Earn Extra Cash from Home: The 10 Highest-Paying Legit Paid Survey Sites for Australians in 2025”
If you’ve ever wondered whether online survey sites are worth the time, this guide is for you. Over the past few months, I’ve tested multiple Australian-survey panels, tracking how many surveys arrive, how much they pay, and how fast payouts happen.
The good news: there are legit platforms that deliver. You won’t get rich overnight, but for spare hours, you can make a reliable side income — enough for coffee, groceries, or a little something extra.
Like anything, some online survey sites pay better than others, and this should factor into your strategy when deciding which online survey sites to sign up for. (TLDR: The highest-paying survey site is Octopus Group, where you will typically earn between $2 and $8 per survey. Sign up here).
Here’s the top 10 best paid surveys Australia has to offer
#1: Octopus Group
What Makes It Stand Out
- Australian-owned and purpose-built for Aussies, Octopus Group offers real cash (bank or popular gift cards), not confusing point systems.
- It claims to pay between 80%-400% more cash rewards than many other panels in Australia & NZ, so your time is better compensated.
Octopus Group Australia
Right now, if you join Octopus Group and start taking paid online surveys, you can earn the equivalent of $16/hour and get paid in cash directly to your bank account. Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $2 – $8 (≈ $16+/hr) |
| Payout threshold | $20 |
| Best for | Highest pay, cash lovers |
| Redemption options | Bank transfer, e-gift |
Pros
- Transparent cash (no points) makes tracking earnings simpler.
- Good pay for the time.
- You get something even if you’re screened out — less wasted time.
- Referral bonuses add extra income.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Survey availability can fluctuate — sometimes there are fewer good ones.
- Some surveys only compatible with desktop or tablet; mobile can have limits.
- Although screen outs pay a little, more frequent screen outs reduce earnings per hour.
Best For
- Someone who wants maximum reward for the least guesswork and doesn’t mind waiting for the occasional low-survey week.
- People who prefer straight cash over points.
- Users able to use desktop/tablet some of the time for compatibility.
Action Tip
If you try this out: Sign up, download the app, enable notifications, set your profile thoroughly. Start with smaller surveys to build up the flow, then keep an eye out for referrals. Catch those surveys early (they fill fast).
#2: YouGov Australia
What Makes It Stand Out
- A globally known research company with strong reputation, regularly used by governments and big brands; surveys cover social, political, commercial topics.
- Flexible survey participation. Because of its reputation, users generally trust that their data/privacy is handled well.
YouGov Australia
Provide your public opinion to the likes of the Australian Government, consultancies, and large companies, on anything from pandemic responses to health care and wellness. Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | 50 – 400 pts (varies) |
| Payout threshold | $20 |
| Best for | Engaging topics, trust |
| Redemption options | Gift cards, PayPal |
Pros
- Good trust / credibility.
- Interesting surveys: not just about consumer products, but socially relevant topics.
- Flexible scheduling: you can do them in spare moments.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Because of the points-to-reward system, it takes longer to build up enough for payout.
- Some surveys are screened out (you may start but not qualify). That can reduce your earning rate.
- Lower pay per minute compared to sites like Octopus when you consider time vs reward.
Best For
- Someone who values engaging topics over pure highest earnings.
- People who don’t mind investing more time to reach payout.
- Users who want to spread their risks (do multiple panels) so they always have something to do.
Action Tip
Best practice: Fill out your profile fully and accurately, so they can match you to more surveys. Watch your email closely (invites can fill fast). When you see a longer survey with higher points, it’s usually worth the extra time. Also, plan for redeeming: choose the reward option that gives you the best value (e-gift card vs cash/PayPal etc).
#3: Toluna Influencers
What Makes It Stand Out: One of the largest communities worldwide, with surveys plus product testing and polls. Surveys are often shorter and more frequent.
Toluna Australia
Take online surveys and get awarded points that you can exchange for cash or rewards. Score 500 points just for signing up with Toluna. Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | 1000 – 5000 pts ($0.50–$3) |
| Payout threshold | ~20,000 pts ($10) |
| Best for | Frequent short surveys |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards, Amazon |
Pros
- Big user base = steady stream of surveys.
