Used backpacks in Australia typically sell for A$29 to A$135 (about $20 to $94). Backpacks are bought on litre capacity and whether the zips still run, so state the litres and test every zip before you photograph it.
What backpacks are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$134 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$114 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$87 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$60 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$34 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Intact zips, which are the usual failure point
- Waterproof coatings that have not delaminated
What pulls it down
- Failed or sticky zips
- Frayed shoulder straps and worn stitching at the anchor points
Selling a backpack in Australia
Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Australia’s second-hand market is strongly local and strongly seasonal, with most activity concentrated in the eastern capitals and buyers who expect to collect.
Australia Post covers everywhere, but distance pricing is real and interstate parcels cost meaningfully more than local ones.
WishThrift has not opened Australia for trading yet, so this page is a guide rather than a live marketplace — the category becomes browsable here the moment the first Australian sellers list.
Working out what yours is worth
- Run every zip fully open and closed
- Inspect the stitching where the straps meet the body
Getting it ready
- Run every zip along its full length, and check the pulls, the buckles and the stitching at the strap anchors.
- Empty every pocket, clean the base and shoulder straps, and check for fraying at the seams.
Photograph
- The backpack from the front, standing, straps visible
- The shoulder straps and back panel, showing wear
- The zips and buckles, plus the base and any fraying or stain
Put in the description
- Capacity in litres, and external dimensions
- Whether it has a padded laptop sleeve, and what size it takes
- Condition of every zip, buckle and strap anchor
Brand, capacity and purpose: “Osprey Farpoint 40L Travel Backpack, Cabin Size”. Litre capacity is the primary search. Say whether it is cabin sized, laptop compatible or hiking specific, because those are separate searches with different buyers.
Steady with lifts in spring, in late summer for travel, and in September for school and university. Recognised outdoor and travel brands sell fastest.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$134 a buyer pays is the A$134 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in Australia
Australia is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of Australia with their own page for backpacks.
- Selling a backpack in Sydney
- Selling a backpack in Melbourne
- Selling a backpack in Brisbane
- Selling a backpack in Perth
- Selling a backpack in Adelaide
- Selling a backpack in Gold Coast
- Selling a backpack in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell a backpack in Australia?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Do all the zips work?
Run each one fully. Failed zips are the main reason backpacks are retired and the first thing a buyer checks.
What fails first on a backpack?
The zips, almost always. Test every one and say clearly in the listing that they run cleanly if they do.
What is lining delamination?
The waterproof coating inside breaking down into a sticky, flaking layer. It is common on older packs and effectively ends their useful life.
More: how to sell a backpack, what backpacks are worth, or Bags & Handbags across Australia.