Best ways for undergrad students and high school graduates to make money in 2025

Balancing university life and finances can be tough, but side hustles are a great way to ease the burden, and save up for rent, groceries, hobbies, fun trips with mates, or a night out! There are countless opportunities to earn extra income without sacrificing your studies, and we’ve got a quick breakdown of some of the best options available to students.

Casual Work

• Retail or Hospitality Jobs: These roles are popular among students for their flexible hours and opportunities to work weekends or holidays. Whether you’re working at a café, restaurant, or clothing store, you’ll gain customer service skills and a steady paycheck. Applying for “serious” jobs in larger companies is hard, but having in-person physical work experience often helps and is sometimes a requirement.
• Babysitting or Pet-Sitting: If you love working with cute kids or cuter animals, these gigs offer a flexible schedule and decent pay, especially if you’re in high demand in wealthier areas or areas with high percentages of working parents.
• Freelancing and Specialised Work: Are you good at photography, event planning, or fitness training? You could use your skills to take on short-term projects or support people in your community - these sorts of roles provide a valuable opportunity to grow your CV and your wallet!
• Freelancing and Remote Work: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr connect you with clients looking for graphic designers, content writers, or coders. If you’ve got a specialized skill, this is a great way to monetize it.
• Content Creation: Whether it’s blogging, vlogging, or creating niche content for social media, building an online presence can eventually lead to ad revenue, sponsorships, or paid collaborations.

Casual work is great, and it’s often the easiest job to just get stuck right into. However, it might not always be the best use of your specialised academic skills and knowledge - many students, especially high achievers who invested lots of time and effort into conquering their subjects in Year 12, choose to share their knowledge of high school or university subjects.

Academic Work

There is a huge industry revolving around commercial and private tutoring. In-person and online tutoring colleges, established centres, new startups, and many online platforms allow you to connect with students worldwide. Whether you’re helping younger students with junior years, guiding HSC preparation, or specializing in subjects like IELTS, UCAT, TOEFL, or the IB, tutoring offers a flexible and rewarding way to earn. The demand for knowledgeable and approachable tutors is always high, and it’s a great way to share your expertise while earning competitive pay. Tutoring jobs usually take the following forms:

• In-person Centre Tutoring:
  The most traditional way to exchange time, effort, and knowledge for money, in-person tutoring at established centres across Australia remains a popular choice. Working in these environments often means tutoring classes of students at different stages of academic development in a busy urban setting. It can be a challenging role requiring adaptability and strong communication skills, but it often offers higher pay and a structured work environment.
• Online Centre Tutoring:
  With the rise of remote learning, more tutoring centres are embracing the benefits of online work. Online tutoring provides flexibility and eliminates commuting, making it a less demanding option in terms of time. However, the pay can sometimes be lower compared to in-person tutoring, and maintaining work-life balance or setting boundaries can be tricky when working from home.
• Private Tutoring:
  Private tutoring, whether one-on-one or in small groups, allows tutors to cater specifically to a student’s individual needs. This personalized approach often commands a higher hourly rate, making it a lucrative option for skilled tutors. However, it comes with its challenges—cash flow can be inconsistent, and significant preparation is often required to tailor lessons to each student’s unique goals.
• Other Roles:
  Beyond direct tutoring, there are plenty of additional opportunities in the education sector. These include roles like marking student work, producing academic resources, or serving as a university adviser. These positions offer alternative ways to leverage your academic expertise while exploring different aspects of the education industry.

Why Passive Income Is the Ultimate Goal

While traditional jobs and freelancing can bring in steady cash, they often require trading time for money. Passive income is a smarter, more sustainable way to make money—especially when you’re juggling academic responsibilities.

One of the easiest and most lucrative ways to generate passive income as a student is by selling your notes. Think about it: you’ve already invested countless hours into summarising textbooks, organizing class notes, and refining study materials to prepare for exams. Now, instead of letting all that hard work gather dust, you can turn it into a steady stream of income.

Selling your notes not only rewards you financially but also helps other students who may struggle to structure their studies or need a fresh perspective on the content. By sharing your resources, you’re offering them a valuable head start while getting paid for your efforts. Plus, it’s a form of passive income—once your notes are uploaded to a platform, they can keep earning for you without any additional work.

It’s completely legal, as long as the notes are your original work, and you own the copyright. This means you have full control over how they’re shared and sold. If you’ve collaborated with friends or used them for tutoring purposes, it’s important to ensure proper permissions are in place.

Not convinced yet? Check out our other blog articles about how you should sell your materials, and the laws around doing so, for a more detailed breakdown series of the benefits, legalities, and best practices for selling your study materials. Let your notes work for you—and help others achieve their academic goals in the process!

Selling Notes: The Ultimate Side Hustle

Selling notes, exemplar essays, sample extended responses, scaffolds, and other resources has become an increasingly popular way for students to earn extra money. It’s a simple process: take the high-quality notes you’ve already created during your studies, clean them up, and upload them to a trusted platform like Notes2u.

Here’s why selling notes is such an effective way to make passive income:

1. You’ve Already Done the Work: There’s no need to learn a new skill or commit to regular hours. All you need is the work you’ve already put into your study notes.
2. It’s a Win-Win: Not only do you earn money, but you’re also helping other students succeed by providing them with valuable resources.
3. It’s Flexible: You decide when to upload, set your prices, and can continue earning from your notes long after your exams are over.

Why Notes2u Is the Best Platform for Selling Notes

When it comes to selling your notes, Notes2u stands out from the crowd. Here’s why we’re the go-to platform for students:

1. Low Commissions: We believe you should keep more of what you earn. That’s why we have some of the lowest commission rates in the market, maximizing your profits.

2. Total Transparency: With Notes2u, there are no hidden fees or confusing terms. You’ll always know exactly how much you’re earning and how the process works.

3. Copyright Protection: Your work is your intellectual property, and we take that seriously. Our platform is designed to protect your rights, ensuring that your notes are only used as intended.

4. Easy-to-Use Interface: Uploading and managing your notes couldn’t be easier. Our platform is intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone—even if you’re not a tech whiz.

5. Promotions and Exposure: We help your notes get noticed! With our marketing and promotional tools, your resources will reach a wider audience, increasing your chances of making sales.

The Benefits of Selling Notes

Selling notes isn’t just a way to make money—it’s also a chance to share your unique insights and perspectives. Your notes can help other students achieve their academic goals while giving you a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the income you earn can support your education, hobbies, or travel plans.

Get Started Today

Selling notes is the ultimate student side hustle. It’s easy, flexible, and rewarding. Join the growing number of tutors, graduates, and university students who have turned their hard work into easy passive income with Notes2u.

Upload your notes today and start earning — it’s your time to shine!