Just because you have retired does not mean you have to stop contributing to society. Indeed, many seniors choose to work long after they have called time on their careers – to earn extra money, keep their minds active, or just maintain social contact.
Whatever your particular reason for seeking out post-retirement employment, the good news is there are plenty of roles you can undertake. To help get you on the right track and to provide you with some inspiration, below is a list of 25 good job options for seniors in Australia.
Which of these takes your fancy the most?
Jobs for those wanting to remain in their professional field
The obvious choice for seniors who aren’t ready to fully retire just yet is to remain in their chosen field of specialisation. A great way to do this is to sell your knowledge or skills on either a freelance or contract basis. Some roles to consider include:
1. Consultant
What many seniors don’t realise is that they possess a valuable commodity many companies would love to tap into – experience.
Businesses are always looking to engage consultants to help them or their employees deal with specific issues such as expansion, cost-cutting methods or work relations. So, putting yourself forward as an expert or troubleshooter in a particular area can provide you with a lucrative sideline.
As a freelancer or being on a contract, you are usually able to determine your working conditions and hours, too.
2. Teacher
If your field of expertise is not conducive to working as a consultant, perhaps you can focus your energies on teaching. Plenty of Tafe’s and community centres regularly hire people who can run classes based on professional development or a specific interest. So, it is worth checking out what slots are available.
You should also bear in mind that you don’t have to be professionally qualified to teach a class, as your skills and experience may be enough to get you a gig fronting a self-enrichment workshop. For instance, if you are used to working in the food industry, you could run a baking or specialised cooking class.
3. Writer/Blogger
If you don’t fancy being a consultant or teacher, you can always share your knowledge as a writer. People are constantly looking for authoritative content, whether that be online or in print. So, if you know a lot about a subject, start a blog and share those articles on platforms like LinkedIn.
Once you have built up a presence, you should also approach publications relevant to your subject matter.
Jobs for those wanting to stay active
Some seniors are looking for roles that can help them remain active whilst also earning some extra money. Good options include:
4. Handyperson
If you have a good level of fitness and are handy when it comes to DIY, you can always find paid work doing repairs and odd jobs for others.
You can source clients by creating and posting flyers in your neighbourhood, joining an established company, or signing up for Airtasker – a mobile and online marketplace (that works a little like Uber) that enables users to outsource small tasks they need to do.
5. Gardener
For those who enjoy gardening, there is an opportunity to tap into this interest by mowing lawns or trimming bushes for other people. Again, you can find clients in your suburb or take up a part-time role in a landscaping company or nursery.
Just be mindful that this work is usually seasonal and can require physical exertion in hot or inclement weather.
6. Dog walker/sitter
Love animals? Then, putting yourself forward for dog sitting or walking should be a no-brainer.
Many people are looking for people to help keep their furry friends happy, fed and looked after and are willing to pay a decent amount of money for someone reliable.
The job does come with a fair degree of responsibility, however, once you get a name for yourself, you can pick up quite a few clients from MadPaws.com.au.
7. Security guard
Granted, being a security guard might not be the first role you think of as a senior. But you will be surprised how many older people undertake roles such as this.
More often than not, this type of work involves nothing more than being a deterrent by walking around a property and making sure everything is in order. You will need to pass a background check before you get taken on by a company, and you might have to work unsociable hours, but most of the time, it is pretty easy money.
8. Coach or referee
Whether it be in AFL, cricket, tennis or soccer, seniors who love sports should consider taking up a job as a coach or referee for junior teams.
You may need to be certified, depending on the level you coach and will need to pass background checks. In addition, you may not make a huge amount of money, and you might need to know basic first aid. But you will get plenty of fresh air and have the satisfaction of assisting others to enjoy the game.
Jobs for those who enjoy driving
If you possess a decent driving record, there are a few driving-related roles seniors can turn their hands to.
9. Courier
Several courier companies operate in Australia, and most of them are regularly on the lookout for reliable drivers. In addition, companies like Amazon, Australia Post and food producers need people to deliver packages to warehouses, businesses, stores and homes.
Usually, this involves sticking to specific timetables, so you will need to have the ability to do that. However, this type of role often involves taking you to several different places over the course of a day. So, it is a good way of getting out and about.
For those wanting even more meaningful work in this sphere, becoming a medical courier is an excellent option. This work involves transporting and delivering medications, test results, images (such as x-rays), lab specimens, and other important items that could literally save lives.
10. Uber driver
An alternative to working as a courier is to be an Uber driver. This work allows you to transport passengers from A to B. It also enables you to set aside the hours you want to work and has some tax benefits too. For instance, you can claim mileage and car service as a tax deduction for your own car.
Generally speaking, Uber Eats pays more than Uber as a taxi service. However, if you can set aside even a couple of hours every day, you can make some decent cash.
Jobs for those who want social contact
Some seniors primarily want to work post-retirement for the social contact they receive. This is important because the more interaction people over the age of 55+ have with others, the less prone they are to depression and dementia.
The following roles are tailor-made for those who want social interaction.
11. Tour Guide
Love where you live? Then why not showcase your knowledge of the sites, history and attractions that reside within it as a tour guide?
Depending on where you reside, you could present your hometown or a building/institution you know a lot about to tourists from all over the world. It is a perfect role for those with good oratory skills.
