Buying items that contribute to these alarming fast fashion facts?

Yeah, nah.

With so many online op shops in Australia there’s really no reason to keep buying those cheaply made pieces that contribute to the fair labor problem.

Especially considering you don’t even have to face that brutal Aussie heat to get your fashion fix (Melbourne and Tassie excluded).

If you’re on the hunt for the best the land down under has, you’re op-solutely in the right place—because we’re not about keeping these sick second hand style secrets on the down low (er, down under?).

Need some tips to get you pumped? Take a burn through this video (most of the tips are still relevant to online op shopping!)

We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.

Our Top Picks for Online Op Shops in Australia

Good Sammy is a social enterprise that uses 100% of their profits to create jobs and opportunities for people in Australia with disabilities. They offer an eclectic and well organised range at great prices.

For vintage beauts, browse The Vintage Gum Tree who offer a bit of everything from the 40s all the way through to Y2K.

For kids clothes, Cult Hero Kids Vintage offers the cutest styles for the tiniest, hippest kiddos aged 0 – teens… and a few bits and bobs for the adults too.

Index: Online Op Shops In Australia

  1. The Savvy Collector Jump to store
  2. Blue Birdy Vintage Jump to store
  3. Thrifts McGee Jump to store
  4. The Closet Jump to store
  5. Thriftd Jump to store
  6. Good Sammy Jump to store
  7. SwapUp Jump to store
  8. Lifeline Jump to store
  9. Sacred Heart Jump to store
  10. The Vintage Gum Tree Jump to store
  11. Cult Hero Kids Vintage Jump to store
  12. Neon Pony Vintage Jump to store
  13. Second Life Garments Jump to store

The Savvy Collector

With both clothing and antiques, The Savvy Collector has been a go-to for closets and living spaces alike.

All of their pieces are sourced from local op shops, markets, and garage sales around Melbourne.

And, where there’s Melbourne, there will always be creative, artsy things.

Ruby red corduroy jeans, anyone? Since all orders are insured for damage or loss, you won’t have to worry about your new wandering stray.

Price Range: $–$$

Blue Birdy Vintage

Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Deco, 1940s, 1950s, Mid-Century, Modernist, Scandinavian and Studio Designs…

Blue Birdy Vintage has the works.

The retro-focused shop is carefully stocked with curated with pieces throughout the decades, from 1930s satin floral dresses to deadstock bathers from the 50s.

Not to mention a number of funky accessories like glass bead necklaces and wool feather hats.

Most of their pieces are “true vintage”, so be ready to fork out those Monash and Melbas.

Price Range: $$–$$$

Thrifts McGee

Australian’s tend to know a thing or two about Y2K fashion. Thrift McGee knows even more.

The Sydney-based Etsy shop is filled with the colorful camis, pleated mini skirts, and wide leg pants that dominated the era.

As well as the most darling deadstock swimmers (something that isn’t so easy to find at op shops).

In terms of fashion trends, this Etsy shop is definitely the most up to date for our Gen Z thrift goers.

Price Range: $–$$

The Closet

Looking for new with tag items at pre-loved prices?

We reckon The Closet is one online op shop Australians defo have to put on their shopping list.

Among their racks you’ll find a number of womenswear classics—including tops, bottoms, and dresses from the likes of true blue brands like Sportsgirl and boho, beach-ready Seed.

More everyday wear pieces rather than true vintage or flashy designer garb that’s easy on the eyes (and the pockets).

If your pre-loved pieces do not fit, or if you are not 100% satisfied, you can send them back for a full refund.

Price Range: $–$$

Thriftd

With clothing, books, DVD’s, CD’s, and even make up, Thriftd is truly THE one-stop op shop for all your second hand goodies.

Though, you’ll have a lot better luck finding womenswear than mens.

Thriftd is one of our favorite online shops because items are categorized by brand, making it easy to find the styles we are looking for.

Think: coveted Adidas leggings, Cotton On tops, and a colorful and contrasting ASOS romper to go with your favorite beach thongs.

Oh, and also because a portion of proceeds go towards local charities to save koalas, plant trees, and buy hay for farmers.

Price Range: $–$$

Good Sammy

The only thing better than an online Australia op shop is one with a cause.

Good Sammy is a social enterprise that uses their profits to provide jobs and training opportunities for people with disabilities.

All while providing the public with deals crazier than a Tazzy devil itself.

An authentic $133 Carhartt Jacket with a retail price of $400 is just one of the many statement pieces waiting to be taken home.

Price Range: $–$$

SwapUp

When it comes to finding a killer op shop online, Australia is a notch above the rest—and no shop says that better than SwapUp.

