Gig workers earned an average of $36,000 in FY 25/26 🛵
The term “Gig Economy” was coined by Daily Beast editor-in-chief Tina Brown, in the wake of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. It described the rise of knowledge workers cobbling together a career of “free-floating projects, consultancies, and part-time bits and pieces” through a “digital marketplace”, due to a lack of full-time roles.
But for many people, Gig Work isn’t just a gig – it’s a full-time job. The comparatively low barriers of entry, combined with almost guaranteed work, make it an attractive proposition for people between jobs, or who have recently moved to Australia.
The problem is that it’s difficult to earn a living wage purely through gig platforms. Jobs are competitive, rates are low, and Rideshare and Delivery Drivers are especially exposed to rising fuel costs, or changes in regulations.
Earnings by industry
Gig Work
Many of these work types are all well suited to side-hustles – bits and pieces you can pick up after regular working hours. But for full-time workers, limited earning potential and high business costs mean some of these roles aren’t sustainable long term.
