Ways to Make Extra Money Online in Australia: Bonuses, Paid Surveys & Apps
Bank bonuses, paid survey sites, referral offers and money-saving apps • updated 26 October 2026
✓ Conditional signup rewards · ✓ Paid surveys · ✓ Savings on planned purchases
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Extra money online can come from a one-off bank bonus, paid research or work you do for someone else. Cashback and cheaper money transfers can also help your budget, but they reduce spending rather than create income.
This guide focuses on small, practical options: conditional signup rewards, survey payments and savings on purchases or transfers you already planned to make. Each has a different time commitment and payout process.
Start with one useful account or two survey panels. Track the money actually received and all the time spent, including screen-outs and waiting. Keep an option only when its value is worth the effort and any fees.
There is no fixed first-month total. You might already be ineligible for a signup offer, receive few suitable surveys or have no spending that qualifies for cashback. Avoid extra purchases or subscriptions just to collect a reward.
If you want to go deeper by category, I also keep separate guides for bank bonuses in Australia, paid survey sites, travel money cards, and free bank accounts.
Disclosure: This post contains referral and affiliate links. If you sign up through them, I may receive a bonus or commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change what I recommend — I’ve included the limitations and requirements clearly below.
How This Works
Companies spend money to win new customers. Banks and fintech apps often do this through referral bonuses. Survey companies pay you because brands want consumer opinions. Travel and money apps compete by offering better exchange rates, lower fees, cashback promos or cheaper tools.
Get a $21 Up sign-up bonus through our invitation after successful signup. New-customer eligibility and offer conditions apply.
💡 The Simple Strategy
Choose one account you would keep using, then try two survey panels. Add cashback to purchases you already planned. Skip extra accounts and paid travel tools that do not solve a need.
Here’s the full breakdown of the best options I’d start with right now.
Best Ways to Make Extra Money Online in Australia (October 2026)
Swipe sideways to compare all columns →
| Platform | Category | Bonus / Value | What You Need to Do | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ubank | Bank bonus | $30 | Enter code AFWLLL7 + make 5 settled card purchases of at least $5 each within 30 days | 5 min |
| Up Bank | Bank bonus | $21 sign-up bonus through our Up invitation; eligibility applies. | Get a $21 Up sign-up bonus through our invitation after successful signup. New-customer eligibility and offer conditions apply. | 5 min |
| YouTrip | Travel cashback | 4% eligible welcome cashback; up to $25/month for six months | Eligible new account approved 23 Sep–31 Dec 2026; qualifying non-AUD purchases of at least $1 | Application and approval time varies |
| Octopus Group | Surveys | Strong survey rates | Sign up + complete profile and surveys | 3 min |
| AttaPoll | Surveys | Quick mobile surveys | Download app + complete surveys | 2 min |
| Purkle | Surveys | High-payout surveys | Sign up + check regularly | 2 min |
| Survey Village | Surveys | Paid surveys | Sign up through referral | 2 min |
| Purple Patch | Surveys | GiftPay eGift cards | Sign up + complete surveys | 3 min |
| PureProfile | Surveys | Paid surveys | Sign up through referral | 2 min |
| SaySo | Surveys | Paid surveys | Sign up through referral | 2 min |
| Influence | Surveys | Market research | Sign up through referral | 2 min |
| Wise | Money transfer | Compare the full transfer quote | Compare a quote only when you need a transfer | 5 min |
| Revolut | Money app | Currency tools | Use for spending, budgeting or holding currencies | 5 min |
What can you actually earn or save?
- Bank bonuses: one-off rewards only after all eligibility and purchase conditions are met. Ubank’s current offer is $30; our Up invitation currently displays $21.
- Surveys: payment depends on invitations, qualification and completion. No monthly income is guaranteed.
- Cashback: a saving on eligible purchases, often paid after a validation period. It is not extra income if you spent more to earn it.
- Travel and transfers: compare the final cost for your actual transaction. A lower fee is useful only when you need the service.