The Sydney-based store makes it easy for regular folk like you and us to sell and buy our used goods with SwapUp kits.

For $49.90, you’ll receive a pre-paid label that covers up to 20 items of clothing/handbags that are sent directly to their facilities. SwapUp then sorts, lists, and takes photos of all of your clothing for you!

In other words, you’ll receive up to 60% of the profits for only 10% of the work.

With that being said, you’ll find some incredibly good stuff here (not just the leftovers from last year’s fashion trends).

Especially for their Designer Deals section, where you’ll find heavily discounted name brands like global name brands Coach and Michael Kors.

Price Range: $–$$

Lifeline

Award-winning Queensland-based Lifeline is stocked to the gills with pre-loved, vintage, and premium vintage pieces from generous donors around the country.

That means you’ll find common Aussie staples ranging from Cotton On Body shorts to delightfully earthy Princess Highway knitwear.

Other types of clothing you’ll find include dresses, activewear, winter shoes, belts, plus size pieces, and more.

Every purchase helps fund critical services for suicide prevention.

Price Range: $–$$

Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart is a quintessential Melbourne non-profit charity known for their second hand designer clothes, accessories, collectibles, antiques, used kids clothes, and more.

And thanks to the WWW, their goodies are now available all over Australia!

Rather than using gender labels, the LGBTQ+ friendly op shop purposely characterizes their clothing pieces by feminine or masculine labels.

Whether you identify as more of a bloke or a sheila or neither, items like a Levi’s Vintage Corduroy Jacket are perfect for any and all identities.

Profits go towards people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in Victoria.

Price Range: $–$$

The Vintage Gum Tree

If you want to (op) shop online, Etsy makes for a fun and easy experience with no wuckas whatsoever.

With almost 2,000 5-star reviews, The Vintage Gum Tree is one of our favorite star sellers for vintage 80’s and 90’s garb.

The color block fabric, pleated skirt, and baggy denim jacket type.

Though their most notable offerings are their eye-catching evening dresses.

We’ve also had a lot of luck finding sustainable accessories in the shapes of faux pearls, pre-loved gold hoops, and antique amber glass rings.

Price Range: $–$$$

Cult Hero Kids Vintage

Looking for second hand steals for little ones?

Cult Hero Kids Vintage has just what you need.

The Etsy-star seller has “the very best true vintage clothing for kids”, from darling embroidered 70’s overalls to aztec waistcoat vests.

You could spend hours browsing their stock but if you’re flat out, you can order a curated mystery bundle filled with a 10 piece mix-and-match of overalls, skirts, mittens, flare tops, and dresses at the click of a button.

Price Range: $$

Neon Pony Vintage

As far as Australian op shops go, Neon Pony Vintage is one of the best online stops for both vintage and contemporary fabrics.

And by fabrics, we mean the ready-to-be tailored type. If you’re not a seamstress, don’t fret. There are also plenty of already made options with 80’s A-Line dresses, ruffled blouses, and paisley print skirts sourced from around the world.

The true vintage pieces make a statement, like a peachy flocked ballerina dress that begs to be brought to the dance floor.

Price Range: $$–$$$

Second Life Garments

With both secondhand goodies and one of a kind up worked pieces, Second Life Garments gives clothing double the chance of finding a new home.

Melbourne born Nicky aims to offer “rare, unique, fun, vintage treasures that are affordable” all while staying true to her main goal of sustainable fashion.

Her tailored designs made from recycled fabrics and linens are more so pieces of art than pieces of clothing. A claim very evident in her handmade patchwork capris and embroidered skirts.

If funky prints, eclectic accessories, and bold colors are your vibe, you won’t have to give Second Life a second chance (because they’ll get it right every time).

Price Range: $–$$

Why Shop Second Hand?

With the average Australian purchasing 27 kg of new clothing and textiles every year, it’s no surprise Australia is now the second highest consumer of textiles per person in the world.

Right behind the good ole USA.

Can you guess how many kgs of clothing per person gets discarded each year?

23kg—that’s a whopping 85% of the new intake!

In our defense, plenty of clothing is donated or re-used. But, of the clothes that do go to charity, it’s estimated only 15% are resold within Australia.

What happens to clothing that doesn’t find a home?

They get sent to a landfill, where they take hundreds of years to break down, releasing methane into the air and microplastics into the soil as they do so.

This fate is pretty inevitable—but the process can be severely slowed down if more consumers choose to support second hand stores rather than buying fresh new pieces that eventually contribute to the problem.

So if second hand clothing and conscious consumerism is already your norm, good on ya mate. If it’s not, she’ll be right. Small steps make big changes.

Don’t forget to pass this article of the best Aussie op shops on to your eco-conscious mates.