How to Make Money Online in Australia Under 18 — 2026 Guide

Making money online in Australia as a minor is completely achievable — but you need to understand which methods work with Australian payment systems and what the tax situation looks like. This guide covers the practical reality.

The Australian under-18 money situation

In Australia, you can earn income as a minor without a formal business structure. You're not required to have an ABN (Australian Business Number) for small amounts of income — the ATO's threshold for individuals is $75,000/year before GST registration is compulsory.

For most teen entrepreneurs, you're operating well under that threshold. The practical constraint is receiving payment: you need an Australian bank account, which most banks allow minors to open (Commonwealth Bank's Smart Access account, for example, is available from age 14).

Best method 1: Sell digital products

Digital products — ebooks, templates, Canva designs, Notion templates, Lightroom presets — can be sold globally through platforms like Gumroad (no age verification, PayPal payout) or Shopify (with parental assistance for payment setup).

For Australian teens, Gumroad is the lowest-friction starting point: create an account with an email, upload your product, set a price, and receive payments to PayPal. PayPal allows Australian minors to hold accounts with parental approval.

Best method 2: Content creation (YouTube, TikTok)

YouTube Partner Program requires you to be 18+ to apply directly, but a parent or guardian can set up the AdSense account on your behalf. Many Australian teen YouTubers operate this way — the parent holds the monetisation account, the teen creates the content.

TikTok Creator Fund and TikTok Shop have similar age requirements — 18+ for direct monetisation. Workaround: brand deals and sponsored content don't have the same age restrictions. Australian brands increasingly pay teen content creators for sponsored posts.

Best method 3: Freelance services

Service businesses — graphic design, social media management, video editing, copywriting — have zero startup cost and can be started at any age. Australian businesses on Upwork and Fiverr don't ask for your age; they hire based on work quality.

For Australian teens, starting with local small businesses (via Facebook community groups, Instagram, or in-person outreach) is often faster than competing on global freelance platforms. A local café owner who needs an Instagram presence is an easier first client than competing with overseas freelancers on Upwork.

Best method 4: Print-on-demand

Print-on-demand stores (Redbubble, Merch by Amazon, Printify + Shopify) allow you to design products — t-shirts, phone cases, art prints — and earn royalties when they sell. Redbubble allows under-18 accounts and pays to PayPal.

The learning curve is design — use Canva's free templates to create designs, upload to Redbubble, and you're selling within 24 hours. No ABN, no inventory, no upfront cost.

Australian tax basics for teens

If you earn over $18,200 in a financial year (the Australian tax-free threshold for individuals), you'll need to lodge a tax return. Below that amount, your income is tax-free.

For most teen entrepreneurs, staying under $18,200 is realistic in the early stages. Once you're earning consistently, an accountant's fee is worth it — many will do a simple return for under $200 and help you understand what expenses you can claim.