What is consignment selling and is it worth it in Australia?
Consignment means selling someone else's item on their behalf and taking a cut (typically 20–40% of the sale price). You photograph, list, and handle the sale; they provide the item. It's common in vintage clothing boutiques and specialist resale shops. For online sellers, consignment is a way to increase stock without capital outlay. The downside: managing other people's items adds admin complexity and you're responsible for the item while you hold it. Get a written consignment agreement before taking any item.
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Key things to know for Australian sellers
Australian online selling has its own quirks: GST registration thresholds, Australia Post rate structures, and platform-specific buyer behaviour differ from the US and UK advice you'll find most readily online. Checking ATO guidance directly and using the Australia Post postage calculator for accurate quotes are good starting points.
Using multiple platforms together
Most successful Australian resellers end up selling across at least two platforms. The marginal effort to list on a second platform is much lower if you already have photos and a description, and reaching two different buyer pools meaningfully increases your chances of a sale.
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