In 2025, more than half of Australians – 55%, according to recent Westpac research – are either already earning money through a side hustle or seriously thinking about starting one. This growing “side‑hustle economy” is reshaping how people work, blending primary jobs with smaller-scale business ventures.
The main motivation is financial, with 77% of side hustlers say they started, or plan to start, a side gig simply to earn extra cash. This is particularly strong among women (83%) and people in regional Australia (also 83%), who feel the pinch of rising living costs. But it’s not all about money, many cite flexibility, creative fulfilment, and independence as major benefits.
Young Australians Leading the Trend
Perhaps most striking is how prominent side hustles are among younger Australians. The research shows side-hustle engagement is strongest in people under 50, especially those aged 18–34. In that 18–34 age group, the average person with a side business runs 1.75 different side hustles. This suggests younger people aren’t just dabbling in one extra job, they’re stacking multiple income streams, likely to boost earnings or explore different interests.
What Kinds of Side Hustles Are Popular?
According to the Westpac data, the top categories for side hustles are:
- Retail and e‑commerce – 30% of side hustlers operate in this space
- Creative content (writing, design, social media, etc.) – 20%
- Gig‑economy services (like rideshare driving) – 18%
These trends reflect a mix of passion-driven work (creative content) and flexible, transactional gigs (rideshare), plus the scalability of online selling.
How Much Are People Actually Earning?
While side hustles are widespread, most people make only a modest extra income:
- 67% of side hustlers report earning under A$500 per month from their side gigs.
- About 18% make A$1,000 or more each month from their hustle.
- On average, a side hustler makes A$736 per month, or A$8,800 a year.
Interestingly, most people (62%) want to keep their side hustle small and supplementary. But 30% have bigger ambitions, they hope to scale their side business into a part-time or even full-time venture.
Why This Trend Matters
This surge in side hustles signals more than just a money‑making exercise. It reveals how Australians are adapting to economic uncertainty and high living costs by diversifying their income. For young people, especially, juggling multiple hustles is becoming part of their financial strategy, not just for extra cash, but as a way to pursue passions and test business ideas.
At a broader level, the growth of micro‑businesses could reshape the economy: we may see more small, flexible ventures powered by individual creativity and ambition, rather than big corporations alone. But to fully support this, many hustlers could benefit from better access to advice, financial tools, and maybe formal programs that help them scale.
The post The Side Hustle Boom: 55% of Australians Are Juggling Extra Jobs in 2025 appeared first on Small Business Connections.
0 responses to “The Side Hustle Boom: 55% of Australians Are Juggling Extra Jobs in 2025”
Share Your Thoughts
Comments