Retirement does not have to mean the end of paid work. Plenty of Australians in their 60s and 70s pick up casual jobs for the extra income, the staff discounts, or simply to stay connected and active. The good news is that the Age Pension rules are far friendlier to part-time work than most people expect, thanks to the Work Bonus. Here is how casual income really affects your pension, and ten of the best casual jobs for retirees in Australia right now.
Why Casual Work in Retirement Makes Sense
Beyond the obvious extra cash, casual work in retirement has real benefits: structure and routine, social contact, learning new skills, and even better physical and mental health. For many retirees, a couple of shifts a week is the sweet spot: enough engagement to feel useful, enough freedom to keep travelling and seeing the grandkids.
How Casual Income Affects Your Age Pension: WorkBonus Explained
Most retirees dramatically overestimate how much a casual job will cost them in pension. Two rules do the heavy lifting:
- The Work Bonus. The first $300 of employment income you earn each fortnight is disregarded completely. Whatever part of that $300 you do not use banks up, to a cap of $11,800, so you can save the concession for months when you work more.
- The ordinary income-free area. On top of the Work Bonus, a single pensioner can have about $226 per fortnight of other income (around $396 combined for a couple) before the pension reduces at 50 cents in the dollar for singles or 25 cents for couples.
Put together, a single pensioner can earn roughly $526 a fortnight from casual work before the pension drops at all. And even after that, you only lose 50 cents of pension for each extra dollar, so you are always ahead by working.
Here is a worked example for a single pensioner earning $450 a fortnight from two casual shifts:
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Casual employment income | $450.00 |
| Less Work Bonus | -$300.00 |
| Less ordinary income-free area | -$226.00 |
| Assessable income | $0.00 |
| Pension reduction | $0.00 |
| Money in your pocket | $450 + full pension |
For context, the maximum Age Pension for a single person is $1,237.70 per fortnight (September 2026 rates). The one obligation: you must report your employment income to Centrelink each fortnight, even when it falls under the thresholds.
The 10 Best Casual Jobs for Over-60s
1. Hardware store team member. Hardware chains such as Bunnings are well known for valuing older workers with a lifetime of practical knowledge. Roles range from greeting customers to specialist advice in gardening or timber.
2. Supermarket service roles. Checkout, shelf-stocking and customer-service roles offer flexible shifts close to home, and demand is constant.
3. School crossing supervisor. A genuine classic: a short shift morning and afternoon, school holidays off, and a vital community role.
4. Exam supervisor or school support. Schools and exam boards hire casual supervisors, test readers and scribes during exam periods. It is quiet, paid work that fits around other commitments.
5. Election work. The Australian Electoral Commission hires tens of thousands of casual staff for federal and state elections, with a training fee plus day rates. You can even work pre-poll and election day back to back.
6. Tutoring or teacher’s aide. If you have a teaching or trades background, tutoring a few afternoons a week pays well per hour, and schools regularly seek casual aides.
7. Visitor centre or tourism host. Regional visitor information centres love retired locals who genuinely know the area. Weekday shifts suit travellers who avoid peak holiday crowds.
8. Gallery, museum or library guide. Cultural institutions hire casual guides, hosts and event staff. Training is provided, and the environment is stimulating.
9. Pet care and house sitting. Dog walking, pet minding and house sitting need no qualifications, keep you active, and can be built into a steady micro-business through local networks and apps.
10. Market stall or hobby business. Woodwork, preserves, plants or craft: markets turn a hobby into income without an employer. Many shed-makers do exactly this.
Honourable mentions: office temping and reception relief, café and club hospitality, and driving work if you enjoy being on the road.
Jobs With the Best Perks and Staff Discounts
If maximizing non-cash benefits appeals, target retail first: staff discounts of 5 to 15 percent at supermarkets, hardware and department stores quietly add up when they offset your own grocery bill. Election work pays a training fee, and council roles often come with public-holiday loading. Gallery and library work offers the perk most retirees value most: an engaging place to spend the day.
Where to Find Casual Work for Retirees in Australia
- SEEK and Indeed with a “casual” filter and a realistic suburb radius
- Ethical Jobs for community-sector roles
- AEC jobs portal ahead of each federal election cycle
- Local council websites for crossing supervisor and community roles
- Facebook community groups and neighbourhood pages for pet care, gardening and handy-person requests
- Workforce Australia providers, including employment programs that help mature-age workers, and employer incentives such as the Restart wage subsidy for hiring workers aged 50+
When applying, lead with reliability. Employers hiring casuals rank dependability, life experience and flexibility above everything else, and that is exactly the package most retirees offer.
Tax-Free Threshold and Casual Work: What to Know
The first $18,200 of your annual income is tax-free, and the Seniors and Pensioners Tax Offset can shelter even more pension-and-wage income from tax. Two cautions: if you take a second casual job, do not claim the tax-free threshold from both employers at once, or you will build a tax debt; and casual loading (typically 25 percent) is included in your taxable wage, not on top of tax-free income. If your affairs are simple, the free ATO Tax Help program can prepare your return for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours can I work while on the Age Pension?
There is no hours limit at all. Only your income matters, and the Work Bonus plus the income-free area mean a single pensioner can earn roughly $526 a fortnight before the pension reduces.
Will casual work cancel my Pensioner Concession Card?
No, as long as you remain eligible for even a part pension. Report your income and your card continues.
Does the Work Bonus apply to self-employment income?
Different rules apply to income from your own business; the automatic $300 concession applies to employment income. Talk to Services Australia about your specific situation.
What if I only work during certain seasons?
That is exactly what the Work Bonus income bank (up to $11,800) is for. Unused concession from quiet fortnights covers busier ones.
Looking for ideas beyond paid work? See our guides to things to do in retirement and planning your retirement income.