20 of the best jobs for mums returning to work & balancing family

The school holidays finally end, you drop the kids off at school and suddenly face a question you’ve been avoiding. What now? Your resume has a gap of several years and every job listing wants recent experience you don’t have.

The good news is that things have changed for the better while you were away. Women’s workforce participation in Australia rose from 61.2% to 63% between 2019 and 2024 and employers are more willing than ever to hire mums who’ve taken career breaks. If you’re ready to make the jump, this guide will tell you the 20 best jobs for mums returning to work and how to get one of them.

Why returning to work after having children is a major transition

Nobody warns you that going back to work after having kids feels like starting a completely new career, even if you’re returning to the exact same job you left. Your brain has spent years mastering the art of negotiating with toddlers and managing household chaos. And now, you’re supposed to remember how to write professional emails and sit through meetings without planning tonight’s dinner. 

That’s why it can be so hard for mums who want to pick up their careers where they left off. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that caring for children remains the top reason women stay out of the workforce, affecting 70% of mothers with kids under 15. That’s a huge chunk of skilled women being marginalised because re-entry feels overwhelming.

Common challenges mums face when re-entering the workforce

The obstacles aren’t in your head. Returning to professional life after focusing on family for so long can be jarring. Here are the top challenges mums face as they re-enter the workforce:

• Lack of confidence in their skills: You haven’t forgotten how to do your job, but it feels that way when technology has evolved and industry practices changed during your absence.

• Career gaps in their resume: It can be uncomfortable to explain years away from paid work during interviews, even though raising tiny humans is arguably harder than most corporate jobs.

• Workplace culture shock: Office dynamics, communication tools and team structures might look completely different from what you remember.

• Guilt and identity confusion: Balancing the mental load of motherhood whilst trying to be a committed employee can be incredibly conflicting.

• Flexibility concerns: Finding roles that accommodate school pickups and sick days (for both you and the kids!) can feel difficult.

Benefits of returning to work for confidence, finances and wellbeing

As fulfilling as being a mum can be, there’s something about earning your own money and being a valued professional at work that can do wonders for your confidence and wellbeing. Besides the obvious pay cheque, here are some benefits of returning to work for mums:

• Professional identity: You can restore your identity as a capable professional while keeping your new identity as a brilliant mum. Both things can coexist.

• Adult conversations: Discussing something other than sleep schedules and lunchbox ideas can make you feel more like a normal human being and not a toddler’s full-time butler.

• Skill development: Workplaces invest in training, which can help you advance your career even further.

• Confidence building: Every project completed and problem solved reminds you that you’re actually quite good at this stuff.

• Closing the experience gap: McKinsey research shows that women accumulate fewer years of workforce experience than men, which directly impacts your earning potential and promotion rates. Every year back in employment narrows that gap. 

• Role modelling: Your kids watching you pursue professional goals teaches them about ambition and resilience.

Popular jobs for mums returning to work

The job market has changed dramatically in recent years and employers are finally waking up to the fact that flexibility attracts talented people who happen to have kids. That’s part of the reason why work-from-home careers and hybrid jobs are so popular right now, which also happen to be perfect jobs for mums. These are the top four categories of jobs for mums returning to work: 

Flexible roles suited to school-hour schedules

More than half of all Australian mothers identified the ability to work during school hours as their most important factor when considering employment, according to ABS data. That’s not being picky. That’s being realistic about the logistics of having small humans who need to be collected at 3:00 p.m. sharp. Here are some flexible jobs perfect for mums:

• Administration assistant: Offices need people who can answer phones and keep paperwork organised. Many businesses that are open for 12 hours or longer will happily hire you to work the morning shift while your kids are at school. A Certificate IV in Business Administration can be a great stepping stone to a job like this.

• Teacher aide: Schools desperately need support staff and the hours naturally align with your kids’ schedules. You’ll help students with learning activities and you’ll get to be home when your own children finish for the day. 

