Do you need to sanitise or tag a used mattress before selling it in Victoria?

The sources we reviewed describe no Victorian requirement to sanitise, sterilise or attach a "used" tag. Rules like that exist in some US states, which is why they show up in search results. Cleaning the mattress well before you list is still a good idea, because buyers will inspect it.

Do you have to tell buyers about stains or bed bugs?

The sources we reviewed list no mattress-specific disclosure rule. The ACCC recommends that sellers be accurate and clear about anything that affects safety, use or lifespan, so tell buyers about stains, sagging, smoke or pet exposure and any bed bug history. If you know or suspect bed bugs, deal with them before you list.

Can a buyer return a used mattress bought from a private seller?

Not under most consumer guarantees. The ACCC says most guarantees don't apply to private sales between two people where the seller isn't running a business. The ones that do apply cover title, undisturbed possession and hidden debts or charges. Describe the mattress accurately, agree its condition with the buyer, and invite them to inspect it before paying.

Do you need a licence to sell used mattresses in Victoria?

Registration as a second-hand dealer applies to people who carry on the business of buying and selling second-hand goods. The sources we reviewed say nothing about a household needing a licence to sell its own used mattress. If you plan to buy and resell used mattresses regularly, check with Consumer Affairs Victoria first.

Can I sell a used cot mattress?

Red Nose says a second-hand cot mattress can be used if it is firm, flat, clean, in good condition and fits snugly within 20 mm of the cot's sides and ends. The ACCC says its infant sleep standards don't apply to second-hand goods other than imported ones, but check the standards if you're unsure. Either way, be accurate about size and condition and avoid safety claims you can't back up.

How much can I sell a used mattress for?

It depends on age, brand, size and condition rather than what you paid. Check similar listings in your suburb, and see our guide to pricing secondhand furniture in Melbourne for a step-by-step method. Mention anything that affects value, such as stains or sagging.

Where can I sell a used mattress in Melbourne?

You can list it on Zirkly, a local marketplace for secondhand furniture. Add clear photos, the size and the condition, and buyers message you to arrange a pickup. Listing is free.

Can You Sell a Used Mattress in Victoria? Rules and Tips

Can you sell a used mattress in Victoria? Learn the rules for private sellers, cleaning tips, what to disclose and how to list it in Melbourne.

Quick summary: Yes, you can generally sell your own used mattress in Victoria. The sources we reviewed describe no mattress-specific ban, and no sanitising or tagging requirement, for ordinary private sales. You still need to describe it accurately, tell buyers about stains or damage, and check it hasn't been recalled. Most consumer guarantees don't apply to private sales, and regularly reselling used mattresses as a business can mean registering as a second-hand dealer.

Yes, you can generally sell your own used mattress in Victoria. Check it hasn't been recalled, describe its condition honestly and keep a private sale separate from selling as a business. The sources we reviewed describe no mattress-specific ban, and no sanitising or "used" tagging requirement, for an ordinary private sale. That surprises people, because most search results for this question are about US state laws, and some US states do have rules like that. They don't apply here. This is our reading of the sources below, not legal advice.

Other rules still matter, and most of them come down to being straight with the buyer. This guide covers what we checked, what you still need to do, and how to get a used mattress ready to sell in Melbourne. If you're on the other side of the sale, our guide to buying a secondhand mattress safely covers what buyers look for.

Is It Legal to Sell a Used Mattress in Victoria?

For an ordinary private sale, yes, as far as the sources we reviewed show. We read Consumer Affairs Victoria's second-hand dealer pages and the ACCC's Product Safety guidance for second-hand sellers, and searched for Victorian bedding rules. None of them describes a rule specific to used mattresses, such as a sanitising certificate, a compulsory label or a ban on private sales. Not finding a rule isn't a formal legal determination, and it isn't the same as "anything goes": the general rules in the next section still apply.

We reviewed these pages in October 2026, and rules change. If your situation is unusual, for example you sell mattresses regularly, ask Consumer Affairs Victoria before you list.

What Rules Still Apply to a Private Seller?

According to the ACCC's guidance on selling second-hand products online, most consumer guarantees don't apply to private sales between two people where the seller isn't running a business. The ones that do apply are title (the mattress is yours to sell), undisturbed possession and no hidden debts or charges.

