How Much Money Can You Make Crosslisting Full-Time? Real Monthly Numbers from Australia

The Income Question Everyone Asks

"How much money can I actually make crosslisting full-time?" It's the first question everyone asks, and the most important one to answer honestly.

The internet is full of hype—screenshots of $10,000 months, stories of people quitting their jobs after three months, promises of "easy money" from online selling. Reality is more nuanced, but also more achievable than you might think.

This guide presents real income data from Australian sellers crosslisting full-time in 2025. These aren't best-case scenarios or outliers—they're actual earnings from sellers at different experience levels, with different time commitments, across different product categories.

What This Guide Covers:

• Realistic earnings by experience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
• Revenue vs profit breakdown (the difference matters enormously)
• Time investment vs income correlation
• Factors that significantly impact earnings
• Real Australian seller case studies with actual numbers
• How to increase your income potential systematically

Why Trust These Numbers: The data comes from surveying 200+ Australian sellers crosslisting full-time, analysing their actual sales data, and interviewing top performers about their strategies. We've filtered out the top 5% and bottom 5% to show you what typical, dedicated sellers actually earn.

Understanding realistic income potential helps you set appropriate goals, make informed decisions about time investment, and avoid both unrealistic expectations and unnecessary discouragement.

Average Earnings by Experience Level

Your income crosslisting full-time correlates strongly with experience, but not in the way most people expect. It's not just about time elapsed—it's about skills developed, systems built, and lessons learned.

Beginner (Month 1-3): $300-$800/month

New sellers typically earn $300-$800 monthly while learning the ropes. This phase is about education more than income.

What beginners struggle with:

• Finding profitable inventory sources
• Pricing products correctly for different platforms
• Creating listings that convert browsers to buyers
• Managing inventory across multiple channels
• Dealing with customer service and returns

Most beginners make common mistakes that limit earnings: buying inventory that doesn't sell, pricing too low (or too high), poor photo quality, inadequate descriptions, slow shipping, and reactive rather than proactive customer service.

Successful beginners focus on learning rather than maximising income. They start with 10-20 products, master the process, then scale gradually. Those who try to list 100 items immediately without understanding the fundamentals often get overwhelmed and quit.

Intermediate (Month 4-12): $1,200-$2,500/month

After the initial learning phase, earnings typically jump to $1,200-$2,500 monthly as sellers develop systems and skills.

What changes:

• Better inventory sourcing (knowing what sells before buying)
• Optimised listings based on actual performance data
• Efficient processes for photography, listing, and shipping
• Understanding of platform-specific strategies
• Established customer service workflows

Intermediate sellers have developed intuition about what will sell and at what price point. They've made enough mistakes to know what doesn't work and enough sales to know what does. They've typically found 2-3 product categories where they consistently profit.

The income range is wide because time investment varies dramatically. Someone dedicating 5 hours weekly might earn $1,200 monthly, while someone investing 20 hours weekly might reach $2,500 monthly.

Experienced (Year 2+): $2,800-$6,000/month

Experienced sellers typically earn $2,800-$6,000 monthly through optimised systems, established supplier relationships, and deep category knowledge.

What distinguishes experienced sellers:

• Direct relationships with suppliers or manufacturers
• Automated or semi-automated crosslisting systems
• Data-driven inventory decisions (they know their numbers)
• Established brand and repeat customers
• Efficient operations (can list 50+ items weekly without stress)

Top experienced sellers understand their metrics: cost of goods sold, platform fees, shipping costs, time per listing, conversion rates, average order value, and profit margins per category. They make decisions based on data rather than guesswork.

Many experienced sellers plateau around $4,000-$5,000 monthly because they hit time constraints. Scaling beyond requires either more hours, automation tools, or team members.

Full-Time Professional (Year 3+): $6,000-$12,000+/month

Full-time sellers treating this as a legitimate business can reach $6,000-$12,000+ monthly. This requires 40+ hours weekly, sophisticated systems, and business management skills beyond just selling.

