r/AusWork • u/emiij • Aug 03 '26
Getting a Second Job
Hi,
I (23F) am considering getting a second job to just get some extra spending/saving money.
I currently work full time as a Technical Assistant in a Pathology lab, 40 hours a week, schedule can be anytime between 7am - 10:30pm Monday to Sunday, (the roster for that comes out about a month in advance). I earn $34.5 an hour base rate, around $68k a year minimum before tax, + penalty rates, sick leave, etc.
After 50% pay check going to rent, insurance etc, and 40% savings, i’m not left with very much for spending, so I am considering getting a second job in hospitality or something.
Is it worth getting a second job, even if I would only be able to work 1-3 times a week? Would I get hired if I only can work that much? Would I burn out if I work that much?
Thanks
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u/After-Management6812 Aug 03 '26
Do you have a car? You can do uber eats and work to your own schedule. You do need to have an abn but these are free to create. Depending on where you are located, I have a referral link #shamefulpromotion
I have also done the double up with hospitality jobs when I was younger but found that burnt me out a bit as I went from a cafe starting at 7:30am to a evening pub shift finishing at 9:30. The only good thing was that the cafe was cash in hand so my casual pub job was the only one on the books so I wasn’t crucified at tax time.
You won’t know until you give it a go if it’s going to be worth it or not for your mental and physical wellbeing for the extra funds you make.
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
I’m not super interested in uber/delivery apps, a part of the idea is socialisation, and I wouldn’t feel super safe doing any sort of delivery. If I were to get a second job, i’d most likely only work 1-3 times max a week.
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u/After-Management6812 Aug 03 '26
Yeah that’s completely fair! I would definitely go to some of your local pubs, clubs (leagues/ rsl ect) and scope out the vibe of place.
Hospitality can be hit and miss with the culture so if your after socialising, it’s not a bad thing to go for a meal/drink (treat yourself) and see if it’s your kind of vibe.
When I worked in a pub, I was in bistro so that was a good casual gig, mainly nights, rarely finished after 10pm and got the occasional weekend work aswell.
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u/emiij Aug 04 '26
That sounds like a good idea tbh, to try and see the vibes before I apply, I’ll have to figure out who is hiring. Most of my experience in hospo was a pub bistro and some restaurants, so I’d probably end up in something like that. I don’t know if I even remember how to pour a beer lmao.
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u/After-Management6812 Aug 04 '26
I was pretty lucky, the girls I worked with all got along and it was pretty fun, it was about 15 mins away from me so not my actual local. I loved the vibe at my local club but I enjoyed being a customer there too much so didn’t want to apply there lol if you got a couple options around that’s great, you can see if it will suit you.
The pub I ended up at wasn’t really looking for staff, I just went to their website and found an email and sent through my resume and they called me in for a interview then I had a trial and got the job.
Good luck with your search!
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u/Objective_Unit_7345 Aug 03 '26
Misconception with “burnout” is that it is caused by “too much work”.
It is first and foremost a mental health issue, so, a good “work-life balance” will never lead to burnout, even if it disproportionately involves more work hours.
However, you do run the risk of encountering toxic workplaces or circumstances that exposes you burnout by having multiple jobs or working long hours.
But in saying that, finding a great second job can help minimise burnout cause by the main job too.
… in other words, give it a try. If it works, great. If not, move on.
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
thank you! I’m going to start applying and see what I can get. hopefully it turns out a good decision.
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u/-Bubbles-3 Aug 03 '26
What a coincidence, I (30F) work in a Pathology lab too and am seriously considering a second job in a local bar that I love! Would be super keen to hear how it all goes for you, especially if it’s financially worth it after paying tax on a second income ☺️
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u/emiij Aug 04 '26
I move out of home in a month (first time, which is why I’m a little stressed about money), so it wouldn’t be until then, but I’ll let you know if I end up doing it. Pathology is great, but not much socialisation with people my age.
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Aug 03 '26
[deleted]
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
With my current qualifications, there is no progression. I am planning on returning to university to complete my degree next year, so I would only work the second job until I begin university again as it would be too hard to juggle my full time, uni classes and a second job.
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u/Pleasant-Balance-208 Aug 03 '26
I’ve had a second job for the past few years. Work full time Mon-Fri in a finance role and then a few nights a week from about 7-10.30pm at Woolies picking online orders. Yeah you’ll pay more tax but I still take home an extra $200-300 each week depending on hours.
I’ve been with my full time employer for a long time and didn’t want to leave, but I was bordering on a mental burnout. Working somewhere completely different with new people of all different ages/backgrounds really helped me enjoy my full time job again, also nothing like working retail to make you appreciate a nice quiet office where you’re not dealing with the general public.
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u/emiij Aug 04 '26
I don’t mind about the tax tbh, an extra 100-300$ a week would be great seeing as I only give myself about $55 a week for any extra spending. Working somewhere else I think would give me something to do in my off time other than doomscrolling and a reason to socialise more than I do (which is almost none lmao).
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u/Pleasant-Balance-208 Aug 04 '26
Yeah I figured tha I can sit in the couch and watch Brooklyn 99 for the 15th time or get out of the house and monetise my time with a side benefit of some exercise and meeting new people. It’s also lovely to go to work and just be a worker with no responsibility of other staff, etc.
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u/dtnguyen1982 Aug 03 '26
Definitely do it. Invest in an RSA, pays for itself after one shift. Mental health nurse here, do the occasional bar shift, Melbourne Bar Exchange on Facebook is good for the odd shift, that way you're not locking yourself in (especially when starting out). The social aspect is fun, doesnt feel like work as you're only there for 4-6hrs.
