Start Earning As A Delivery Rider in Australia With A Rental E-bike

Delivery riding is one of the easiest and most flexible ways for international students to earn in Australia. Here’s why it could be the perfect side hustle for you!

Studying in Australia is an adventure—stunning beaches, buzzing nightlife, and unforgettable road trips. But let’s be real: city life in Sydney and Melbourne isn’t cheap. Between rent, weekend plans, and those sneaky late-night snack runs, extra cash always comes in handy.

As an international student, you’re always busy - whether with your academics or fitness or just everyday chores. That’s why most students look for flexible jobs that let them earn money without disrupting their daily schedule or sacrificing their studies.

The Perks of Delivery Riding: Flexibility, Fitness, and Fast Cash

Unlike most part-time or casual roles, delivery riding gives you complete flexibility over your working hours. Student jobs like working in admin, hospitality, housekeeping, and other casual jobs require you to lock in your availability days in advance. 

With delivery riding, you’re the boss. Work when you want, skip shifts when you don’t. No begging for time off, no awkward roster changes—just total freedom to earn on your terms.

Plus, food delivery is one of the few jobs that doesn’t require a resume, experience, or even a perfect command of English. It’s a no-fuss way to make money while you study.

In many places around the world, delivery riding requires a car or motorbike. But Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide are incredibly bike-friendly. Delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Menulog allow riders to deliver on bikes. This makes it extremely easy to get started without the upfront cost of owning a car, motorbike, getting your driver’s license, and paying for registration and insurance! 

How to get started as a Delivery Rider? 

Getting started is extremely easy and straightforward - you just need a couple of things beforehand.

Creating an ABN 

You need to have an ABN (Australian Business Number) before you start working as a delivery rider. Applying for an ABN is free - you just need your: 

1. Tax File Number

2. Identity documents like passport and driving license

It’s simple, and free to create an ABN through the official Government website.

Choosing an E-bike 

With so many options out there, choosing a reliable e-bike for rent can get tricky. You need a e-bike to earn as a delivery rider, which you can also use to explore the city in your downtime as an international student.

An e-bike for delivery riding needs to be: 

1. Rugged and durable to withstand different road and weather conditions. 

2. Strong frame, quality tires, powerful motor to handle frequent stops and starts

3. Battery that gives at least 100-125 kms per charge to handle long days of work and leisure

An e-bike with such specifications costs anywhere between 3000$ - 5000$. And that’s without any insurance, or safety gear. You would also have to consider the depreciation or resale value when you want to resell the bike - could be for any reason. Maybe you land a better job, or save enough to buy a motorbike or a car. 

Renting an E-bike VS Ownership

If you want to avoid these hassles of ownership, Sloop provides you with an option to rent an ebike - with flexible rental plans starting from 3 months - up to 18 months! Plus if you like the bike, and want to own it - you can own for just $1 after 24 months! Read how Sloop’s Rent to Buy model works.

Renting the DiroDi Rover Gen 6 Standard  (Rated 4.6 on Product Review AU) from Sloop would cost you 175$ monthly. Purchasing the same bike would cost $3570. And that’s without including insurance, maintenance charges, or safety gear.

The DiroDi Rover Gen 6 is a popular electric bike in Sydney. It’s durable and has a long-range, making it perfect for every type of riding. It comes with: 

- 250W battery with a range up to 125 kms 

- 10 hr recharge time

- 25 km/ph top speed

We’ll compare Sloop’s e-bike rental costs to average delivery rider earnings to help you decide if renting is better than owning:  

Whether you’re looking for a flexible income or a smarter way to explore the city, renting an e-bike could be the perfect solution. Start riding, start earning, and make the most of your time as an international student in Australia.

And if delivery riding isn't for you, Sloop offers rent-to-buy options for high-quality cameras, phones, and tablets—ideal for students, content creators, and side hustlers!