How to Buy and Sell Second-Hand School Uniforms in Australia

TL;DR

• Second-hand school uniforms cost 60–70% less than buying new
• You can buy and sell them online, at school uniform shops, or through Facebook groups
• Rethread is Australia's free dedicated marketplace — no fees, no commission, every school listed
• Most items sell within a few weeks when priced right

School uniforms are one of the most predictable costs in a family budget — and one of the most manageable, if you know where to look. Australian families spend an average of $300–$600 per child on uniforms each year. Buying second-hand can cut that bill by more than half.

This guide covers everything: where to find quality second-hand school uniforms in Australia, what to pay, how to sell uniforms your kids have grown out of, and what to look for when buying pre-loved.

Where to Buy Second-Hand School Uniforms in Australia

1. Online Marketplaces (Best Selection)

The easiest way to find second-hand school uniforms is online. You can filter by school, size, condition, and price — and browse from home rather than trawling through a school hall on a Saturday morning.

Rethread is Australia's dedicated second-hand school uniform marketplace. Every Australian school is listed — over 10,500 of them — so whether you're looking for uniforms for a public school in Cairns or a private college in Melbourne's inner east, you'll find it in one place. Listing and browsing are both free.

Facebook Marketplace and school-specific Facebook groups are also popular, particularly for schools with active parent communities. The downside is no standardised sizing or condition grading, and payment and pickup are entirely unstructured.

Gumtree has some uniform listings but the category is mixed in with general clothing, making it harder to search by school.

2. School Second-Hand Uniform Shops

Many Australian schools run their own second-hand uniform shop, often staffed by the P&C or parents' association. These are typically:

• Open a few times per year (often at the start of term)
• Cash or EFTPOS only
• Stock limited to what parents have donated — no guarantee your size will be available
• Priced low but with no returns or condition guarantees Check your school's website or P&C Facebook page for opening dates. These shops tend to sell out quickly at the start of the school year, so it pays to go early.

3. Sustainable School Shop and Similar Platforms

Some schools partner with third-party providers like Sustainable School Shop to manage their second-hand uniform exchange. These work well but are school-specific — you can only use them for the school that's signed up.

4. End-of-Year School Fetes and Markets

School fetes often include a second-hand uniform stall. These are great for bulk buying at low prices, but entirely unpredictable in terms of stock and sizing.

What Should You Pay for Second-Hand School Uniforms?

Pricing varies by condition, item type, and school. As a general guide:

Based on real transaction data from Rethread, buyers save an average of 60–70% compared to retail prices. The average sale price across all items is around $15–$25.

As a buyer, anything priced above 50% of retail is overpriced for second-hand. Items in "like new" or "excellent" condition typically sell for 30–40% of retail; "good" condition items for 20–30%.

As a seller, pricing too high is the biggest reason items don't sell. Check what similar items are listed for on Rethread before setting your price.

How to Sell Second-Hand School Uniforms

If your child has grown out of their uniform, selling rather than donating means you recover some of the original cost — and the money goes to another family rather than to a charity shop that may not stock school-specific items.

What Sells Well

• Complete sets (matching items together sell faster than individual pieces)
• Blazers and formal jackets — these hold value well and buyers seek them out
• Sports uniforms in good condition
• Items with the school name/emblem clearly visible (buyers search by school)

What Doesn't Sell Well

• Heavily worn or faded items — be honest about condition
• Items from schools with small enrolments (lower demand, longer to sell)
• Ill-fitting items listed without clear measurements

How to List on Rethread

• Go to rethread.com.au/sell
• Search for your school
• Add photos, condition, size, and your asking price
• Listing is free — Rethread takes no commission when it sells Most items sell within 2–4 weeks when priced correctly. Items listed in January and late July (start of school terms) sell fastest.

Tips for a Better Listing

• Photos matter more than descriptions. A clear photo on a flat surface or hanger, in natural light, with the school logo visible will outperform a detailed description every time.
• Measure, don't guess size. School sizing varies significantly between brands. Include the labelled size and actual measurements.
• Be specific about condition. "Good condition" means different things to different people. Note any fading, pilling, small marks, or repairs.
• Set the price to sell. If it hasn't sold in two weeks, drop the price 20%.

What to Look for When Buying

Condition Grading

When buying second-hand uniforms online, look for sellers who grade condition clearly:

• New / As New — unworn or worn once, no visible wear
• Excellent — minimal wear, no marks or fading
• Good — some wash wear, still looks presentable
• Fair — noticeable wear, suitable for sports or as a backup On Rethread, sellers grade every item using a standardised condition scale so you know what you're getting before you buy.

Sizing

School uniforms often run small or large depending on the brand. Ask the seller for measurements if you're unsure — chest, waist, and length are more reliable than label sizes, especially for younger children who grow unevenly.

Buying Timing

• January — highest stock, most sellers listing before school returns
• Late July — second peak as families clear out summer items
• March and August — lower stock, less competition from other buyers

The Environmental Case for Buying Second-Hand

Every school uniform that's reused rather than produced new prevents approximately:

• 0.7kg of textile waste from entering landfill
• 1.17kg of CO₂ emissions from garment production
• 50 litres of water used in manufacturing Across all transactions on Rethread to date, that adds up to real impact — see the full numbers on our Impact page.

School uniforms are one of the most reusable garment categories in Australia. They're standardised, durable, and replaced on a predictable schedule as children grow. That makes them ideal for a circular economy — and unlike fashion items, there's always a clear next buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find second-hand school uniforms near me?

The easiest way is to search by your school on Rethread — you'll see available listings from families near you, plus postage options for items further away. Many schools also run their own second-hand shop through the P&C; check your school's website for dates.

Is it worth buying second-hand school uniforms?

Yes — for most families, it's one of the easiest ways to reduce back-to-school costs. Second-hand uniforms on Rethread sell for an average of 60–70% less than new. A full winter uniform set that costs $400 new typically sells for $80–$160 second-hand.

How do I sell my child's old school uniforms?

List them on Rethread for free — no listing fees, no commission. Take clear photos, set a fair price (30–40% of retail for good condition), and most items will sell within a few weeks, especially at the start of term.

Are second-hand school uniforms hygienic?

Yes, when washed before wearing. Most sellers wash items before listing. It's standard practice to wash any second-hand clothing before your child wears it regardless.

Can I sell uniforms from any Australian school?

Yes — Rethread lists every Australian school. Whether it's a public primary school in a regional town or a large private college in a capital city, you can list and buy uniforms for any school on the platform.

What's the difference between buying on Rethread vs Facebook Marketplace?

Rethread is purpose-built for school uniforms — every listing is tagged to a specific school, size, and condition, so you can filter exactly what you need. Payments are handled securely through the platform. Facebook Marketplace is more ad hoc: harder to search, no standardised condition grading, and payment/pickup is unstructured.

Last updated: March 2026. Statistics sourced from Rethread platform data.