12. Greeter
If you pride yourself on being a people person, then taking up the role of greeting customers as they enter a workplace or store should be a natural fit for you.
Often, this work involves answering questions people have, looking out for shoplifters, helping customers with packages and doing a bit of cleaning. It will involve standing on your feet for long periods of time.
13. Customer service representative
If you don’t fancy standing up for long periods, you might be better off as a phone-based customer service representative.
There are plenty of roles available to seniors based on solving problems or answering questions. Good communication skills and lots of patience are required to perform their roles well – many of which can involve working from home.
14. Event usher and helpers
At any given time of the year, there are several concerts, shows or sporting events taking place. All of them require event ushers and helpers to ensure they run smoothly.
Seniors can get paid to collect tickets, help people find their seats and generally provide assistance to attendees. Depending on the event, start and finish times will vary and may often take place at weekends or late into the night.
15. Casino worker
Many seniors have been to a casino before, but have you thought about working in one?
Whether you are dealing cards, running the roulette wheel or doing surveillance, casinos offer a fast-paced, enjoyable atmosphere in which to work.
While some casinos will train new employees to get them up to scratch, you can choose to learn how the industry operates by taking classes at a gaming school.
16. ESL teacher
If you want to do something really meaningful, you could always try teaching English as a secondary language to people.
As well as making a difference to the lives of the people you are teaching, you will also be able to learn about their country and culture from your students.
If this is something you are serious about doing, it is worth gaining a formal certification or qualification because you could even work overseas and, therefore, incorporate travel into the role.
17. Retail salesperson
Retail sales are one of the most popular sectors for seniors to enter after they retire. Not only do they offer flexibility in terms of schedules, but they also facilitate plenty of interaction with customers.
The good thing about working in retail is that you can align your interests with the work. For instance, if you love reading, you can work in a bookstore, or if you love fashion, you can do some hours at a clothes shop, etc.
Depending on where you work, you might be able to get store discounts or other benefits as well.
18. Market Stalls
You often find seniors running market stalls as a way to make extra cash. Whether selling paintings, photography and jewellery, they have made themselves or products on behalf of someone else, working on a market stall allows them to interact with plenty of people and can be quite lucrative.
Market stalls tend to involve starting early and, generally speaking, take place whatever the weather. However, if you are a people person, you’ll find it is a terrific job to have.
Jobs for those who want to help others
After retiring, it is nice to help those who need assistance. So, if you are wanting to give back, it is worth considering these roles.
19. Childcare worker
If you have had kids, then you’re probably aware of the important role nannies and daycare and childcare centres played whilst you were working. Having been a customer of these services, why not go full circle and undertake them yourself?
You’ll need a lot of stamina (don’t forget children have plenty of energy!), and of course, you will have to go through a thorough security and background check. However, the rewards of shaping young minds and imparting knowledge is priceless.
For those who don’t possess formal qualifications or experience in childcare, it might be worth completing a course in it to help you find a role.
20. Tutor
Did you excel in a particular subject at school or in your career? Then perhaps you should consider tutoring. You can choose to tutor anyone from prep-school age to adults and this work can be done in people’s homes or at a neutral venue like a library.
The good thing about tutoring is that you can be flexible with your hours. You also have full control over who you take on as clients.
Whatever subject you decide to tutor, you need to be patient and have good communication and explanatory skills.
21. Home help or personal care aide
Another rewarding role where you can really make a difference is as a home help or personal care aide.
Home helpers can assist people (often elderly, sick or disabled people) with chores like doing the laundry, taking out the rubbish or tidying up the house.
By contrast, personal care aides may need to monitor body temperatures, change dressings or bandages or help people to bathe.
These roles tend to be popular with women, who are seen as more natural and empathetic carers, although there seems to be a bigger push to get men to take up these roles.
Other Job Opportunities
Here are some other roles that you might want to consider.
22. Barista
It is never too late to learn a new skill, so if you don’t already know how to do it, you might want to become a barista.
Coffee is a huge business in Australia and there is practically a coffee shop on every corner in most cities and coastal regions around the country. This means businesses are always looking for someone reliable who can make a top notch latte or macciato.
Cafes tend to open early in the morning, but they do finish early in the afternoon too. So, if you are an early riser who likes to have their free time past 3 or 4 pm every day, a barista could be the option for you.
Consider taking a barista course to learn the ropes more quickly.
23. Temping
If you have several skills at your disposal, don’t have any commitments such as picking up grandkids and are looking for a role that offers plenty of flexibility, then temping is a good option.
By signing up with an agency you can find yourself working for several companies over the course of a week, month or year. Each of which would provide a different experience.
The good thing about temping is that you get to set your own hours and choose whether you would work for the specific pay-rate the company are offering.
24. House Removalist
For those in decent physical condition, working as a house removalist is a viable option. People are always moving houses, so there is a big call for hired help to shift boxes and appliances.
Some of what needs to be moved might be a bit of a challenge. However, these jobs do pay well and will give you a good cardio workout!
25. Administrative assistant/Virtual assistant
After retiring from their career, many seniors take on roles as administrative assistants for companies who need someone to answer phones, respond to customer questions or do other things like book appointments.
Some even choose to or are able to work remotely, which means they can incorporate doing so from home or even while travelling, so long as they have a good internet connection.
