The changing nature of the economy and the job market in Australia means that side hustles are no longer just a quick way to make some extra cash. The gig economy has become an important part of how Australians are navigating rising costs of living, but also to find the right work/life balance.
In fact, online interest in the space is booming, with 179,000 searches for “how to make money online,” 93,000 for “side hustle,” and 75,700 for “passive income” in the past year alone.
To better understand the rising popularity of side hustles in Australia, BizCover analysed side hustle search volumes across 59 cities in Australia. We’ve grouped these side hustles into two key categories:
- Traditional side hustles: Involve hands-on, in-person work like house cleaning, tutoring or gardening.
- Sofa side hustles: Can be done from home with an internet connection and a laptop, such as digital marketing, freelance writing or virtual assistant roles.
“This research is highly relevant to BizCover, as we proudly specialise in supporting hundreds of thousands of small business owners across Australia,” says Sharon Kenny, Head of Marketing at BizCover.
“Whether your side hustle is a weekend gig or you’re turning it into a full-time business, BizCover can help protect what you’ve built with business insurance from selected leading Australian insurance providers.”
So, where do the real opportunities lie for those interested in starting up their own side hustle?
Key takeaways
- The top 3 most in-demand traditional side hustles in Australia are House Cleaner, Pool Cleaner and Carpet Cleaner.
- The top 3 most in-demand sofa side hustles in Australia are more varied than traditional side hustles, and include Amazon Reseller, Bookkeeper and Virtual Assistant.
- The total search volume for the top 20 traditional and top 20 sofa side hustles is 1,324,960 searches. Traditional side hustles account for 58.4% of this total search volume, while sofa-based side hustles make up 41.6%.
- Top cities searching for side hustles the most (per capita) are Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Rockhampton and Ballarat.
- The best earning side hustles are extremely niche but highly profitable. They are Audiobook Narrator, Technical Writer and Business Coach.
Top 20 most in-demand traditional side hustles in Australia
In the age of AI and cryptocurrency, you may think that the most popular modern side hustles are all digital gigs. However, it turns out that more traditional, hands-on roles are still the dominant gigs in Australia.
According to BizCover’s recent search data, the top three most in-demand side hustles are House Cleaner, Pool Cleaner and Carpet Cleaner. These roles top the list for a simple reason: they meet everyday, real-world needs that can’t be automated or replaced by technology.
Top 3 traditional side hustles offer practical solutions for everyday life
At the very top of the list is House Cleaners, with more than 85,000 monthly searches and an average hourly rate of $33.27. Despite cost-of-living pressures, it seems that many people are still willing to pay a professional to help keep their living space tidy and clean. This could be down to a lack of time or mobility issues (or both) – whether it’s busy professionals, growing families, elderly homeowners or people with disabilities who need help with the housekeeping.
The demand for Pool Cleaners is not far behind, with 78,120 searches each month and a comparable hourly rate of $33.25. Pool Cleaners’ position at number two also makes sense. Nationally, 14% of homes feature a pool. Of the capital cities, Brisbane (19%) and Sydney (16%) have the highest rates of people living in homes with a pool or spa. In light of these stats, the demand for Pool Cleaners is not a surprise.
Carpet Cleaners, ranked third, are also highly sought after. Carpet Cleaners rack up 64,080 monthly searches and can expect to earn around $33.50 per hour.
The top three side hustles all offer necessary, practical, hands-on solutions for everyday household issues. These are the kind of jobs that cannot be done online or outsourced to generative AI. The reason they’re reliable income generators is because they solve real, everyday problems.
Interestingly, higher paying jobs like Photographer ($43.25 per hour) and Nanny ($37.25) did not prove to be as popular. This could be because even though the pay is higher, they are seen as more niche or situational compared to cleaning services.
Traditional side hustles vs. sofa side hustles
While the top three sofa side hustles have a higher search volume than their traditional counterparts, the overall number of monthly searches is still higher for traditional gigs (773,650 versus 551,310 monthly searches).
This is likely down to the fact that there is general demand for face-to-face services like cleaning, maintenance and caregiving simply which simply can’t be performed online.
Kenny says, “Despite the rise of digital side gigs and AI-driven opportunities, traditional, hands-on jobs remain the backbone of the Australian gig economy.
“Jobs like cleaning, gardening, tutoring and babysitting meet the everyday needs of Australians, and technology can’t replicate these services. These roles offer flexibility as well as consistent demand.”
Top 20 most in-demand sofa side hustles in Australia
While traditional, hands-on jobs continue to thrive, you can’t deny the growing popularity of sofa side hustles. In fact, our research proves that some digital and remote-based gigs are not only gaining in popularity but can also be highly profitable.
The top three sofa side hustles – Amazon Reseller, Bookkeeper and Driveway/Garage Renter – all reflect the changing landscape of work in Australia. With more Australians looking to supplement their income, side hustles have become a vital part of the economy. And if you can do that job from the comfort of your own couch, then all the better.
Top sofa side hustles reflect a variety of needs
Amazon Reselling tops the list of in-demand digital gigs, with nearly 90,000 monthly searches. This side hustle involves buying products – often in bulk – and selling them at a profit through Amazon’s vast online marketplace. It’s flexible, scalable and attractive to entrepreneurial types looking to get into eCommerce. Becoming an Amazon Reseller could be a great side gig for anyone with a knack for spotting trends, managing inventory and marketing products online.
Bookkeeping follows closely in second place with 86,950 searches and an average hourly rate of $41.15. With cloud accounting software making the job easier and more portable, bookkeepers are increasingly in demand, especially among small businesses that need financial support but don’t require a full-time hire.
