I moved into my first proper apartment in Footscray with exactly zero furniture. No bed, no desk, no couch, nothing. I had $500 saved and a Master’s student budget that made buying new furniture completely impossible. A basic bed frame at Ikea was $300. A desk was $200. A couch was $600 minimum. The numbers didn’t work.
Three weeks later, I’d furnished the entire place for $380. A solid wooden desk for $30, a decent couch for $80, a near-perfect queen mattress for $150, shelving units for $20, kitchen items for basically nothing. All second-hand, mostly through Facebook Marketplace and op shops around Melbourne. Nothing was perfect, but everything worked, and my apartment looked lived-in rather than empty.
Buying second-hand furniture in Australia isn’t just about saving money, though that’s obviously huge. It’s about furnishing a temporary living situation without massive investment in stuff you’ll probably sell or dump when you leave. It’s about being smart with limited funds while actually having furniture to sit on.
Three years later, I’ve bought and sold dozens of items through Facebook Marketplace, explored every op shop within 5km of wherever I’ve lived, and helped countless mates furnish their places cheaply. Here’s everything that actually works for buying second-hand furniture in Australia without getting scammed, injured, or stuck with junk.
Why Second-Hand Makes Sense for International Students
New furniture in Australia is expensive. A basic bed frame from Fantastic Furniture costs $200-400. A decent couch costs $500-1000. A study desk costs $150-300. Add it all up and you’re looking at $2000+ to furnish a basic one-bedroom place with new items.
Most international students are living in shared accommodation or rental properties they’ll leave in 1-3 years. Spending $2000 on furniture you’ll struggle to sell or transport later makes no financial sense. You need functional furniture now, not investment pieces for a permanent home.
Second-hand furniture gives you everything you need for 20-40% of retail prices. A $600 couch becomes $80. A $200 desk becomes $30. You furnish your place cheaply, use it while you’re here, then sell it second-hand again when you leave. You might lose $50-100 total on the transaction instead of $1500.
Plus, buying second-hand is better for the environment, supports the circular economy, and often gets you better quality than cheap new furniture. A solid wood desk from the 1980s beats a particle board Kmart desk that’ll collapse in two years.
The only reason not to buy second-hand is if you’re extremely fussy about aesthetic perfection or if you have serious hygiene concerns about used items. For most students on tight budgets, second-hand is the obvious choice.
I’ve written about setting up your first apartment with more details on what you actually need.
Facebook Marketplace: Your Primary Furniture Source
Facebook Marketplace has replaced Gumtree as the main platform for second-hand furniture in Australia. More users, better interface, linked to real profiles (reduces scams), and free to use.
If you don’t have Facebook, create an account just for Marketplace. It’s worth it. I’ve bought and sold probably 30 items through Marketplace over three years. It’s how most students furnish their places now.
How Facebook Marketplace Actually Works
Search for items using specific terms. “Desk Melbourne” or “Couch Footscray” or “Queen mattress.” Filter by location (crucial, you don’t want to see furniture 60km away), price range, and condition if needed.
You’ll see listings with photos, descriptions, prices, and seller locations. Click to see full details and message the seller directly through Facebook Messenger. Most communication happens there.
Negotiate price if appropriate (more on this later). Arrange pickup time and location. Bring cash. Load the furniture. Done.
Listings disappear once sold, so if you see something good, message immediately. Popular items (good desks, couches, mattresses under $100) get 10+ messages within hours. First person to commit and show up usually gets it.
What to Search For
Be specific with search terms. “Desk” returns thousands of results. “Wooden desk Footscray” returns 50 manageable options. Use your suburb name or nearby suburbs to keep results local.
Search multiple related terms. For beds, try “bed frame,” “queen bed,” “king bed,” “single bed,” “mattress,” “bed base.” Different sellers use different terminology.
Check daily if you’re actively furnishing. New listings appear constantly and good items sell within 24-48 hours. I check Marketplace every morning when I’m looking for something specific.