- Mobile app makes earning on the go easy.
- Extra activities (polls, games) beyond surveys.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Point system can feel confusing.
- Lower per-survey payouts than Octopus Group.
Best For: People who like frequent, bite-sized surveys they can knock out while commuting or watching TV.
Action Tip: Do polls daily for small but consistent points that add up.
#4: Survey Junkie
What Makes It Stand Out: Global player Survey Junkie brings more than just surveys to table. Engage with product testing, phone surveys and refer your friends.
Survey Junkie Australia
Start earning money from home! With a low redemption threshold and plenty of surveys, you’ll be able to start earning almost straight away! Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $0.50 – $3 |
| Payout threshold | $5 |
| Best for | Frequent smaller surveys and payouts |
| Redemption options | Cash, PayPal, gift cards |
Pros
- Low redemption threshold
- More than just surveys
- Transparent earnings
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Screenouts
- Refer-A-Friend program
Best For: Time poor people on the move.
Action Tip: Be selective with surveys and ensure you explore other earning opportunities within the app.
#5: OpinionWorld
What Makes It Stand Out: A globally trusted panel with a fast $10 minimum payout. OpinionWorld offers competitive payouts, plenty of survey invitations, and extra ways to earn.
OpinionWorld Australia
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $1 – $2 |
| Payout threshold | $5 |
| Best for | Quick payouts |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards |
Pros
- Low payout threshold (only $10).
- Fast PayPal cash-outs.
- Simple dashboard.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Occasional survey disqualifications after several minutes.
- Average pay per survey is modest.
Best For: New survey takers who want a quick win and fast payout.
Action Tip: Sign up first with PayPal linked to cash out as soon as you hit $10.
#6: Valued Opinions
What Makes It Stand Out: Focuses on higher-value surveys — often longer but better compensated. By browsing the site, you’re likely to find multiple paid research opportunities. Along with surveys, you can be rewarded for product testing, mobile surveys, and even diary entries.
Valued Opinions Australia
Score up to $5 per survey with this leading online survey community, where your opinions count! Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $2 – $10 |
| Payout threshold | $20 |
| Best for | Higher-value surveys |
| Redemption options | Gift cards only |
Pros
- Payouts can be higher ($10+ per survey).
- Interesting brand/product surveys.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Rewards are gift cards only (no PayPal or bank).
- Higher payout threshold ($20).
Best For: People who don’t mind gift cards and want larger single payouts.
Action Tip: Prioritize long surveys with $10+ value to reach threshold faster.
#7: My Opinions
What Makes It Stand Out: MyOpinions states it is “Australia’s Favourite Paid Survey Site”. With a fast and rewarding signup process, you can quickly start to earn up to $7 per survey.
MyOpinions Australia
Have opinions? Get paid for them! Start sharing today to get your hands on top rewards, including cash payouts! Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $1 – $4 |
| Payout threshold | $10 |
| Best for | Casual users |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards |
Pros
- Simple, no-frills site.
- Low threshold ($10).
- PayPal option.
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Survey flow is inconsistent.
- Rewards per survey are modest.
Best For: Casual users looking for a simple backup survey site.
Action Tip: Treat it as a “secondary panel” to use when others are dry.
#8: PureProfile
What Makes It Stand Out: PureProfile uses AI technology to drive natural conversations and draw out meaningful, in-depth responses, without causing users fatigue.
Pureprofile Australia
Get paid for simply being yourself – Earn cash in your spare time for taking surveys, wherever you are, online or via your phone.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $1 – $5 |
| Payout threshold | $20 |
| Best for | Anyone over the age of 15 |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards, direct debit |
Pros
- Clearly states earnings
- Good redemption options
- Referral program
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Just surveys
- High redemption threshold
Best For: Those prepared to undertake detailed surveys, rather than click per action activities.
Action Tip: Combine PureProfile which has regular surveys with some of the higher paying survey sites, to ensure a consistent flow of survey opportunities.
