Amazon has announced a hiring blitz as new research found nearly half of all Australians consider taking on an extra job. Sadly, struggling with the rising cost of living was the main reason people wanted to earn more cash.
So, if coming up with a lucrative side hustle has proven too difficult for you, you could consider becoming an Amazon Flex driver. Amazon is recruiting ahead of Prime Day in July, with the biggest need in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
The job requires you to have your own car (ideally an SUV or cargo van) so you can pick up and deliver packages.
Neil Hughes is approaching his 64th birthday and told Yahoo Finance it was the perfect job to jump back into when he made the decision to come out of retirement.
“Initially it was something for me to do through the day but, but as time has gone on, with the cost of living, I’ve found it essential,” he said.
RELATED
“It’s my only source of income at the moment so I try to get as much work as I can and it’s really helped in that regard.”
The Sydneysider isn’t alone, with new research from YouGov and Amazon finding the cost-of-living crisis was forcing two-thirds of workers to consider taking on additional hours.
“Australians earning over $100,000 are most likely to seek out additional revenue opportunities (48 per cent) compared to those with lower incomes (36 per cent) in the next six months,” the research found.
“Nearly half (46 per cent) of Australians surveyed earning more than $150,000 per year feel their current income is not enough to keep up with rising living costs.”
How much can you make working for Amazon?
On average people were looking for an extra $350 a week. So how much would an Amazon Flex shift go toward that?
The minimum you’d make is $114 for a four-hour delivery block, but that jumps to $172 for a 6.5 hours with an SUV and $270 for an 8-hour shift in a cargo van.
One four-hour shift a week could net you an extra $5,928 a year.
Hughes said he makes about $1,000 a week depending on how many “blocks” he takes.
Blocks are essentially a shift time, with a set number of packages to deliver in that time.
“On average, you’re delivering 47-48 packages per block. If you’re on a three-hour block then you’re delivering pretty much around the area of the station, not sent too far away,” Hughes said.
He snaps up double-blocks whenever he can, and said he’s had no issues with his hatchback being big enough.
“I put the seats down and put the parcels in the back. I have no trouble fitting in what they give me. I’ve never left a package behind,” he said.
So how do I get a job with Amazon?
To land the flexible roles you need to be aged at least 20, with an unrestricted licence and have a smartphone and an eligible car. You can find out more information here.
While the biggest demand is in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, Amazon is still hiring in Newcastle, Gosford, Geelong, Adelaide and on the Gold Coast.
If you’re looking for a full-time or part-time role, Amazon is also onboarding 1,400 seasonal workers at fulfillment centres and logistics sites across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to “support the increased customer demand for the mid-year sales season”.
Find out more information here.