A majority of Australians are considering taking on a second job or side hustle, according to new research by global recruitment firm Robert Walters.
The study found that 70% of Australian professionals are either thinking about or already working a second job. In a survey of 2,000 people, 90% expressed concern that their current salary alone would not cover their yearly expenses.
Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, said rising cost-of-living pressures are driving more professionals to seek additional income through second jobs, side gigs, or even relocating interstate. “While work-life balance was once a priority, today salary has taken center stage,” Peters explained. “People simply can’t afford to stay in roles that don’t pay enough to support their lives.”
The study also revealed that financial concerns are prompting many Australians to consider moving to different states. Up to 54% have thought about relocating for better pay, cheaper housing, and more career opportunities. Peters noted that decisions about where to live are increasingly strategic and financially driven.
Breaking down the dissatisfaction by state, 90% of respondents in New South Wales, 84% in Victoria, 83% in Queensland, and 80% in Western Australia said their salaries do not meet the cost of living.
Peters described the findings as a “wake-up call” for employers. “If salaries don’t reflect today’s economic realities, companies risk losing skilled talent—either to better-paying jobs, second jobs, or interstate moves,” he warned.