• Bookkeeper: Small businesses need someone to manage invoices and handle payroll. You can become an accountant or bookkeeper and find part-time, hybrid or remote work arrangements, as gone are the days of having to bring out real physical books to reconcile the books. Plus, all you need is a quick Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping to get certified.

• Retail sales: Shopping centres and department stores need staff for opening shifts when foot traffic is lower but still need coverage. You’ll be done before school pickup and working weekends is usually optional.

• Medical receptionist: GP clinics and dental practices need front-desk staff during standard business hours. You don’t need to become a nurse for a role like this, as most of what you’ll do is schedule appointments and manage patient records.

Part-time and job-share opportunities

Women make up more than two-thirds of all part-time workers in Australia and that’s not because they lack ambition. It’s because the system still expects mothers to handle the bulk of childcare logistics as a priority, with their career coming in second. The Gender Equality 2024 Report found that 67.6% of mothers with kids under 15 said part-time hours were their most important incentive for joining the workforce. Here are some flexible careers for working mums:

• Human resources coordinator: HR departments tend to have part-time positions that handle recruitment or onboarding, especially since an overwhelming majority of job interviews these days are done over Zoom. A Certificate IV in Human Resource Management will position you well for these roles.

• Marketing assistant: Creating social media content and analysing engagement data is largely time-independent, which means you can find part-time freelance roles and work the hours that suit you best. Getting a Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication is a great way to join this field.

• Aged care worker: This sector depends on part-time staff who provide personal care and support to elderly clients. A Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) can qualify you in just 18 months.

• Community services worker: Many roles supporting vulnerable people happen to be part-time due to budget constraints. If you want a part-time job that also helps people who need it the most, then a Certificate IV in Community Services can get you there.

• Early childhood educator: Childcare centres need qualified staff, and who better to look after children than an actual mother? Although you already have tonnes of experience as a mum, getting a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care can make you even more attractive to potential employers.

Remote and hybrid work options

Just over a third of all employed Australians now work from home regularly, and more than half of all office workers see work-from-home flexibility as a fundamental right. The days of mandatory office attendance are fading, which benefits any mum juggling family responsibilities. Try these careers:

• Customer service rep: Companies run entire support teams remotely, handling customer enquiries via phone, email and chat. All you need for a job like this is reliable internet and a positive attitude.

• Virtual assistant: Business owners and busy executives need someone to manage their emails and handle administrative tasks remotely, and many mums are becoming virtual assistants thanks to the incredible flexibility that comes with these roles.

• Content writer: Businesses need fresh website content and marketing materials. Writing is completely location and time independent, so you can work while your kids are at school or after they’ve gone to bed.

• Data entry specialist: If you’ve got good attention to detail, then you could help convert paperwork into digital formats. Many companies outsource this work to remote contractors who set their own schedules.

• Graphic designer: Creating visual content for businesses like marketing materials works perfectly from home. A Diploma of Graphic Design will let you build your portfolio whilst you study. 

Roles that don’t require recent experience

Career gaps shouldn’t disqualify you from meaningful employment. Even if you’ve been out of the workforce for many years, you can still find a high paying job with little experience:

• Disability support worker: All you need to help people with disabilities is some empathy, lots of patience and good reliability. A Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) also helps.

• Accounts payable clerk: Processing invoices and managing payments isn’t complicated and businesses depend on these services to pay their contractors and vendors.

• Project support officer: For the more outspoken mums, this job is all about being organised and a good communicator. Besides that, a Diploma of Project Management will teach you the rest.

• IT support assistant: It’s not that difficult to become an IT tech in Australia. Once you’ve got your Certificate IV in Information Technology, you can spend parts of your day helping customers troubleshoot tech problems.

• Small business owner: Your own venture means your own rules. A Certificate IV in Entrepreneurship and New Business teaches you how to build something that fits your life.