Save searches for items you want. Marketplace will notify you when new listings appear matching your saved searches. Useful if you’re patient and waiting for the right item at the right price.
Evaluating Listings
Look at photos carefully. Are there multiple photos from different angles? Can you see the actual condition or are photos blurry and from far away? Sellers hiding damage often use strategically bad photos.
Read descriptions. Does it mention pickup location and transport requirements? Any defects or issues disclosed? How long they’ve had it? Why they’re selling?
Check the seller’s profile. Do they have a normal profile with history, or is it a new account with no information? Most scammers use new accounts. Legitimate sellers have real profiles.
Look at the listed price compared to similar items. If it’s significantly cheaper than others, ask why. Could be a great deal or could be damaged/fake.
I bought my desk from a listing with clear photos showing every angle, detailed measurements in the description, and a seller profile that looked like a real person moving house. I skipped listings with two blurry photos and no description because that screams “I don’t care about this transaction.”
Negotiating Prices
Negotiation is normal and expected on Marketplace. But don’t be a dick about it. Lowball offers annoy sellers and get ignored.
If something is listed for $100, offering $80-90 is reasonable. Offering $40 is insulting unless the item has been listed for weeks with no interest.
I usually message: “Hi, is this still available? Would you take $X for it?” Direct, polite, clear. If they say yes, I commit immediately with pickup time. If they say no, I either accept their price or move on.
Some items aren’t negotiable, especially popular things priced fairly. If someone lists a good desk for $40 and it’s worth $40, you’re not getting it for $30. Just pay the $40.
Best negotiating leverage comes from immediate pickup with cash. “I can come pick this up today with cash if you’ll take $X” works better than “Would you take $X if I can come sometime next week maybe.”
Never negotiate after agreeing on a price and arriving. That’s extremely rude. Agree on price, show up, pay that price. If the item is significantly different from photos or description, walk away rather than trying to renegotiate on the spot.
Safety and Scam Awareness
Meet in public locations for small items. For furniture requiring pickup from someone’s home, bring a friend if possible, especially for evening pickups. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong about a listing or interaction, skip it. There are thousands of other furniture options.
Common scams to watch for: fake listings with stock photos stolen from retail websites, items priced suspiciously cheap (brand new $1000 couch for $100), sellers asking for deposits or payment before pickup, listings that keep getting reposted after “selling.”
I’ve never been scammed on Marketplace, but I’ve skipped listings that felt off. Not worth the risk for $50 furniture.
For small valuable items (phones, laptops, bikes), meet at a police station or busy public spot. For furniture, home pickup is normal, but daytime with a friend is safest.
Op Shops: Hidden Gems and Cheap Finds
Op shops (opportunity shops, also called charity shops or thrift stores) are second-hand stores run by charities. They sell donated furniture, clothes, books, kitchenware, everything. Prices are generally cheap and profits go to charity.
Major op shop chains in Australia include Salvos (Salvation Army), St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies), Red Cross, Sacred Heart Mission, and various smaller local charities. Every suburb has at least one or two.
Op shops are hit or miss for furniture. Sometimes you find amazing solid wood pieces for $30. Sometimes everything is junk particle board nobody wants. You need to check regularly because stock changes constantly as donations come in.
What You’ll Find at Op Shops
Kitchen items: Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, utensils, pots, pans. Usually $1-5 per item or sets for $10-20. This is where I got 90% of my kitchen supplies. Why pay $30 for new mugs when perfectly good ones cost $2?
Small furniture: Side tables, chairs, stools, shelving units, bedside tables. Usually $10-50 depending on size and condition. I’ve found great timber side tables for $15 that would cost $80 new.
Lamps and decor: Floor lamps, desk lamps, picture frames, mirrors, decorative items. Usually $5-20. Great for making a rental feel more like home without spending much.
Books: $2-5 for paperbacks, $5-10 for hardcovers. Massive selection if you enjoy reading and don’t want to buy new books.
