Single parents have it tough balancing work and looking after their kids alone. Finding gigs with part-time hours or flexible schedules is key for Mamas juggling childcare and job duties. The best jobs offer a steady income and have flexible hours for handling family stuff. You might need to do some retraining, but it will be worth it. You might even find one that'll let you work from home!
Let’s look at the best flexible jobs for single mums.
Best flexible jobs for single mums
Uber driver
Uber tops my list because it saved me when I was looking for a job. Drivers only need a smartphone, a full driver’s license, and a passport or birth certificate. As for the vehicle requirements, you’ll need a car that is a 2008 model or newer, has 4 doors, is registered and CTP-insured in your state, and has no cosmetic damages or commercial branding.
Your car must pass an approved Uber inspection, so give it a good clean. Additionally, you'll need to pass a simple medical exam. Ensure you are listed as an insured driver for the car you'll use. Signing up is easy – you can start earning money within a few days. You get paid weekly and can track your earnings as you go. Uber driving can be done alongside your current job or any of the other jobs listed below, as you can work as little or as much as you like.
What can I earn with Uber driving?
Most Uber drivers make about $25/hour. Your earnings depend on the day, the times you drive, and how long you need to wait between trips.
Contract bookkeeper
This next job is a perfect side hustle during school hours if you are a whizz with numbers. It allows you to work for people across the world. You will need a Certificate IV or higher in Bookkeeping, as well as training in GST and BAS Agent Registration. You’ll need access to a popular program that your potential clients will recognise, such as Xero or QuickBooks.
Once you're ready to start, head online to Fiverr and/or People Per Hour to register and bid for new jobs. Completing an accountancy course online is a great way to kickstart your new career in numbers.
What can I earn as a contract bookkeeper?
Payment for contract bookkeeping work varies by client and task, but basic earnings are around $28/hour.
Fitness instructor
Becoming a fitness instructor is a fantastic way to earn, work around your kids, and stay fit. It allows you to work during school hours and the opportunity to start your own business. You’ll need to study for a Certificate III/IV in Fitness and gain work experience through a vocational placement. After that, you’re ready to go.
According to Seek, fitness instructors have been in demand for years, so it's the best time to become one.
What can I earn as a Fitness Instructor?
The average wage for a fitness instructor is $25/hour. However, you'll earn more if you start your own fitness studio.
Best side hustle for extra income
Virtual Assistant or Project management
If you have office experience, you can be a home-based virtual assistant (VA) or project manager. Businesses, big and small, are recognising the value of good VAs, so it's time to dust off that keyboard.
You can work at home as a VA for multiple clients simultaneously, and they can be based anywhere in the world. Search on freelance websites such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. If you need to polish up old skills or learn a few new ones, it’s easy and affordable to train online with courses from Udemy.
What can I earn as a virtual assistant?
For casual VA work, you can earn between $35 to $55 per hour.
Teacher, teaching assistant or school office worker
Working at a school is perfect for single mothers. It allows you to save on gas and keep an eye on your child. These jobs are highly sought after, particularly because you get time off during school holidays, often with pay.
If you don't have time to train and become a full-fledged teacher, you can become a teaching aide instead. Alternatively, you can leverage your past administrative or marketing experience to work in the school office. If you have a knack for food and beverages, the school tuck shop is another option.
Start by volunteering at your child’s school. Use this opportunity to showcase your abilities and mention your interest in job openings. I did this when my oldest daughter was in kindergarten. While working there, I saved on commuting costs, I’m available for any school emergencies, and I have holidays off to spend with her.
According to TSA, being an online tutor is another in-demand work-from-home job, as it offers flexibility and the fulfilment of working with students.
What can I earn in Teaching?
Full-time teachers earn between $60K and $86K per year, depending on the state. Teaching assistants earn around $24/hour or $38K/year, while school secretaries earn an average of $57K/year.
Sell stuff online
If you’re clever and crafty, try making and selling items online. Platforms like Etsy allow you to bypass creating a website and just SELL. Don’t worry if, like me, you don’t have an artsy bone in your body. You could buy wholesale items and sell them individually at a profit on Gumtree, eBay, or Etsy. Selling online offers a huge amount of work-hour flexibility and enormous room for growth.
What can I earn Selling Online?
Your earnings depend entirely on what you sell, your cost of sales, and your sales volume.
Best part-time flexible jobs for single mums
Hairdressing, eyebrow technician, spray tanner
A job in the beauty industry can give you flexible hours with the right employer, or you can even set up your own business from home. Depending on what you're interested in, your qualifications, and the equipment you already have, it might be as simple as getting an ABN and getting started.
