That pile of “I might wear this again one day” clothes sitting on the chair in your bedroom? According to eBay, it could be part of a $32 billion national side hustle.
eBay Australia has removed selling fees for casual sellers, as new research reveals that Australians collectively sit on billions of dollars’ worth of unused items.
According to the research conducted by YouGov, 80% of Australians have items at home they could sell, with the average household holding around 15 sellable items. Respondents estimated they could make almost $1,500 by selling unused belongings online.
The study also found selling fees had acted as a deterrent for many Australians, with 34% saying fees stopped them from listing items online, while 55% said they would be more likely to sell if fees were removed.
The Veronicas list personal items on eBay
To coincide with the launch, Australian music duo The Veronicas are listing personal items from their collections on eBay.com.au.
Items include guitars, fashion pieces, tour memorabilia, and collectables, with auctions starting at $50.
Highlights from Lisa Origliasso’s collection include a ‘Witches Scrying Mirror’, a custom REISHI BABY jacket and hoop earrings purchased after the duo signed their first record deal.
Lisa Origliasso’s custom REISHI BABY jacket
Jess Origliasso’s listings include an Alexander McQueen skull scarf, a Fender guitar and a Big Muff pedal used during live performances.
Jess Origliasso’s Fender guitar
The duo said the move had encouraged them to revisit years’ worth of items collected on the road and to give fans access to pieces tied to the band’s history.
Jess described the removal of selling fees as “a game-changer”, adding: “We’re so excited for our fans to get their hands on a piece of our history, and to see more people across Australia start listing their pre-loved treasures online!”
While Lisa said many of the items carried personal significance and had been collected during tours and performances over the years, including her “old Scrying Mirror”.
“The fact that it’s now free to sell on eBay means anyone can easily list their pre-loved items and earn a little extra cash, which is incredible,” she said.
Fashion and collectables driving growth
eBay said consumer-to-consumer selling continues to grow across Australia, with Fashion and Collectables among the platform’s strongest-performing categories.
The company said brands including Carhartt, Louis Vuitton and Zimmermann ranked among the top search terms for Australian shoppers, while collectables including LEGO, Pokémon and Labubu continued to attract strong demand.
Anne-Marie Cheney, Head of Recommerce at eBay Australia, said the decision to remove selling fees was intended to make it easier for Australians to earn additional income from items they already own, particularly as cost-of-living pressures continue.
Cheney said eBay’s research found selling fees had been a key barrier preventing many Australians from listing items online, with the company positioning the move as a way to unlock more activity in the growing recommerce market.
Anne-Marie Cheney
“Today marks a significant milestone for eBay and for millions of Australians,” Cheney said.
“At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, free selling on eBay offers a powerful opportunity for people to make more out of what they already have at home, transforming pre-loved items into financial flexibility and new income potential.”
She added that the removal of fees was designed to simplify the selling process and encourage more Australians to participate in consumer-to-consumer selling.
“We’re thrilled to have The Veronicas onboard, celebrating the power of consumer-to-consumer selling, and inspiring Australians to experience just how easy and rewarding selling on eBay can be.”
As part of the changes, eBay said it is also rolling out AI-powered listing tools, integrated shipping options and enhanced seller features for Australian users.
Main image: The Veronicas