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Many Australians are discovering the benefits of side hustles—small, flexible ways to earn extra income outside of their regular jobs or retirement.
Whether boosting your savings, covering unexpected expenses, or staying active and engaged, side gigs have become popular for people looking to make extra money without needing special skills or a big time commitment.
The good news is, with so many opportunities available today, it’s easier than ever to find something that fits your lifestyle and interests. A woman has just gone viral for making a quick $1,000 on the side, and her story might inspire you (or your grandkids) to try a side hustle of your own.
Meet Ruby Corbett, an 18-year-old juggling a double degree in international relations and law, two hospitality jobs, and a part-time office assistant role.
Like many young Australians, Corbett found herself in the all-too-familiar position of being a ‘broke uni student’ with big dreams—in her case, a holiday to Singapore with her best friend.
But rather than dip into her hard-earned savings, Corbett set herself a challenge: earn $1,000 in just one week, on top of her regular work.
How did she do it? Not with a get-rich-quick scheme, but by embracing the world of side hustles—and she’s proof that a bit of creativity and hustle can go a long way.
A week of odd jobs—and some surprising gigs
Corbett’s approach was refreshingly simple. She started selling her old iPhone (cracked screen and all) for $150. Then, she turned to apps like Supp and Airtasker, which connect people with odd jobs in their local area.
From there, she picked up a variety of tasks: extra hospitality shifts, delivering flyers, picking up and dropping off parcels, and even taking out someone’s bins for $31.
But perhaps the most eyebrow-raising gig? Helping a woman catch her cheating boyfriend for $23. The job involved signing up for Tinder and seeing if the boyfriend would match with her.
By day five, Corbett had already racked up $785, and with two days to go, she was confident she’d hit her $1,000 target after another round of letterbox drops.
‘The biggest thing is just apply for everything you can do because the odds of getting everything are probably not very high,’ she said.
‘I think it’s a very good way to get money. I found it works for me.’
The rise of the side hustle—not just for Gen Z
While Corbett’s story has captured the attention of young Australians, the side hustle trend is booming across all age groups, including over-50s.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your retirement income, save for a special trip, or keep busy, there are more opportunities than ever to earn extra cash on your terms.
Platforms like Airtasker, Supp, and Facebook Marketplace have made finding flexible, short-term work easier. From dog walking and gardening to resume writing, cleaning, and mystery shopping, there’s something for everyone.
‘We love seeing people like Ruby turn to Airtasker in specific times where they want to be earning some extra cash, and rely on the flexibility of the platform to be able to complete as many or as little tasks as they like,’ said Tim Fung, chief executive officer and founder of Airtasker.
‘It’s incredible how much demand there is for everyday skills like dog walking, delivery services, resume writing, cleaning, and cooking—it’s about unlocking the value of your skills, no matter how big or small.’
And as Corbett’s experience shows, you don’t need to be a tech wizard or have a specific qualification—just a willingness to give things a go.
Have you picked up a side hustle online or in your local community? What worked for you, and what didn’t? Share your tips, experiences, and questions in the comments below.
Also read: Retiree earns $750 a week from side hustle—you could do it too!