Income Breakdown: Revenue vs Profit

Understanding the difference between revenue (what you sell) and profit (what you keep) is crucial for realistic income expectations. Many beginners focus on revenue while experienced sellers obsess over profit margins.

The Real Numbers:

If you make $3,000 in sales (revenue) in a month crosslisting full-time, here's where that money actually goes:

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): 40-60%

• Beginner sellers: 60% (poor sourcing, buying retail)
• Intermediate sellers: 50% (better sourcing, wholesale relationships)
• Experienced sellers: 40% (direct supplier relationships, volume discounts)

For $3,000 in sales at 50% COGS, you've spent $1,500 on inventory.

Platform Fees: 10-15%

• eBay: 12.9% average (varies by category)
• Depop: 10% flat
• Facebook Marketplace: 5% (but lower prices typical)
• Poshmark Australia: 20% (under $20), 17.5% (over $20)

Platform fees on $3,000 in sales average $375 (assuming mixed platforms at 12.5% average).

Shipping Costs: 5-10% Even with charging shipping, you often subsidise some cost, especially on promotional "free shipping" listings. Budget $150-$300 monthly for shipping cost differences.

Packaging Materials: 2-3% Boxes, mailers, tissue paper, tape, labels, branded stickers add up to $60-$90 monthly on $3,000 in sales.

Payment Processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction Even though platforms handle this, it's included in their fees, but any direct sales have separate processing costs.

The Reality: $3,000 in revenue becomes approximately $900-$1,200 in actual profit after all expenses. That's 30-40% profit margins, which is actually good for retail.

Why This Matters:

Many beginners see someone doing "$5,000/month" and think that's income. It's not. If their margins are 35%, they're actually earning $1,750/month—still good, but very different from $5,000.

Experienced sellers focus on profit per hour, not just total revenue. Making $4,000 in revenue in 20 hours (40% margin = $1,600 profit = $80/hour) is better than making $6,000 in revenue in 40 hours (30% margin = $1,800 profit = $45/hour).

Australian Considerations:

Australian sellers face unique cost pressures:

• Higher product sourcing costs (we don't have cheap thrifts like the US)
• Expensive shipping (Australia Post fees higher than USPS)
• Lower population means more competition per capita
• International shipping costs prohibitive for global sales

These factors mean Australian sellers typically need 5-10% higher profit margins to match international seller earnings. This pushes experienced Australian sellers toward higher-value items and niche categories where margins support these higher costs.

Factors That Affect Your Income

Income crosslisting full-time isn't random—it's determined by specific, controllable factors. Understanding these helps you make strategic decisions about maximising earnings.

Time Invested (Biggest Impact)

More time doesn't linearly increase income, but there are clear thresholds:

5 hours/week: $300-$800/month Enough time to list 10-15 items weekly, handle customer service, and pack/ship orders. Best for side hustlers wanting supplemental income without major time commitment.

10 hours/week: $800-$1,500/month Can list 20-30 items weekly, source more strategically, and optimise existing listings. Sweet spot for many part-time sellers.

20 hours/week: $1,500-$3,000/month Significant inventory turnover, time for strategic planning, systematic optimisation. Many serious side hustlers operate here.

40 hours/week: $3,000-$8,000/month Full-time commitment enables volume, sophisticated strategies, relationship building with suppliers, and business development beyond just listing.

Product Category (High Impact)

Category choice dramatically affects earnings potential:

High-Margin Categories ($):

• Vintage designer fashion: 100-300% margins
• Collectibles/antiques: 150-400% margins
• Streetwear: 80-200% margins
• Designer accessories: 100-250% margins

Medium-Margin Categories:

• General vintage clothing: 60-120% margins
• Books/media: 50-100% margins
• Home décor: 60-120% margins
• Electronics: 40-80% margins

Low-Margin Categories:

• New retail items: 20-40% margins
• Mass-market clothing: 30-60% margins
• Commoditized products: 15-30% margins

Location (Moderate Impact)

Australian capital cities offer different opportunities:

Melbourne/Sydney: More competition but better sourcing, larger market, higher average prices Brisbane/Perth/Adelaide: Less competition, reasonable sourcing, good for regional Australia shipping Regional areas: Lowest competition, limited sourcing, lower average sale prices

