Finding a Well Paid Casual Job

Lbigmac38 on 21/04/2022 - 11:15
Last edited 19/03/2023 - 18:59 by 1 other user

Hi OzB

I'm looking for suggestions for a well paid casual job during my one year off work. I'm taking the year off to spend time with my young family and will also have extended family visiting from overseas. However I still have capacity to work a flexible casual role to get by whilst my partner works full-time.

My current FTE position (office based role in construction) is about $62/hr (pre-tax) and I understand it'd be difficult to find a part-time job similar to this that's not FIFO. I've considered the following positions and I'm keen to hear any suggestions or feedback you may have:

  • Uber driver - works out to \~ $15/hr after costs but keen to do this during peak times when Uber runs a 'new driver promo' - an additional $750 when I last checked.
  • AusPost/Star Track sorting - about $27/hr during normal hours, 30% uplift if working graveyard shift.
  • Australian Electoral Commission - at the upcoming federal election - this is confirmed and more for the experience of working at an election
  • Any short courses/certs/licenses? Traffic controller / forklift driver?

Thanks in advance!

Education & Work

Comments

  • sub102 on 21/04/2022 - 13:31
    +1

    Food delivery makes me ~$40/hr on average but will depend on where you live

    • bigmac38 on 21/04/2022 - 13:36

      Not bad! Do you suggest being a rideshare driver or a food delivery driver through Ubereats/Deliveroo/DoorDash?

      • sub102 on 21/04/2022 - 13:44

        Not sure about rideshare since I haven't done it personally but should be similar other than having to deal with people whereas with food delivery you can do your own thing. I suggest signing up for all possible platforms when best sign up bonuses are available as it'll make the chance of being idle between orders lesser. Bit of a warning though with Ubereats, they didn't pay my $500 bonus giving petty excuses. Doordash earns me the the best out of the lot (other than Deliveroo which I haven't signed up for) but again will depend on the area I guess

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 21/04/2022 - 14:43
        +4

        Our local Couriers Please driver left CP, and has been doing this now for 12-15 months. Making less $$, but he is happier and the days are not as long.

  • Hithere on 21/04/2022 - 13:37
    +2

    Market Research - Auditing and Mystery Shopping.

    Depending on who you are working for you can make reasonable money, hours are flexible, and you can claim tax benefits from the use of your own vehicle, computer etc. etc.

    • Quantumcat on 21/04/2022 - 15:13
      +6

      I have done that, it paid very little. Like $5 here or $10 there per job. Hardly worth leaving the house for. Was fun to do while I was a uni student and needed every cent I could lay my hands on though.

      • bobbified on 21/04/2022 - 16:58
        +4

        it paid very little. Like $5 here or $10 there per job

        I used to do the market research stuff years ago when I was back in Sydney. I'd have about one or two a month - like alcohol tasting or some food sampling. Each would go for an hour or two and pay between $100-200 cash.

        I had this lady that used to call and just tell me where to go each time. After a couple of years, she retired and she put me onto someone else (a company). The amounts dropped significantly (to about half) and i realised that the original lady must've taken a smaller cut of the total payment herself whereas the company I was referred to must've taken a much larger chunk of the payment. After a while, I just didn't bother anymore because the amounts just weren't worth it.

        • Quantumcat on 21/04/2022 - 17:01

          Oh that sounds much better than what I was doing. I was doing mystery shopping.

          • Hithere on 21/04/2022 - 17:48
            +1

            @Quantumcat: There are still a couple of companies living in the past that pay $10 and even less for a job, but the good ones now pay around $20 for assignments taking about 15 minutes.

            It's just a matter of signing up with several companies and picking jobs from the better payers.

            • [Deactivated] on 22/04/2022 - 01:33

              @Hithere: Links?

          • bobbified on 21/04/2022 - 21:30
            +1

            @Quantumcat: If I knew where to find a lady like the one I originally had, I'd tell you, but I really wouldn't even know where to start looking right now! I was referred by someone before. haha

  • nubzy on 21/04/2022 - 16:22
    +1

    Get an ABN and do handyman work, most charge at least $50 an hour and usually have 2 hour minimums.

  • bobbified on 21/04/2022 - 16:52

    I've had similar thoughts before about casual work, but most of it is paid around the minimum wage.
    If your current wage is $62/hour (approx $120K?), then your marginal tax rate would be 39% (37%+2% medicare levy).

    So the question is, after the deduction of tax, is it still worth your time?

    • Donaldhump on 21/04/2022 - 17:01

      they are not working their full time job any more

      • bobbified on 21/04/2022 - 17:23

        yes, you're right. I missed that completely.

        So then the marginal tax rate will depend on when OP stops work during the financial year.

        • Donaldhump on 22/04/2022 - 11:32

          yeh id just work Dec to Dec, and if get sick of family hit a pub

    • abuch47 on 21/04/2022 - 20:06

      Closer to $130k pa but yeah

  • Donaldhump on 21/04/2022 - 17:03

    make sense to take dec to dec off of topic

  • solidussnake on 21/04/2022 - 17:12

    Find any government contractor roles min $40 hr upwards !!

