How to sell on Etsy Australia: Guide on fees & products

Etsy is an ideal marketplace for creators of all kinds in 2025. While it remains a hot spot for crafters and jewellers, sellers designing digital products and original artwork are also enjoying success with the 95+ million active buyers on the platform¹.

But just how easy is it to sell on Etsy, and is it worthwhile for your business? This blog looks at how to set up an Etsy shop and what products you can sell, and lists some of the fees and account requirements.

You might also be thinking about how you’ll get paid when selling on Etsy, especially to international buyers. We'll explore business account solutions like Wise Business that can be leveraged to transfer Etsy payments in multiple currencies and avoid paying high currency conversion fees.

First, let’s cover the basics of selling on Etsy.

Table of contents
How to sell on Etsy Australia What is required Things to consider Is Etsy safe to sell on? Cost to sell on Etsy AU? Pproducts that can be sold on Etsy Receive your Etsy payments with Wise Business FAQs

Sign up for the Wise Business account! 🚀

How to sell on Etsy Australia

Etsy works similarly to other online marketplaces. You sign up for an account and create a virtual Etsy shop, where you can add listings for your products. You pay fees to Etsy for listing, transactions, and payment processing, and you are then paid by the site at regular intervals after your items sell. Everything can be managed online or using the app.

What is required to start selling on Etsy?

It’s pretty easy to start selling on Etsy. All you need to do is register for an account, answer a few quick questions about your business experience, and then create a name for your shop and open it. However, you do have to verify your identity before going “live”. This involves providing a photo ID with a selfie.

Etsy states that you don’t need a business licence to get started.

However, you must register for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) if your shop generates more than $75,000 in revenue⁹. While most people think of selling on Etsy as a “side gig,” all sellers must comply with Australian laws, especially when earning lots of money. This extends to products too — all items must meet Australian consumer and safety standards.

Here’s what you need to do to set up your account and get it running:

1. Sign up for an Etsy account - It’s free, and all you’ll need is your name and email address.
2. Create a public profile - Add a bio and a profile picture if you want to, along with optional details to promote your shop to buyers.
3. Open your Etsy shop - Click “sell on Etsy” to open your own Etsy shop. Choose a shop name and set up your country, currency, and language.
4. List your products. Upload photos, write product descriptions, and set pricing for your items.
5. Set up payments - Choose how you’d like to be paid, and how you’ll cover Etsy’s fees.
6. Launch your shop - After going live, start accepting orders from customers around the world.

Things to consider when selling on Etsy

There are a few practical considerations to take note of when using Etsy, especially when selling to buyers overseas.

• Shipping - You’ll usually have to handle shipping yourself with Etsy, so think about the costs of sending items locally in Australia and overseas to other countries.
• Import taxes and customs duties - When you ship packages overseas, there may be certain import taxes and customs duties imposed when it enters the buyer’s country. The buyer is usually responsible for paying these².
• Invoices - If you’re a business, you might have to provide an invoice when sending goods.
• Multi-currency payments - Etsy processes payments in multiple currencies, but you’ll receive payouts in your chosen currency. International buyers often pay in their preferred local currency.
• Currency conversion fees - If your listings are in a different currency from your bank account, Etsy will convert the funds and charge a 2.5% conversion fee, which will reduce the payment that settles in your account³. Factor this into pricing for international sales.

Is Etsy safe to sell on?

Yes, Etsy has 8+ million active sellers worldwide and is considered a safe and trusted marketplace¹. The platform offers Seller Protection for eligible transactions, which can cover you in cases of non-delivery or payment issues up to the value of $250 USD⁴. Payments are also processed securely, and buyer-seller communications are monitored within the platform.

That said, sellers should take precautions to make their experience safer, both for themselves and the buyer:

• Use clear product descriptions and photos to avoid disputes.
• Communicate only through Etsy’s messaging system so there’s a full, documented record of interactions in case of a dispute.
• Always ship with tracking to prove items have been delivered.
• Keep a record of your orders and expenses to protect your business and stay compliant with any tax requirements.

Before starting, make sure you’ve read Etsy’s help guide with best practices and shop policies. This will give you all the information you need to operate safely on the platform.

How much does it cost to sell on Etsy Australia?

All Etsy sellers are enrolled in the free, default plan automatically. There is no monthly subscription fee if you just want to use basic tools to list items and manage your shop.

However, for each of your products, there are three basic selling fees⁵:

• Listing fee: $0.31 AUD listing fee
• Transaction fee: 6.5% transaction fee per sale
• Payment processing fee: 3-4% + $0.25 AUD

There is also an optional Offsite Ads fee. This is where Etsy advertises your products across the web. If you make a sale through one of these adverts, you’ll pay Etsy a fee of 15%. You can choose whether to participate in these advertising services when you open your shop.

Etsy also offers a Plus package for $10 USD per month. All the same, basic fees apply, but you get access to advanced features. These include new tools for customising your shop, and your own custom .com store address, plus 15 “free” listings and Etsy Ads credits ($5 per month)⁶.

Are there shipping fees on Etsy?