Large furniture: Couches, bed frames, dressers, dining tables. This is more variable. Some op shops have great furniture sections, others barely have any. Prices range from $50-200 for larger items.
Clothes: Obviously not furniture, but relevant if you’re furnishing yourself along with your apartment. Op shops have tonnes of cheap clothing. I’ve bought plenty of casual clothes for work at $5-10 per item.
The Best Op Shops in Melbourne
I’m based in Melbourne, so these are the ones I know. Other cities have similar options, just search “op shops near me.”
Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda has a huge furniture section. Two floors of stuff. Prices are reasonable and they have actual quality furniture regularly. I bought a solid bookshelf there for $25.
Salvos stores in Brunswick, Fitzroy, and Preston have good furniture turnover. Brunswick Salvos especially has interesting finds because the area has a lot of people moving and downsizing.
Vinnies in Footscray is hit or miss but I’ve found great kitchen items there for basically nothing. They price kitchen stuff very cheap to move it quickly.
Brotherhood of St Laurence stores are generally well-organised and have decent furniture sections. Slightly higher prices than some other op shops but better quality control.
For finding op shops anywhere, just Google “op shops near [your suburb]” or use Google Maps to search “opportunity shop” or “thrift store” and see what’s close. Visit a few in your area and figure out which ones have good furniture stock.
I’ve written a complete guide to op shops for students with more specific tips.
Op Shop Pricing and Negotiation
Op shops price items to sell them, not to maximise profit. Prices are generally fair and cheap. A side table might be $15. A couch might be $80. A desk lamp might be $8.
Most op shops don’t negotiate. The prices are already cheap and staff aren’t authorised to discount. But if something has been sitting there for weeks with an obvious issue (stain on a couch, wobbly table leg), you can ask politely if they’d reduce it. Sometimes yes, usually no.
Many op shops have colour-coded sales. “All items with red tags 50% off this week” or similar rotating discounts. Ask staff if there are any current sales when you visit.
Prices are lowest at the end of the month or during clearance periods when they need to make room for new donations. But honestly, op shop prices are already so cheap that I rarely bother trying to time it strategically.
What Days to Visit
Op shops receive donations constantly, but new stock usually gets put out specific days of the week. Ask staff when new donations typically hit the floor.
Weekday mornings are best for finding good furniture before other people grab it. Saturday mornings are busy with competition. Sunday afternoons are picked over from the weekend rush.
I usually hit op shops on Wednesday or Thursday mornings when stock is fresh and crowds are minimal. I’ve found my best pieces on random Tuesday mornings when nobody else is shopping.
Don’t expect to find exactly what you need in one visit. Op shop furniture hunting requires multiple visits and patience. But when you find a great piece for $20, the effort is worth it.
Other Second-Hand Furniture Sources
Facebook Marketplace and op shops are your main options, but a few other sources are worth knowing.
Gumtree
Gumtree was the original classifieds site for second-hand items in Australia. It’s still active but has lost significant market share to Facebook Marketplace. Fewer listings, older user base, slightly sketchier reputation.
I still check Gumtree occasionally because some people only list there, especially older sellers who aren’t on Facebook. But I’ve bought maybe three items on Gumtree versus 30+ on Marketplace.
Same basic process: search items, contact seller, negotiate, arrange pickup. The interface is clunkier and you can’t see seller profiles as easily, which makes scam detection harder.
Council Clean-Up Days
Many Australian councils have scheduled hard rubbish collection days where residents put unwanted furniture on the kerb for council pickup. Other people can take items before the council trucks arrive.
This is technically legal in most areas, though councils discourage it. You’ll see students and bargain hunters driving around during clean-up periods looking for furniture.
I’ve picked up a few items this way. A perfectly good office chair someone was throwing out. A small shelving unit that just needed cleaning. A floor lamp that worked fine.