Keep a simple record of cash received, gift cards you will use, fees, purchases and time spent. Do not add hypothetical travel savings to survey earnings and call the total monthly income.
Allow time beyond the application: identity checks, settled card purchases, survey qualification and reward processing can take longer than account setup. Check the deadline before you start.
Let’s walk through each section.
Step 1: Easy Sign-Up Bonuses
Bank signup offers can provide a one-off reward when the account suits you. Check age, residency, previous-customer exclusions, signup code and the required transactions before opening. Approval and identity verification are separate from earning the reward.
🏦 ubank — $30 Sign-Up Bonus
ubank is the easiest place to start because the offer is straightforward: enter the referral code at signup, open your Spend account, and make 5 settled card purchases of at least $5 each within 30 days.
The current Ubank $30 referral joining window runs from 25 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 inclusive. The reward is paid to Spend after qualification; generally allow around a month. Both people must be 18 or over. Join using code AFWLLL7 and complete five eligible card purchases of at least $5 each that settle in your first 30 days. Returning-customer exclusions apply; check the full referral terms below.
How to get your ubank bonus:
- Download the ubank app and start the signup process
- Enter code AFWLLL7 at signup
- Open your ubank Spend account and complete ID verification
- Make 5 eligible card purchases of at least $5 each, settled within 30 days
- Ubank pays the $30 to your Spend account after eligibility is met; allow around a month
Referral eligibility is separate from the welcome savings rate. The $30 referral offer excludes former customers who held any Ubank account other than a UhomeLoan in the previous 24 months. The welcome savings rate has its own 24-month exclusion across Ubank-branded products.
Why keep it after the bonus: ubank is handy as a second everyday account, a separate savings/bills account, or a backup card. Even if you use another bank as your main account, having a free second account can be useful for organising money.
Ubank: offer and account conditions
Ubank Save: bank rates, conditions and retrieval date
Retrieved 12 Nov 2026, 18:34 GMT+0800. Bank product information
Ongoing: 5.60% p.a. on the first $1,000,000; 0.00% p.a. on the portion above $1,000,000.
Eligible introductory period (4 months): 6.50% p.a. on the first $1,000,000; 0.00% p.a. on the portion above $1,000,000. New-customer and monthly conditions apply.
Components below are supplied by the bank; bonus margins are not standalone total rates.
- BONUS 5.60%: Everyday Bonus Rate Customer must grow their total Save account balances by at least $1 each month, excluding interest credits. Does not include accounts that are linked as offsets at the end of the month.
- BONUS 5.60%: Everyday Bonus Rate Customer must grow their total Save account balances by at least $1 each month, excluding interest credits. Does not include accounts that are linked as offsets at the end of the month.
- BONUS 5.60%: Everyday Bonus Rate Customer must grow their total Save account balances by at least $1 each month, excluding interest credits. Does not include accounts that are linked as offsets at the end of the month.
- BONUS 0.00%: Everyday Bonus Rate Customer must grow their total Save account balances by at least $1 each month, excluding interest credits. Does not include accounts that are linked as offsets at the end of the month.
- INTRODUCTORY 0.90%: Welcome Bonus for eligible new customers. Only paid when Bonus Interest criteria is met. Rates on Shared accounts may be different. P4M
- INTRODUCTORY 0.90%: Welcome Bonus for eligible new customers. Only paid when Bonus Interest criteria is met. Rates on Shared accounts may be different. P4M
- INTRODUCTORY 0.90%: Welcome Bonus for eligible new customers. Only paid when Bonus Interest criteria is met. Rates on Shared accounts may be different. P4M
- INTRODUCTORY 0.00%: Welcome Bonus for eligible new customers. Only paid when Bonus Interest criteria is met. Rates on Shared accounts may be different. P4M
Variable rates may change. Balance tiers and combined-account caps apply; shared accounts and special cohorts can differ. Referral rewards are separate offers and are reviewed manually.