If you need training, there are plenty of online beauty schools that can get you certified. And the equipment might be cheaper than you think—check out second-hand items on eBay or affordable new gear on Amazon.
After her divorce, my friend Joan badly needed a job. She always loved doing hair and makeup, so she took a few online courses to get certified in hairdressing. Now, Joan has a steady stream of clients. The best part was she could support and be there for her son while doing something she loves.
What can I earn in the Beauty Industry?
If you're employed as a beauty therapist, you can earn about $25/hour, depending on your experience. Working for yourself can be more profitable, with earnings of around $50/hour after considering equipment and other costs. Hairdressers typically start at around $18/hour, and senior stylists make about $55/hour.
Transcriptionist
If you’re quick on the keyboard, transcribing could be the ideal career choice for you. It involves listening to live or recorded audio files and typing the words into document form. Usually, transcriptionists work for legal, police, or medical services, meaning professionalism, accuracy, and discretion are crucial.
What can I earn as a Transcriptionist?
You can earn around $25 to $55 per hour doing transcriptions.
Chef, waitress, café supervisor
If hospitality is more your thing, why not work in a café, daytime restaurant, or bar? With many eateries on the high street, there’s plenty of choice. Securing a job as a waitress can be done with a bubbly personality, good grooming, and a willingness to work. A barista licence also helps. Such jobs can easily lead to supervisor positions, which pay more. If you have experience as a chef or kitchen hand, you can showcase your abilities to a café owner. Make sure any potential employer knows your situation and that you are available for lunch service most days and perhaps some evenings when the kids are with their dad.
What can I earn as a Café Employee?
As a waitress, you will earn around $25/hour. If you land a permanent job as a supervisor, this can increase to $49K/year. The average pay for a kitchen chef is $23/hour, which increases with experience. Hospitality workers often receive tips and bonuses for holiday work.
Freelance Writer (Best work-from-home option)
If you’ve had a career as a writer or just enjoy writing, there are plenty of opportunities for writers in today’s content-hungry world. Check out websites such as iWriter, where you’ll find callouts for every type of writer—website content, blogging, academic papers, and everything in between. Topics vary, so if you have expertise in a certain area, you can write about that and charge a premium. These part-time jobs have deadlines that you can work on within school hours or when the kids are in bed. If your writing skills are a little rusty, run your work through Grammarly to check for spelling or grammatical errors.
What can I earn from Freelance Writing?
Depending on the employer, niche, and writing speed, writers generally earn between $25 and $100 per hour.
Childcare worker
Working with younger children in a kindergarten or daycare centre is a sensible choice when you’re looking for part-time, flexible jobs for single mums. If you don’t already have the necessary qualifications, you will need to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood and Care and/or Children’s Services. To become a manager or coordinator, which pays better, you will need to obtain a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. These qualifications can be partially completed from home, with vocational placements, which may even lead to a permanent position.
What can I earn as a Childcare Worker?
The average wage for a daycare worker is $23/hour. The average salary of a daycare centre manager is $66K/year.
Best part-time home jobs
Data entry
A data entry job is fantastic for solo mums because it offers flexibility. Since many of these positions can be done from home, you can avoid the stress of commuting and save on costs. This kind of gig involves tasks like entering, updating, and maintaining data in databases. It can be done part-time, offers flexible work, and doesn't require special qualifications.
What can I earn with a Data Entry job?
Pay rates for data entry jobs generally range from $12 to $20 per hour.
Freelance graphic designer
If you’re creative, consider a graphic design job. To deliver professional files in the correct format, you’ll need software like Photoshop. However, many graphic designers now utilise platforms such as Canva or Easil, both of which offer free versions. You need to create an impressive profile on freelancer websites such as Upwork and Fiverr. Be sure to showcase a small portfolio of your work and price yourself competitively in the market without undervaluing the quality of your work.
Further reading: Single mum income in Australia
What can I earn in Graphic Design?
Earnings in this field vary depending on experience and skills, but the average wage falls between $35 to $55 per hour.
(All earning rates taken from Payscale at the time of writing.)
Summary: Flexible jobs for single mothers
Like many single mummas, I know firsthand the struggle of balancing it all. But I've found that there are plenty of options that allow us to earn while being there for our kids. Whether you want to drive with Uber or work freelance as a writer, you can explore different career paths. Each job offers different challenges and rewards, but the best thing about them is being able to take control of your career and schedule so you can be there for your kiddos whenever they need you. Have fun with your job search!
