Side Hustles in Australia: Make Money From Stuff You Already Own

Most guides to making money in Australia tell you to drive rideshare, deliver food or start dropshipping. There's a simpler option that needs no second job and no startup cost: rent out things you already own. Here's how it works, what earns the most, and how to start today.

The lowest-effort side hustle there is

Think about what's sitting in your garage right now. A pressure washer that gets used twice a year. A trailer. A tent. A decent camera. Power tools from that one renovation. Australians collectively own billions of dollars of gear that sits idle 95% of the time, while their neighbours go out and buy or hire the very same things.

Peer-to-peer renting closes that gap. You list an item once on QRauz, set your own daily or hourly price and the days it's available, and approve bookings when they come in. No inventory to buy, no shifts to work, no customers to chase. The item earns while you do something else.

What earns the most?

Earnings depend on your item and your area, but as a guide, the gear that gets booked most often:

  • Trailers: constant demand from people moving house or hauling green waste
  • Pressure washers, carpet cleaners and floor sanders: the classic "need it one weekend" tools
  • Cameras, lenses and drones: high value, popular for trips and events
  • Party gear: marquees, speakers, lighting, tables and chairs
  • Camping equipment: tents, swags and kayaks every school holidays
  • Power tools: generators, nail guns, tile cutters and saws for DIY weekends

In-demand items in metro areas commonly rent for $30 to $100 a day. Even two bookings a month on a single item is real money over a year, and most people have more than one rentable thing.

How to start in about ten minutes

  1. Create a free account. Email and password, verify with a code, done.
  2. Photograph your item. A few clear photos in good light make all the difference.
  3. Create the listing. Title, description, price per day or hour, your suburb, and which days it's available.
  4. Approve bookings. Renters pay by card up front; the money is held and only captured when you approve. You chat in-app and hand over the item at a pickup spot you choose.

Got skills instead of stuff?

QRauz also hosts service listings, so the same account that rents out your trailer can sell your time: gardening, photography, tech help, tutoring, design and hundreds of other categories. Set an hourly rate, get booked, get paid. See freelance and local services on QRauz.

Fees, tax and the fine print

  • Listing is free. There are no signup costs and no monthly fees.
  • Fees only apply when you earn. Renters pay a flat 2% platform fee. Lister fees start at 5% and taper down to as low as 1% as your earnings grow, so the more you rent out, the more of each dollar you keep.
  • Tax: money you earn from the sharing economy can be assessable income. For casual, personal-scale renting you generally don't need an ABN, but check the ATO's sharing economy guidance, and get advice if you start operating like a business.
  • You stay in control. You approve every booking, set your own prices, and can pause a listing any time.
List your first item free See what others are renting out

Side hustle FAQs

How can I make money in Australia without a second job?

Rent out things you already own. Items like power tools, cameras, trailers and camping gear sit idle most of the year; listing them on a peer-to-peer marketplace like QRauz turns them into recurring income with almost no ongoing effort.

How much can I earn renting out my stuff?

It depends on the item and your area. As a guide, in-demand gear like trailers, pressure washers and cameras commonly rents for $30 to $100 a day. Even a few bookings a month adds up to meaningful side income.

Do I need an ABN to rent out my belongings?

For casual, personal-scale renting you generally do not need an ABN, but tax can apply to what you earn. Check the ATO guidance for the sharing economy, and get advice if you start operating like a business.