    • abuch47 on 21/04/2022 - 20:08
      -1

      State gov pest control was $31ph. Don't think council workers are doing much better

      • solidussnake on 21/04/2022 - 20:54

        Sorry should have meant gov office jobs, plenty of A03 in Qld paying $43.xx hour

        • bigmac38 on 22/04/2022 - 17:23
          +1

          Great idea mate, looking at these casual gov admin roles in WA now.

          Here's the link for Qld gov office jobs:

          https://www.seek.com.au/job/56615023?type=standard#sol=ba541…

          • solidussnake on 22/04/2022 - 17:45

            @bigmac38: Yeah its what I'm doing atm easy 36 hour weeks in aircon very stress free :)

            • AlienC on 02/05/2022 - 05:46

              @solidussnake: what does a normal day look like I have been honestly considering trying an office job to give my health a bit of a break from this cleaning job.. it is not that hard but i would not mind a change of being on my feet 12 hours a day 5 days a week.

              • solidussnake on 02/05/2022 - 10:12

                @AlienC: It's worth it, I was originally a field assistant working big hours in the sun with full ppe walking about 10-15kms does take its toll and was lucky enough to get inside with them, can start at any time and also have the options soon for a could days WFH

                • AlienC on 02/05/2022 - 18:30
                  -1

                  @solidussnake: Can you link me an example of a listing or the exact words to look for.. I'm in nsw Sydney if that helps.

                  I really want to maybe try this maybe even wfh on weekends or something.

  • Juicyp00 on 21/04/2022 - 18:45
    +1

    matched betting - get in touch with bonusbank they have a great discord community

  • rektrading on 21/04/2022 - 19:56
    -4

    @Kangal

    You do realise that FAR more people have LOST money on crypto than to make it.

    You do realise that billions of people have LOST more money hodl fiat money than people that invest in hard assets?

    The probability of losing money by investing in hard assets is uncertain.

    The probability of losing money hodl fiat money is 100% guaranteed.

  • ModBot on 21/04/2022 - 20:07
    +2

    Surprised no one has suggested Amazon Flex so far. It pays $120/4hr block normally and the rates can go upto $160/4hr block. The key is to wait until the last moment to accept a block.

    Tbh, the 4hr block completes in 3hrs if planned well. Sometimes you get a 3hr delivery route for the 4hr block which can be completed in less than 2.5 hrs.

    Since you are working on ABN, a GST is paid on top of these base rates.

    • greatlamp on 22/04/2022 - 17:03
      -1

      $30/hr minus fuel is pretty poor. They should be paying more than that

    • AlienC on 02/05/2022 - 05:49

      Wait so you can get 120 x 4 per day? which is $480 for one day work.. what no way.

      Can you do 2 x 4 hour blocks in a day?

      Honestly this sounds crazy if work is pretty active and busy.

      Making almost $1k per day man I would only have to work 2 days and can have a 5 day weekend nice.

  • SmiTTy on 21/04/2022 - 20:54
    +1

    Contact the AEC right now. Election is coming up and they're currently recruiting for election officials. U could work at pre polling booths, on election day, and post election sorting/counting

    its temp work, maybe for 2 weeks tops but it's something.

    • bigmac38 on 22/04/2022 - 13:27

      Thanks mate, yep already secured a pre-polling, election day and post election role. Thanks for the suggestion.

      • sam-1966 on 22/04/2022 - 17:40
        +1

        Have done each of these and thoroughly enjoy them! Learned a lot about the electoral process as well.

        Well worth doing.

        Is this your first stint at any of them?

      • sam-1966 on 19/03/2023 - 16:30

        Are you talking about the NSW election?

        AEC is recruiting for by upcoming referendum, too - but nothing confirmed as yet as no date has been set. Would be worth putting in an application for that, too.

        • kerfuffle on 19/03/2023 - 18:52
          +1

          Did you look at the date of the post before making your comment?

  • [Deactivated] on 21/04/2022 - 22:09

    F

  • gorgeous5 on 21/04/2022 - 22:13
    +2

    Study full time (about 2 days a week) at tafe and get austudy.

  • mrhanky71 on 22/04/2022 - 07:43

    Try some recruitment agencies for labouring jobs. They pay pretty well.

  • beefabear77 on 22/04/2022 - 07:58
    +1

    If you have a degree, think about University marking in your industry. Pays $45-50/hr, work from home, complete in your own time!

  • penting on 22/04/2022 - 08:01

    Nightfill at coles and woolies easily get 35-50 per hours depending what time and the day of work.

    • umoddbro on 22/04/2022 - 12:55
      +1

      Unlikely nowadays, night fill isn't exactly 'night fill' like it was a decade ago. You now work during store hours (no penalties) and have to deal with customers. No one is pulling over $30, at least not casuals.

  • Tomato on 22/04/2022 - 09:58
    +1

    waiter in cafe i saw on online news highest paid ard 50$/hr!

