Where Can You Donate or Re-home Used Baby & Children’s Clothing in Australia?

by Daisy Chain Clothing September 11, 2025

If your little one has outgrown yet another size, you’re probably wondering what to do with all those baby and kids’ clothes. In Australia, families have several options — from donating to charity shops, dropping items in donation bins, recycling, reselling online, or consigning through a store. Each has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best option for your family (and the planet!).

1. Charity Shops

Pros:

Supports local causes and communities.
Clothes get a second life with another family.
You can drop off directly and know they’ll be sorted by staff.

Cons:

Shops often have limited space and can’t accept everything (especially stained or damaged items).
May not always be convenient if the store is far away.
Many people donate clothing without considering the condition, leading to a surplus of low-quality or damaged items. While charity stores appreciate donations, clothes that are unsellable create more work, as they need to be sorted, repaired, or recycled. This can end up being a drain on resources rather than a help.

2. Charity Donation Bins

Pros:

Super convenient — available 24/7 in many suburbs.
Helps charities raise funds.

Cons:

Risk of clothes being damaged by weather or vandalism.
Often, bins can be overflowing due to the sheer volume of clothing items being donated in this manner.

Items not in good condition may end up as landfill.

3. Commercially Operated Clothing Bins

Pros:

Widely available in shopping centres and car parks.
Often accept a wider range of textiles (not just clothes suitable for resale).

Cons:

Some are run by for-profit operators with only a small portion going to charity.
Transparency can be unclear, so research the operator before donating.

4. Textile Recycling Programs

Pros:

Great for stained, damaged, or worn-out clothes that can’t be resold.
Reduces textile waste going to landfill.
Some retailers in Australia (like H&M and Zara) offer recycling programs, so you can drop off items while you are out shopping.
Recucling companies such as Upparel and Textile Recyclers Australia offer a pick-up service to collect clothing for recycling.

Cons:

Limited drop-off locations.
Not all items can be recycled (check guidelines carefully).
Some charge a fee for pick-up / collection of your items.

5. Reselling on Facebook Marketplace or eBay

Pros:

Earn a bit of extra money back.
Perfect for branded or near-new items.
Local pick-up can be quick and easy.

Cons:

Time-consuming to list, photograph, and manage sales.
eBay charges sellers fees for each item sold, which can quickly add up and make it feel not worth the effort involved.
Some buyers may haggle, waste your time with questions when they have no intention to buy, or not show up at an agreed time/meeting place, meaning that it can feel like a bit of a hassle to sell on Facebook Marketplace.

6. Consignment Stores (including online options)

Pros:

Stores sell on your behalf — less effort than reselling yourself.
Often attract buyers looking for quality branded kids’ clothes.
You can earn a portion of the sale price.

Cons:

Not all items are accepted - some stores only take designer/branded items and some may only accept clothing that is for the current season.
Consignment stores charge a fee / take commission on the sale of your items, so you don’t get as much as if you sold items yourself.
It can take longer to see a return compared to selling directly.

The Bottom Line

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If your baby clothes are in great condition, reselling or consigning can be worth it. Charity shops and bins are good for quick and easy donations, while textile recycling is best for items beyond repair. Whichever path you choose, you’re helping reduce textile waste in Australia and giving kids’ clothes a second life.