Used game controllers in Australia typically sell for A$29 to A$96 (about $20 to $67). Controllers sell constantly because they break constantly, and the only question a buyer really has is whether the sticks drift.
What game controllers are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$96 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$81 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$62 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$43 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$24 | 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
- Responsive triggers and bumpers
- Original cables and any dongles
What pulls it down
- Stick drift, the standard failure
- Missing wireless dongles
Selling a game controller 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.
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
- Test both sticks for drift in a calibration screen
- Confirm any dongle or cable is included
Getting it ready
- Press every button and both triggers, checking for sticking or unresponsive inputs.
- Clean the grips and around the sticks, and check the charging port or battery compartment.
Photograph
- The controller from the front, whole
- The grips and the back, showing wear
- The charging port or battery compartment, plus any crack, worn grip or missing rubber
Put in the description
- Platform and exact model or generation
- Whether the sticks drift, tested and stated
- Battery type, and whether a charging cable is included
Platform, model and colour: “PS5 DualSense Controller, White, No Drift”. Platform compatibility is the search. The phrase no drift is worth including only if you have actually tested for it, because it is the first thing the buyer will check.
Steady year round with a Christmas lift. Official current-generation controllers sell within days at the right price because new ones are expensive.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$96 a buyer pays is the A$96 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 game controllers.
- Selling a game controller in Sydney
- Selling a game controller in Melbourne
- Selling a game controller in Brisbane
- Selling a game controller in Perth
- Selling a game controller in Adelaide
- Selling a game controller in Gold Coast
- Selling a game controller in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell a game controller 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 the sticks drift?
Test in a menu that shows stick input and report exactly what you see. This is the entire question for a used controller.
Are third-party controllers worth selling?
For very little. Official controllers hold value considerably better.
Does a missing dongle matter?
On wireless controllers that need one, yes — it is paired and proprietary, and without it the controller may be unusable.
More: how to sell a game controller, what game controllers are worth, or Gaming across Australia.