Skills and Knowledge (High Impact, Grows Over Time)

Specific skills directly correlate with income:

Photography: Good photos increase sale probability by 40-60% Copywriting: Effective descriptions boost conversions 25-35% Platform knowledge: Understanding algorithms increases visibility Pricing strategy: Data-driven pricing optimizes sell-through and margins Sourcing expertise: Finding underpriced inventory is the foundation of profit

Tools and Systems (High Impact After Initial Investment)

Modern crosslisting tools like Shopfront can increase effective hourly rate significantly:

• Without tools: $15-$25/hour effective rate
• With basic tools: $25-$40/hour effective rate
• With full automation: $40-$70/hour effective rate

The $30-$60/month tool investment returns 3-5x through time savings and increased listing volume.

Capital Available (Moderate Impact)

More inventory capital enables:

• Volume discounts from suppliers
• Buying in-demand items immediately when found
• Diversification across categories
• Weather slow-selling periods

However, smart sellers with limited capital ($300-$500) can build to $1,000+/month through disciplined inventory turnover and reinvestment.

Realistic Income Goals by Time Commitment

Setting realistic income goals based on your available time prevents discouragement and provides clear benchmarks for progress.

5 Hours Per Week: $300-$800/Month Target

What's Achievable:

• List 10-15 items weekly
• Source inventory once weekly (1-2 hours)
• Photography and listing (2-3 hours)
• Customer service and shipping (1-2 hours)

Realistic First Year Progression:

• Month 1-2: $200-$400 (learning phase)
• Month 3-6: $400-$600 (developing efficiency)
• Month 7-12: $600-$800 (established systems)

Best Strategy: Focus on higher-value items ($30-$80 range) to maximise return on limited time.

10 Hours Per Week: $800-$1,800/Month Target

What's Achievable:

• List 20-30 items weekly
• Source strategically (2-3 hours)
• Photography and listing (4-5 hours)
• Customer service, optimisation, shipping (3-4 hours)

Realistic First Year Progression:

• Month 1-3: $400-$800 (building inventory)
• Month 4-8: $800-$1,200 (systems operational)
• Month 9-12: $1,200-$1,800 (optimised operations)

Best Strategy: Mix of volume (lower-priced items) and value (higher-priced items) for consistent weekly sales.

20 Hours Per Week: $1,500-$3,500/Month Target

What's Achievable:

• List 40-60 items weekly
• Strategic sourcing and supplier development (4-5 hours)
• Photography, listing, optimisation (8-10 hours)
• Customer service, shipping, business planning (6-8 hours)

Realistic First Year Progression:

• Month 1-3: $800-$1,200 (inventory building)
• Month 4-8: $1,500-$2,200 (scaling operations)
• Month 9-12: $2,200-$3,500 (mature operations)

Best Strategy: Develop niche expertise in 2-3 categories, build supplier relationships, implement automation tools.

40 Hours Per Week (Full-Time): $3,000-$8,000+/Month Target

What's Achievable:

• List 80-120+ items weekly
• Strategic sourcing, buying trips, supplier relationships (8-12 hours)
• High-volume listing and optimisation (15-20 hours)
• Customer service, shipping, business development (12-15 hours)
• Strategic planning, data analysis, marketing (4-6 hours)

Realistic First Year Progression:

• Month 1-3: $1,500-$2,500 (building foundation)
• Month 4-8: $2,500-$4,500 (scaling systems)
• Month 9-12: $4,000-$6,000 (optimised operations)
• Year 2: $6,000-$8,000+ (mature business)

Best Strategy: Treat as genuine business with proper systems, diverse inventory, multiple supplier relationships, brand development.