The same page says private sellers should:

make sure the information they give about the item is accurate and truthful
check whether the product has been recalled or banned, or needs to meet a mandatory standard, and not sell it if it falls short
be responsive after the sale and keep a record of who they sold it to

Before you list an adult mattress, search the ACCC's product recalls for your brand and model. Because most guarantees don't cover a private sale, a clear description does the work a warranty would. Describe the mattress accurately, agree its condition with the buyer, and invite them to inspect it before paying. Our guide to warranties and returns on secondhand furniture explains how returns usually work.

Do You Have to Tell Buyers About Stains, Age or Bed Bugs?

The sources we reviewed list no mattress-specific disclosure rule. The ACCC does recommend that business and private sellers be clear about any issues that affect an item's safety, use or lifespan, use condition words such as "good" or "used" consistently, and photograph any wear, damage or labelling. The simple test is: if a buyer would care, say so.

For a mattress, that usually means mentioning:

the brand, size, type (innerspring, foam or hybrid) and approximate age
stains, odours, sagging or damaged seams
whether it has been used in a smoking home or around pets
whether you're including the base or a protector

If you know or suspect bed bugs, deal with the problem before you list it, and mention any past infestation. Our guide to checking secondhand furniture for bed bugs shows what buyers look for.

How to Get a Used Mattress Ready to Sell

A few minutes of preparation helps buyers trust what they see in your photos.

Strip it and vacuum both sides, the seams and the edges with an upholstery attachment. Vacuuming and spot-cleaning tidy a mattress, but they don't make it hygienically safe, so don't promise that in your listing.
Spot-clean marks gently and avoid soaking the mattress. Let it dry completely before you photograph it or hand it over, because a damp mattress can grow mould.
Air it in a well-ventilated room.
Photograph the whole mattress, the label if it's still attached, and any stains or wear up close. Our guide to photographing secondhand furniture covers light and angles.
Measure the width, length and depth so buyers can check it against their bed frame.

How to Price and List a Used Mattress on Zirkly

Price to age, brand and condition rather than what you paid. Our pricing guide for secondhand furniture in Melbourne walks through the method. To see how other sellers describe theirs, browse the bed and mattress listings on Zirkly's St Kilda page or the wider Beds & Bedroom category.

If you're selling an adjustable base with a motor, that's electrical equipment with its own rules, which we cover in selling second-hand electrical items in Victoria.

Pickup, Delivery and Payment

A mattress is bulky, so tell buyers the size before they commit and let them know if it needs a ute or a van. Our guides to transporting furniture in a regular car and furniture delivery options in Melbourne help both sides plan it. For the handover itself, how to safely sell furniture from home covers meeting strangers, pickups and checking that payment has cleared before the mattress leaves.

When Selling Mattresses Becomes a Business

Selling your own mattress is one thing. Buying used mattresses to resell is another. According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, a second-hand dealer is anyone who carries on the business of buying, selling, exchanging or otherwise dealing in second-hand goods, and dealers must be registered unless an exemption applies. If you're thinking of reselling regularly, read our guide to furniture flipping in Melbourne and check with Consumer Affairs Victoria first.

Selling a Cot Mattress

Cot mattresses need extra care. Red Nose says there is no evidence of a higher SIDS risk from a second-hand mattress, provided it is firm, flat, clean, in good condition and fits snugly within 20 mm of the cot's sides and ends. The ACCC's infant sleep products page says businesses must follow two mandatory standards from 19 January 2026, the safety standard and the information standard, and lists second-hand goods, other than imported ones, among the products the standards do not apply to. If you're unsure whether yours is covered, read the standards or ask the ACCC. As a private seller, state the exact size, describe the condition honestly and avoid safety claims you can't back up.

What If Your Used Mattress Won't Sell?

If a mattress is badly stained, damaged or pest-affected, it may not be fit to list, and that's a fair call. Our guide to what to do with old furniture in Melbourne covers your options when a piece can't be resold.

Ready to sell your used mattress? List it on Zirkly for free, add clear photos and an honest description, and Melbourne buyers can message you to arrange a pickup.