But clean-up furniture is genuinely being thrown away, so expect damage, wear, or issues. Inspect carefully before loading it. And don’t leave a mess or block streets while scavenging.
Check your local council website for scheduled clean-up dates in different suburbs. Some councils have stopped doing scheduled clean-ups and switched to on-demand booking systems, which makes scavenging harder.
University Notice Boards and Facebook Groups
Universities have notice boards (physical and online) where students list items for sale. International students leaving Australia often sell furniture cheap because they can’t take it home.
UniMelb has several Facebook groups for buying/selling. “University of Melbourne Buy and Sell,” “UniMelb Student Marketplace,” similar groups for other universities. Join these groups and watch for furniture listings.
Prices are often cheaper than public Marketplace because students just want to get rid of stuff quickly before flying home. I’ve seen decent furniture listed at almost give-away prices from students who need it gone within a week.
End of semester, especially November/December when students finish for the year, is peak time for cheap furniture in university groups.
Friends and Acquaintances
Ask around. Mention you’re looking for furniture. Someone always knows someone who’s moving and selling stuff.
I’ve gotten items for free or extremely cheap from friends and their friends multiple times. A desk from someone moving back to India who just wanted it gone. Kitchen items from a mate who was upgrading. A couch from someone’s friend who was relocating interstate.
Word of mouth doesn’t scale like Marketplace but it’s worth telling people you’re furnishing an apartment. You never know what might come up.
What to Buy Second-Hand vs What to Avoid
Not all furniture is equally suitable for buying second-hand. Some items are great to buy used, others are risky or unpleasant.
Safe Bets for Second-Hand
Desks and tables: Hard surfaces, easy to clean, last forever. Wood or metal desks from decades ago are often better quality than new particle board. I’ve bought three desks second-hand and all were excellent.
Shelving units: As long as they’re structurally sound and not wobbly, shelves are perfect second-hand. Clean them, load them with your stuff, done. My entire apartment has second-hand shelving.
Hard chairs: Wooden chairs, metal chairs, plastic chairs. Easy to clean and disinfect. No fabric to harbour grossness. I’ve bought several dining chairs second-hand for $5-15 each.
Kitchen items: Plates, bowls, cutlery, pots, pans, mugs. Wash them thoroughly and they’re perfectly fine. I’d estimate 80% of kitchen items in student apartments are second-hand. Makes zero sense to buy new when op shops have perfect mugs for $2.
Side tables and coffee tables: Small, easy to transport, easy to clean. These are great second-hand finds.
Lamps: Desk lamps, floor lamps, bedside lamps. As long as the wiring is safe and it works, second-hand lamps are fine. I’ve bought at least five second-hand lamps over the years.
Bookcases: Same as shelving. Structurally sound matters, cleanliness is easy to fix. Most of my storage is second-hand bookcases.
Buy With Caution
Couches and upholstered chairs: Fabric furniture can harbour stains, smells, bed bugs, or other issues that aren’t visible in photos. I’ve bought second-hand couches successfully, but I inspected them carefully in person before committing. Look for stains, smell for smoke or pet odours, check seams for bed bug signs (small black dots). If anything seems off, walk away.
Mattresses: This is controversial. Some people refuse to buy second-hand mattresses for hygiene reasons. Others do it regularly to save money. I bought a second-hand mattress once, a barely-used queen mattress for $150 that would’ve cost $600 new. I inspected it thoroughly, used a mattress protector immediately, and it was fine. But I understand people who won’t do this. If you do buy second-hand mattresses, inspect carefully for stains and bed bug signs, and use a mattress protector always.
Bed frames: Usually fine second-hand, but check for bed bugs carefully. Examine all joints, seams, and crevices. Bed bugs hide in bed frames, not just mattresses.
Electrical items: Check that they work before buying. Bring extension cord to test items at pickup if possible. Don’t buy anything with damaged cords or sketchy wiring.
