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How to Make Money Buying Used Vending Machines in Australia
A realistic look at the numbers, the pitfalls and the sites where refurbished machines pay back fastest. Written for new Australian operators.
20 January 2026 · 9 min read
The refurbished-machine business model
A new snack machine in Australia costs $6,000–$10,000. A properly refurbished one costs $2,500–$4,500 — and if the site is right, it earns the same revenue. That's the whole business case for used vending machines: the machine is a depreciating asset, but the site is a cash-flow annuity.
The numbers on a good site - Refurbished snack + drink combo: **$4,000** all-in - Weekly gross revenue on a 20-staff office: **$180–$260** - Cost of goods (COGS): 45–50% - Gross profit per week: **$95–$145** - Payback: **7–10 months**
That's the ideal. Half of new operators overpay for machines or underestimate the site. Here are the six things to check before you buy.
Six checks before you pay 1. **Refrigeration deck age.** A deck has a 10–12 year working life. Ask when it was last replaced. 2. **Coin mech and note reader condition.** These get dirty and jam. Insist on a working test. 3. **Cashless-ready.** If it doesn't have an MDB port, walk away — you can't easily add a card reader. 4. **Motor test.** Every spiral, every drink stack. Ten minutes of testing saves a $400 callout. 5. **Bodywork and glass.** Rusty back panels or cracked glass kill resale value. 6. **Warranty.** Reputable refurbishers offer **3 months parts warranty** on used machines. If there's no warranty, discount hard.
Sites that pay back fastest Offices with 20+ staff, gyms (24-hour access = 24-hour sales), factories with shift workers, hospitals, apartment blocks, and student accommodation. Avoid low-traffic retail unless it's late-night.
See our used vending machines or read the buyer's guide.