Ubank referral: the standard $30 offer currently covers eligible signups. Enter AFWLLL7 during signup; both people must be 18 or over. Five eligible card purchases of at least $5 each must settle within the first 30 days. Payment can take around a month after qualification. Returning customers who held any Ubank account other than a UhomeLoan in the previous 24 months are excluded. Full referral terms.
Deposit protection: eligible Ubank deposits share NAB’s $250,000-per-person FCS limit. These are limits per person per institution, not per account. Rates are variable. Account eligibility and identity checks apply.
Up Bank — $21 invitation reward
Up Bank is a full Australian bank account with a clean app, instant spending notifications, zero international transaction fees, and useful savings features. I’ve used it as a travel and everyday spending card for years because it’s simple and easy to manage from your phone.
Up operates under Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s licence, so deposits are covered under the Australian Government’s Financial Claims Scheme up to the applicable limit.
How to get your Up Bank bonus:
- Get a $21 Up sign-up bonus through our invitation after successful signup. New-customer eligibility and offer conditions apply. Join Up — $21 bonus
$21 Up sign-up offer · eligibility and referral details
Eligible new customers get a $21 sign-up bonus through our Up invitation after successful signup and identity verification. Complete signup within the invitation’s 14-day validity. We may receive a referral reward. Offer conditions apply.
- Download the Up app from the App Store or Google Play
- Complete the signup and verify your ID
- Pass ID verification/KYC
- Get a $21 Up sign-up bonus through our invitation after successful signup. New-customer eligibility and offer conditions apply.
Important: The 5-purchase requirement is for ubank, not Up Bank. For Up, the key step is signing up through the referral and passing ID verification.
Why keep it after the bonus: Up is genuinely useful after the referral bonus. It has no international transaction fees, real-time notifications, savings tools, round-ups, multiple Savers, and one of the better banking apps in Australia.
Read my full review: Up Bank Review 2026
Up: offer and account conditions
Up savings: ordinary Savers use Grow and Flow rules, with five qualifying monthly debit-card purchases and withdrawal conditions. Check the current rate and balance caps in Up before transferring savings. The $21 invitation reward is separate from monthly savings interest.
Up travel: no Up international transaction or ATM-withdrawal fee; ATM operators can charge separately. The card uses Mastercard’s exchange rate. Daily withdrawal limits still apply: the standard ATM cash-out limit is $1,000, subject to approved variations. Up currently advises allowing 15–20 business days for a physical card. Up travel information.
Deposit protection: eligible Up deposits share Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s $250,000-per-person FCS limit. These are limits per person per institution, not per account. Rates are variable. Account eligibility and identity checks apply.
💳 YouTrip — Welcome Cashback for Eligible Overseas Spending
YouTrip is a prepaid travel wallet. Eligible new Australian accounts approved from 23 September to 31 December 2026 can earn 4% cashback on qualifying non-AUD purchases for their first six months, capped at $25 per calendar month. The minimum eligible transaction is $1; ATM withdrawals and AUD purchases do not qualify. Cashback is paid within 30 days after month-end. Welcome cashback terms.
It isn’t a full bank account like Up or ubank. You load money onto it, then spend from the card. That makes it more of a travel spending tool than a main everyday account.
How to qualify for YouTrip welcome cashback:
- Explore YouTrip
- Complete verification
- Make eligible non-AUD purchases of at least $1 during your six-month welcome period; cashback is capped at $25 per calendar month.
- Welcome cashback is credited after month-end when the campaign’s transaction and eligibility conditions are met
Why keep it after the bonus: It can be useful as a backup travel card or a separate spending card for online purchases and foreign currency transactions.
Keep the offers separate: Ubank’s $30 and Up’s $21 rewards have their own eligibility rules. YouTrip welcome cashback requires eligible spending. Its separate $10 referral programme needs a valid in-app referral link, confirmation before registration and both parties’ top-ups; do not assume a standard app-download link earns it or that different offers combine. YouTrip referral conditions.
