What are op shops in Australia?

Op shops (short for “opportunity shops”) are secondhand stores, usually run by charities, that sell donated items like clothing, furniture, books, and homewares at affordable prices. They’re a core part of Australia’s circular economy, helping reduce waste while funding community programs.

Are op shops the same
as thrift stores?

Yes — “op shop” is the Australian term for what many countries call thrift stores. In Australia, most op shops are linked to charities such as the Salvos, Vinnies, or Red Cross, while others are run directly by churches or local community groups, often to support outreach programs and fund local initiatives.

Where can I find
op shops near me?

The easiest way to find op shops near you is by using a dedicated tool like the Savi Op Shop Finder — a mobile app featuring a map of thousands of op shops, thrift stores, and tip shops across Australia.

Savi brings these together in one place and alerts you when nearby shops are running sales or special events.

What are the best
op shops in Australia?

The “best” op shops depend on what you’re looking for, but popular categories include:

• Large warehouse-style op shops
• Boutique curated thrift stores
• Regional tip shops with hidden gems
• Charity-run stores with frequent turnover

Many savvy shoppers get the best value by heading to “hot spots” — areas where several op shops are located close together, often with cafes, food options, and toilets nearby, making it easy to spend a few hours browsing.

The Savi app makes these clusters easy to spot on the map, so you can plan a more efficient and enjoyable op shopping trip.

Are op shops cheaper
than regular stores?

Traditionally, yes — but prices have been rising in recent years. Increased demand for second-hand fashion, higher operating costs, and more strategic pricing mean op shops aren’t always as cheap as they once were. In some cases, fast fashion can even undercut op shop prices for low-quality items.

That said, op shops are still typically better value overall — especially when it comes to unique, vintage, or higher-quality pieces.

Why are op shop
prices going up?

A few shifts are happening behind the scenes:

• Thrifting has gone mainstream
  What used to be a niche activity is now hugely popular, with more people actively choosing second-hand for both style and sustainability.
• Costs have gone up
  Like everything else, rent, utilities, and staffing costs have increased — and op shops rely on sales to fund their charitable work.
• Pricing is more strategic
  Stores are getting better at recognising brand value, so you’re less likely to stumble across premium labels at rock-bottom prices.
• More competition for the good stuff
  With resellers in the mix, quality pieces don’t sit on racks for long — and demand naturally pushes prices up.

It’s definitely become one of the most debated topics among op shoppers. And while value is still a big driver, in our opinion, supporting the circular economy still wins — especially when you’re giving great pieces a second life instead of buying new.

Are op shops still worth it?

Yes — but the strategy has changed. Instead of expecting everything to be cheap, many shoppers now:

• Hunt for quality over quantity
• Focus on sale days
• Visit multiple shops in one trip
• Use tools that highlight where deals are happening

This is where discovery platforms like Savi are becoming more useful.

Do op shops have sales
or discount days?

Yes, many op shops run:

• Weekly discount days (e.g. colour tag sales)
• Storewide promotions
• Clearance events

However, these are often hard to find because they’re shared on social media or in-store only. Savi brings these together in one place, surfacing nearby sales and notifying you when something is happening close by.

What days are best
to go op shopping?

The best days are usually:

• Early in the week (after weekend donations are processed)
• Sale or discount days
• Mornings (before items are picked over)

Timing can vary by store, so regular shoppers often rotate between locations. It’s also a great strategy to frequent your local op shops regularly — when they’re close by, it’s easy to pop in often and get a feel for their rhythms, like when new stock hits the floor or sales are most likely to run.

When do op shops restock?

Most op shops restock daily, but the biggest influx of new items typically happens:

• After weekends
• Following donation drop-offs
• During seasonal clear-outs

There’s no universal schedule, which is why frequent visits — or tracking active shops — helps.

How do you find
good stuff at op shops?

Experienced op shoppers tend to:

• Scan racks quickly rather than browsing slowly
• Check fabric quality and labels
• Visit multiple shops in one trip
• Go regularly rather than occasionally

The biggest advantage comes from consistency — and knowing what actually suits you. When you’re clear on your personal style, it shaves so much time off your search and makes it easier to spot great pieces instantly. You’ll be able to find this out with the Savi Style Quiz (coming soon).

Are there online op shops
in Australia?

Yes, online secondhand shopping is growing rapidly in Australia.

Options include:

• Charity-run online stores
• Marketplace platforms
• Curated resale websites

However, the market is fragmented, which makes it difficult to search across multiple stores at once.

Is there an app for finding
op shops in Australia?

Yes — the Savi Op Shop Finder is designed specifically for this.

It allows you to:

• Find op shops near you
• Discover tip shops and thrift stores
• See which shops are running sales

It’s one of the few platforms built entirely around secondhand shopping discovery.

What are tip shops?

Tip shops are secondhand stores located at recycling centres or waste facilities. Items are salvaged before disposal and resold at very low prices. You can find them in the Savi Op Shop Finder app.

They’re often:

• Cheaper than traditional op shops
• Less curated
• Great for furniture, tools, and unexpected finds

Do op shops accept
all donations?

No. Most op shops reject items that are:

• Broken or heavily worn
• Dirty or stained
• Unsafe or non-compliant

Each charity has its own guidelines, but quality donations are always preferred.

What is the easiest way to find op shops and sales near me?

The easiest way is to use a tool designed specifically for secondhand discovery.

The Savi app maps op shops, tip shops, and thrift stores across Australia and highlights nearby sales in real time, making it much easier to plan where to go and when.