#9: Ipsos
What Makes It Stand Out: Ipsos is a leading global research company that operates in many countries including Australia. The iSay online paid surveys Australia platform boasts over 3 million members worldwide.
Ipsos iSay Australia
You opinion will earn you rewards with Ipsos iSay. Take surveys and earn points for a variety of rewards and enter contests for additional chances to win! Read our review here.
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $1 – $4 |
| Payout threshold | $10 |
| Best for | Surveys |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards |
Pros
- Simple, no-frills site.
- Low threshold ($10).
- Consistent supply of quality surveys
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Survey flow is inconsistent.
- Rewards per survey are modest.
- Limited redemption options
Best For: People looking to influence society.
Action Tip: Combine this survey site with YouGov if you’re looking to influence Government policies as well as earn some cash for your thoughts.
#10: Swagbucks
What Makes It Stand Out: A massive “earn anything” platform — surveys, videos, shopping cashback, games.
Swagbucks
Earnings & Payout Details
| Metric | Info |
|---|---|
| Avg earnings / survey | $0.05 – $5 + bonuses |
| Payout threshold | $5 |
| Best for | Variety (offers + surveys) |
| Redemption options | PayPal, gift cards |
Pros
- Multiple earning streams (not just surveys).
- Frequent bonuses and promo codes.
- Very low payout threshold ($5).
Cons / What to Keep in Mind
- Survey pay is generally low unless you pick carefully.
- Can be overwhelming with too many options.
Best For: People who want a flexible, “do a little bit of everything” app with gift cards or PayPal cash.
Action Tip: Use Swagbucks for things you already do (shopping, browsing), then treat surveys as a bonus.
Is it worth doing the top 10 best paid surveys in Australia?
The answer is yes! Completing paid surveys in Australia can be a fun way to pass the time as well as earn some money. It can also be a great way to reach your financial goals with a bit of extra cash. And the best thing? You can complete online surveys on the go, or from the couch – so it’s an extremely convenient side hustle.
Here in Australia, there are loads of websites that offer paid surveys, and all are jostling for new members. But why do they do this? In a nutshell, businesses need to understand how people feel and what they think about all kinds of things. This is called market research and many companies are willing to pay top dollar for insightful information. Brands reach out to survey companies to have them conduct online research, and this is where the consumer comes in.
Interested in something different? Well, if you love collecting Qantas Frequent Flyer points, then the Red Planet Portal, owned by Qantas might be worth a visit. But, be aware that joining is by invitation only.
There are also many other survey sites that we haven’t covered that are worth a look: PureProfile, Respondent, ySense, Swagbucks and PrizeRebel.
My tips for choosing legitimate online paid surveys in Australia
Before I got into blogging, market research was my trade. I spent over a decade working as a researcher for some of Australia’s most credible research organisations, and I know what to look for when it comes to credible, legitimate opportunities.
When it comes to cash for opinion, not all companies are created equal. It’s important to choose genuine, verified sites. This prevents you from wasting your time, or worse still, getting caught up in what could be an attempted scam.
Unfortunately, not all companies spruiking their services on the internet are legitimate. At the end of the day, if you’re completing a survey online, you want to be rewarded for your time. It’s equally important that you can be reassured that your data and privacy are being handled with care. We’ve vetted each of the sites on this list carefully to ensure they are legitimate and verified.
For this list, where possible, I’ve included sites that are members of the Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA), (formerly the Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO)) and of the Research Society, which has developed a code of conduct for research organisations that operate in Australia.
| Online Survey Site | Australian owned? | Member of ADIA | Member of The Research Society |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouGov | No | Yes | Yes |
| Octopus Group | Yes | No | Yes |
| Toluna | No | No | Yes |
| MyOpinions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Swagbucks | No | No | No |
| OpinionWorld | No | Yes | Yes |
| Survey Junkie | No | No | No |
| Ipsos iSay | No | Yes | Yes |
| PureProfile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Valued Opinions | No | Yes | Yes |
If you’re researching your sites, there are a few other techniques you can use to cover yourself. One way to find out if a paid survey site is legitimate is to search the name of the company and “review” afterwards. You will find that if the site is legitimate, many reviews will appear on such sites as Trustpilot.