Virtual Assistants have an average monthly search volume of 73,420, which is surprising given that this could be seen as quite a niche gig. Virtual Assistants provide remote administrative support to clients like email management, data entry, customer service and scheduling. The average pay is about $23.50 per hour, which is lower than other sofa side hustles. However, Virtual Assistants have access to a global market and can work flexibly, making this an attractive side hustle option.
The digital revolution driving the sofa side hustle trend
The main driver behind these roles is flexibility and accessibility. The one silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic was that it led to the work from home revolution. People could balance their work and personal lives much easier, and many people saved time and money not needing to commute every day into work.
Thanks to the widespread use of technology and collaboration tools, and the accepted normality of remote work, sofa side hustles are becoming a popular revenue stream. In fact, sofa side hustles average $44.09 per hour, significantly more than the $33.43 average for traditional side hustles.
Premium-paying roles like Technical Writer ($102/hr) and Resume Writer ($50/hr) show just how lucrative digital freelancing can be. From editing and copywriting to animation and web development, there’s a wide range of opportunities that reward specialised skills.
“There’s no doubt that sofa side hustles are reshaping the way Australians think about work,” says Kenny. “They offer the flexibility to earn from home while cutting costs, open up new income streams, and tap into a global market. The fact that you can work from virtually anywhere in the world is also a very attractive drawcard for a lot of people as it allows you to tap into different markets and relocate more easily.”
The Australian cities searching for side hustles the most
Our research shows that traditional and sofa side hustles are gaining serious traction across the country. But there are some Australian cities that are showing particularly high interest.
In top spot is Kalgoorlie-Boulder, followed by Rockhampton and Ballarat. These regional centres are showing a high interest in online searches related to side hustles.
These top three cities are all rural hubs with smaller populations, so the appetite for flexible, supplemental income could be related to a few key things. For one, the local economic landscape could possibly offer less traditional employment. Major industries such as agriculture, mining or hospitality may also be seasonal or inconsistent, and residents may be searching for ways to generate income during off-peak times of the year.
In these rural communities, side hustles offer people a way to diversify their income, create financial stability or even explore new career paths without having to relocate.
These trends highlight how side hustles are not just a city phenomenon. In fact, they may be even more vital in regional Australia, where they can provide a buffer against economic uncertainty and open doors to entrepreneurship – like starting up a cleaning business or launching an eCommerce store.
The best earning side hustles in Australia
Not all side hustles are created equal. Some have a vastly higher earning potential compared to others. Though it’s worth mentioning that the higher the pay, the more specialised skills you often need to have.
Topping the list of best earning side hustles is Audiobook Narrator, with a very impressive average hourly rate of $200. Being an Audiobook Narrator isn’t just about having a great voice, though. You also need to be able to perform, edit and produce high-quality audio. This profitable side hustle could suit anyone with experience in acting, voice work or media production.
In second place is Technical Writer, with an average rate of $102 per hour. These professionals create user manuals, guides and documentation for complex products, services or software, translating technical information into plain, accessible language. Technical Writers usually have a niche they specialise in, such as software development, engineering, healthcare or finance.
Business Coach is the third highest paying side hustle, with an average earning potential of $94.86 per hour. Many people seek out Business Coaches because they want professional advice on how best to grow their business or career. This role is a great match for those with experience in leadership, training, management or business development. Like many top earners on this list, it can be done entirely online.
While these roles are less common compared to others like cleaning services, their specialist nature make them highly lucrative for individuals with the right qualifications or experience. These roles may have a challenging barrier to entry, but for those with the knowledge and expertise, they can offer an attractive combination of flexibility and high earning potential.
Conclusion: Side hustles are shaping the way Aussies work
Our research highlights a clear trend in the evolving nature of work in Australia: side hustles are no longer just a means to make a little extra cash. They are become a vital part of Australia’s economic engine.
Traditional side hustles like cleaning, gardening, tutoring and babysitting continue to top the charts, driven by consistent demand for in-person services that technology just can’t replicate. These kinds of traditional roles can offer people a consistent income while providing practical value for households and businesses.
At the same time, sofa side hustles are on the rise. They offer flexibility, global reach and often higher earning potential than their traditional counterparts. Though some of these roles require niche skills and knowledge in order to break into the field. For those with the drive and talent, these digital side gigs can be an attractive way to build a scalable income source from anywhere in the world. And in some cases, they may even evolve into a full-time small business.
“As the data shows, side hustles are more than a trend,” Kenny says. “The workforce in Australia is shifting, and people all over the country are finding new and innovative ways to diversify their income and skillsets.
She continues, “At BizCover, we’re here to support that journey by offering tailored business insurance options that helps gig workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners protect their livelihoods. Whether you’re cleaning homes or offering digital services online, the right cover gives you peace of mind to do your best work.”
Looking for business insurance to protect your side hustle? Get multiple quotes online with BizCover today. It’s fast, easy and simple.
Methodology
This analysis examined the demand for side hustles in Australia, focusing on 45 traditional and 65 sofa side hustle job types. To ensure comprehensive coverage, variations such as “part-time,” “casual,” and “temporary” were included, generating a total of 3,300 keyword variations. In addition, 115 general side hustle-related search terms were analysed to gauge national interest in side hustles as a topic.
Search volumes were gathered for 59 cities across Australia and normalised per 10,000 residents to provide an accurate regional comparison. Keywords were then categorised into their respective job types, revealing the accumulated search interest for each category.
Average hourly earnings were sourced from platforms such as Indeed Salary Calculator, Payscale, Glassdoor, Seek, Jobsearch.gov.au, Airtasker, and Uber. These figures were used to estimate the potential earnings for each job type, with adjustments made for variable rates.
Data is accurate as of March 2025.
This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording.
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