Generally Avoid
Soft furnishings you can’t wash thoroughly: Pillows, quilts, cushions. These absorb body oils, sweat, and potential allergens. The cost of buying new is low enough that second-hand isn’t worth it.
Children’s furniture or car seats: Safety standards matter for kids’ items. Don’t risk second-hand unless you know the item’s history and it meets current safety standards.
Electronics with short lifespans: Old TVs, computers, appliances. The risk of them breaking immediately isn’t worth the small savings. Exception: if you can test them thoroughly before buying.
Use common sense. If something looks gross, smells bad, or seems damaged beyond easy repair, skip it. There’s always more furniture available.
Transportation and Logistics
Getting furniture home is often harder than finding it. You need to think about transport before buying large items.
Getting Stuff Home Without a Car
For small items (lamps, chairs, kitchen stuff): Carry them. Walk if nearby, or take public transport if the item fits. I’ve carried desk lamps and small shelves on the tram multiple times. Looks weird but works.
For medium items (side tables, small shelves): Bike with a trailer if you have one. Or pay for Uber/DiDi and explain you’re picking up furniture. Some drivers won’t take furniture, some don’t care. Offer extra tip if needed.
For large items (desks, couches, bed frames): You need a van or ute. Options:
- Borrow or rent from a friend (offer $20-40 for fuel and time)
- Hire a van from a rental company ($80-120 per day)
- Use services like GoGet car share (from $15-30 per hour for a van)
- Book an Airtasker or furniture removal service ($40-80 depending on distance)
- Some Uber drivers with SUVs or vans will transport furniture if you message first
I’ve used all these methods. For my couch, I paid a friend $30 to use his van for two hours. For my desk, I hired a GoGet van for 90 minutes for $22. For smaller items, I’ve walked or taken trams.
Calculate transport costs before buying. If a desk costs $30 but transport costs $60, maybe buy a new desk from Kmart for $70 instead.
Measuring and Planning
Measure your space before buying furniture. Sounds obvious but students constantly buy couches that don’t fit through their door or desks too big for their room.
Measure doorways, stairways, and the spot where furniture will go. Bring a tape measure to pickups if possible. Check item dimensions in listings or ask sellers for measurements.
Most furniture disasters I’ve seen involve students buying items that physically won’t fit in their space. Measure twice, buy once.
Bringing Help for Heavy Items
Don’t try moving couches or heavy furniture alone. You’ll hurt yourself or damage the item. Bring at least one strong friend.
Offer to buy them lunch or give them $20 for helping. Moving furniture sucks and nobody wants to do it for free. Fair exchange is providing labour in return for food or cash.
I’ve helped mates move countless furniture items and they’ve helped me. It’s just part of student life. Make sure to actually reciprocate when they need help too.
Cleaning and Preparing Second-Hand Furniture
Second-hand furniture needs cleaning before use. How thoroughly depends on the item type and condition.
Basic Cleaning Process
Hard surfaces (desks, tables, wooden items):
- Wipe down with damp cloth to remove dust and surface dirt
- Clean with multi-purpose cleaner or sugar soap
- Dry thoroughly
- Polish if wood (optional but makes it look nicer)
This takes 10-15 minutes and makes a huge difference to appearance.
Fabric items (couches, upholstered chairs):
- Vacuum thoroughly, including seams and crevices
- Spot clean stains with upholstery cleaner
- Use fabric freshener spray if it smells musty
- Let air out in sun for a day if possible
For serious odours or stains, hire a steam cleaner ($40-50 per day from Bunnings) or pay for professional upholstery cleaning ($80-150). But most second-hand couches just need good vacuuming.
Metal items:
- Wipe with damp cloth
- Remove rust with steel wool if needed
- Consider spray painting if shabby (optional)
Kitchen items:
- Wash thoroughly with hot soapy water
- Dishwasher if available
- For stubborn residue, soak in hot water with bicarb soda
- Dry completely before storing
I’ve cleaned dozens of second-hand items. It’s never taken more than an hour, usually 15-30 minutes per item. Worth doing properly.
