<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Exclusive:</span></strong><span> Melbourne woman Cassie Walker started selling her old clothes online as a way to "make quick cash when times are tough".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>New research shows she's not the only one.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's estimated that millions of Australians have recently picked up a side hustle to cope with financial pressure in the cost-of-living crisis.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/gym-membership-cancellation-rights-can-they-charge-you-four-weeks-explainer/f7127790-2960-4dc6-a6e2-4a3f637ff56c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Cancelling a gym membership? These are your consumer rights in Australia</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>One in four Aussies currently have a side hustle according to an </span><a href="https://omnisend.mxficus.com/682dacfd728aaae80ee562a8/l/wRxh5ZV4AUNGzajWL?rn=&amp;re=ISdh5SbvNmLl5WauBEajFWZs1mI&amp;sc=false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Omnisend survey"><span>Omnisend survey</span></a><span>, and more than three-quarters of them started out of financial need – not for "fun money".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost 50 per cent started within the last 12 months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Most spend up to 10 hours on their side hustle per week.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/aussies-starting-side-hustles-out-of-financial-necessity-exclusive/dc008c47-a5b4-4a4b-a8d2-57e686e7e2b6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But only one in five make more than $1000 per month (around $250 per week).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It doesn't sound like much but Aussies are collectively earning an extra $14.3 billion per month from side hustles, based on the Omnisend data.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The survey also revealed that about 45 per cent of Aussies with side hustles have turned to online sales, using resale platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace to make quick cash off their old clothes and household items.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Walker has been freelancing in TV and media production for the past three years and relies on the extra cash from her side hustle to get by between contracts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I first started selling on [fashion marketplace] Depop five years ago," she told 9news.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I was working full-time but my hours were cut to one day per week [so] it was a financial decision first."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of the pieces she sells are from her own wardrobe, others she picks up cheap at op shops and resells at a higher value.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Often this is because she's upcycled the piece, turning a $2 buy into a $20 sale with a few small repairs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-public-holidays-dates-state-by-state-guide-explainer/ed0b6d3a-0f10-4134-ad08-f3db711978a6" target="_blank"><strong><span>How to maximise public holidays and make the most of your annual leave in 2025</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2024/06/20/08/29/top-10-paying-jobs-you-dont-need-a-degree-for-australia"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/NmEXk5cfqRj_zuq_j-g56Q6nVBI=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F1ad0d333-223d-4dd0-a1c8-8637c2b80341" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/NmEXk5cfqRj_zuq_j-g56Q6nVBI=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F1ad0d333-223d-4dd0-a1c8-8637c2b80341 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/ZTQ73oHFZZnxsSia7mecDvoigdM=/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F1ad0d333-223d-4dd0-a1c8-8637c2b80341 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Highest-paying jobs in Australia that don't need a degree</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2024/06/20/08/29/top-10-paying-jobs-you-dont-need-a-degree-for-australia">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Walker also sells items on her social media pages from time to time, using Facebook and Instagram stories to advertise to her friends and followers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now she makes an average of $100 per week from the side hustle, sometimes more.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last week, she pocketed $160 – enough to cover common monthly expenses like a phone bill or insurance fees for the average Aussie.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's also helpful for those unexpected bills or more expensive weeks," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I can easily sell something and have that cashflow."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/are-we-in-an-ai-tech-bubble-what-happens-if-it-bursts-explainer/c11d1f63-a085-419d-bc62-030911459304" target="_blank"><strong><span>Are we really in an AI tech bubble and what happens if it bursts?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The best part about Walker's side hustle? </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She doesn't have to invest loads of time into it.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I put aside one day per month on photos, uploading, managing existing listings, et cetera," Walker said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I do maintenance a few times a week, like sending offers to those liking my items, sending discount offers, changing photo orders and prices."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The majority of Aussies with side hustles are the same.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>About 35 per cent spend less than five hours on their side hustle per week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 40 per cent spend just five to 10 hours on it per week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For most, including Walker, it allows them to make enough to bridge the gap between their main source of income and the rising cost of living.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Especially in an age of job insecurity and growing adoption of AI in the workplace.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As a woman approaching 40 I'm finding it very hard to find permanent work," Walker confessed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I know I'm not alone in this, but while I'm juggling [freelance work] this is a great side hustle."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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