Flexible work fuels rise of side hustles amid soaring costs

Australian workers are managing side hustles alongside their main employment without lowering their on-the-job performance, according to new research. Flexible and remote work have enabled this juggling act, as more Australians look for supplementary incomes in response to rising living costs.

Financial pressures

The survey showed that 63% of respondents with side hustles cited cost-of-living concerns as their main motivation. Other drivers included saving for specific goals, such as a home deposit or overseas travel, with 44% selecting this option. Additionally, 40% said extra income helped cover important costs, while almost one in five stated their side hustle was essential to meeting basic expenses.

Despite these economic challenges, side hustlers are not overextending themselves. Nearly half (49%) said they dedicated only 1-5 hours each week to their side job, while 40% committed 6-10 hours. Most of this work is done outside regular office hours; 63% worked on their side hustles during evenings, 55% on weekends, and around a quarter used leave or days off. This trend has been described as the rise of the '7-to-10 Economy'.

Flexible arrangements

The research highlights a link between workplace flexibility and the ability to manage additional work. More than 58% of side hustlers are in remote or hybrid roles, and a further 18% work fully onsite but with flexible hours. Overall, 62% credited remote or hybrid arrangements with helping them start or maintain a secondary source of income.

Concerns about productivity loss appear largely unfounded. Seventy-two percent of respondents said their main job was never affected by their side hustle, while only 9% reported consistent interference. Flexible working conditions have supported employees to balance multiple roles.

Employer trust

The survey found that openness around side hustles is still evolving. Nearly half (46%) of those with additional work said their employer was not aware, and a further 11% were unsure. However, among employees whose employers did know about their side hustles, the majority-81%-felt supported and understood.

When asked which policies would make it easier to manage side hustles, 76% of respondents wanted flexible working hours and 44% were in favour of remote or hybrid options. Thirty percent called for fewer employment contract restrictions, and 22% sought entrepreneurial support in the workplace.

Talent retention

"Side hustles are here to stay, and a reflection of today's economic reality. Rather than viewing side hustles as something to police or fear, this is an opportunity for employers to build genuine trust and flexibility with their teams," said Job van der Voort, CEO and Co-founder, Remote.