Dealing With Smells
Cigarette smoke smell is the worst and hardest to remove from fabric furniture. If something reeks of smoke, pass unless you’re desperate and have time for serious cleaning.
General mustiness usually airs out after a day in the sun. Pet odours can be harder. Use enzymatic pet odour removers (from pet stores) which actually break down odour molecules rather than just masking smell.
Bicarb soda scattered on fabric furniture, left overnight, then vacuumed up absorbs many odours. This is my first attempt before trying anything more aggressive.
If smell persists after multiple cleaning attempts, the item isn’t worth keeping. Your apartment will just smell bad constantly.
Minor Repairs
Many second-hand items need small fixes. Wobbly table legs need tightening. Scratched wood needs touch-up. Stains need spot treatment.
Basic tools (screwdriver, Allen keys) fix most issues. I’ve tightened countless wobbly screws on second-hand furniture. Takes five minutes.
For minor scratches on wood, furniture markers or wax sticks from Bunnings ($5-10) work well. Won’t make it perfect but significantly improves appearance.
If something needs major repairs, probably not worth buying unless extremely cheap. Your time and repair costs often exceed just buying a better item.
Real Examples: What I’ve Actually Bought
Let me show you my actual second-hand furniture purchases and how they worked out.
Queen mattress – $150 (Facebook Marketplace, 2022): Listed at $200, negotiated to $150. Seller was moving interstate and couldn’t transport it. Barely used, maybe six months old. Brand was SleepMaker. I inspected carefully, no stains or issues. Used my own mattress protector immediately. Still using it three years later. Comparable new mattress costs $600-800. Saved at least $450.
Wooden desk – $30 (Facebook Marketplace, 2022): Solid timber desk, probably from the 80s or 90s. Heavy as hell. Slight scratches but structurally perfect. Seller just wanted it gone, listed at $50, accepted $30. I paid a mate $20 to help transport in his van. Total cost $50, have used daily for three years. New equivalent would cost $200-300.
Couch – $80 (Facebook Marketplace, 2023): Three-seater fabric couch. Listed at $100, offered $80, they accepted. Small stain on one cushion but otherwise good condition. I vacuumed thoroughly, cleaned the stain with upholstery cleaner, aired it out. Transported with hired GoGet van ($22 for 90 minutes). Total cost $102. Perfectly functional, looks fine. New couch would cost $500-800 minimum.
Kitchen items – $47 total (Various op shops, 2022-2024): Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pots, pans, utensils. Accumulated over multiple op shop visits. Everything washed thoroughly in dishwasher. Basically fully equipped kitchen for under $50. New kitchen starter sets cost $150-200 minimum.
Bookshelf – $25 (Sacred Heart Mission op shop, 2023): Tall bookshelf, five shelves, solid construction. Some scuff marks but stable and functional. Cleaned it, loaded it with books and supplies. New bookshelf from Kmart costs $80-100.
Desk lamp – $8 (Vinnies, 2023): Basic metal desk lamp with adjustable arm. Worked perfectly, just dusty. Cleaned it and still using it. New desk lamp costs $20-30.
Office chair – $0 (Council clean-up, 2023): Someone was throwing out a perfectly functional office chair during hard rubbish collection. Slight tear in the seat but I patched it with duct tape. Free chair that works fine. New office chair costs $80-150.
Total spent on furniture over three years: approximately $460. Saved compared to buying everything new: at least $1500-2000.
None of it is Instagram-perfect. None of it matches aesthetically. But it’s all functional and my apartment looks reasonably normal. That’s the point.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Let me save you from mistakes I’ve made or seen others make.
Problem: Item doesn’t fit through your door or in your space. Solution: Measure everything before buying. Bring tape measure to pickup. Know your doorway width, ceiling height, room dimensions.
