B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Pinterest
  • WPP
  • AFL
  • Federal Election
  • Anthony Albanese
  • Thinkerbell
  • NRL
  • State of Origin
  • Cannes Lions
  • AI
  • B&T Women in Media
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Channel 10
  • EssenceMediaCom
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Australia’s Second Hand Economy Now Worth $34 Billion
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Disruption > Australia’s Second Hand Economy Now Worth $34 Billion
DisruptionMarketingTechnology

Australia’s Second Hand Economy Now Worth $34 Billion

Staff Writers
Published on: 6th August 2018 at 12:57 PM
Staff Writers
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

Gumtree Australia has released the findings from its 2018 Second Hand Economy Report.

The research shows that the second-hand economy is now worth $34 billion but 50 per cent of Aussies are throwing unwanted items in the bin.

As one of the pioneers of the sharing economy, Gumtree has released its eighth annual Second Hand Economy Report, revealing that the potential value of peer-to-peer trading in Australia could be worth a staggering $34 billion.

The research shows that Aussies with unwanted items stand to make close to $4,200 per household, with the average household holding onto approximately 25 unwanted or unused items.

While most Aussies are donating (72 per cent) or selling (56 per cent) old goods, as many as 50 per cent admit to throwing items away.

The most common unwanted items include clothing, shoes and accessories (65 per cent), books (57 per cent), music, DVDs and CDs (54 per cent), games and toys (48 per cent) and electronics (47 per cent).

Gumtree Australia GM Martin Herbst said: “The second-hand economy is a multi-billion dollar sub-economy which brings communities together, contributes to Aussie’s back pockets, supports not-for-profits and reduces waste from going to landfill.

“Any time you donate, swap, buy or sell a used or unwanted item, you’re part of the second-hand economy.

“Our report lifts the lid on the increasing opportunity for Australians to make extra cash, extend the life of their unwanted items, and make a significant environmental impact along the way.

“This year, we’ve also teamed up with leading second-hand economy experts and sustainability organisations to better equip savvy Australians with the tips they need to buy and sell used items like a pro – all whilst contributing to a waste-less society.

“It’s our mission to empower people and create economic opportunity and with potentially thousands of dollars’ worth of unwanted items sitting around homes across Australia, we believe the second-hand economy is the perfect way to do that.”

Making money through the second-hand economy

According to the report, the cost of living (57 per cent) and making mortgage repayments (17 per cent), present the biggest financial strains for most Australian households, with the second-hand economy helping to alleviate this.

To this end, founder of SugaMammaTV, Canna Campbell (pictured below), has come on board as Gumtree’s money expert for this year’s campaign.

Campbell is passionate about helping Aussies notch up their income above and beyond their paycheques.

Canna Campbell_Gumtree (1)

Campbell commented: “I am extremely passionate about showing people useful ways they can build passive income, revealing how the money you can make from selling your unwanted items can go towards your savings goals and achieving financial freedom.

“The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I’ve long been a fan of Gumtree, using it to not only find unique items for my home, but to declutter or make way for a new purchase.

“Simply start by searching through your kitchen cupboard or wardrobe, finding unused or previously loved items, take a picture and list them today and cash in.”

Buying and selling in the second-hand economy  

According to the report, over 56 per cent of Australians have sold second-hand items in the last year, with almost all Australians (90 per cent) having purchased a second-hand item at some stage.

The most commonly sold second-hand items include clothing, shoes and accessories (39 per cent), home décor and furniture (37 per cent), games and toys (33 per cent) and electronic goods (30 per cent).

Incredibly, 1.3 million Australians joined this sub-industry for the first time by selling second-hand items online in the last 12 months.

Millennials are most likely to be cashing in on their unwanted items, with 61 per cent having sold something that they have decided they no longer need in the last year, compared to 54 per cent of Gen X and 51 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Over the past 12 months, Millennials have generated more from the sale of their items ($1,958), than Gen X ($1,637) and Baby Boomers ($910).

Understanding the value of the second hand economy

The majority of Australians believe the main benefits of buying and selling items through the second hand economy is the ability to buy things at a lower price while saving money (72 per cent), reducing waste (66 per cent) and the ability to cash in and make money (53 per cent).

The key life moments when Australians consider using the second hand economy to buy or sell is when they are spring cleaning (69 per cent), moving house (60 per cent) or downsizing (57 per cent).

Two in three (62 per cent) buy something second hand at least once a year or more frequently.

The items Australians prefer to buy second hand are books (41 per cent), home décor and furniture (31 per cent), collectibles and antiques (28 per cent) and cars (29 per cent).

Sustainability and the second hand economy

This year’s research also showed that people are environmentally minded, with two in three (66 per cent) Australians seeing a key benefit of buying and selling items second hand being to reduce waste or recycle useful items.

Herbst added: “Any time you give unwanted items another lease of life, you’re reducing waste from going to landfill.

This year, we’re proud to announce that Gumtree has also officially partnered with Garage Sale Trail – Australia’s biggest annual community and reuse event.”

Education on the second hand economy

For those who have not participated in the second hand economy, they claim this is due to being time poor (37 per cent), or uncertain about what items in their household are worthwhile selling (34 per cent).

The number one tool that would give savvy Australians confidence to buy and sell is a step-by-step guide (39 per cent).

Therefore in addition to Canna Campbell, Gumtree has also engaged former Blockheads and interior designers, Kyal and Kara Demmrich, technology commentator and gadget guru, Trevor Long and V8 Supercars racing driver and car expert, Chaz Mostert, to create how to videos and share their tips to selling and buying via the second hand economy.

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: Gumtree
Share
Staff Writers
By Staff Writers
Follow:
Staff Writers represent B&T's team of award-winning reporters. Here, you'll find articles crafted with industry experience spanning over 50 years. Our team of specialists brings together a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to delivering insightful, topical, and breaking news. With a deep understanding of advertising and media, our Staff Writers are dedicated to providing industry-leading analysis and reporting, both shaping the conversation and setting the benchmark for excellence.

Latest News

Telstra & Herpes Fly The Flag For Australasia In Final Cannes Lions Awards
21/06/2025
Australia Nabs Silver Marketing, Bronze Digital Young Lions Trophies
20/06/2025
Glimpse Inside the Cannes Jury Room  
20/06/2025
Destination NSW Partners With CommBank To Unlock Visitor Economy Insights
20/06/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?