Other sources of income from paid surveys
Other sources of income you could also consider in the survey field are focus groups, product testing, and mystery shopping. You can read our Mystery shopping guide or our product testing guide here. Focus groups are few and far between for consistent money-earning opportunities in Australia, so if you’re looking for steady income, online paid surveys are the best bet.
Pros vs Cons: What to Expect When Doing Paid Surveys in Australia
Is completing surveys for money worth your time and effort? Here are the reasons paid surveys in Australia are worthwhile, and some of the pitfalls:
Pros
- Earn from the couch. Cash is made from home or on the go – you choose.
- Many legitimate sites to choose from. Many genuine paid survey sites operate in Australia. You can register for as many, or as few websites, as you wish.
- Access high earning rates. Some sites, like Octopus Group, offer industry-leading rates. By focusing on high-earning survey sites, you could make significant money.
- Complete paid surveys at your own pace. You select the surveys you’d like to take part in and control the amount of time investment you want to put in.
Cons
- Some sites pay poorly. Do your research and ensure you are aware of survey payment rates before investing significant time.
- You may not qualify. Some paid surveys Australia are only available to people who fit certain consumer demographics or behaviours. You may spend time on a pre-qualification questionnaire, only to screen out.
Conclusion: How to choose the top 10 best paid surveys Australia has to offer
Which Survey Site Should You Choose?
If you want the highest hourly rate, start with Octopus Group.
If you prefer interesting, reputable surveys, add YouGov.
For quick payouts, keep MyOpinions handy.
The smartest strategy? Join 2–3 panels. That way, when one is quiet, another fills the gap — and your side income stays consistent.
👉 Ready to earn? Pick your top survey site from the table above and sign up today. Your first payout could be just a week away.
FAQs: Paid Surveys in Australia
1. Which paid survey site pays the fastest in Australia?
OpinionWorld and Survey Junkie are among the fastest, with low payout thresholds (around $5–$10) and PayPal cash-outs that can process within days. If you want the highest per-survey rate, though, Octopus Group often pays best — but you may wait longer to reach the $20 minimum.
2. How much money can I realistically make from surveys?
Most Australians earn between $50 and $200 per month if they’re consistent and join multiple panels. Surveys aren’t a full-time income, but they can reliably cover small bills, groceries, or streaming subscriptions.
3. Are Australian paid survey sites legit?
Yes — as long as you stick to trusted platforms like Octopus Group, Pureprofile, YouGov, and Toluna. These companies partner with real brands and pay reliably. Avoid any site asking for upfront fees or bank details before payout.
4. Can I do paid surveys on my phone?
Absolutely. Most platforms, including Toluna and Swagbucks, have apps or mobile-friendly sites. Some surveys are desktop-only, but you’ll maximize earnings by enabling mobile notifications so you don’t miss invites.
5. Which survey sites are best for beginners?
If you’re just starting, try:
- OpinionWorld (quick $10 payout)
- Survey Junkie (low $5 threshold)
- Octopus Group (highest pay, simple cash system)
That way, you get both quick wins and strong long-term earning potential.
6. Do I need to be over 18 to take surveys in Australia?
Most sites require you to be 18+, but some accept participants from age 16 with parental consent (check the terms for each platform).
7. What’s the best way to maximize my earnings?
- Join 3–4 survey sites so you always have surveys available.
- Complete your profile fully — this increases the number of invites you receive.
- Act quickly on invites — many surveys close once enough people respond.
- Use referral programs (Octopus Group, Swagbucks, Ipsos iSay, Toluna and YouGov) to earn extra.
8. Are gift card rewards worth it compared to PayPal cash?
It depends on your goals. Gift cards can sometimes be redeemed at a better rate (e.g. $20 card for fewer points than $20 PayPal). But if flexibility matters, cash via PayPal or bank transfer is usually best.
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