Best Jobs for 17 Year Olds in Australia

17 is the sweet spot. You're earning close to adult wages, work restrictions are minimal, and employers actively want to hire you because you're trained, mature, and still cheaper than 18 year olds. You have access to every employer that hires teens, and some roles that require 18+ are only a few months away.

This guide covers the best jobs for 17 year olds in Australia, including which employers hire at 17, what you'll earn, and how to leverage your age advantage when applying. Let's get you working.

Major Employers That Hire 17 Year Olds

At 17, you have access to every employer in the teen job market. Here's where to apply:

Hardware & Supermarkets (High Pay Options)

• Bunnings — Hires from 16, excellent at 17. At 17, you're earning close to adult rates ($18-$22/hour) and can handle more responsibility (trade desk, forklift training at 18, etc.). Customer service, garden centre, checkout, click & collect, and stock replenishment roles available.
• ALDI — Hires from 16, strong at 17. Fast-paced multitasking (checkout, stocking, cleaning). Good pay and structured progression. Teams are small, so you'll learn quickly and take on more responsibility.
• Coles — Hires from 15, very active at 17. Checkout, shelf stacking, service deli, bakery, online picking. One of Australia's biggest employers of teenagers. At 17, you're often supervising younger workers or training new hires.
• Woolworths — Hires from 14 years 9 months, excellent at 17. Similar to Coles. Australia's largest supermarket chain with consistent hours and progression opportunities.
• IGA — Varies by store (14-15+), solid at 17. Independently owned, so pay and conditions vary. Good for local employment.

Fast Food (Flexible Hours, Good for Students)

• McDonald's — Hires from 14, very active at 17. At 17, you can be a shift runner or crew trainer. Closing shifts (9pm-midnight) pay penalty rates. Good for flexible hours around school or uni.
• KFC — Hires from 14, solid at 17. Kitchen and front counter roles. Less hectic than McDonald's during peak times. Good for building customer service skills.
• Hungry Jacks — Hires from 14, good at 17. Burger assembly, fries, register work. Smaller teams than McDonald's, so more responsibility early on.
• Subway — Many franchises hire from 14-15, active at 17. Small teams, quick training. Good if you want a gentler pace than the bigger chains.
• Domino's — Hires from 14-15 for in-store, active at 17. At 17, some stores let you train for delivery (requires driver's license). Pizza making, phone orders, and cleaning for in-store roles.

Retail Chains

• Target — Hires from 15, strong at 17. Retail floor, checkout, fitting rooms, stock replenishment. Good for building sales and customer service skills.
• Officeworks — Hires from 15, good at 17. Stationery, tech, office supplies. Product knowledge and sales skills. Good if you're tech-inclined.
• Big W — Hires from 14 years 9 months, solid at 17. Retail floor, checkout, stock replenishment. Part of Woolworths Group.

Other Options at 17

• Cinemas — Many hire from 15-16, strong at 17. Candy bar, ushering, projection booth. Evening and weekend hours.
• Hospitality (non-alcohol roles) — Restaurants, cafes, pubs hire 17 year olds for kitchen hand, dishwashing, food running, or wait staff (no alcohol service). Once you turn 18 and get your RSA certificate, bar work opens up.
• Retail clothing stores — Many hire from 16-17 for sales assistant roles. Smaller chains and boutiques often hire younger than national chains.
• Tutoring — If you're strong academically, tutoring is lucrative at 17. Charge $30-$40/hour for high school subjects. Build a client base before you finish school.
• Apprenticeships — At 17, you can start apprenticeships in trades (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.). These are full-time commitments that lead to qualifications and higher pay long-term.

What You'll Earn at 17

At 17, you're earning 70-85% of the adult minimum wage — close to full adult rates. Here's what to expect:

The pay gap between you and an 18-year-old is small now — often just $3-$5/hour. When you turn 18, you'll jump to full adult rates automatically. No negotiation needed — it's built into the award system.

Work Restrictions for 17 Year Olds

At 17, work restrictions are minimal. In most states, you're treated almost the same as an 18-year-old worker.

Maximum Hours

• During school term: 20-25 hours per week maximum (varies by state, but much more flexible than younger ages)
• During school holidays: Full-time work allowed (38 hours/week)
• Per day: Up to 8 hours per day, including school nights in most states

When You Can Work

• Not during school hours (still applies if you're in school)
• After school: No time restrictions in most states — you can work as late as the employer needs
• Weekends: Full 8-hour shifts allowed
• Late nights: Most states allow 17 year olds to work past midnight, depending on the industry

Essentially, you can work the same hours as an adult in most situations. The main exceptions are hazardous work (e.g., certain machinery, chemicals) and alcohol service (requires RSA certificate, usually 18+).

How to Apply

Applying for jobs at 17 is the same process as younger ages, but your resume should be stronger now (highlight any work experience, leadership roles, or skills).

1. Polish your resume. At 17, you likely have work experience to include. List previous jobs, volunteer work, school leadership roles, and skills. Keep it to one page. Check our resume guide for tips.
2. Go to the employer's careers site. Most major employers only accept online applications. Each employer page on this site links to their careers portal.
3. Search for entry-level roles. Even at 17, you're still applying for "team member", "crew member", or "retail assistant" roles. Don't aim for supervisor or management positions unless you have significant experience.
4. Fill out the application form. Highlight your availability (weekends, evenings, holidays) and any previous work experience. Be honest and professional.
5. Upload your resume as a PDF (FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf).
6. Follow up if you don't hear back. After 2 weeks, call or visit the store to ask about your application status. This shows initiative and keeps you top-of-mind.

Pro tip: At 17, you're competing with 18+ workers for the same roles, but you have an advantage — you're cheaper. Employers save money by hiring you now and keeping you on when you turn 18. Emphasize your availability, experience, and willingness to learn. Apply to 5-10 places to maximize your chances.

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