eBay Australia has eliminated transaction fees for casual sellers, a structural change designed to lower the barrier to consumer-to-consumer selling.
The move is aimed to unlock an estimated $32 billion worth of potential goods that could be resold.
As part of the changes, those making less than $25,000 a year in total sales revenue can do so with no fees. Sellers exceeding $25,000 in annual sales will be automatically moved to a Pro Starter plan, with the option to upgrade to higher-tier Pro plans that offer additional tools and capabilities.
To coincide with the launch, the platform has partnered with pop duo The Veronicas — twins Jess and Lisa Origliasso — who are listing personal items on the site, with auctions opening May 19 and closing at 7pm AEST on Friday, May 22. This includes a Reishi Baby Custom Jacket, hoop earrings, an Alexander McQueen Skull Scarf and a Fender Guitar.
The partnership is backed by consumer research commissioned by eBay, which found 80 per cent of Australians have items at home they could sell, with the average household holding around 15 sellable items.
Respondents estimated they could make close to $1,500 each from selling unused goods – a figure eBay extrapolates to approximately $32 billion in potential resale value nationally.
The fee barrier is central to the data. One in three Australians (34 per cent) said selling fees had actively stopped them from listing items online, while 55 per cent said they would be more likely to sell if fees were removed.
The generational data shows more than half of Millennials (59 per cent) and Gen Z respondents (53 per cent) reported retail regret over past purchases, with 61 per cent and 68 per cent respectively viewing selling online as a viable side hustle.
On the platform, fashion and collectables have emerged as two of the most popular listing categories over the past year. Carhartt, Louis Vuitton and Zimmermann rank as the top search terms among Australian shoppers. Sold listings for the Coach Tabby are up more than 200 per cent year-on-year, with the highest recorded sale in 2024 reaching $719.
Alemais printed dresses are up more than 100 per cent year-on-year, with the Alemais Evergreen Midi Dress fetching $688 in 2025. In collectables, Lego Stranger Things is up nearly 250 per cent year-on-year, with the highest sale in 2025 reaching $963.
eBay Australia head of recommerce Anne-Marie Cheney said the research shows that selling fees were a major deterrent, and that, by removing them, eBay is unlocking billions in untapped value.
“At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, free selling on eBay offers a powerful opportunity for people to make more out of what they already have at home, transforming pre-loved items into financial flexibility and new income potential,” Cheney said.