World Op Shop Day is Coming

Mark your calendars for Saturday 17 October 2026 – the annual World Op Shop Day.

This is a national day to celebrate the power of second-hand and the vital role op shops play in our communities.

It’s an invitation for all Australians to engage with an op shop, either as a donor, a customer or a volunteer on World Op Shop Day.

So what’s it all about?

World Op Shop Day is all about recognising and amplifying the incredible impact of charitable reuse. Op shops support people doing it tough, reduce waste, create jobs, and fund essential community programs. This new annual event is here to shine a light on that impact and rally support around the cause.

Get ready to celebrate reuse, give back, and be part of something bigger.

Use World Op Shop Day Logo Download World Op Shop Day Assets 2026 World Op Shop Day Foundational Plan

Continuing A Century of Community Impact

Last year’s first inargural World Op Shop Day marked a truly special milestone – 100 years of Op Shops in Australia. With roots dating back to 1925, op shops have played a vital role in sustainable shopping, community support, and charity funding for an entire century.

The term “Op Shop” (short for “opportunity shop”) originated in Melbourne in the 1920s. It was coined by Lady Millie Tallis, who established the first shop near St Vincent’s Hospital to fundraise for its x-ray department. She wanted to create a more dignified image for second-hand stores, highlighting the opportunities they provided for both donors and buyers. The concept quickly spread across Australia, with charitable organisations using op shops to fund community programs. Today, the term remains unique to Australia and New Zealand – a testament to our nation’s innovative approach to charitable reuse.

This World Op Shop Day, we continue pushing forward on our 101st year toward another century of community, sustainability and support.

Join the National Celebration

World Op Shop Day is your chance to be part of something truly historic. We’re not just celebrating a day – we’re celebrating Australian ingenuity, community spirit, and sustainable living.

How You Can Get Involved

Shop – Discover unique treasures while supporting vital community programs
Donate – Give your pre-loved items a second life and help fund essential services
Volunteer – Join the thousands of Australians who make op shops possible

Building Momentum Together

Charitable Reuse Australia is leading the charge to make World Op Shop Day a national phenomenon. We’re providing:

Social media campaigns celebrating our centenary story
Marketing resources for op shops nationwide
A 100-day countdown to build excitement
Support for local events and celebrations across the country

Your Part in History

We’re encouraging everyone to get behind World Op Shop Day and help turn it into a national celebration.

Promote it.
Share it.
Be part of it.

The more people who engage with the day – whether through shopping, donating or volunteering, the bigger the impact.

Together, we can drive a massive foot-traffic day, welcome new customers and donors, and inspire a new wave of volunteers across the country. Let’s make this a moment that puts op shops on the map like never before.

This is more than just a shopping day – it’s a celebration of Australian values, community resilience, and our commitment to a sustainable future. After 100 years of making a difference, op shops are ready to make their mark on the next century.

Saturday 17 October 2026 – be part of the story.