobs running Monday to Friday, weekends are the natural time for extra work in Australia. A side hustle can help with rising living costs, build savings for a home deposit, or test a business idea. This guide ranks practical weekend side hustles by how well they fit around a full-time job, considering flexibility, startup cost and the rules you need to follow. It does not promise any level of income, which depends on your location, skills and effort.

Before you start: your contract

Many employment contracts include clauses about outside work, conflicts of interest and use of company resources. Some require you to tell your employer or get approval before taking on a second job, especially in the same industry. Public servants often have formal rules on outside employment. Read your contract and policy documents, and keep your side hustle separate from your main job.

ABN, tax and GST basics

If you work as an employee on weekends, your employer withholds tax through payroll. Tell your second employer whether you are claiming the tax-free threshold, which is usually claimed with your main employer only. If you run your own business, you generally need an ABN and must declare business income in your tax return. You can claim expenses that relate to earning that income. GST registration is required when your business turnover reaches 75,000 dollars a year, and from the first dollar for ride-sourcing drivers. The ATO receives data from many sharing economy platforms, so undeclared income is easy to spot.

1. Casual weekend shifts

Hospitality, retail, events and aged care often need weekend staff. Casual employees under many modern awards receive higher penalty rates on Saturdays and Sundays, making weekend shifts relatively well paid. There are no startup costs, though some roles need a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate or other checks. The downside is less control over your hours and the need to fit rosters.

Worked example: penalty rates

Chloe works a casual Sunday shift of 6 hours in hospitality. If her casual base rate is 30 dollars an hour and the Sunday rate is 150 percent of that, she earns 45 dollars an hour, or 270 dollars for the shift before tax. On a Saturday at 125 percent, she would earn 37.50 dollars an hour. Award rates differ by industry and change each year, so she checks the current pay guide on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

2. Private tutoring

If you have strong subject knowledge, tutoring school students on weekends is in steady demand, especially for maths, English and science and before exams. You will need a Working With Children Check in your state or territory. Tutoring can be done online or in person, and rates depend on subject and experience. You will usually need an ABN if you tutor independently.

3. Market stalls

Weekend markets are a great outlet for crafts, art, plants, vintage clothing and food. Stall fees vary from market to market. Selling food usually needs council registration or approval and compliance with food safety rules. You may also need public liability insurance, which many markets require. Markets let you test products and build local customers.

4. Pet sitting and dog walking

Pet owners often need help at weekends while they travel. Pet sitting and dog walking have low startup costs and fit around other commitments. Many people use online platforms to find clients, which take a commission. Consider insurance and clear agreements with owners about care, emergencies and keys.

5. Event photography

Weddings, parties and sports events often happen at weekends. Photography can pay well per event but needs quality equipment, editing time and a portfolio. Agree contracts with clients covering deliverables, deposits and cancellations.

6. Freelance work

Writing, design, bookkeeping, web development and virtual assistance can be done remotely on weekends. Freelancing lets you use professional skills without a commute, but you must manage client expectations and deadlines. Avoid working for clients that compete with your employer.

7. Delivery and rideshare

Food delivery and rideshare apps let you work whenever you choose. Rideshare drivers must register for GST from the start and meet state requirements for drivers and vehicles. Track kilometres and expenses carefully, as car costs reduce real earnings significantly.

Worked example: real delivery earnings

Ben does food delivery on Saturday for 5 hours and earns 150 dollars. He drives 80 kilometres. Using the ATO cents per kilometre rate as a rough guide to vehicle costs, about 88 cents per kilometre, his car costs are around 70 dollars. His net before tax is 80 dollars, or 16 dollars an hour. Without tracking, he might have thought he earned 30 dollars an hour.

8. Short-stay hosting

Hosting a spare room or property for short stays can earn income on weekends. Check state and local rules, which may require registration or limit the number of nights, and get permission from your landlord or strata. Rental income is taxable, and selling the home later can have capital gains tax implications.

9. Reselling and online selling

Buying second-hand items at garage sales, op shops or clearance sales and reselling them online is a popular weekend activity. Furniture, branded clothing, tools and collectibles can sell well. Start small with items you understand, and factor in fuel, platform fees and time spent photographing and replying to messages. Selling your own unwanted belongings occasionally is usually not a business, but regularly buying to resell for profit generally is, which means the profit is taxable and you may need an ABN.

10. Handyman and gardening jobs

Mowing lawns, gardening, assembling furniture and small repairs are in demand on weekends, especially from busy households and older residents. Startup costs depend on the tools you already own. Some work, such as electrical, plumbing and larger building jobs, legally requires a licence, so stick to tasks you are allowed to do. Public liability insurance is a sensible protection when working on other people's property.

Worked example: comparing three options

Mia has two free weekend days a month and considers three options. Casual retail shifts would pay about 35 dollars an hour on weekends with no costs. Dog walking would pay about 25 dollars per walk, and she could fit three walks an hour in a park group, but would need insurance costing a few hundred dollars a year. A market stall selling candles would need 600 dollars of supplies and a 70 dollar stall fee each market, with uncertain sales. She starts with dog walking because it uses her love of animals, has low costs and lets her set her own hours, and keeps the market stall as a later idea.

Hobby or business?

The ATO distinguishes between a hobby and a business. A hobby is a pastime done for enjoyment, and its income is generally not taxable. A business is carried on with the intention of making a profit, is repeated and regular, and is run in a businesslike way. If you sell items at markets every weekend, advertise and keep stock, you are likely running a business. The official hobby or business guide from the federal government can help you decide.

Managing your energy

Working seven days a week can quickly lead to exhaustion. Many people find one weekend day of side work and one day of rest is sustainable. Block out time for family, exercise and sleep. If your side hustle starts to affect your performance at your main job, it may be time to scale back or raise your prices so you can work fewer hours.

Choosing the right hustle

Consider your skills, budget, energy and time. Low-cost options like casual shifts and pet sitting are easy to start. Higher-cost options like photography may pay more per hour once you are established. Think about how much rest you need; burning out can hurt your main job.

Reader questions

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Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and thresholds change; check the ATO, Fair Work Ombudsman and state authorities for current information.

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