Step 2: Paid Survey Sites & Research Panels
Surveys won’t make you rich, but they’re one of the simplest ways to earn small amounts online. You can do them while watching TV, waiting for appointments, sitting on public transport, or killing time on your phone.
The trick is signing up for multiple platforms. One survey site won’t send you enough opportunities by itself. A few together gives you a much better chance of having surveys available when you feel like doing them.
Best Places to Start
🦑 Octopus Group — Best Overall Survey Platform
Octopus Group is one of the first survey platforms I’d try in Australia. It tends to pay better than many generic survey apps and often has more interesting studies, including product feedback, consumer research, and higher-paying research sessions when they’re available.
Payout: bank transfer or eligible gift cards. Octopus cash redemption requires more than $20; gift cards have separate denominations and credit costs.
Read my full review: Octopus Group Review
📱 AttaPoll — Best Mobile Survey App
AttaPoll is useful because it’s quick and mobile-first. Surveys are usually short, the app is easy to check, and the low cash-out threshold makes it feel more rewarding than platforms where you have to wait ages to withdraw.
The best approach is to be selective. Skip long surveys with tiny rewards and focus on shorter ones that are actually worth your time.
Payout: available methods and minimums depend on your country and payment choice. Check AttaPoll’s in-app reward screen before spending time on surveys.
More Survey Sites to Add
Once you’ve signed up for the main two, add a few extra platforms. More accounts means more survey invitations and a better chance of qualifying for something when you have spare time.
🏠 Survey Village — Australian-Focused Surveys
Survey Village is an Australian survey platform that can be useful as a secondary option. It won’t always be your top earner, but it gives you another place to pick up extra surveys.
Read my full review: Survey Village Review
🎁 Purple Patch — Gift Card Rewards
Purple Patch pays in GiftPay eGift cards rather than cash. That’s less flexible than a bank transfer, but still useful if you shop at major Australian retailers anyway.
Read my full review: Purple Patch Review
PureProfile — A long-running survey platform that can be worth adding to your rotation for extra survey volume.
Purkle — One of the better survey extras to add early if you want frequent invitations and decent payouts. Check it alongside your main survey platforms rather than treating it as a last resort.
SaySo — A consumer opinion platform with quick surveys and a simple interface.
Influence — Market research studies and surveys from different brands and research partners.
My honest take on surveys: They’re not passive income and they’re not going to replace your job. But if you check a few platforms consistently, cash out regularly, and ignore the low-paying time-wasters, they can be a simple way to earn small amounts online.
Read my full guide: Best Survey Sites Australia 2026
Cashback on purchases you already planned
ShopBack and TopCashback can reduce eligible shopping, insurance, broadband or travel costs. Compare the final price first, check exclusions and avoid unapproved discount codes that can invalidate tracking. A tracked transaction may remain pending until the retailer confirms it.
TopCashback’s ordinary Australian referral offer is $20 after a new member earns $10 of eligible cashback within 180 days; exclusions apply. Other promotions can require a different signup page. Read our ShopBack vs TopCashback comparison and missing cashback guide before relying on a reward.
Step 3: Money-Saving Apps for Travel, Transfers & Spending
These aren’t all direct “make money” offers. They’re tools that can save you money if you travel, spend overseas, send money internationally, or need mobile data abroad. If you don’t travel or deal with foreign currencies, you can skip this section.
🌎 Where These Fit In
Think of these as money-saving tools rather than guaranteed bonuses. They can be worth more than a small sign-up bonus if they help you avoid international transaction fees, poor exchange rates, expensive roaming, or overpriced travel insurance.
💸 Wise — Compare International Transfer Costs
Wise is useful if you send money overseas, get paid in another currency, pay international invoices, or travel long-term. The main value isn’t a flashy cash bonus — it’s the exchange rate and transparent fees.
