13-year-olds in Australia can get informal jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, yard work, or helping in family businesses, while formal employment with companies usually starts at 14 or 15 for roles like retail or food service, but some businesses like McDonald's hire from 14, and acting/modeling, content creation, and tutoring offer flexible options. It's harder to find formal jobs at 13, so focusing on local, word-of-mouth, or online gigs is key.
Generally, no, you cannot work at McDonald's at 13 in the U.S. due to federal child labor laws setting the minimum age at 14 for most non-hazardous jobs, while McDonald's itself often requires 14 or 16 years old and requires parental consent, but in Australia, some locations might hire 13-year-olds for light work, depending on state laws, with parental permission and restrictions on hours.
No, you generally cannot work at Woolworths at 13; their standard minimum age is 15, though some reports suggest they might hire from 14 in certain locations, but 13 is typically too young for supermarkets, with roles often starting at 14 or 15 depending on local laws and store policy.
How can a 13 year old get a job? The direct answer to your question would be to apply to an employer. Not many employers hire 13-year-olds because the minimum age for employment in most states, generally, is sixteen. That means you'll have to become self employed, ie, create your own job.
Children aged 13 years old can do light jobs in the following:
To make $500 as a kid, combine service-based jobs like yard work, car washing, pet sitting, or tutoring with selling items like crafts, baked goods, or unwanted toys at garage sales or online (with parent help). Focus on tasks people pay for, get referrals, and consistently market your services to reach your goal, potentially starting with smaller gigs and scaling up to bigger jobs like painting or power washing.
How to make $1000 fast as a 14-year-old? You could make $1,000 by combining online jobs like freelancing, taking surveys, or selling clothes online with local gigs like babysitting, yard work, or flipping items. Promoting your services through social media or flyers may help you find more opportunities quickly.
A business can't legally employ children under 13, and part-time jobs are only allowed at the age of 13 under strict conditions. That said, informal work, such as helping neighbors, washing cars, or pet sitting, is usually acceptable as long as it's safe, supervised, and doesn't interfere with school.
No, a 13-year-old generally cannot work at Kmart because most sources indicate the minimum hiring age is around 15 or 14 years, 9 months, due to child labor laws and company policies, though some Australian Kmart locations might hire slightly younger for specific roles with parental consent and strict supervision, but 15 is the typical age for retail positions.
While Big W typically hires from 15 years old, some older sources mention exceptions for 14-year-olds and even 13-year-olds doing light duties, but official sources point towards 15 as the standard minimum age, with some variations by state (like 14 years 9 months in some areas), so it's best to check their careers site for current guidelines.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) generally restricts formal employment for children under 14. There are just a few exceptions: Agricultural work (with parental permission) Entertainment/acting (think Shirley Temple, who began her career at just 3 years old)
15 best jobs for 13 year olds
Permitted job types
At age 12, jobs are generally limited to low-risk, supervised roles such as newspaper runs, leaflet delivery, babysitting for neighbours or relatives, or assisting in a family-owned shop or farm. Paid roles in industries such as retail or hospitality typically require a higher minimum age.
The minimum age to work at McDonald's varies by location, but generally, you can start at 14 or 15 years old, depending on local labor laws and franchise policies, with some places requiring a work permit, while certain roles or late hours (past 10 PM/midnight) often need you to be 18 or older. Always check with your specific local McDonald's for their exact age requirements and available positions, as rules differ between company-owned and franchised locations.
To make $100 a day, combine gig economy apps (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, TaskRabbit, Rover) for flexible tasks with freelancing (writing, design, virtual assistance on Upwork/Fiverr) or selling items (flipping goods, handmade crafts on Etsy). High-paying options include online tutoring, event decoration, or specialized services like makeup artistry or music lessons, leveraging skills for consistent income, potentially reaching $100+ daily by stacking services or finding clients through platforms like LinkedIn or local ads.
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
Tips for Teens: How to Find Your First Real Job
☑️ Key Takeaways
Stream on Twitch or YouTube Gaming
This is one of the most popular ways to get paid to play video games. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming let you broadcast your gameplay to viewers around the world.
Best Ways to Make $100 Fast as a Kid
The "777 rule for kids" has two main meanings in parenting: one focuses on daily connection time (7 mins morning, 7 mins after school, 7 mins before bed) for feeling seen and valued, while another defines developmental stages (0-7 play, 7-14 teach, 14-21 guide) for parents to tailor their involvement. A third variation suggests limiting screen time to 7 hours/week, maintaining 7 feet distance, and avoiding screens 7 days before events. All aim to build stronger parent-child bonds through intentional, focused interaction or developmentally appropriate parenting roles.
Here are some great options for a 12-year-old kid:
There are plenty of ways for younger kids to make money, including cleaning the house or yard, selling lemonade and other items, or helping neighbors. Teenagers can make money by pet sitting, dog walking, tutoring, babysitting, refereeing, lifeguarding or getting a seasonal job.
Paid chores for older kids
So, you could think about raising their allowance in exchange for more complex chores. Paid chores for older kids and teens might include walking the dog, babysitting or cooking. You can also prepare them for adulthood by suggesting different ways to make and manage money.