    • michaelTito on 22/04/2022 - 10:18
      +1

      Is this one of those bikini Cafe i saw on YouTube?

      • JuryWheel on 22/04/2022 - 19:07
        +1

        My friend has asked for more information

        • michaelTito on 23/04/2022 - 13:39

          Your friend need a job like that? I can interview her. Just sayin.

    • Tomato on 23/04/2022 - 09:42

      Sorry i only saw this online news a few months ago, don't hv a link, try searching for it online?

    • umoddbro on 24/04/2022 - 11:10

      Probably in some rural town……

  • tomcat83 on 22/04/2022 - 12:16

    If your on good terms with your current employer I'd discuss with them. there may be an opportunity to do some limited tasks remotely at your current role during the year. You're probably not going to get a better rate anywhere else, and they may also appreciate the support while covering your current role (and I suspect it would keep your "continuous service" alive for lsl etc).

  • maximum on 22/04/2022 - 13:00

    Ato they have causal roles paying about $33 per hour. You pick and choose days. Customer service (but just over the phone). Lots of training. My son did this when he was at uni it was very flexible.

  • HelpMeiCantSee on 22/04/2022 - 14:45

    Holy (profanity). I have mates that are ambos and doctors who earn WAY less than that. $65 in an office, mint!

    • buckethat on 22/04/2022 - 20:38

      Doctors? No way doctors are making 'WAY less' than $65/hr.

      • mdavant on 23/04/2022 - 06:35

        Not followed doctors

        Jmos would be.

        • HelpMeiCantSee on 23/04/2022 - 10:35
          +2

          Registrars too!

          Specialists/staffies sure. But that’s a lot of years at shit pay.

  • MrFrugalSpend on 22/04/2022 - 22:41

    Same concepts as the Uber and AustPost graveshift, if you work something that requires work 24/7, public holidays etc. Honestly that may sound shite but it pays so many loadings and the flip side can be a lot of time during the weekdays on the inverse

  • Oz em on 22/04/2022 - 23:51
    +1

    Support worker
    No qualification
    Choose your clients
    Choose your work hours
    Pays well

    • bghunter on 23/04/2022 - 00:55

      Can you please share more details? Thanks

      • Oz em on 23/04/2022 - 19:33
        +1

        You need an abn and you can register with mable or hire up. Their websites have all the details you will need.
        The pay rate is good as it’s ndis pricing.

    • Eeples on 24/04/2022 - 21:24

      Something like working for a company that provides CP to ndis clients ?

      Not sure the last 3 are the case.

  • Jammar on 23/04/2022 - 01:27
    +1

    Why don’t negotiate with your current workplace for a casual role?

  • kaio on 23/04/2022 - 03:52

    Anything people avoid to do, may pay more. e.g. Funeral positions who deal with dead bodies, cleaners specialized to fatal crime and traffic accident scenes, also as other Ozbargainers mentioned above: sex worker. Honestly, any career break can substantially affect your career progress.

    Uber driving is being harsher and harsher since the introduction. Used to be okay to online and offline anytime when you felt like to, but my friend who is still an Uber driver told me that his number of stars will be deducted only if he has not continuously running hire after hire for a certain preset hours.

  • Herbse on 23/04/2022 - 13:22
    -1

    You want to work less for more money?
    You might be the only person looking for this.

  • funnysht on 23/04/2022 - 18:45
    +1

    Creat bossbargain

    • funnysht on 24/04/2022 - 08:27

      Create*

  • freefall101 on 24/04/2022 - 00:23

    Exam marking when the time comes. Hired as casuals, they bring in a tonne of people. Staffing agencies hire heaps of them. Pays somewhere around $35-40 an hour.

    Also events. GP, tennis and the such are obvious but they all need to hire ticket people and such. Pretty easy work.

    I used to work at Adecco, there were events going on pretty much all year round and they’d just reach out to the good staff first

  • funnysht on 24/04/2022 - 08:26
    +3

    Buy a caravan
    Buy some chemistry sets
    Hire a young apprentice
    The rest is history …legendary.

    W.w

  • Euphemistic on 26/04/2022 - 10:21

    Traffic controller used to be a good deal. 2 day course to get a ticket and you are off. They changed the rules so it’s now harder to get a ticket. You need to have real world experience to keep the ticket.

    Besides, after about 10min it’s boring as a thing that is really boring and you get to stand out in the weather for hours at a time.

  • Esky85 on 28/04/2022 - 15:57

    Exam invigilator: $35 per hr to literally mark the roll, sit on your butt and occasionally tell someone to be quiet. While sitting there, get payed to surf facebook or whatever. Mail the exams to a marker at the end of the session. If someone sooks, refer them to the appeals policy. That's everything. Anyone can do it.

  • AlienC on 02/05/2022 - 05:52

    Cleaning, Security work, Bread Machine Operator at a factory.

    Go on Jora and search your area.. lots of hits come up super useful.

    Can download on your phone android or ios.

    Good luck OP.

    It is tough out there but we will make it.

  • Eeples on 02/05/2022 - 14:59

    Covid cleaning pays well.

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