Wise charges a conversion or transfer fee that depends on the transaction. Compare the amount your recipient receives after all fees with your bank and other services. A fee discount applies only if your specific invitation or promotion offers it; do not assume every signup link includes a free transfer.
How to use Wise:
- Explore Wise
- Complete verification
- Use it for your next international transfer
- Compare the total cost against your normal bank before sending
Why keep it: It’s useful for international transfers, multi-currency balances, receiving overseas payments, and avoiding poor bank exchange rates.
🌐 Revolut — Useful Money App, Not a Guaranteed Bonus
Revolut is worth mentioning as a money app, but I wouldn’t treat it as a guaranteed sign-up bonus. Its value is more in the multi-currency features, spending tools, budgeting features and the ability to hold and exchange different currencies.
This is better for travellers, freelancers, online sellers, or anyone who deals with USD, GBP, EUR or other currencies. For conditional signup rewards, compare Ubank and the current Up invitation. YouTrip welcome cashback requires eligible spending.
How to use Revolut:
- Explore Revolut
- Complete identity verification
- Use it only if the features suit you — don’t sign up expecting a guaranteed cash bonus
- Compare the fees and limits against your existing bank or travel card
Why keep it: It can be useful for currency balances, international spending, budgeting and separating travel money from your everyday bank account.
Read my full comparison: Wise vs Revolut vs Up Bank
The tools in this section are affiliate links and are best viewed as money-saving options rather than guaranteed income. Only use them if they suit your actual travel or money needs.
How to Maximise Your Earnings
Signing up is the easy part. Here’s how to get the most value without wasting time.
🏦 Start With the Direct Bonuses
Start with an account you would use after any reward. For Ubank, enter AFWLLL7 during signup and complete five eligible purchases of at least $5 each that settle within 30 days. Our Up invitation currently displays $21 after successful eligible signup. YouTrip is relevant if you have planned eligible non-AUD spending, not as guaranteed free cash.
📈 Use Multiple Survey Sites
Survey income is a volume game. Sign up to a few platforms, turn on notifications for the ones you like, and skip surveys that clearly aren’t worth your time.
📧 Use a Separate Email Address
A separate email address makes it easier to track survey invitations, referral offers and bonus requirements without cluttering your main inbox.
💰 Cash Out Regularly
Don’t leave large balances sitting in survey accounts. Cash out as soon as you hit the minimum threshold so the money is actually in your bank account.
🔄 Refer Others After You’ve Tested Them
Many of these platforms have their own referral programs. Once you’ve signed up and know which ones are actually useful, you can share your own links with friends, family or your audience.
Quick-Start Checklist
Start with the simple bonuses, then add the survey platforms if you want ongoing small earnings.
⏱ Your Action Plan:
Direct Bonuses (15–20 minutes):
- ubank — Enter code AFWLLL7, make 5 settled card purchases of at least $5 each within 30 days, collect $30
- Get a $21 Up sign-up bonus through our invitation after successful signup. New-customer eligibility and offer conditions apply.
- YouTrip — Compare the 4% welcome cashback, monthly cap and eligible non-AUD purchases
Paid Surveys (20 minutes):
- Octopus Group — Register, complete profile, watch for higher-paying studies
- AttaPoll — Download app, complete profile, do short surveys
- Purkle — Register early for high-payout, frequent survey invites
- Survey Village — Register through link
- Purple Patch — Register through link
- PureProfile — Register through link
- SaySo — Register through link
- Influence — Register through link
Money-Saving Tools (use when relevant):
- Wise — Use for international transfers or overseas payments
- Revolut — Use only if the currency and money tools suit you
- Saily eSIM — Get data before travelling overseas
- SafetyWing — Compare if you need flexible travel insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these online money-making offers actually legit?
Yes, these are standard referral programs, sign-up bonuses, survey platforms and affiliate offers. The important thing is to read the terms, use the correct referral links or codes, and avoid anything that asks for suspicious upfront payments.
Will signing up for multiple bank accounts affect my credit score?
