Teaching is an incredible job, but the pay does not always reflect the energy and passion you put into it. If you are like me, you probably love working with students but have no interest in climbing the admin ladder or dealing with endless meetings. So, how do you boost your income while still doing what you love?
I’ve been in your shoes. A few years ago, I started my own online tutoring business here in Melbourne. At first, it was just a side hustle to make a little extra money, but it has turned into something much bigger than I ever expected. Tutoring has given me the freedom to set my own schedule, work with amazing students from all over the world and build a business that works for me.
Of course, tutoring is not the only option, and I’ve seen friends and colleagues find success with all kinds of creative side hustles. Here are some of the best ideas to help you earn extra income without burning out.
Is a Side-Hustle Right For You?
This is for teachers who:
- Love teaching but want more flexibility and control over their time and income.
- Have no interest in the politics or bureaucracy of leadership roles.
- Want to explore something new while keeping their main focus on teaching.
If this sounds like you, here are the best side hustles to get you started.
The 6 Best Side Hustles for Teachers
1. Online Tutoring: Teaching on Your Own Terms
This one is close to my heart because it is exactly what I do. Online tutoring lets you take the best parts of teaching—helping students learn and grow—without the red tape. The best part? You are not limited to students in your local area. The global market means you can work with students from anywhere in the world.
Here’s why online tutoring is such a great option:
- Global Customer Base: I’ve worked with students from across Australia, as well as the US, Asia and Europe. Australia’s time zones give you an edge—you can tutor students from the US in the morning and those from Asia in the evening.
- High Earning Potential: You set your own rates, and they can be much higher than your hourly teaching salary. As an indication, you can easily start anywhere between $50-$100 per hour depending on what you’re teaching.
- Flexibility: You choose when, where and how much you work. It fits around your teaching schedule, school holidays or whatever else you have going on.
- Passion for Teaching: You get to tailor your students to suit your teaching style so you can focus on doing what you do best. Doesn’t that sound great, instead of it always being the other way around!
What You Need to Get Started (I’ll do a full how-to guide in the near future):
- A reliable laptop and a decent internet connection.
- A pen tablet so you can handwrite directly onto the screen (crucial for maths but I’d say for any subject). I did a lot of research before settling on the One by Wacom. Without sounding too much like a salesman, it really has been great and I couldn’t do my job without it.
- A quiet, professional space for sessions.
- You can start on platforms like Superprof to gain experience, but eventually it pays to start your own website and business.
I can honestly say online tutoring has changed my life. It has not just been a great way to earn extra money—it has given me the freedom to work in a way that aligns with my values and priorities. I’m excited to share with you exactly how to get started in an upcoming post.
2. Student Workshops
If you’re looking for a side hustle that’s both impactful and well-paid, running workshops for students is an excellent option. Schools often hire external providers to present during class time on specialised topics like leadership, resilience or exam preparation. For example, The Intersection came to my school to deliver a workshop on empathy. It ran for 90 minutes and they made some good money (and they’re a reasonably priced option). Schools value these sessions because they complement the curriculum and give students a fresh perspective on practical skills they might not otherwise learn.
Why It’s a Great Option:
- Schools pay well for high-quality workshops that align with their learning objectives.
- You can focus on topics you’re passionate about, from life skills to creative writing or mental health.
- Workshops offer flexibility—you can run them during class time, after school, or during holidays.
How to Get Started:
Start by identifying your niche. What do you love teaching that would also benefit students? Leadership, time management and mental health are in high demand. Pitch your ideas to local schools or partner with existing organisations to deliver pre-designed programs. Once you’ve run a few sessions, you can expand by offering workshops to multiple schools or running online sessions to reach a wider audience.
3. Selling Teaching Resources
This is a nice and easy one. I know a teacher who absolutely loves designing classroom activities. She started uploading her resources to websites like Teachers Pay Teachers and Tes and now makes a steady stream of passive income from them. (if you like Pinterest, its another great place to sell and promote your resources)
Why It Works:
- You create resources once and sell them again and again.
- It’s a way to share your ideas and creativity with other teachers.
- You can generate income from resources you were going to create anyway.
If you already create quality lesson plans (or even enjoy making them) as well as worksheets or activities, this is a great way to earn extra money with minimal effort.
4. Freelance Writing or Editing
Freelance writing is something I’ve started exploring myself. While I’m not raking in huge amounts of money from it yet, I’ve found it to be a rewarding creative outlet and an opportunity to reflect on the issues in teaching and learning that matter most to me. Writing has helped me organise my thoughts, connect with other educators and share ideas that I think are useful.
Why It’s Worth Exploring:
- You can work from home and on your own schedule.
- It’s a chance to use your expertise in education in a new and creative way.
- If you stick with it, it has the potential to lead to collaborations with blogs, publishers or edtech companies.
Whether you’re interested in writing articles, creating educational content or editing learning materials, there’s plenty of demand for experienced teachers with strong writing skills. Start small by pitching to education blogs or signing up for freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to get your foot in the door.
5. Coaching Teachers
If you have a particular area of expertise—like integrating technology into the classroom or managing behaviour effectively—you could coach other teachers. I’ve seen this work well for people who enjoy mentoring and want to make a difference outside their own classroom.
Why It’s a Solid Option:
- It’s deeply rewarding to help fellow educators succeed.
- You can tailor it to your skills and interests.
- It can grow into something bigger, like online courses or workshops.
Social media can be a great way to market yourself and connect with teachers who need support.
6. Reduce Your Hours and Focus on a Passion Project
If your school allows it, reducing your teaching hours to three or four days a week can give you the time and energy to focus on a side project. Whether it’s writing a book, starting a podcast or launching a YouTube channel, you can use that extra day to build something meaningful.
Why It’s Worth Considering:
- It gives you the space to recharge and think creatively.
- You can explore new opportunities without giving up your teaching role.
- If it works, it could turn into something sustainable.
Remember, in the current teaching market, YOU have the power. So, don’t be afraid to ask about modifying your schedule to suit your life.
Final Thoughts
The best side hustle is the one that works for you—your skills, your schedule and your goals. Whether you’re tutoring, creating resources or exploring a passion project, the key is to start small and see where it takes you. And remember, the worst that can happen is that you’ll learn a lot along the way.
If online tutoring sounds like it could be your thing, keep an eye out, or consider subscribing, so you don’t miss my upcoming post. I’ll be sharing exactly how I set up my business, along with tips to help you succeed.