Aussies expose the ultimate 'bludge jobs' where you get paid the most to do the least amount of work
If you're feeling burnt out, overworked and dreaming of doing less, you're not alone.A popular thread on Reddit has struck a chord with Australians after one fed-up user asked for opinions and advice on the ultimate 'bludge job.'One where the pay is decent, but the workload is practically non-existent.'I'm officially burnt out and looking to trade my ambition for a quiet life,' they wrote.What followed was a flood of brutally honest, and at times humorous, responses, with Aussies lifting the lid on the jobs they claim offer the most money for the least effort.One of the most eye-opening came from a user whose partner works as a forestry technician, earning more than $80,000 a year to measure tree diameters and input data.Alongside the surprisingly simple day-to-day tasks, the role comes with a long list of perks, including a brand new Toyota HiLux, unlimited fuel, personal use of the vehicle and a yearly bonus.'He gets to explore the country and works independently most days,' they wrote, adding that it's 'the easiest job he's ever done'. One of the most eye-opening came from a user whose partner works as a forestry technician, earning more than $80,000 a year to measure tree diameters and input dataOthers pointed to roles that might not sound glamorous, but come with seriously appealing conditions.'I can't say it's the easiest job, but being a blackjack dealer at a casino is pretty easy,' one person shared, describing it as essentially 'babysitting gamblers in the aircon' with meals, uniform laundering and a 15-minute break every hour included.Then there are the corporate roles that drew plenty of tongue-in-cheek criticism.'I would have said consulting roles,' another said.'Swan in, have a bunch of meetings and 'playback' sessions. Produce a deck of PowerPoint slides that seem legit… issue invoice, hit the pub.'Real estate agents were also firmly in the firing line, with one commenter claiming they 'just stand around while people walk through houses' before taking a sizeable cut of the final sale price - though, of course, others would argue the reality is far more complex.For those willing to work odd hours or get their hands dirty, some of the most lucrative 'easy' gigs appear in unexpected places.Casual forklift drivers, for example, were said to earn between $45 and $50 an hour through labour hire agencies, often working solo shifts where they're 'left alone to just get on with it'. Real estate agents were firmly in the firing line, with one commenter claiming they 'just stand around while people walk through houses', and bus drivers making up to $5k per week
Similarly, bottle shop workers can pull in upwards of $38 an hour with penalty rates, with one former employee describing the role as 'cruisy' and largely centred around chatting with regular customers.Mining jobs also made the list, particularly FIFO roles where workers are paid to monitor equipment for hours at a time.One user recalled sitting in an air-conditioned hut waiting for a machine to jam, fixing it, then returning to wait again.'They'd sit there for a couple of hours, then go out, fix it, and go back inside.'Meanwhile, some of the most coveted 'bludge jobs' were described as notoriously hard to land. Even bottle shop workers can pull in upwards of $38 an hour with penalty rates, with one former employee describing the role as 'cruisy' and largely centred around chatting with regular customers'Airport firefighter… cushy af,' one person wrote, noting the role comes with high pay and long stretches of downtime, only if you can break into the industry.Others highlighted public sector roles and board positions, with claims that some employees are paid well to attend only a handful of meetings each year.More niche roles, like drivers of mobile speed camera cars, for instance, were described as simply parking up and waiting out their shift, though one user warned the job can come with the occasional risk of abuse from passing motorists.Bus drivers also got a surprising mention, with one commenter revealing their father earns close to $3,000 a week on base pay alone, and up to $5,000 with overtime and public holiday rates.Of course, not everyone was convinced there's such a thing as a true 'bludge job'.'It doesn't matter how cruisy your job is, if you don't want to work, you're going to find excuses not to be there.'Still, the thread has clearly tapped into a broader sentiment among Aussies feeling the pressure of long hours and rising cost of living - and wondering if there really is a simpler way to earn a living.