Problem: Seller ghosts you after you agree on price. Solution: Have backup options. Don’t rely on one item. If someone ghosts, move on immediately.
Problem: Item is more damaged than photos suggested. Solution: Inspect thoroughly before paying. If significantly different from listing, walk away. Don’t feel obligated to buy after showing up.
Problem: You have no way to transport large furniture. Solution: Factor transport costs into your budget before buying. Sometimes paying for Kmart delivery on new furniture is cheaper than buying second-hand plus transport costs.
Problem: Second-hand couch smells terrible or has stains you can’t remove. Solution: Inspect and smell in person before buying fabric furniture. Don’t buy sight unseen. If it smells at pickup, don’t take it.
Problem: You can’t tell if mattress has bed bugs. Solution: Research bed bug signs before shopping. Look for small black dots, shed skins, blood spots. Bring flashlight to inspect seams and piping. If uncertain, skip that mattress.
Problem: Seller claims item works but it doesn’t. Solution: Test electrical items at pickup if possible. For large appliances, this is harder. Consider this risk when buying second-hand electronics.
Problem: You buy too much furniture too fast and run out of space. Solution: Buy items as you need them, not all at once. Live with empty spaces for a bit rather than cramming your apartment with unnecessary furniture.
Most problems are avoidable with inspection, planning, and not rushing into purchases desperately.
The Financial Reality Check
Let me show you actual numbers for furnishing a basic one-bedroom apartment.
Buying Everything New (Budget Options)
- Bed frame: $200 (Fantastic Furniture)
- Mattress: $400 (budget range)
- Desk: $150 (Kmart)
- Desk chair: $80 (Kmart)
- Couch: $500 (budget furniture store)
- Coffee table: $80 (Kmart)
- Bookshelf: $100 (Kmart)
- Dining table + 2 chairs: $150 (Kmart)
- Kitchen items: $150 (basic sets)
- Lamps: $50 (two basic lamps)
- Total: $1,860
Buying Everything Second-Hand
- Bed frame: $50 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Mattress: $150 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Desk: $30 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Desk chair: $20 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Couch: $80 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Coffee table: $20 (op shop)
- Bookshelf: $25 (op shop)
- Dining table + 2 chairs: $60 (Facebook Marketplace)
- Kitchen items: $50 (op shops)
- Lamps: $15 (op shops)
- Transport costs: $80 (van hire + fuel)
- Total: $580
Savings: $1,280
That’s rent for a month in a share house. That’s multiple months of groceries. That’s a return flight to see family. The savings are significant.
Obviously you can spend more on nicer second-hand items or less on very basic new items, but the principle holds. Second-hand typically saves 60-70% compared to new budget furniture.
For more on managing costs, check my monthly budget breakdown and how much money you need per month.
When to Actually Buy New Instead
Second-hand isn’t always the answer. Sometimes buying new makes more sense.
Buy new when:
- Your budget genuinely allows for it and you value the warranty/guarantee
- You’re staying long-term and want investment-quality furniture
- The second-hand options available are terrible quality or grossly overpriced
- You have specific hygiene concerns about certain items (mattresses especially)
- Transport costs for second-hand would exceed the price difference
- You need something immediately and can’t wait for the right second-hand item
I bought my laptop new even though second-hand options existed. Electronics with short lifespans and high failure rates aren’t worth the second-hand risk for me. But furniture? Second-hand absolutely.
Be strategic. Buy second-hand for items where it makes clear sense (solid furniture, kitchen items, basic household goods). Buy new for items where the quality, warranty, or hygiene matters enough to justify the cost.
The Sustainability Angle
I haven’t emphasised this because I know international students care primarily about cost, not environmental impact. But buying second-hand is significantly better for the environment than buying new.
Every new piece of furniture requires resources to manufacture, energy to ship, and packaging to dispose of. Every second-hand piece you buy prevents one more item going to landfill.