Opening transaction accounts or prepaid-style accounts is different from applying for credit cards or loans. The accounts in this guide are not listed as credit products, so they should not affect your credit score in the same way a credit application would.
How much can I realistically make?
Ubank’s referral offer pays $30 when its conditions are met. Up offers a separate $21 sign-up bonus through our invitation when you meet its requirements. Survey earnings vary; travel money tools only save you money when their features fit your actual spending.
Can I do this if I already have one of these accounts?
You usually won’t receive a new-customer sign-up bonus for a platform you already have or recently had. But you can still use the other offers, survey sites and money-saving tools that you haven’t tried yet.
Do I need to keep all these accounts open?
No. Keep the accounts and apps you actually find useful. For me, the best long-term value comes from the accounts that save money on spending or transfers, and the survey platforms that continue to send worthwhile opportunities.
Are survey sites worth the time?
They can be, but only if you’re selective. Surveys are best for spare-time earning, not serious income. If a survey is too long for the reward, skip it. Focus on platforms with better rates, lower cash-out thresholds and studies that match your profile.
Is there an age requirement?
Most banking products require you to be 18+. Survey platforms generally require 16+ or 18+ depending on the platform. Always check each platform’s terms before signing up.
What if a platform stops paying or changes its terms?
This is why I recommend cashing out survey earnings regularly and never leaving large balances sitting in survey accounts. Bonus amounts, eligibility rules and referral programs can change at any time.
Can I share my own referral links after signing up?
Yes. Once you’ve joined and tested a platform, many of them let you share your own referral code or link. That can turn a one-time sign-up bonus into an ongoing referral opportunity.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t going to replace your income. But it is a realistic way to pick up a few easy bonuses, earn small amounts online, and save money with tools you might actually use.
The bank and fintech offers are the quickest wins. The survey platforms are better for ongoing small earnings. The travel and money tools are only worth it if they match your actual spending or travel habits.
The smartest move? Choose one useful bank account, try two survey panels and use cashback only for planned purchases. Add travel tools when you actually need them. Keep the options that pay fairly for your time or lower the cost of something you already need.
✓ Why This Works
- The main accounts and survey platforms are free to join
- The direct bonuses are simple if you follow the steps
- Survey sites provide ongoing opportunities, not just one-off value
- Money apps can save you fees if you travel or send money overseas
- You can keep only the accounts you actually use
- You can refer others after you’ve tested the platforms yourself
⚠️ Realistic Expectations
- Survey income requires effort and consistency
- Bank bonuses are usually one-time only per customer
- Some offers require actions like purchases, top-ups or transfers
- Survey earnings vary by profile and available studies
- Travel savings only matter if you actually travel or spend overseas
- Referral terms and bonus amounts can change without notice
Start With the Easy Wins
Secondary Up option; compare account terms
Join Ubank — $30 signup bonus · code AFWLLL7 Explore Up Bank Explore YouTrip✓ Free to open ✓ Beginner-friendly ✓ Start with the offers you’ll actually use
About the Author
Lee runs Money Hack HQ and tests banking apps, survey platforms, travel cards and money-saving tools from an Australian perspective. The goal is simple: show what actually works, what is worth skipping, and how to avoid wasting time on offers that sound better than they are.
Important Information & Disclaimers
- Sign-up bonuses, referral terms, interest rates, eligibility rules and payout conditions can change at any time. Always check the current offer directly before signing up.
- Survey earnings vary based on your demographic profile, location, available studies and the time you invest. The figures quoted are general examples, not guaranteed income.
- Some offers require actions such as identity verification, top-ups, card purchases, international transfers or purchases. Make sure the required action is worth it for you before signing up.
- Money Hack HQ may earn a bonus or commission if you sign up through referral or affiliate links in this article at no extra cost to you.
- This content is general information only and should not be considered personal financial advice. Consider your own circumstances before making financial decisions.
- Updated 26 October 2026. Offers, eligibility and fees can change; use the linked provider terms before applying.
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