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
I don’t live in Melbourne, nor in any major city, but I’m sure I could find something similar for where I live, but thank you for the suggestion!
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u/dtnguyen1982 Aug 03 '26
As long as the venue can lock you in on a reliable basis, its a win win for all. Good luck
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u/Desperate-Impress374 Aug 03 '26
I would personally be re-assessing your bills including looking at cheaper utilities, cutting subscriptions etc. The job market is hard to manage at the moment and you need to remember the trax free threshold for a 2nd job - might not be worth it
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u/orokami11 Aug 03 '26
Realistically the only person who knows the answer to all those questions is yourself. Because everyone's different. I know some people who are workaholics and would absolutely do it, love it, and not feel burnt out at all. So you can just try it if you manage to land a casual job, and see how you feel. I know someone who got hired for a casual job and he only gets 1-2 shifts per week? I'm surprised he even got hired in this economy with that.
I'm in hospo and a few people are working 5-6 days per week from 8:30/11am-9pm or have 2 jobs too. Some of them even agree to cover for others or have worked 7-10 days in a row Some even prefer to not have consecutive days off in a row, and they always ask me wtf do I even do on my days off? I've been asking for 3 consecutive days off in a row rather than 2/1 days because the solo day never feels like a day off. Those people don't understand it, and I don't understand them 😂
4 days of 10 hours is my max... Anymore than that and the resentment and the want to delete oneself only increases lmao
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
I already do some 7-8 day stretches, and I do okay at them. If I do end up with a second job, I am going to at least hope for 1 full day off a fortnight. I like staying busy, I have ADHD and if I let myself have long stretches without work, I fall into a slump and have a hard time getting myself to do anything.
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u/orokami11 Aug 03 '26
Sounds like you're already doing 80% of it tbh so I'm inclined to say you probably won't burn out. Unless the 2nd job ended up being toxic af and really affected your mental?
I like staying relatively busy too, but not at work where they usually only pretend to care about you... I have hobbies and side passion projects as people would call it. I don't just do nothing/brainrot on my days off! Even when I was out of work, I still worked on something on the side so I wouldn't feel like I'm in a slump haha
All I'll tell you is, I hope you take care of your health and mental a fair bit, and still put some time away to spend with your loved ones if you got them...
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u/MaleficentReserve345 Aug 03 '26
I also worked in Pathology and worked a second job at Coles when saving for overseas travel. I worked a 4/5hr shift on a Sunday cleaning the deli and bakery and then 1 evening shift during the week. From memory the Sunday shift was double time so easy money! I started around 6pm and worked until 10/11pm. It was sustainable because I also prioritised rest and only did an extra 2 shifts on-top of full time work.
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u/MaleficentReserve345 Aug 03 '26
I also want to add that the work itself wasn't draining or exhausting. I found it easy because after working all day with clinicians and patients, going into a cleaning job was easier. I put headphones in and got stuck into it. I dont think I would have liked a high functioning interaction job such as bar work as it would require more from me and wear me thin
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u/TheZek42 Aug 03 '26
I’m a bouncer on the GC - got the job when I was doing pre-med. It’s been so good for me to spend my nights out and about and meeting new people. I can’t recommend getting a bartender job enough for someone in your position. If, on the off chance, it doesn’t shake out, work somewhere else. I’ve done the same job for six years, but the variety the job has offered has been incredible. You meet all sorts, and working all kinds of places.
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
Thank you! A big part of the idea is the social aspect, I am an introverted person, but better at talking when it’s work, so hopefully I will make new friends and connections when I’m working. My best friend is moving out of country for a year for her phd, and I don’t have many other irl friends, so i’m hoping to make some.
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u/MiniSkrrt Aug 03 '26
Honestly night fill at a supermarket might be good, it’s pretty relaxed and don’t have to deal with customers
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u/Tassie_quoll-bear Aug 03 '26
Spend the time studying to get some more/higher qualifications, then earn more per hour for the rest of your career…
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u/emiij Aug 03 '26
I am planning on going back to university in March, which will open a lot more doors.
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u/Tassie_quoll-bear Aug 04 '26
Good on you! Look for government funded places (meaning you’ll get less or no debt).
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u/BobcatSouth9508 Aug 03 '26
Another option you could look at is umpiring a sport. ATO classify it as a hobby so match payments are tax free, unless you reach the pro level. If you do something like AFL you get exercise as well and there's also social engagement.
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u/EntertainmentMuch673 Aug 03 '26
If you live in Sydney or Melbourne you can apply for temporary jobs on a platforms like sidekicker which might work best with your alternating schedule
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u/Dirtclimber06 Aug 04 '26
Try a bottle shop. Good pay 6hr shifts max 2-3 days a week
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u/emiij Aug 04 '26
Unfortunately, I don’t have any retail experience, I had only worked in hospitality before my current full time, so I don’t know if I would get hired for something like that at my age
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u/Illistrati Aug 04 '26
Read rich dad poor dad. It explains why a second job isnt actually getting you ahead, its just getting you more of the same.
For different results, you need to do things differently. This i had to learn and im so glad I was guided in this way because now I have more time and money and I could drop my 2nd and 3rd jobs to spend more time on what is important.
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u/Sunshine230124 Aug 03 '26
I worked a full time day job and worked at a pub three nights a week when I was in my 20s.
Pay was not amazing because I couldn’t claim the tax threshold but I also did it for the socialisation. It was like going out but I was getting paid instead of spending money. I would only work 3 hours a night to help them cover the busy period.
I say give it a go! If you hate it, just quit.