Earn An Extra $7k P.A. - Ramp Up Your Income With A Side Hustle

Whether you need to top up your household budget or you’re saving for a big holiday, a part-time or casual job could be the answer. And for budding entrepreneurs it can be the pathway to an exciting new career or business. Here we explain how to make it happen, and our case studies share the secrets of their success.

- Nicola Field

Having just one job is so yesterday. More than two million Australians have multiple jobs; one in four of us runs a small business on the side – and it’s putting valuable extra cash in our pockets.

How much extra? Research by Finder shows that side hustlers are earning an average of $7300 a year from their side income.

According to Finder, putting your car to work with a ride-sharing service like Uber can see you earn $10,490 a year. Renting out a spare room on online platforms such as Airbnb could put an average of $8140 in your pockets. Have a go at both and it can be possible to earn an extra $20,000 in 12 months.

Andrew Morris, director of specialist recruitment firm Robert Half, says new technology and collaboration tools are having “a huge impact on how people expect to work”, and are allowing people from all industries and walks of life to supplement the income from their main job with a secondary gig.

“With the rise of collaborative economy platforms like Fiverr or Airtasker, it has never been easier for individuals to monetise their skills and services according to their schedule,” adds Morris.

Some extra income never goes astray. But running a side gig often means growing and managing your own small business, and this calls for plenty of planning.

From getting started to juggling your day job with a side hustle, we look at what’s involved – backed by the experience of a number of successful hustlers.

What’s in it for you?