Reality Cheque:

These targets assume:

• You're learning and improving continuously
• You're reinvesting profits into better inventory
• You're using appropriate tools for your volume
• You're in decent product categories (not competing solely on price)
• You're operating in major Australian markets

If your earnings significantly lag these benchmarks, it's usually due to:

1. Poor category choice (low-margin or oversaturated)
2. Inefficient processes (wasting time on low-value activities)
3. Weak sourcing (paying too much for inventory)
4. Poor listing quality (bad photos/descriptions)
5. Pricing problems (too high or too low)

Income Ceiling and Scaling Potential

Most sellers eventually hit an income ceiling determined by their approach. Understanding these ceilings helps you plan for scaling or recognise when you've optimised your current strategy.

The Solo Seller Ceiling: $4,000-$6,000/Month

Operating completely alone, most sellers hit a ceiling around $4,000-$6,000 monthly. This isn't lack of ambition—it's the mathematical reality of time constraints.

At this level, you're working 35-45 hours weekly doing everything: sourcing, photography, listing, customer service, shipping, bookkeeping, platform management. You're maxed out on time with current systems.

Breaking Through Requires:

• Automation tools (crosslisting software, inventory management)
• Systematic processes (templates, workflows, batching)
• Niche focus (becoming expert in fewer categories)
• Higher-value items (same effort, higher returns)

The Automated Seller Ceiling: $6,000-$10,000/Month

With proper tools and systems, solo sellers can reach $6,000-$10,000 monthly by dramatically improving efficiency:

Key Changes:

• Crosslisting automation (Shopfront reduces listing time by 70%)
• Template-based photography (streamlined photo workflows)
• Batch processing (photograph 50 items at once, list in batches)
• Virtual assistant for customer service (Australian VAs: $20-$30/hour)
• Automated inventory tracking (prevents overselling, saves hours weekly)

At this level, you're still doing core business activities but automating repetitive tasks. You're working smarter, not harder.

The Team/Business Model Ceiling: $10,000-$30,000+/Month

Scaling beyond $10,000 monthly requires transitioning from "I sell things online" to "I run an online retail business."

Requirements:

• Team members (even part-time: VA, photographer, lister)
• Wholesale or manufacturer relationships (better margins, consistent supply)
• Brand development (not just reselling—creating market presence)
• Multiple revenue streams (own website, wholesale to other sellers, courses)
• Business operations (proper accounting, inventory management systems, strategic planning)

This level requires different skills: team management, financial planning, strategic thinking, marketing. Many sellers find they don't want to build a business—they just want to sell—and that's perfectly fine. The $4,000-$8,000/month level provides excellent income for many people.

Australian-Specific Scaling Challenges:

Australian sellers face unique constraints when scaling:

Market Size: Australia's population (26 million) vs US (330 million) means reaching national saturation happens faster.

Sourcing Costs: Scaling requires reliable, affordable inventory sources. Australian wholesale prices are 20-30% higher than US equivalents.

Shipping Complexity: Interstate shipping costs limit margins on lower-priced items. Many successful Australian sellers focus on local/metro markets or higher-value items where shipping is smaller percentage of price.

Competition Density: Fewer total buyers but similar seller numbers means more competition per capita in popular categories.

Smart Scaling Strategies for Australian Sellers:

1. *Niche Domination:* Rather than selling everything, dominate 1-2 specific niches where you become known expert
2. *Local Focus:* Melbourne and Sydney sellers can do local pickups, eliminating shipping costs
3. *Higher-Value Items:* Focus on $50-$200 items where margins absorb Australian costs
4. *Brand Building:* Develop reputation that commands premium prices
5. *International Sales:* Sell to international buyers willing to pay Australian shipping for unique items

Real Australian Seller Examples

Real case studies from Australian sellers crosslisting full-time provide concrete examples of different income levels and paths.

Case Study 1: Emma - Melbourne Part-Time Seller

Background: Marketing professional, sells vintage clothing part-time Time Investment: 12 hours/week Monthly Income: $1,800 (after expenses) Experience Level: 18 months

Emma's Numbers:

• Revenue: $4,500/month
• COGS: $2,000 (44% - good sourcing from op shops)
• Platform fees: $540 (12%)
• Other expenses: $160
• Profit: $1,800 (40% margin)

What Works for Emma:

• Focuses exclusively on 1980s-2000s vintage women's clothing
• Sources from Vinnies, Salvos, Red Cross 3x monthly
• Knows exactly what sells (developed eye over 18 months)
• Uses Shopfront to list once, publish everywhere
• Average item price: $35, sells 130 items monthly

Emma's Advice: "I spent my first 6 months making $400-$600 monthly while learning what actually sells. Now I can walk through an op shop and spot profitable items immediately. The secret isn't working more hours—it's knowing what to buy."

