Best Jobs for 16 Year Olds in Australia

16 is a game-changer. You can now work at Bunnings and ALDI — two of Australia's biggest employers that don't hire anyone younger than 16. You'll earn significantly more than you did at 14 or 15, and work restrictions relax, giving you more flexibility with shifts and hours.

This guide covers the best jobs for 16 year olds in Australia, including which employers hire at 16, what you'll earn, and how the rules change when you turn 16. Let's get you earning.

Major Employers That Hire 16 Year Olds

At 16, you have access to every employer that hires younger teens, plus a couple of major players that only hire from 16 and up. Here's the full landscape:

NEW at 16: Hardware & Supermarkets

These two employers require you to be 16 minimum due to safety requirements (heavier products, forklifts, restricted materials).

• Bunnings — NEW AT 16: Australia's largest hardware retailer. Over 370 stores nationwide. Roles include customer service (helping customers find products), garden centre, checkout, and click & collect. Bunnings pays slightly higher than supermarkets due to heavier lifting and product knowledge requirements. Great for hands-on learners who like variety.
• ALDI — NEW AT 16: German supermarket chain with stores across Australia. Hires from 16 due to multitasking requirements (checkout, stocking, cleaning — ALDI teams are smaller and everyone does everything). Fast-paced but well-paid. Good option if you want structured training and clear career progression.

Fast Food (Still a Solid Option)

Fast food chains remain great for flexible hours and quick training. At 16, you're a more competitive applicant because you can work longer shifts and close the store (which requires older workers).

• McDonald's — Hires from 14, very active at 16. At 16, you can work closing shifts (9pm-midnight), which pay penalty rates. Crew members progress from kitchen to drive-thru to shift runner roles.
• KFC — Hires from 14, good at 16. Kitchen and front counter roles. Less hectic than McDonald's during peak times.
• Hungry Jacks — Hires from 14, solid choice at 16. Burger assembly, fries, register work. Smaller teams than McDonald's.
• Red Rooster — Hires from 14, good option at 16. Chicken packing, salads, customer service. Gentler pace than bigger chains.
• Subway — Many franchises hire from 14-15, active at 16. Small teams (2-3 per shift), quick training.
• Domino's — In-store roles from 14-15, active at 16. Pizza making, phone orders, cleaning. Fast-paced team environment.

Supermarkets

At 16, you're a strong candidate for supermarket roles. You can work later shifts, handle heavier stock, and supervise younger workers in some cases.

• Coles — Hires from 15, very active at 16. Checkout, shelf stacking, service deli, bakery, online picking. One of Australia's biggest teen employers.
• Woolworths — Hires from 14 years 9 months, excellent at 16. Similar roles to Coles. Australia's largest supermarket chain.
• IGA — Minimum age varies (14-15), solid at 16. Independently owned stores, good for local employment. Stocking, checkout, customer service.
• Foodland (SA) — Hires from 14 years 9 months, good at 16. South Australia's local supermarket chain.

Retail Chains

Retail stores like Target, Officeworks, and Big W are accessible at 15, but at 16 you're more competitive for these roles because you can work longer hours and closing shifts.

• Target — Hires from 15, strong option at 16. Retail floor, checkout, fitting rooms, stock replenishment. Customer interaction and product knowledge.
• Officeworks — Hires from 15, good at 16. Stationery, tech, office supplies. Good if you're interested in retail or technology.
• Big W — Hires from 14 years 9 months, solid at 16. Retail floor, checkout, stock replenishment. Part of Woolworths Group.

Other Options at 16

• Cinemas — Many hire from 15-16 for candy bar, ushering, or projection roles. Evening and weekend hours.
• Local cafes, restaurants, bakeries — More willing to hire 16 year olds for wait staff, barista, or kitchen hand roles. Ask around your neighbourhood.
• Retail clothing stores — Some hire from 16 for sales assistant roles. Smaller chains and boutiques may hire younger than national chains.
• Hospitality — Pubs and clubs can't hire under-18s for bar work, but some hire 16 year olds for kitchen hand, dishwashing, or food runner roles (no alcohol service).
• Tutoring — If you're strong academically, you can tutor younger students. Charge $25-$35/hour for high school subjects.

What You'll Earn at 16

At 16, you'll earn significantly more than at 14 or 15. You're now earning roughly 60-70% of the adult minimum wage, depending on the industry.

Your pay increases automatically with each birthday. At 17, you'll earn even more. By 18, you're on full adult rates. This is built into the award system — you don't need to negotiate.

Work Restrictions for 16 Year Olds

Work restrictions relax significantly at 16. You can work longer hours, later shifts, and have more flexibility than at younger ages.

Maximum Hours

• During school term: 15-20 hours per week maximum (varies by state, significantly more flexible than at 14-15)
• During school holidays: Full-time work allowed (38 hours/week)
• Per day: 4-6 hours on school nights, up to 8 hours on weekends or holidays

When You Can Work

• Not during school hours (still applies at 16)
• After school: After 4pm on weekdays, but can work later than at 15 (up to 10pm or 11pm in most states)
• Weekends: Longer shifts allowed, up to 8 hours per day
• Late nights: Most states allow 16 year olds to work until 10pm or 11pm on school nights, and midnight on weekends (varies by industry and state)

These restrictions are less strict than at younger ages. Employers can roster you for closing shifts, longer weekend shifts, and more hours during the school term. This makes you more valuable as an employee.

How to Apply

Applying for jobs at 16 follows the same process as younger ages: online applications through the employer's careers portal.

1. Update your resume. One page max. At 16, you might have some real work experience to include (previous part-time jobs, volunteer work, etc.). Highlight any experience and skills. Check our resume guide if you need help.
2. Go to the employer's careers site. For Bunnings, it's careers.bunnings.com.au. For ALDI, it's careers.aldi.com.au. Each employer page on this site links to their application portal.
3. Search for entry-level roles near you. Terms like "team member", "crew member", "retail assistant", or "customer service" are what you're looking for.
4. Fill out the application form. Be honest, show enthusiasm, and highlight your availability and willingness to learn.
5. Upload your resume as a PDF (FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf).
6. Wait 1-2 weeks. If they're interested, you'll get an interview invitation, assessment, or video interview link.

Pro tip: At 16, you're competing with 17 and 18 year olds for the same roles. Highlight your availability (willing to work weekends, evenings, holidays) and any previous experience (even informal jobs like babysitting or lawn mowing). Apply to 5-10 places at once to maximize your chances.

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