Courses for mums returning to work

Getting qualified whilst managing family life sounds impossible, but online study has changed everything. You can complete coursework during nap time, after bedtime or whenever you steal 30 minutes of peace and quiet. Swinburne Open Education has dozens of nationally recognised qualifications that employers love and you can complete right at home. Here are some of the best courses for mums returning to work:

How to choose the right return-to-work pathway

Jumping into the first job that accepts your job application might be tempting when you’re eager to start earning again. Resist that urge! Taking the time to figure out what works for your life and what your goals are will save you from ending up in a role that makes you miserable within three months. The right pathway takes into account your family’s needs and where you want your career to go.

Matching your skills with current job market demand

Your experience raising children has taught you a tonne about project management, conflict resolution, stretching budgets and handling crises under pressure. Those skills are fantastic for the workplace, but you need to identify which industries are hiring and paying properly. Some of the industries facing chronic staff shortages in Australia right now are:

• Healthcare

• Aged care

• Disability support

• Business administration

• Marketing and communication

Research job listings in your area before committing to any training. Look at what qualifications employers want and whether the hours suit your family situation. There’s no point in getting qualified in a field with minimal local opportunities or pay rates that don’t even cover childcare costs.

Deciding between part-time, freelance or casual work

Each employment type comes with different trade-offs between flexibility, income stability and benefits. Your choice depends on how much predictability you need versus how much autonomy you want. Here’s some job advice for mums returning to work:

When a full career change makes sense

Sometimes your pre-kids career no longer fits your post-kids life. Maybe the hours were brutal, the industry has declined or you’ve simply realised you want something completely different. Career changes can feel daunting, but motherhood has already proven you can handle massive life changes.

Consider switching fields if your previous industry demands long hours, like most careers in finance, or if you think there are better opportunities elsewhere. Many mums find that caring for children sparked interest in healthcare or education. Others learn that managing household logistics has made them expert administrators or project management. Think about what you see for yourself in the future when considering your first job as a new mum.

Identifying your transferable skills

Motherhood forces you to develop skills that employers need, even if your resume shows a gap in formal employment. Start recognising what you’ve learned how to do:

• Manage budgets: Running a household on limited resources teaches you financial planning that’s directly related to accounting roles.

• Negotiate and resolve conflict: Getting toddlers to cooperate requires a level of diplomacy even the United Nations can’t match, and you’ve learned how to do that at home. This can be a great skill for jobs in HR and client management.

• Multitasking under pressure: No one can multitask like a mum, which makes you perfect for fast-paced administrative and coordination roles.

• Time management: Structuring your days around school runs and activities demonstrates organisational abilities that are incredibly valuable if you’re thinking of becoming a project manager.

FAQs about returning to work as a mum

What jobs are best for mums returning to work?

The best jobs for mums returning to work are admin roles, bookkeeping, aged care support, early childhood education and marketing positions. These careers have flexible hours and decent pay whilst accommodating your family’s schedule.

How can a stay at home mum still get income?

Stay at home mums can earn income through freelance remote work like freelance writing, virtual assistance, bookkeeping or customer service rep. 

What are the easiest courses for mums returning to the workforce?

The easiest courses for mums returning to work are online qualifications like a Certificate IV in Business Administration, Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or a Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication.

What government support is available for mums returning to work?

Government support for new mums includes Paid Parental Leave of up to 26 weeks by July 2026, Child Care Subsidy and Fee-Free TAFE funding. 

Do employers mind employment gaps due to parenting?

Many employers have evolved, but the unfortunate reality is that 92% of women face discrimination post-maternity leave. Look for progressive job listings to find a job that values all employees equally.

Your career didn’t disappear, it just took a detour

Returning to work after kids isn’t anything like starting from zero. You’ve developed project management, negotiation, budgeting and crisis handling techniques that most people never fully master. That gap on your resume represents growth, not failure.

Swinburne Open Education’s flexible online courses let you study around family chaos and get qualified for roles that pay well. Speak with a course adviser today about which pathway suits you best.