Technology made working from home a viable option years ago, but since the pandemic the number of people choosing to work this way has rocketed. Many professionals realised that it’s a career option that suits both their lifestyle and workstyle. With return-to-office mandates now increasingly common, people are understandably looking for new positions that enable them to retain their newfound freedom. Here, we’re taking a look at some of the most popular WFH choices. 

Why are work from home jobs so popular?

While some people prefer the buzz of the office and the opportunity to socialise, network, and bounce ideas off other people, others prefer the peace of working from home. Some of the benefits include: 

• The ability to set your own schedule 

• Increased flexibility

• Fewer distractions

• Increased productivity 

• Better work-life balance 

• Employment opportunities that disabilities may otherwise prevent

• No commuting 

• Greater autonomy

• Personalised office space 

• Less office politics

• Freedom to dress how you please

• Potential to travel whilst working

With so many advantages, it’s easy to see why working from home is so popular. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best work from home jobs out there at the moment. 

The top work from home jobs in Australia

There are numerous flexible work from home jobs out there, depending on your expertise and skills. Here, we’re exploring just a few of the most popular ones to help you narrow down the options. 

Writer 

If you’re a whizz with words, there are plenty of opportunities to use your talents to earn from home. Whether you have a novel in you, an aptitude for copywriting, or experience in blogging, there’s a gap in the market for you. While many of the bigger freelancing sites offer writing gigs, the pay is generally very poor. Your best bet is to build a reputation in your niche, so that the work comes to you and you have more control over your rates. 

Social Media Manager 

If you’ve mastered multiple social media platforms and understand marketing, there’s a business out there that needs your expertise. To thrive in this job, you’ll need excellent written communication skills, the ability to analyse data, and a strong creative streak. You’ll often need to create visuals and audio as well as text posts so, in addition to having your finger on the pulse of new trends, you’ll also need to have great tech skills. 

Virtual Assistant 

Do you love bringing order to chaos? If so, Virtual Assistant is a modern job to work from home. Skills in organisation, communication, and problem solving are vital here, as you’re responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of your clients’ businesses. You’ll need to stay on top of administrative tasks, such as arranging travel, responding to emails, and managing a diary, whilst positively representing your client and generally making their life easier. 

Transcriber 

A Transcriber produces written versions of audio or visual content. Accuracy and attention to detail are necessary skills in this role, as are a good typing speed and the ability to use specific technical tools. You may be working with live or recorded content in this role. 

eCommerce Seller

eCommerce is one of the casual work from home jobs that you can fit around your family life. You’ll use platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, or your own website, to sell products. What you sell is up to you - the opportunities are endless! Whether you’re making your own products, such as jewellery or greetings cards, or reselling products from a third party, you’ll need great marketing skills, the ability to write compelling product descriptions, and confidence using the sales platforms. You’ll also need to be organised enough to process and dispatch the sales in a reasonable timeframe. 

Customer Service Assistant

Previously limited to retail stores or call centres, Customer Service Assistants now often have jobs working at home. You may be responding to customers via phone, email, or webchat, so your communication skills, both spoken and written, will need to be first class. It goes without saying that, even though you’re not meeting with customers in person, your customer focus will still need to be a top priority - that means empathy, patience, and a willingness to persevere with solving problems. You may be working directly for a company, or for their outsourced partner. 

Software Developer 

Technology jobs were made to work from home. If you have the skills and qualifications to produce great code, and getting your head down and concentrating in solitude appeals, this could be the role for you. To succeed in this job, you’ll need to show initiative with problem solving, meticulous attention to detail, and high-level technical expertise. This can be one of the highest-paying work from home jobs if you have the right know-how. 

Website Designer 

Businesses of all sizes need an online presence these days, so if you can combine creativity with tech skills you’ve got a career waiting here. You’ll need knowledge of SEO, user experience, and web design software, as well as skills in customer service, attention to detail, and collaboration. 

Therapist 

If you’re looking for jobs where you can work from home but you’re not ready to give up on human interaction, online therapy offers the opportunity to talk to different people every day. Empathy is a critical skill in this profession, as is active listening. There are different routes into this career, but therapists often have a background in psychology, social work, counselling, or other similar roles. 

Tutor

Do you have specialist subject knowledge and the ability to convey that knowledge to others? Tutoring might be for you. You have the option to offer in-person or online tutoring, as well as the potential to earn passive income from selling courses or books. Depending on your expertise, you can also choose the age group you work with - children, teens, or adults. In addition to subject knowledge, you’ll need to show patience, effective communication, and a creative approach. 

Translator 

Anyone lucky enough to be fluent in another language could earn money from home for translations. The type of material you translate could be anything from books to business reports or anything in between. You’ll need accurate writing skills, with the ability to retain the tone of the original communication and the cultural insight to avoid missteps. 

Accountant

If numbers are more up your street, accounting can be done easily from home. While larger companies will usually have an in-house accountant, there are many small- and medium-sized businesses needing your expertise. You’ll need recognised accountancy qualifications, knowledge of accounting software, and expertise in industry standards, principles, and regulations. 

Tips to find the best work from home jobs

Now you have some ideas about the best work from home jobs and the skills required for each, let’s look at how to secure some of those roles.

Be aware of scams

Most importantly, be aware that job scams are real and growing. There are plenty of people who will prey on your desperation for a job, your lack of knowledge of a new industry, or your excitement for a particular role. Beware of offers that look too good to be true and do plenty of background research before committing. 

Use your network 

The best source for staying abreast of new opportunities is your network. Broadcast your availability for remote work to trusted contacts and ask them to inform you of any potential openings that might suit. 

Keep tech skills up to date 

If you haven’t worked remotely before or your tech skills need brushing up, now is the time to get up to date. For businesses and clients to trust you, they need to be confident that you’re able to work independently and use the latest remote technology effectively. Common WFH technology includes collaboration software (Slack or Trello), video conferencing apps (Zoom, Teams, or Meet), and other communication tools (email or WhatsApp), to name just a few.

Use specialist job boards 

There are many generalist and specialist job boards that offer legitimate work from home jobs in Australia. The larger freelancing sites such as Fiverr and Upwork can work for beginners, but often the pay is very low. Generalist sites such as LinkedIn and Indeed have huge amounts of vacancies if you’re willing to sift through them, while specialist industry sites have fewer, but more relevant, vacancies. 

Prepare your CV for the transition to a work from home job

In addition to showing off your ability to do the job, a work from home CV also needs to show that you’re capable of working independently and maintaining positive remote relationships with clients and colleagues. 

Is your CV up to the job? Why not send it for a free CV review from the experts at TopResume to make sure you’re focusing on the right skills?