Menu

#1 Victorian uni for graduate employment1

#1 in the world for sport science2

#1 Victorian uni for course satisfaction3

NEXT UP ON this.

Coffee and a computer

10 clever ways to make money while you study 

Have you ever wished you had a lucrative side hustle? Something to help you fund your daily coffee or matcha splurge without breaking the bank?  

You might have even googled ‘how to earn money in Australia as a student’ and found job ads for student weekend or evening work in hospitality and retail. Yawn! 

The reality is with rising cost of living pressures, many people, especially students, are looking for ways to make money online and fund their lifestyles, without having to take on traditional roles.  

If you’re studying, it can be especially challenging to find work that offers decent money and fits in around your busy schedule.  

So, consider these entrepreneurial ways make some extra money without compromising on class attendance and study time. 

1. Become an Airtasker

If completing an eclectic range of odd jobs sounds like an interesting way to work, then Airtasker might be right for you.  

Airtasker is a unique and convenient way to make money online. Jobs include hanging a painting, washing a car, designing a website or helping someone move house. If you’re a budding criminologist, Airtasker was even used in popular murder mystery TV Show Loch Ness to transport evidence.  

To get started, simply sign up and browse the listed tasks. You can pick a one-off task to complete at your convenience or multiple jobs based on your location and skills.  

The advantage is you can select jobs that fit in around study and other commitments, so you can work as much as you like and earn good money, whilst doing it your way.  

2. Use your eye for style as a way to make money

It’s been a hot minute since Queer Eye Season 8 graced our screens, but if you love hunting for a bargain and you’ve got an eye for style and trends, you could consider becoming a clothing seller on eBay, or Facebook Marketplace.  

Keep a frugal eye open in op-shops for good brands and on-trend pieces, and then sell the pieces you collect for more than you paid for them.  

One downside is sometimes a buyer won’t go through with the purchase, so it’s best to have patience when experimenting with this unique wayof making money online. Like with clothes, it’s not always going to be one size fits all approach.   

You might get more wear (excuse the clothing pun) out of selling other items such as handmade crafts vintage goods, or even your old textbooks on platforms like Etsy or Amazon.  

3. Clock up kilometres and cash

If you’re wondering how to make money online as a student, joining a ride share service puts you in the front seat (literally).  

With a decent set of wheels and a full licence, you can drum up extra money as a driver for Uber or Didi. It’s easy to register and you can drive any time.  

Being your own boss has its perks. No one is watching over your shoulder, and you can decide who you pick up and when to call it a day.  

To maximise your income, drive your car when prices are surging during high-demand times, like Saturday nights. This is a smart way to make money on a night when you’re not busy with study or other commitments.  

4. Or maybe delivering food is more your thing

If you’re too young to drive for Uber, but still interested in being in control of your own working schedule, delivering takeaway food for a company like UberEats or DoorDash might be the perfect alternative to make money whilst you study.  

You can start at 18 years old, and you don’t need to have a car – a bicycle or motorcycle will do (even if you’re still on your probationary motorcycle license).  

If you ride a bicycle, you’ll get the bonus of exercise while you work. Talk about a win-win!  

5. Manage social media for a small business

Although social media is a key feature in most organisations, lots of small businesses owners simply don’t have the time to successfully manage their own social media accounts.  

You can add value to a small business by flexing the social media skills you use every day.  

From filming TikTok videos to replying to comments and messages, business owners need your digital media savvy to ensure their businesses are top of mind when customers are making oh-so important buying decisions.  

So, get in touch with a local business and offer to post to Facebook and Instagram on their behalf. 

Even as a student, you can negotiate a sweet monthly fee with your digital know-how and be on track to earn money online whilst you study.  

6. Tap into your natural talent and tutor

Online tutoring is one of the most tried-and-true ways to make money while studying.  

 Share your knowledge in subjects you’re passionate about. It doesn’t have to be Maths and English; it could be a flair for cooking, languages, makeup, style, or art. Tapping into something you’re naturally good at can be a great side hustle – and you’ll likely have fun doing it, too.  

You could teach classes at Laneway Learning, promote yourself and your services on social media to work as a freelance makeup artist or stylist, or commission your art.  

If you’re prepared to give up a bit of your spare time, it’s a great way to make some money while you study.  

You could even bring your talent to YouTube and monetise it through ads, but you’ll have to put in the hard yards first to build an engaged audience and make it worthwhile for advertisers to use your videos.  

Depending on your interests, you could even make videos about how to take control of your finances. People gravitate towards content about money matters and may tune in to your videos for savvy tips to make money online as a student 

7. Go undercover to earn money while you study

Businesses large and small are always on the lookout for mystery shoppers to evaluate the service and quality of their stores.  

The job involves making a purchase – normally in retail or hospitality – and then reporting on the experience.  

If you have good verbal and written communication skills, a good memory and are reliable, you can get involved with an agency. It’s a unique way to earn some money if you’re an avid shopper anyway! 

If you’re looking for ways to make money from the comfort of your own home, you can check out sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks. These sites allow users to earn money online by sharing their opinions on different products and services. This could be an easy way to make money while you study you could even do it from your bed!  

8. Provide feedback on apps: an easy way to make money while you study 

It’s basically the online equivalent of a mystery shopper – platforms like UserTesting and Enroll, will ask you to browse websites and apps, complete a set of tasks and record your thoughts as you navigate through.  

They’ll put a small fee into your PayPal account for each review you complete. 

 You (probably) won’t make a living off it, but if you have a spare 20 minutes in your day, it’s an easy way to earn some extra money while you study. 

9. Write and publish an eBook or start a blog

It sounds like a tremendous feat, but the reality is that now anyone can publish an eBook – if you’ve got a great idea and some solid writing skills, you can make some great money off it, especially whilst you study.  

After all, you’re on your MacBook anyway! Might as well put those research skills to work.  

Consider writing your book a longer-term project to chip away at in your spare time. It’s a great pastime and can be a fun way for you to make some money from something you enjoy as much if not more than studying. 

On the plus side, once it’s published, you’ll receive a passive income for as long as it sells, and you won’t have to raise a finger. 

Other ways to make your writing skills work for you is to try freelance assignments. Companies often advertise for SEO copywriters on sites like Upwork and Fiverr to help them improve their search engine rankings.  

Or you could be your own boss and explore options like blogging. Depending on what your interests are, there will be avid readers out there who share your love of collecting rubber ducks, tech or reviewing obscure snack foods – you just have to find them!  

With some time and effort, you might even be able to monetise your blog through ads or affiliate marketing partnerships.  

10. Get a high-yield savings account

Speaking of a passive income, if you’re lucky enough to already have some cash in the bank, one of the safest (and easiest) ways to make money is to build on what you already have saved.  

Consider doing some research and switching to a bank that offers higher interest rates. All you have to do is keep saving and watch that account balance rise!  

This is also a great option if you’re just starting out with a savings account, and it might motivate you to put more money away for a rainy day while you study. 

BONUS TIP: Decrease your expenses

Think of this as a handy tip to use solo or partnered with another money-making idea.  

One of the best ways to get some money in your pocket is to keep it there in the first place! Try to save money by cooking your own meals instead of eating out, or you could call up your mobile provider and see if you can get a better deal on your phone plan.  

Lots of stores and services offer student discounts too – including hairdressers, restaurants, movies and retail stores – so you don’t have to completely give up the things you love about your lifestyle. Think smart, and do your research before buying, and you’ll be sure to save a lot of money whilst you study. 

explore more