Australia has a massive problem with furniture waste. Thousands of tonnes of perfectly functional furniture gets dumped every year because people upgrade or move and can’t be bothered selling it properly.
By buying second-hand, you’re extending the useful life of items that already exist. It’s genuinely the more sustainable choice, even if that’s not your primary motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy mattresses second-hand in Australia?
It can be if you’re very careful. Inspect thoroughly for stains, odours, and bed bug signs (small black dots in seams, shed skins, blood spots). Only buy from sellers whose stories make sense (moving, upgrading, barely used). Use a mattress protector immediately. Many students do this successfully, but if you have serious hygiene concerns, spending extra on a new mattress might be worth it for peace of mind.
How do I know if second-hand furniture has bed bugs?
Look for small black dots (bed bug droppings) in seams, joints, and crevices. Check for tiny shed skins or actual bugs (reddish-brown, flat, apple seed size). Look for small blood spots on fabric. Bring a flashlight and inspect carefully. Bed frames and fabric furniture are highest risk. Hard furniture (desks, tables) basically zero risk. If anything looks suspicious, don’t buy that item.
Can I negotiate prices on Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, negotiation is normal and expected. Offer 10-20% below asking price as a starting point. Don’t lowball offensively. If they say no, either accept their price or move on. Best leverage is offering immediate pickup with cash. Never negotiate after agreeing on a price and arriving. Some sellers mark items as “firm price” which means they won’t negotiate.
What if the furniture doesn’t fit in my apartment after I buy it?
Always measure your space before buying. Measure doorways, stairways, and where the furniture will go. Ask sellers for dimensions or bring a tape measure to pickups. If you get home and it genuinely doesn’t fit despite measuring, you’ll probably have to resell it. This is why measuring beforehand is crucial. Most furniture disasters are preventable with basic planning.
Are op shop prices negotiable in Australia?
Generally no. Op shops price items to sell quickly and staff usually aren’t authorised to discount. You can ask politely if something has been there a while or has obvious damage, but expect them to say no. Prices are already cheap enough that negotiating is rarely worth the effort. Focus your negotiating energy on Facebook Marketplace instead.
How do I transport large furniture without a car?
Options: borrow or rent a friend’s van ($20-40 for fuel and time), hire a rental van ($80-120 per day), use car share services like GoGet (from $15-30 per hour for vans), book an Airtasker for furniture pickup ($40-80), or some Uber drivers with SUVs will transport furniture if you message first. Factor transport costs into your budget before buying. Sometimes transport costs make second-hand furniture more expensive than new with delivery.
Final Thoughts
Buying second-hand furniture in Australia through Facebook Marketplace and op shops is the smartest way to furnish your place as an international student. You’ll save over $1000 compared to buying new, get perfectly functional furniture, and avoid wasting money on items you’ll just sell or dump when you leave.
It requires effort. You’ll spend hours browsing listings, messaging sellers, visiting op shops, and transporting items. You’ll clean dusty furniture and fix wobbly table legs. Your apartment won’t look like an Ikea catalogue. But it’ll look lived-in and comfortable, and you’ll have an extra thousand dollars in your bank account.
Start with Facebook Marketplace for major items like desks, beds, and couches. Check op shops for kitchen items, small furniture, and random useful things. Be patient, inspect carefully, measure everything, and factor in transport costs. Clean thoroughly before use.
Don’t be snobby about second-hand furniture. Most students are furnishing their places this way. It’s normal, practical, and smart. Save your money for experiences, travel, or actual necessities rather than wasting it on overpriced new furniture you’ll use for 18 months.
If you’re just arriving and setting up, check my guides on what to do in your first week and moving house checklists. For more budget tips, see my articles on saving money on groceries and the biggest money mistakes students make.
Buying second-hand furniture in Australia isn’t complicated. Browse, inspect, buy, transport, clean, use. You’ll furnish your entire place for a fraction of retail prices and wonder why anyone pays full price for furniture they’ll only use temporarily. Good luck with your hunting.