A self-proclaimed ‘career enthusiast’ has voiced criticism towards Australians lamenting the rising cost of living, suggesting they consider taking on additional employment to make ends meet.
Sarina Russo, who established the educational and training enterprise ‘The Sarina Russo Group,’ frequently appears among Australia’s wealthiest women.
Her impressive real estate holdings span the globe, including a luxurious apartment with views of New York’s Central Park. As of 2025, her fortune was estimated at $344 million.
Russo attributes her achievements to determination rather than chance, urging Australians facing financial difficulties to refrain from blaming the Albanese administration for their economic challenges.
“People are asking, ‘What’s in the (May federal) budget?’ But the real question is, what’s in your budget, and how will you manage it?” Russo remarked to the Courier Mail.
“Perhaps you need a second job, or even a third. Maybe further education or learning about AI is necessary. There’s only so much the government can do,” she added.
‘We all have disappointments but you’ve got to keep going so we don’t become victims in our own mind and then not strive for success.’
Her employment group, which is the largest privately-owned services provider for the federal Workforce Australia program, has reportedly received more than $1.8billion in government contracts since 2006.
Sarina Russo, who has a reported net worth of $344 million, said struggling Aussies should look at their own household budgets
She said Aussies should pick up a second or third job to cover rising costs (stock image)
Ms Russo said workers must ‘keep going so we don’t become victims in our own mind’ (pictured a waiter taking a patron’s order at a Sydney cafe)
However, Ms Russo said she is unsure what percentage of her business makes up of government contracts.
‘I want to make something clear: some people think the government gives you a bunch of money, but you have to tender for those contracts – and every three to four years, you can lose a contract and have to start again,’ she added.
Ms Russo’s controversial comments sparked a furious backlash online, where many Aussies pointed to the use of government funds for her Sarina Russo Job Access program.
‘Why don’t you get a third job and stop relying on [government] funding for your job service?’ one commented under a recent Instagram post of hers.
Another another: ‘Sarina, with today’s regulations you would have never been allowed to start your business, government regulations are restricting/stopping free choice to make wealth.’
A third wrote: ‘Well you give all that government money back cause you clearly made your fortune off government money you scumbag.’
But Ms Russo, who lists former US president Bill Clinton and former UK prime minister Tony Blair as friends is unapologetic, adding that she has taken more than a million clients through education, training and jobs.
It’s not the first time Ms Russo’s comments have landed her in hot water.
Ms Russo, who is friends with leaders such as former US President Bill Clinton (pictured) and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, ranks as one of Australia’s richest women
In 2024 she posted a video on Instagram about financial independence.
‘Let’s get a job, let’s get excited, let’s get that passion growing and I’ll see you at the top,’ she ended the the clip.
Some viewers accused her of being insensitive due to cost of living pressures.
In 2022, she infamously told Queensland flood victims to get up and exercise.
‘Here we are in Brisbane, how it was, overlooking the most beautiful city called Brisbane,’ she said in an Instagram video.
‘And sadly last week we had massive floods – once in a hundred-year flooding – and it caused massive devastation.
‘You know when things are going wrong and the endorphins are low, this is a time you have to exercise.’
It’s not the first time Ms Russo’s comments have landed her in hot water after she shared a video in 2022 telling Queensland flood victims to exercise and get walking so they don’t feel so depressed amid the devastation
The video was shared online just before Queensland recorded its 13th flood death.
Standing by the Brisbane River walk in New Farm, Ms Russo said bad weather was no excuse to avoid exercising.
‘The desire to get fit every morning, regardless, whether it’s raining, whether it’s sunny, whether it’s too hot, whether it’s too cold, icy, snowy, whatever the weather is, if it is to be, it’s up to me,’ she said.
‘Your attitude determines your altitude. See you at the top.’
She has also called for people who are overweight or who drink too much to exercise.
‘In fact, I really believe that fitness is everything,’ she said. ‘You can say, “You’re successful” but if you’re not fit, you’re overeating, you’re addicted to food, alcohol, drugs, smokes, cigarettes, that’s not success.’
Daily Mail has contacted Ms Russo for comment.
