Online antique and collectables seller

Collectors, decorators, people furnishing a home and gift buyers looking for something with character.

You keep the margin between what you pay for an item and what you sell it for, after costs like fees, postage and packaging.

• An eye for quality and age
• Researching values and provenance
• Photography and writing good listings
• Packing fragile items safely

• Check whether your state requires a second-hand dealer licence or records of items bought and sold, as rules differ by state and territory
• Reproductions and fakes, so learn to spot them before spending real money
• You need an ABN, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
• Breakage in the post, so check insurance options for shipped items
• Restrictions on items such as ivory or some cultural materials, check the rules before buying or selling

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how much stock you buy at auctions and house clearances and what you spend on photography, packing materials and listings.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on the stock you source, your pricing and where you sell. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours of work a week.

Check whether your state requires a second-hand dealer licence or records of items bought and sold, as rules differ by state and territory. Also check ABN and GST registration, and restrictions on items such as ivory or some cultural materials.