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How to donate furniture to charity pick up services in Australia

Give your old furniture a second life and make a real difference by donating through trusted charity pick-up services across Australia.
By · October 28, 2025
How to donate furniture to charity pick up services in Australia

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If you’ve got a couch that doesn’t quite fit your new space, or a dining table that’s been replaced by a fresh upgrade, donating your old furniture is one of the best ways to give it a second life. Not only do you keep bulky items out of landfills, but you also support local charities and families who can make great use of them. 

The problem is, how do you actually get your sofa from the living room to the charity shop, or your dining table from the dining room to the op shop? Moving heavy or bulky furniture can be challenging. You want it to arrive in one piece without injuring yourself or damaging the furniture along the way.

Below, we’ll walk you through all of the options to donate furniture to a charity pickup.

Where to book a free charity pickup

Several well-known organisations in Australia accept furniture donations and, in many cases, can even collect the items from your home for free. This makes them a popular first choice when you’re looking to rehome bulky pieces.

Salvation Army (Salvos)

Donate to Salvation Army (Salvos)

The Salvation Army, often known as the Salvos, has one of the most established charity pickup services in Australia. They operate op shops nationwide, and proceeds from furniture sales go toward funding programs like homelessness services, addiction recovery, and financial counselling.

What they accept

  • Quality furniture in good condition that can be resold.
  • They generally won’t take items with stains, rips, or structural damage.

Where they operate

  • Pickup availability varies, but major metro areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are well covered.
  • A standout location is Salvos Tempe in Sydney, which has a large warehouse and is known for taking bulkier items.

How to donate

You can book online or call your local Salvos store to arrange a pickup time.

St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)

Donate to St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)

The St Vincent de Paul Society, often called Vinnies, runs hundreds of op shops across Australia and offers furniture pickup services in many areas. Donations help fund programs supporting people facing disadvantage, including housing services and food assistance.

What they accept

  • Solid, good-quality furniture such as dining tables, sofas, wardrobes, and beds (with clean mattresses).
  • They’ll usually reject items that are broken or unsafe.

Where they operate

Vinnies has strong coverage in both metro and regional areas, though pickup services can depend on the local branch.

How to donate

Some branches allow online booking, while others require a call to your nearest shop or depot.

Red CrossDonate to Australian Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross also accepts furniture donations through its op shops, though the availability of pickups can be more limited compared to Salvos and Vinnies. Proceeds from sales fund disaster relief, refugee support, and community services.

What they accept

  • Generally, smaller, good-quality household items and select pieces of furniture are easy to resell.
  • Larger items may not always be collected, so it’s best to check with your nearest Red Cross shop.

Where they operate

They have op shops around the country, though not all locations accept large furniture.

How to donate

Contact your local Red Cross op shop directly to confirm what they can take and whether pickup is available.

Pros and cons of charity pickup services

Pros

  • Free and convenient if available in your area.
  • Furniture goes directly to a good cause.
  • Saves you arranging transport yourself.

Cons

  • Strict acceptance rules (no damaged or heavily worn items).
  • Pickup slots can be limited and may take weeks to secure.
  • Regional areas may have fewer options.

You can also check out our guide on donating to the Salvos for more details on this process.

DIY drop-off with your own vehicleDrop-off point for charity donations Australia

If you’ve got a van, ute, or trailer handy, you can always load up your furniture and drop it directly at a donation point. Most op shops and larger charity warehouses will accept quality furniture items if you bring them in yourself.

Pros

  • No cost involved (aside from fuel).
  • Drop off at your own convenience.
  • No need to wait for a pickup slot.

Cons

  • Risk of damaging your vehicle or the furniture while loading.
  • Heavy lifting can be unsafe if you’re doing it alone.
  • Items may not fit, especially for larger pieces like sofas or wardrobes.
  • Time-consuming, especially if the nearest donation point is far away.

For small, manageable pieces, this can work well, but bigger items often turn into a juggling act.

Hire a professional moving teamProfessional furniture removalists ready to help you with your furniture donations

When you’ve got bulky, heavy, or multiple pieces to donate, calling in the professionals is often the most practical option. Use moving service providers like Upmove to make it easy to book the best furniture removalists who have the experience and know-how to handle furniture safely and efficiently.

Why it’s a smart choice

  • Safety first: Professionals are trained in lifting and moving heavy items without injury, which can be risky if you try it solo
  • Protects your home and furniture: Removalists know how to navigate tight hallways and staircases without scratching floors or damaging walls
  • Time-saving: You can book a collection at a time that works for you
  • Cost-effective: Using a platform like Upmove lets you compare quotes from multiple removalists across Australia, so you know you’re getting the best price

This option is especially helpful if you’re donating several items at once, or if you simply don’t want the hassle of moving everything yourself.

Giving your furniture a second life

Donating unwanted furniture is one of the easiest ways to declutter your home while doing good for the community. Whether you call the Salvos or St. Vincent de Paul for a pickup, load up your trailer for a drop-off at your nearest op shop, or hire furniture removalists, your furniture can go on to serve another household, instead of ending up in landfills.

If convenience, safety, and peace of mind matter most to you, booking a furniture moving team through Upmove is a simple and affordable way to make sure your donation gets where it needs to go. 

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