How to Sell Sewing Machines in Australia
The best platforms for selling sewing machines in Australia are eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Working condition is essential; vintage Singer machines have both functional and decorative appeal.
Best Platforms for Sewing Machines
eBay
FreeAustralia's largest marketplace with 12M+ monthly users. Strong search traffic for sewing machines and built-in buyer protection.
Facebook Marketplace
FreeZero seller fees and local pickup option. Ideal for sewing machines where buyers want to inspect before purchasing.
Pricing Sewing Machines
Singer Featherweight 221 machines sell for $300-600+ in AU. Other vintage Singers sell for $50-200 depending on model and condition. Modern Janome and Brother machines hold 40-50% of new price. Treadle machines in good cabinets are decorative items that sell for $100-400. Test thoroughly — a non-sewing machine is worth very little.
Market context: Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, up 14% year on year.
Source: Australia Post eCommerce Report, 2026
Where to Source Sewing Machines in Australia
Op shops and deceased estates regularly have sewing machines. Vintage Singer 66, 99, 201, and Featherweight 221 models have the strongest market. Check that the machine sews a straight stitch and the motor runs smoothly. Modern computerised machines (Janome, Brother) also sell well secondhand.
Photography Tips for Sewing Machines
Show the machine threaded and ready to sew, or even sewing a test piece. Photograph the serial number plate, all included accessories, and the carry case. Show any rust or paint chips. For treadle machines, photograph the cabinet condition.
Shipping Bulky Items
- Standard Australia Post has size and weight limits. Anything over 22kg or 105cm on the longest side needs a courier.
- Aramex and CouriersPlease are usually the cheapest options for bulky items within Australia.
- Get quotes from multiple couriers — prices vary wildly depending on the route and dimensions.
- Pack bulky items with corner protectors and thick cardboard. Couriers are rougher on large parcels than small ones.
- Local pickup eliminates shipping hassles entirely. Price your item slightly lower for pickup-only and you'll often sell faster.
- If offering delivery, charge a flat fee based on distance — $20 within 10km, $40 within 30km is a common approach.
Sell Sewing Machines on Each Platform
Each platform has different strengths for sewing machines. Check the individual guides for platform-specific tips.
What Sellers Say
“Don't respond to post-sale requests for extra shipping money. It's on the seller — they should price accordingly.”
— Australian Depop Sellers Facebook group consensus, 2026
“Their complaints process is ridiculously inaccurate — it's all AI and there's no human review available.”
— Australian seller on Facebook Marketplace brand flagging, 2026
“Sellers who lowered their shipping price and increased the item price saw sales almost double.”
— Australian Depop community observation, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best platform to sell sewing machines in Australia?
eBay is generally the strongest platform for sewing machines in Australia, followed by Facebook Marketplace. Working condition is essential; vintage Singer machines have both functional and decorative appeal
How much can I make selling sewing machines?
Singer Featherweight 221 machines sell for $300-600+ in AU. Other vintage Singers sell for $50-200 depending on model and condition. Modern Janome and Brother machines hold 40-50% of new price. Treadle machines in good cabinets are decorative items that sell for $100-400. Test thoroughly — a non-sewing machine is worth very little.
Where can I source sewing machines for resale in Australia?
Op shops and deceased estates regularly have sewing machines. Vintage Singer 66, 99, 201, and Featherweight 221 models have the strongest market. Check that the machine sews a straight stitch and the motor runs smoothly. Modern computerised machines (Janome, Brother) also sell well secondhand.
How should I price used sewing machines?
Singer Featherweight 221 machines sell for $300-600+ in AU. Other vintage Singers sell for $50-200 depending on model and condition. Modern Janome and Brother machines hold 40-50% of new price. Treadle machines in good cabinets are decorative items that sell for $100-400. Test thoroughly — a non-sewing machine is worth very little. Always check recently sold listings on eBay (filter by "Sold" and "AU Only") to get current market pricing rather than relying on active listing prices, which are often inflated.
What shipping method works best for sewing machines?
Sewing Machines is bulky, so standard Australia Post rates won't cut it. Get courier quotes from Aramex, CouriersPlease, or Toll for items that exceed AusPost's size limits. Local pickup is always cheapest. If you're in a metro area, offering delivery within 20-30km for a flat fee can help close sales faster.
Sell Sewing Machines Across Multiple Platforms
List your sewing machines once and crosslist to eBay, Facebook Marketplace automatically. When an item sells on one platform, Shopfront marks it as sold everywhere — no double-selling, no manual updates.
Start Crosslisting FreeAU Reselling Market Data
9.8 million Australian households shopped online in 2025 — a new record.
Source: Australia Post eCommerce Report, 2026
86% of Australians say they prefer buying secondhand goods.
Source: Gumtree / Charitable Reuse Australia, 2019