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The gig economy is an increasingly popular way for Australians to make money and gain more control over their schedule and career. With so much potential for income, many people are asking the question: how do I become a gig worker in Australia? Read on to learn the steps you need to take to become a successful gig worker.
Step 1: Make your pick
One of the most important steps when becoming a gig worker is identifying what type of work best suits your skills and interests. Think about the kind of skills you have that could be useful in the gig economy and research any areas where there is high demand. You may decide to focus on one specific area or offer multiple services. Depending on your interests, this could include anything from delivering food, providing customer service, assembling furniture, or being an online tutor. The best part about being a gig worker is you can decide, and you can also mix things up easily.
Step 2: Set your rates
Once you know what kind of services you will be offering, it’s important to set your rates accordingly. Do some research into how much other gig workers in your area are charging for similar services and use this as a guide when setting your own prices. You don’t want to charge too little and risk undervaluing your work, but you also don’t want to overcharge and lose out on potential clients. At the start of your gig working career, it makes sense to price yourself competitively so you can start to win work and build up positive reviews. Over time, if you have consistently good reviews, you will be able to charge more for your services.
Step 3: Choose your platforms
It is essential that you promote yourself online if you want to stand out from the crowd as a gig worker in Australia. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter can be great places to start building up an audience and letting people know about the services that you provide. You might also consider creating a website or blog where potential clients can learn more about what you have to offer. There are several different platforms that you can use to find gig work in Australia. Some of the most popular platforms include Airtasker, Freelancer, and Fiverr. No matter what you specialise in, there is likely to be a platform you can advertise your wares for online.
Step 4: Create a profile
Once you have chosen a platform, you will need to create a profile. This will typically involve providing some personal information, as well as creating a username and password. Once you have created your profile, you will need to complete it by adding a photo and some additional information about yourself. This will help potential clients to learn more about you and decide whether you’re the right person for the job. Invest plenty of time in building and maintaining your profile. Your profile is your shop front. Get professional photos done if appropriate, and make sure you really sell yourself. Gig working is fun, but it is competitive.
Step 5: Apply for gigs
Once your profile is complete, you can start searching for gigs that interest you. To find gigs, simply browse the job boards on your chosen platform or use the search function to find jobs that match your skills and interests. When you find a gig that you’re interested in, simply click on the ‘Apply’ button and follow the instructions on how to apply. You may be asked to submit a proposal outlining your qualifications and experience, as well as your proposed rate for the job. Tailor your proposals to the client and the job at hand. Whilst it may be tempting to repurpose proposals from other work to save you time, clients do notice the extra attention to tailor when you personalise your pitch.
Step 6: Complete gigs
Once you have negotiated terms with the employer, you can accept the gig by clicking on the ‘Accept’ button on the platform. Once accepted, you will be able to start working on the job immediately. Once you have accepted a gig, it’s important to make sure that you complete it to a high standard within the agreed timeframe. This will help to build up your reputation as a reliable gig worker and make it more likely that you will be offered future work opportunities. Getting good reviews is critical to getting further gigs.
Step 7: Lodge your tax
After you have completed a gig, the employer will release payment into your account on the platform. This is considered income that you’ll need to keep track of and pay tax on. Thriday makes it easy to complete all your business financial admin, including BAS and tax lodgments to the ATO. With Thriday, you can sign up for an account in minutes, and all your banking, accounting and tax is automated. This saves you time, gives you peace of mind, and allows you to claim the maximum tax deductions in a financial year. Take this quick tax quiz, to see how much time you could save by moving to Thriday.
Becoming a successful gig worker is an easy way to control your own destiny, achieve work/life balance and control your own destiny. If done right, it can be hugely rewarding both financially and professionally. By doing your research into the market, setting competitive rates and getting yourself out there online, you should soon find yourself experiencing success as a freelancer in Australia.