Used desks in Australia typically sell for A$57 to A$345 (about $40 to $240). Desks sell on the worktop dimensions, because buyers are matching a specific alcove or wall — so lead with the measurements and say whether it dismantles.
What desks are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$345 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$293 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$224 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$155 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$86 | 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
- Solid wood tops with no sagging
- Recognised office and design brands
What pulls it down
- Failed lifting motors or controllers on sit-stand desks
- Scratched and water-marked surfaces
Selling a desk in Australia
Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
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.
Australia is a pre-launch market, so it is worth saying what a seller here should expect when it does open. Distance dominates everything: interstate parcels cost several times a metro delivery, and bulky items effectively only sell within a city. Most trade concentrates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and buyers in those cities expect to collect rather than wait. Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere, so listings that follow UK or US timing arrive exactly half a year out of step — warm weather items want September, not March, and winter gear moves from around May.
Seasons are inverted relative to the UK and North America: warm-weather items move from September, and winter gear from around May.
Working out what yours is worth
- On adjustable desks, run the full height range several times
- Measure the footprint including any return
Getting it ready
- Check for wobble, tighten the fittings, and inspect the top for scratches, ring marks and cable holes.
- Establish whether it dismantles and whether you have the fittings.
Photograph
- The whole desk from a corner
- The underside, showing construction and any cable management
- Any drawers open, plus damage or wear
Put in the description
- Worktop width and depth, and height from the floor
- Material: solid wood, veneer, laminate or glass
- Number of drawers, and whether it has cable management
Dimensions and type: “Solid Wood Writing Desk, 120cm x 60cm, 3 Drawers”. Width in centimetres is the primary search because buyers have a gap to fill. Say if it is a standing or height-adjustable desk, which is a separate and higher-value search.
Steady with strong lifts in September and January, and around moving season. Height-adjustable and solid wood desks sell fastest.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$345 a buyer pays is the A$345 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 desks.
- Selling a desk in Sydney
- Selling a desk in Melbourne
- Selling a desk in Brisbane
- Selling a desk in Perth
- Selling a desk in Adelaide
- Selling a desk in Gold Coast
- Selling a desk in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell a desk 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.
What are the worktop dimensions?
Give width and depth in centimetres. This is what buyers are actually measuring against and vague answers lose the sale.
What fails on an electric desk?
The motors or controller, usually showing as juddering or refusing to lift evenly. Test the full range before listing.
Does a scratched desk top matter?
Less than you would expect, since most get covered by a monitor and keyboard. Sagging matters far more.
More: how to sell a desk, what desks are worth, or Furniture across Australia.