Seniors like you can earn up to $4,000 this Christmas—here’s how!

Trevor from Sydney never imagined that donning a red suit in 2013 would become a decade-long passion.

He still described his Santa work as 'by far the best work' he'd ever done.

Thousands of Aussie seniors are discovering that Christmas casual roles offer far more than just extra cash.

With just 100 days until Christmas, Scene to Believe—the nation’s leading provider of Santa photography experiences—prepared to serve over one million people across more than 180 shopping centres.

They sought charismatic, warm-hearted individuals to wear the red suit, with full training provided regardless of prior experience.

The Christmas job boom is here

Scene to Believe captured cherished memories for over one million people annually, and they were not alone in hiring.

More than 2,500 seasonal positions were available across Australia this Christmas, with Santa roles paying between $35 and $37 per hour—well above typical casual rates.

It was not just Scene to Believe hiring.

Australia Post recruited over 3,500 seasonal workers, paying up to $38.58 per hour for truck drivers, while major retailers including Myer, David Jones, Kmart, and Target ramped up their festive staffing drives.

Why Santa suits seniors perfectly

For many seniors, working as a Santa character offered the chance to un-retire for a rewarding, fulfilling experience.

The role provided benefits that aligned seamlessly with retirement lifestyle preferences.

Meaningful work with purpose

One Santa reflected, 'How many fridges around the world carry a picture of grandchildren with my picture in the middle. What a joy it is to be an anonymous part of this joy and family friendship'.

For seniors missing regular interaction with grandchildren, 'Being Santa is the next best thing'.

Flexibility that worked around life

Scene to Believe offered full training and operated small, supportive teams, making it easy to jump in.

The seasonal nature allowed commitment for just a few months rather than year-round.

No experience necessary

'No experience? No problem!' Scene to Believe provided comprehensive training, even for those who had never been Santa before.

Authentic Santa suits, life-like beards, and jolly bellies were supplied—no need to bring your own.

The training that built confidence

Seniors often worried about adequate support.

Scene to Believe delivered in-depth training both offsite and onsite with the actual team for the season.

Employee reviews highlighted 'good supportive management' and described it as 'one of the best jobs' they had ever had, noting they 'never felt like working but actually had a lot of fun'.

One Santa explained, 'When you put on the suit and walk onto the set ... you are Santa'.

The transformation was both literal and emotional.

Beyond the red suit—other festive opportunities

While Santa roles grabbed headlines, the seasonal market offered numerous other positions suitable for seniors:

Scene to Believe support roles: Photography, customer service, set management, and helping Santa shine—with full training provided for all roles.

Australia Post seasonal work: Parcel sorters earned $34.45 per hour plus 12 per cent superannuation, van drivers earned the same rate plus penalties for evenings/weekends, forklift operators $34.45 per hour, and mail sorting offered flexible hours.

Major retailer positions: Customer service, gift wrapping, seasonal decoration assistance, and stock management support were among the roles on offer.

Making your application stand out

Candidates reported that Scene to Believe interviews were simple, taking about a week to complete, with overall experiences rated favourably.

What employers wanted to see: Customer service experience, patience and warmth when working with children, reliability and punctuality, and enthusiasm for creating positive experiences.

Tips for older applicants: Highlight life experience and patience, emphasise reliability and strong work ethic, mention grandparenting experience, show enthusiasm for making children happy, and be upfront about availability and preferred hours.

The financial sweet spot

Santa roles paid $35-$37 per hour, which could add up quickly.

Working 15 hours per week over eight weeks could net over $4,000 before tax, providing a significant boost to Christmas spending money or holiday funds.

Extras included penalty rates for evenings and weekends, 12 per cent superannuation in Australia Post roles, reduced travel costs from local work, and flexible scheduling to fit around other commitments.

Start your festive job search now

Recruitment drives were already underway, with Scene to Believe even operating a dedicated 'Santa Jobs Hotline'.

The combination of good pay, flexible hours, meaningful work, and the chance to be part of families' Christmas traditions made these roles particularly appealing for seniors.

Whether looking to boost income, stay socially active, or simply spread Christmas cheer, seasonal work could be exactly what they were seeking.

If you’re thinking about ways to boost your festive funds beyond seasonal work, there are government programs designed to help top up your income quickly and legally.

Understanding these options can make it easier to plan for holiday expenses and ensure you get the most out of your extra efforts this season.

One useful guide breaks down exactly how to qualify for a potential $4,000 boost from Centrelink, offering practical steps you can take now.

Read more: Pensioners may benefit from $4,000 boost from Centrelink soon. Here's how to qualify

Have you considered seasonal Christmas work, or do you have experience working holiday jobs?