As you’ll be organising shipping yourself when selling on Etsy, you’ll also need to cover the costs. The rates will depend on where you’re delivering in Australia and the package size⁷. It’s a good idea to get a ballpark figure for your shipping costs domestically and overseas before you start.

Fortunately, Etsy doesn’t charge a fee for shipping costs; this is included in the 6.5% transaction fee. However, if you’re shipping your Etsy items internationally, remember that you’ll also need to look into the tax and customs requirements for each destination country.

Different types of products that can be sold on Etsy

Etsy has a very extensive list of product categories, which were recently updated to make sure there’s a “logical place” for pretty much every item you want to sell.

Handmade goods

Handmade items are how Etsy made its name. These are any types of jewellery, furniture, craft items, clothing, and accessories that are unique and “made by a seller.” Etsy states that reselling handmade goods is prohibited, so these items must be genuinely created and assembled by you¹⁰.

Vintage items

If you’ve got older items like antiques, collectables, retro homeware, and clothing to sell, you can broaden their appeal with the vintage item category. However, there are certain restrictions. Etsy defines “vintage” as anything older than 20 years, and it may request additional photos and information to prove their authenticity¹¹.

Craft supplies

Etsy is also a great place for selling materials and tools for creative projects. Popular items include beads, stones, gems, fabrics, yarn, sewing kits, and digital downloads of sewing patterns.

Digital products to sell on Etsy

Digital products are growing in popularity on Etsy. If you’re just starting out, selling digital items is a low-cost and scalable way to get your Etsy shop up and running. There’s also the added bonus of not needing to physically ship items.

Products you can sell include:

• Wall art files (for printing)
• Planners and templates
• Fonts and design elements
• Greeting card designs
• Party and wedding invitations
• Photography presets

These are just examples of what you can sell. Etsy has 15 “top-level” categories with hundreds of sub-categories catering to the demands of buyers and sellers¹².

Receive your Etsy payments with Wise Business

A Wise Business account is a smart choice for Australian Etsy sellers looking to enhance their earnings from international sales. Etsy charges a 2.5% currency conversion fee when your earnings are paid out in a different currency than your shop's listings.

With Wise Business, a one-time fee of 65 AUD gives businesses access to local account details in 8+ currencies, including USD and GBP. This allows businesses to receive international payments without losing much on currency conversions. This means more of your hard-earned money stays in your pocket, giving you greater control over your finances and making it easier to manage your global business.

Expanding a business globally opens up exciting opportunities, but also new challenges like receiving payments across borders. Hidden foreign transaction fees and hefty currency conversions involved with international payments can eat into your profits and time.

Wise Business serves as a cost-effective solution where you can receive money from around the world at the speed and price of local payments.

Transform the way you receive payments with Wise Business:

• One-time fee of 65 AUD for local account details in 8+ currencies, including AUD, NZD, USD, and more—no recurring fees
• One account to hold, send, and convert money with no hidden fees or exchange rate markups
• Create and send professional invoices directly to your customers through Wise Business
• Create payment links to request money in specific currencies
• Seamlessly receive payments from customers, online sales, or PSPs like Stripe and Amazon.
• Wise is safe and secure - Trusted by 13 million people and counting

Sign up for the Wise Business account! 🚀

This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you.

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FAQs

1. Do I need an ABN to sell on Etsy?
No, you don’t need an ABN to start selling on Etsy in Australia. However, if you’re planning to run your shop as a business or are earning above $75,000 in revenue annually, you must register for an ABN for bookkeeping and to pay tax⁹. It’s useful to refer to the government’s guidance on the distinction between a business and a hobby to make sense of your legal obligations.

2. Can you sell AI-generated art on Etsy?
Yes, Etsy updated its guidelines to confirm that sellers can use AI tools to create and sell artwork. However, you must be clear in the product listing description that the item was AI-generated¹³.

3. How old do you have to be to sell on Etsy?
You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account on Etsy. However, Etsy says it “welcomes minors” aged 13 who may have artistic or entrepreneurial talent, as long as they have the permission of a parent or legal guardian, and are supervised when using the platform¹⁴.

4. Can you sell Canva designs on Etsy?
Yes, you can sell designs made with Canva. But they must be “original” and not merely templates that have been resized, cropped, or recoloured¹⁵. Canva says people can sell things like posters, mugs, t-shirts, and ebooks that are in line with its Content Licence Agreement. It’s best to review Canva’s full terms and conditions before you start selling Canva designs on Etsy.

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Sources:

1. Etsy - Key figures
2. Etsy - Custom fees and physical VAT collection
3. Etsy - Currency conversion fees
4. Etsy - Purchase Protection Programme for Sellers
5. Etsy - Sell
6. What is Etsy Plus?
7. Etsy - Seller Handbook
8. Etsy - How to open an Etsy shop
9. ATO - How GST works
10. Etsy - What can I sell on Etsy?
11. Etsy - Vintage items on Etsy
12. Etsy - Complete Etsy category list
13. Etsy - What is Etsy's stance on AI creations?
14. Etsy - Can minors sell on Etsy?
15. Canva - Using Canva to create products for sale