From driving and delivery work to retail, freelancing and pet sitting, these are some of the most accessible ways people earn extra income.
If you already have a full-time or part-time job, finding extra work is not simply about asking, What pays the most?
The more useful question is often:
What can I realistically fit around my life?
The best second job for one person may be completely impractical for someone else.
A parent may need something they can do from home. Someone with a suitable car might prefer flexible driving work. A person with professional skills may earn more by freelancing for a few hours than by taking an entire weekend shift.
Here are seven common options.
1. Rideshare driving
Rideshare driving is one of the most obvious examples of flexible additional work.
The attraction is straightforward: you may be able to choose when you work.
Best for: People with access to a suitable vehicle who want flexibility.
Before you start: Work out your actual costs. Fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and vehicle depreciation can significantly reduce your real earnings.
You should also understand your tax obligations. If you earn income from multiple sources, the ATO’s guidance on multiple jobs and the tax-free threshold is an important starting point.
2. Food and parcel delivery
Delivery work can offer similar flexibility.
Depending on the work and platform, people may be able to deliver food, groceries or parcels around other commitments.
Best for: People looking for work that can potentially be done in smaller blocks of time.
Before you start: Again, calculate the real costs. Gross earnings are not the same as profit once you include fuel, vehicle maintenance and tax.
3. Retail and supermarket shifts
This is a more traditional second job.
Supermarkets and retailers often need staff during evenings, weekends and busy periods — times that may work well for someone with a standard weekday job.
Jobs can include:
- shelf filling
- customer service
- checkout work
- stock handling
- warehouse work
- trolley collection.
Best for: People who prefer predictable shifts and employee conditions.
Before you start: Check how a fixed roster will fit around your main job. It is also worth understanding your workplace rights and minimum conditions through Fair Work Ombudsman resources.
4. Hospitality work
Restaurants, cafes, bars and event venues have long been popular sources of second-job opportunities.
Evening and weekend shifts can fit around a weekday job, and casual employment may allow people to pick up additional work.
Best for: People who enjoy fast-paced, social work.
Before you start: Hospitality can be physically demanding, particularly after already working a full day.
There can also be specific requirements. For example, in Queensland, most staff serving or supplying alcohol at licensed premises must have a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate. Business Queensland explains the requirements and training through its official RSA training and certification information. Requirements vary between states and territories, so check the relevant regulator where you live.
This is exactly the kind of practical requirement worth checking before accepting a job, rather than discovering after you have been offered it.
5. Freelancing using professional skills
For some people, the most efficient second job is to use skills they already have.
Examples include:
- IT support
- writing and editing
- graphic design
- web development
- bookkeeping
- administration
- marketing
- consulting
- translation.
Best for: People with existing skills that clients are willing to pay for.
Before you start: Consider how much unpaid time is involved in finding clients, preparing quotes, invoicing and administration.
Also understand whether your work is simply occasional extra income or whether you may be operating a business. The ATO’s “Are you in business?” guide is a useful official starting point.
6. Tutoring and teaching
If you have strong knowledge in a subject or skill, tutoring can be a flexible source of additional income.
That might include:
- school subjects
- languages
- music
- technology
- professional skills.
Best for: People with specialist knowledge and strong communication skills.
Before you start: Remember to count preparation and travel time, not just the time you spend in front of a student.
Online tutoring can reduce travel and make the work easier to fit around another job.
7. Pet sitting, dog walking and household services
Many second-income opportunities are based on everyday services people need.
Examples include:
- dog walking
- pet sitting
- house sitting
- cleaning
- gardening
- basic household assistance.
Best for: People looking for work that can fit into specific blocks of time.
Before you start: Think about safety, insurance and liability. If you are caring for someone else’s home, pet or property, you are taking on responsibility as well as earning income.
Which second job is best?
There is no universal answer.
A useful way to compare options is to ask:
How much will I actually earn after costs and tax?
How flexible is the work?
How physically and mentally demanding is it?
How much unpaid time is involved?
Can I realistically sustain it without damaging my health or my main job?
That last question matters.
A second job that pays well may still be a poor fit if it leaves you constantly exhausted.
For a more practical discussion about the stress and emotional impact of work, you can also explore SameBoat’s Stress category and join the conversation with people dealing with similar pressures.
Which of these second jobs would actually work around your life — or have you found a better way to earn extra income?
This is Part 3 of a four-part series.
Next: Before You Take a Second Job
Missed the earlier articles? Start with Part 1 or read Part 2.