Home › Blog › How to Track Side Hustle Expenses in Australia (Without Hating It)
How to Track Side Hustle Expenses in Australia (Without Hating It)
26 October 2026 · SlateAndTally
Side hustles are great until tax time, when you're digging through emails for receipts. A five-minute weekly habit fixes that.
Separate the money
A separate bank account for the side hustle makes everything easier. Every sale in, every expense out, all in one place.
Log weekly
Once a week, add each sale and expense to your tracker with the date, amount, category and a note. Photograph receipts and save them with the entry.
Common expense categories
- Materials and stock
- Platform and payment fees
- Postage and packaging
- Software and subscriptions
- Advertising
Set aside for tax
Move a percentage of profit to a savings account each month. A registered tax agent can help you choose the right amount.
Watch the GST threshold
You must register for GST once your business turnover reaches A$75,000. See our GST threshold guide.
General information only, not tax advice. The Side Hustle Income & Tax Tracker does the totals for you.
General information only, not financial or tax advice.
FAQ
Do I need to report side hustle income?
If it's a business, generally yes. Check the ATO's guidance.
How long do I keep receipts?
The ATO generally says five years.
Is this tax advice?
No.
Try it in an app
Side Hustle Tax (A$29, one-off): Track side-hustle income and expenses by Australian financial year, set money aside for tax, and watch the GST turnover threshold.
Sole Trader Tax & BAS (A$65, one-off): Track income, expenses and GST, see BAS figures by quarter, and estimate how much tax to set aside. Versions for AU, UK, US and Canada.