Second-hand marketplace Vinted launches in Australia as decluttering, not cost-of-living, drives demand
Vinted, the European second-hand marketplace, launched in Australia today, joining a local resale market that new research suggests is already booming for reasons that have little to do with money.
The platform lets users buy and sell second-hand fashion and other goods with no selling fees, meaning sellers keep everything they make. Buyers get access to items ranging from everyday basics to premium pieces.
Vinted commissioned research ahead of the launch that found 88% of Australians have items at home they could sell, and 13% believe those items are worth more than $1,000. Nine in ten Australians (91%) have already bought or sold second-hand, and 52% of sellers listed more items last year than the year before.
The reasons behind that growth might not be what you'd expect. Decluttering (67%) was the top motivator for sellers, well ahead of cost-of-living pressure (42%) and the desire to earn extra money (31%). Rather than a straightforward cash grab, the data points to a clear-out driven by a need for space.
That urge runs deeper than tidiness. Nearly half of Australians (46%) said a cluttered home genuinely stresses them out. Clothes are the biggest offender: 60% have garments they never wear taking up space, and 30% still have items with the tags on. Most people blame a "just in case" mindset (56%), procrastination (29%), or a change in weight (27%) for the pile-up.
For buyers, the appeal is shifting too. Nearly 3 in 10 pre-loved shoppers (29%) say they enjoy the hunt itself as a hobby, and 27% are drawn to finding pieces that reflect their personal style. Almost one in five Australians who've upped their second-hand buying over the past year say it started as a financial call but has become something they genuinely enjoy.
"We're on a mission to make second-hand the first choice," said Adam Jay, CEO of Vinted Marketplace. "In Europe we have already changed how people shop, by making it easy, reliable and affordable to choose second-hand. We're excited to launch in Australia and offer an easier way to buy and sell between peers. Vinted exists to give unused items a second or even third life, and there's a wealth of incredible items sitting in Australian homes right now.”
Jay pointed to Vinted's European track record: members there saved a combined €21.6 billion (roughly $35 billion) in 2025 by choosing second-hand fashion over buying new, with buyers saving 72% on average compared to original prices. Three-quarters of European buyers (76%) say Vinted made second-hand shopping significantly more accessible.
The Australian rollout comes with a partnership with Australia Post, letting sellers drop off parcels at any post office once an item sells, using a prepaid shipping label generated through the app. Payment and shipping are handled within the app, and buyers are covered by a Buyer Protection fee that allows refunds if an item is lost, damaged in transit, or significantly different from its listing.
Vinted spans fashion, homeware, electronics and kids' items, among other categories. The app is available now, with more details at Vinted.com.au.
