With the latest rate hikes putting more pressure on Australian households’ weekly finances, a shocking number of Aussies now say they feel the need for a second job or a part-time job by 2026.
Nearly half of Australians (48 percent) admit they feel financially pressured to look for additional or better-paid work by 2026, new research from Finder, exclusively provided to The Daily Telegraph, shows.
More than a quarter of Australians surveyed (26 percent) said they feel pressured to look for a higher-paying job, while a further 22 percent admitted they feel pressured to find a second job to cover the rising cost of living, which will now come with steeper increases in mortgage repayments.
Finder estimates that about 10.5 million people are financially stressed based on their current income, before we even start to see the impact of the latest increase in cash rates.
Finder data shows how many Aussies will need a second or higher-paying job by 2026. Source: Finder.com.au
Finder personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said millions of Australians were effectively being “priced out of their current pay packages”, with the need to pursue other sources of income to cover living costs.
“For many households, one job is no longer enough to meet basic needs, let alone get ahead,” she says.
“This isn’t about career ambition – it’s about survival as daily costs continue to rise faster than wages.”
Ms Megginson said these figures were a sign that financial stress has become mainstream.
“When almost half the country is considering a second job or a higher-paying job, it’s clear how many people are living beyond their means,” she said.
“Australians work harder to stand still, and that pressure now permeates every part of life.”
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Find personal finance expert Sarah Megginson. Image: supplied
According to Finder’s 2025 Consumer Sentiment Tracker, 38 percent of Australians have a side hustle, equivalent to 8.3 million people.
Among Aussies earning some extra income, the most popular way to do so is to collect recyclable cans and bottles.
This is followed by selling second-hand goods online through sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace (24 per cent), while getting paid for a hobby (12 per cent) and making and selling goods, such as on websites such as Etsy (12 per cent), were also popular options.
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Food delivery was one of the most popular side dishes in Australia. Photo: Uber Eats
Food delivery (10 percent) and ride-sharing (seven percent) through platforms like Uber were also among the most common second jobs, while nine percent of side hustlers rented out their spare rooms.
Other reported side hustle included tutoring, dog walking, freelance work and being an influencer.
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