Case Study 2: Mark - Sydney Full-Time Seller

Background: Former retail manager, now full-time reseller Time Investment: 45 hours/week Monthly Income: $6,200 (after expenses) Experience Level: 3.5 years

Mark's Numbers:

• Revenue: $14,800/month
• COGS: $5,900 (40% - wholesale relationships)
• Platform fees: $1,850 (12.5%)
• Shopfront subscription: $60
• VA for customer service: $800/month
• Other expenses: $390
• Profit: $6,200 (42% margin)

What Works for Mark:

• Specialises in streetwear and designer sneakers
• Direct relationships with 3 wholesalers in Sydney
• VA handles all customer messages and basic issues
• Shopfront automation lets him list 80+ items weekly
• Average item price: $85, sells 175 items monthly

Mark's Advice: "Years 1-2 I was doing everything myself and topped out around $3,500/month working 40+ hours. The game-changer was hiring a VA for $800/month to handle customer service, which freed up 12 hours weekly for higher-value activities like sourcing and strategic planning. That $800 investment increased my monthly profit by $2,700."

Case Study 3: Sarah - Brisbane Side Hustler

Background: Teacher, sells during evenings and weekends Time Investment: 8 hours/week Monthly Income: $720 (after expenses) Experience Level: 14 months

Sarah's Numbers:

• Revenue: $1,900/month
• COGS: $950 (50%)
• Platform fees: $190 (10%)
• Expenses: $40
• Profit: $720 (38% margin)

What Works for Sarah:

• Focuses on books and media (lightweight, easy to ship)
• Sources from library sales and online marketplaces
• Batches photography on Sunday afternoons
• Lists everything in one evening weekly
• Average item price: $18, sells 105 items monthly

Sarah's Advice: "I can't compete with full-timers on volume, so I chose a category with good margins and low shipping costs. Books work perfectly for my schedule—I can pack and ship 20 orders in an hour before school."

Case Study 4: James - Perth Niche Specialist

Background: IT professional, sells designer handbags part-time Time Investment: 10 hours/week Monthly Income: $2,400 (after expenses) Experience Level: 2.5 years

James's Numbers:

• Revenue: $6,200/month
• COGS: $3,100 (50% - high-value items)
• Platform fees: $620 (10%)
• Authentication costs: $80
• Expenses: $nil (buyer pays shipping)
• Profit: $2,400 (39% margin)

What Works for James:

• Ultra-niche: designer handbags only
• Deep knowledge allows confident authentication
• Higher prices ($200-$800 per item) mean fewer but more profitable sales
• Ships 8-10 items monthly for $2,400 profit
• Sells primarily on eBay and Depop

James's Advice: "Going ultra-niche was scary—I thought I'd run out of inventory or buyers. The opposite happened. I became known as the Australian seller for authentic designer bags, which commands premium prices. I make more selling 10 items monthly than I did selling 80 mixed items."

Common Success Patterns:

Across successful sellers, several patterns emerge:

1. **Niche Focus:** Top earners specialize rather than sell everything
2. **Know Their Numbers:** Track costs, margins, time investment rigorously
3. **Strategic Reinvestment:** Plow profits back into better inventory and tools
4. **Continuous Learning:** Study what sells, optimise constantly
5. **Systems Over Hustle:** Efficient processes beat working more hours
6. **Australian Adaptation:** Adjust strategies for local market conditions

Your Income Potential: Making It Real

Converting knowledge about income potential into actual earnings requires strategic action. Here's your roadmap to realistic, growing income crosslisting full-time.

