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Jeina(Newbie)Newbie
13 Mar 2026

Hi, I'm planning to open online art commissions as a hobby every once in a while to share my digital art with other people who have similar interests as me.


I don't intend to make this into a business or regular occurrence since I need to dedicate time to studying and am generally not interested in making this into a business.


I am using an online platform called VGen where I can put my commission prices up and people can commission me to draw art for them in exchange for money. The payments would be sent to a Business PayPal account I have (I'm using a business and not personal account to hide my personal details online) and then sent to my bank account.


I wanted to ask how exactly I should report this income? Especially since I am on Youth Allowance and am really unsure what category I should be reporting this in to Centrelink and how often I should be reporting this.


An extra small question is would this be considered a hobby or business since my intent is to keep it as an occasional hobby, but my methods might seem kind of business oriented?...

145 views
1 replies
145 views
1 replies

All replies

Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
15 Mar 2026

"....people can commission me to draw art for them in exchange for money."


Providing a service in exchange for payment. This is assessable income and should be declared as such. Link explains what income is assessable.

Taxable, assessable and exempt income | Australian Taxation Office

Reporting income to Centrelink is not a tax question, so can't comment on that.

You may not consider this a business but it couldn't be considered as a hobby either.

"A hobby is a pastime or leisure activity conducted in your spare time for recreation or pleasure"

Difference between a business and a hobby | business.gov.au

You may get pleasure out of the activity, but your purpose appears to be the earning of income.

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How should I report income from art commisssions? | ATO Community