Related: 6 Australian Sustainable Living Books You Should Add to Your Reading List
Where to Buy Second-Hand Books Online in Australia (2026)
The best places to buy second-hand books online in Australia are World of Books, Brotherhood Books, Book Grocer, and Preloved Bookshop. World of Books has the largest catalogue and ships free on orders over $15. Brotherhood Books offers free delivery on 3+ books and supports an anti-poverty charity with every purchase.
According to Google’s count, 58,464,880 unique books in the world as of 2026. Which means there are plenty of books already in existence just waiting for a new home.
I love rifling through second-hand bookstores and markets. There’s nothing quite like that old book smell and the joy that comes from finding your potential next great read. But second-hand stores don’t always have what I’m looking for, and many smaller towns around Australia don’t have second-hand bookstores or the biggest selection in their op shops. Fortunately, there are some excellent online used bookstores delivering right to your door.
Where to Buy Second-hand Books Online in Australia
World of Books
World of Books has one of the largest second-hand catalogues on the internet, covering everything from mainstream bestsellers to obscure titles. They’re committed to keeping books in circulation by buying directly from charities and reselling the titles they don’t have space for, which supports good causes and stops perfectly good books from being destroyed.
One thing to note: WoB doesn’t guarantee specific editions or covers, so if you’re buying a series, the spines may not match. Pedantic book collectors will understand this quirk.
Book Grocer
This bookstore’s philosophy is simple: great books at great prices. Book Grocer is the dream destination for the bargain hunter in all of us, with physical stores in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra as well as a full online store that ships nationally.
They stock new, remainder, and second-hand titles across a wide range of genres, all discounted from the recommended retail price. They also offer Second-hand Book Boxes, filled with a unique, handpicked selection of gently used books to help you find your next great read.
Preloved Bookshop Online
Preloved Bookshop Online is an Australian-owned online store built around the idea of finding every book its next reader. They’re all about the joy of finding a book’s “forever family”.
What started as a curated secondhand shop has since grown into a community marketplace, meaning you can also list your own books to sell. It’s designed for individual readers rehoming their collections rather than commercial resellers, which keeps the whole thing feeling like a genuine book-lover’s community.
AbeBooks
AbeBooks is the online marketplace where rare and out-of-print books find new life. Their platform connects you with sellers worldwide, and their extensive network of sellers makes it possible to find just about any book you’re looking for. Their advanced search tools and curated collections, including rare books and signed copies, make it easy to help you find something special.
Sainsbury’s Books
Sainsbury’s Books is a Camberwell-based antiquarian and secondhand bookstore that has been operating for over 35 years, both in-store and online. Originally starting at the Camberwell Market, John’s passion for books led to the opening of the physical and online store.
Their catalogue leans toward art, architecture, photography, literature, history, and philosophy, and they issue regular specialist catalogues, so if you’re looking for something specific in those areas, it’s worth getting on their email list. They cater to the nostalgia of readers looking to complete their childhood collections or find rare editions of classic books. They ship worldwide, and postage is calculated on book weight.
Brotherhood Books
Combining philanthropy and literary love, Brotherhood Books offers a wonderful selection of pre-loved books. They are Australia’s first online second-hand bookstore, and every purchase supports the Brotherhood of St Laurence, helping Australians in need.
They stock over 60,000 books across various genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Plus, orders over $40 come with free delivery in Australia.
Reading Habit
This little online store is an absolute dream. Reading Habit is where you go for that down-to-earth, friendly advice on what to read next, all while supporting a small business.
Based in New South Wales, they offer a wide range of books across various genres, from contemporary fiction to non-fiction and children’s books. Their personalised recommendations make it the perfect place to find your next favourite book while supporting a local business.
Where to Sell Your Second-Hand Books in Australia
For mainstream titles with an ISBN, the World of Books sell platform is the easiest option. You enter the ISBN, get a cash offer, and post it in.
If you’d rather sell to other readers directly and set your own prices, Preloved Bookshop lets individual sellers list their own collections. It’s designed for readers rehoming books rather than bulk resellers, which keeps the community genuine.
For quality second-hand books — older editions, art and photography titles, history, anything collectible — Sainsbury’s Books and Berkelouw Books are both worth contacting. Berkelouw is Australia’s largest secondhand and antiquarian bookseller, with locations in Sydney, Queensland, and the Southern Highlands. Sainsbury’s specialises in art, architecture, photography, and literature and has been buying collections for over 35 years. Both prefer an emailed list with authors, titles, and condition before you send anything.
Local secondhand bookshops are also worth trying, particularly if you have a decent collection and want to avoid postage. Many will assess in person or ask for a list by email first. A few well-known options:
- Gold Coast: Big B Books, Burleigh Heads
- Brisbane: Archives Fine Books, CBD
- Sydney: Gould’s Book Arcade, Newtown
- Melbourne: Brunswick Second Hand Books, Brunswick
- Perth: Elizabeth’s Bookshops (multiple locations); Mainly Books, Northbridge
- Adelaide: Blackwood Books; Adelaide Booksellers, Clarence Gardens
Harry Hartog also buys second-hand books across their store network nationally, which spans NSW, ACT, and Queensland; check their website for your nearest location.
Frequently asked questions about second-hand books
What’s the cheapest place to buy second-hand books online in Australia?
World of Books is hard to beat for price on mainstream titles — most books are a few dollars, and shipping is free on orders over $15 AUD. Brotherhood Books is another strong option, with free delivery on orders over $40 and a solid range of everyday fiction and non-fiction. For bargain hunting across new and secondhand stock, Book Grocer regularly has titles at well below recommended retail price.
How do I sell my used books in Australia?
For mainstream titles, the easiest option is the World of Books sell platform — enter your ISBN, get a cash offer, and post it in. Preloved Bookshop lets you list your own books as an individual seller in an Australian marketplace, which works well if you want to price things yourself. For quality or collectible books, Berkelouw Books and Sainsbury’s Books both buy collections and are worth contacting with a list before you do anything else. It’s worth being realistic about fiction paperbacks — most trade buyers won’t make offers on them, so donating to Brotherhood Books or a local street library is often the most practical path.
Does World of Books ship to Australia?
Yes, and it’s free on orders over $15 AUD. Books ship from the UK, so allow a little extra time for delivery — most Australian buyers find the wait worth it given the prices and the depth of the catalogue.
Are second-hand books a more sustainable choice?
Absolutely. Buying second-hand books keeps books in circulation and reduces the demand for new printing and shipping. It also tends to be significantly cheaper. Stores like Brotherhood Books also support community programs, giving your purchase a little extra impact. If you love reading but want to tread lighter, buying second-hand is one of the easiest swaps to make.