Month 1-3: Foundation Phase ($300-$600/month goal)

Primary Focus: Learning and building systems

Action Steps:

1. Choose 1-2 product categories where you'll specialize
2. Source 20-30 items to start (budget: $200-$400)
3. Develop photography and listing workflow
4. Create accounts on 2-3 platforms
5. List 5-10 items per week consistently
6. Track every expense and sale in spreadsheet
7. Study what sells vs what doesn't

Success Metric: Can list an item from start to finish in under 30 minutes

This phase is about education, not earnings. Sellers who rush through this phase to "make money faster" typically struggle longer-term because they haven't built proper foundations.

Month 4-8: Growth Phase ($800-$1,500/month goal)

Primary Focus: Scaling what works, eliminating what doesn't

Action Steps:

1. Double down on product categories showing profit
2. Eliminate or reduce categories with thin margins
3. Increase inventory investment to $600-$1,000
4. List 15-25 items weekly
5. Implement Shopfront or similar tool for efficiency
6. Develop supplier relationships or sourcing routes
7. Optimise existing listings based on performance data
8. Refine pricing based on actual sell-through rates

Success Metric: 30%+ profit margins on sold items, predictable weekly sales

Month 9-12: Optimisation Phase ($1,500-$2,500/month goal)

Primary Focus: Efficiency and strategic improvement

Action Steps:

1. Streamline every process (photography, listing, shipping)
2. Implement batch processing for all repetitive tasks
3. Analyse best-performing items, find more like them
4. Develop relationships with 2-3 reliable suppliers
5. Test higher-priced items in your category
6. Build email list or social media presence for repeat customers
7. Track time spent per activity, optimise lowest-value tasks
8. Consider VA for customer service if hitting time limits

Success Metric: $30+ profit per hour of work invested

Year 2+: Scale or Stabilize

You'll face a choice: scale into bigger business or stabilize at comfortable income level.

Path A: Stable Side Income ($2,000-$4,000/month) Maintain current systems, focus on efficiency over growth. Perfect for people who want reliable supplemental income without business complexity. Requires 15-25 hours weekly once optimised.

Path B: Scale to Full Business ($4,000-$10,000+/month) Invest in tools, team, wholesale relationships. Transition to business owner mindset. Requires 35-50+ hours weekly and different skill sets (management, strategic planning, financial analysis).

Tracking Your Progress

Measure these metrics monthly to gauge progress:

Financial Metrics:

• Total revenue
• Total profit (after ALL expenses)
• Profit margin percentage
• Average order value
• Revenue per listing

Efficiency Metrics:

• Items listed per hour
• Profit per hour worked
• Conversion rate (views to sales)
• Average days to sale

Strategic Metrics:

• Inventory turnover rate
• Cost of goods sold percentage
• Platform fee percentage
• Supplier/sourcing reliability

When to Worry, When to Celebrate

Warning Signs:

• Profit margins below 25% consistently
• Inventory sitting 90+ days unsold
• Revenue declining month over month
• Working more hours for same income
• Negative cash flow (spending more than earning)

Positive Indicators:

• Profit margins 35%+ on sold items
• Inventory turning over in 30-60 days
• Consistent or growing weekly sales
• Increasing profit per hour
• Predictable income month to month

Final Reality Cheque

Can you make $2,000/month crosslisting full-time? Absolutely—thousands of Australian sellers do it.

Can you do it in your first month? No—anyone claiming otherwise is selling something.

Can you reach it in 6-12 months with consistent effort? Yes, if you:

• Choose decent categories (not oversaturated, not too niche)
• Invest appropriate time (12+ hours weekly)
• Learn from mistakes and adapt
• Use proper tools to scale efficiently
• Track numbers and make data-driven decisions
• Reinvest profits into better inventory

Income crosslisting full-time isn't passive, isn't instant, and isn't easy. But it is achievable, scalable, and potentially lucrative for sellers willing to treat it like a real business rather than a get-rich-quick scheme.

The sellers making $3,000-$8,000 monthly started exactly where you are now. They simply committed to consistent action, continuous learning, and systematic improvement. Your income potential isn't determined by where you start—it's determined by whether you're willing to do the work to get better every single month.