Fake Job and Cash-in-Hand Scams in Australia: Warning Signs and What to Do ?

The message looks perfect. A friendly recruiter says they found your profile, the job is remote, the hours are flexible, and the pay is surprisingly good for what sounds like a few minutes of work a day. There's just one small thing: you need to pay a small fee to get started, or deposit some money to unlock your first payment.

That tiny request is the whole scam.

Job scams have exploded in Australia. The National Anti-Scam Centre's report on 2025 found that reports of job and employment scams more than doubled, up 102.4%, and reported losses rose by 81.5% to around $17.9 million. Scamwatch has also reported that employment scams targeting people aged 24 and under more than doubled, and that most scams are now run by organised criminal networks. Students and newcomers are prime targets.

Here's how to spot the fakes, what to think about with cash-in-hand work, and what to do if something goes wrong.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check Scamwatch and the Fair Work Ombudsman for the latest guidance.

Part 1: Fake job scams

The most common types

Task scams. You get an unsolicited text or WhatsApp message about easy, flexible work, such as rating products, liking videos or "optimising" listings. After a first round of tasks, you might be paid a small amount, sometimes in cryptocurrency, to make it look real. Then you're told to deposit your own money to unlock bigger earnings or complete a "premium" batch. The money you send is gone, and so is the "job."

Fake recruiters and impersonation. Scammers pretend to be well-known recruitment agencies or big companies, and use their branding to look credible. They may use real company names to build trust.

Pay-to-work scams. You're asked for a "recruitment fee," training costs, a background check or equipment before you can start. Real employers don't charge you to work for them.

Money mule and reshipping jobs. The "job" involves receiving money into your account and passing it on, or receiving packages and sending them elsewhere. These can involve crime, and you may be held responsible.

Identity theft jobs. The scam is designed to collect your passport, driver's licence, tax file number or bank details, which can be used to commit fraud in your name.

Fake ads on trusted sites. Scammers post fake listings on job boards and social media groups. A job isn't real just because it appears on a trusted platform.

Warning signs

Based on Scamwatch's guidance, watch for:

• Unexpected contact from a "recruiter" by text or on WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram.

• High pay for little effort, especially working from home.

• A very fast hiring process, with no real interview or discussion of your experience.

• A request to pay money or cryptocurrency to start, or to unlock your pay.

• Vague job details, often copied or written in generic language.

• Pressure and urgency, such as "only 20 positions left."

• Moving the conversation to an encrypted chat app.

• A job that involves handling money or packages for someone else.

• Requests for ID or bank details before you've signed anything or verified the company.

The rule of thumb Scamwatch uses: if you have to pay money to make money, it's a red flag.

How to check if a job is real

1. Don't use the contact details in the message. Search for the company yourself, and find its official website and phone number.

2. Call the company directly and ask whether the job and the recruiter are real.

3. Look up the business. Check its ABN on the Australian Business Register, and look for a real address, website and reviews.

4. Be suspicious of generic emails, such as free email addresses used by a big company.

5. Ask for a proper interview and a written contract.

6. Never pay to get hired, and never use your own money to "buy" tasks.

7. Never share ID or bank details until you're sure the employer is genuine, and you've signed a contract.

8. Check with your university. Student careers services can help verify offers.

Our guide to finding student jobs in Melbourne covers safer places to look.

Part 2: Cash-in-hand work

"Cash in hand" means being paid in physical cash rather than through payroll. It's very common in hospitality, cleaning, construction, retail and delivery, and many students are offered it.

Here's the key point: being paid in cash isn't illegal, but it often hides things that are.

What the law still requires

Even when you're paid in cash, employers generally still have to:

• Pay at least the minimum wage or the correct award rate, including penalty rates and casual loading.

• Provide payslips.

• Pay super where it applies.

• Withhold and report tax.

• Keep proper records.

If an employer pays cash because they don't want to do these things, that's a problem for you, not just for them.

Risks of cash-in-hand work

• Underpayment. Cash jobs are a common place for flat, below-award rates. Check what you should be paid in our guide to the minimum wage in Australia.

• No payslips or proof of income. That can make it hard to rent a home, apply for a loan or lodge a tax return.

• No super. You miss out on money that's meant to be paid for you. See our guide to claiming your super when you leave.

• No workers' compensation cover. If you're injured, you may struggle to prove you were an employee.

• Tax problems. Cash income is still taxable, and not declaring it can lead to penalties. See our guide to your first tax return.

• Visa risks. If you're on a student visa, cash work still counts toward your work-hour limit, and unreported work can be a visa breach. See our guide to student visa work hours.

• No protection if the employer disappears. Without records, claiming unpaid wages is harder.

• Exploitation. Employers who ignore pay rules may also ignore safety and other rules.

Red flags in cash-in-hand offers

• A flat hourly rate with no mention of weekends, nights or casual loading.

• "We don't do payslips" or "we don't pay super."

• Unpaid "trial" shifts that go on for days.

• Being asked to pay for a uniform, training or a "deposit."

• A promise of pay "at the end of the month," and then delays.

• Pressure to say you're a volunteer or a "contractor" when you're really an employee.

• Being told that your visa status means you can't ask about pay (it doesn't).

How to protect yourself

• Ask for a payslip every pay period, even if you're paid in cash.

• Keep your own record of hours, dates, and amounts, with photos of rosters.

• Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to check the rate.

• Get the arrangement in writing.

• Don't hand over your passport or other original documents to an employer.

• If you're unsure, ask for help. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice, and workplace rights apply regardless of visa status.

If you think you've been scammed

Act quickly, and don't be embarrassed. These scams are designed by professionals.

1. Stop sending money. Don't pay any "release fee" or "tax."

2. Contact your bank right away. Explain what happened and ask whether the payments can be stopped or recalled. Recovery isn't guaranteed.

3. Save the evidence. Screenshots, messages, ads, account numbers and receipts.

4. Report it to Scamwatch even if you didn't lose money. Also report it on the platform where you saw it.

5. Report to ReportCyber if you lost money or your identity may be at risk, and to the police if appropriate.

6. Protect your identity. If you shared personal documents, contact IDCARE, Australia's identity and cyber support service, on 1800 595 160, and consider changing passwords and watching your accounts.

7. Tell your university if you're a student. They may be able to help.

8. Beware of recovery scams. After a scam, fraudsters sometimes contact victims, promising to get their money back for a fee.

If you've been paid in cash and underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Quick answers

How can I tell if a job offer is a scam?

Watch for unexpected contact, high pay for little work, fast hiring, requests to pay money and pressure to move to an encrypted app.

Is cash-in-hand work illegal?

Being paid in cash isn't illegal, but employers still have to follow pay, tax and super rules.

Do I have to pay to start a job?

No. A legitimate employer won't ask you to pay to get hired or to unlock your pay.

What should I do if I sent money to a scammer?

Contact your bank immediately, report to Scamwatch and keep evidence.

Can scammers use real company names?

Yes. They often impersonate well-known businesses and recruiters.

Do workplace rights apply to international students?

Yes. The Fair Work Ombudsman says visa status doesn't reduce your rights.