If you’re looking for a new laptop or some headphones, then wait no more – Sydney Airport has opened its annual lost property sale. This year, more than 2,000 items left behind will be part of the Lost Property Auction.
Bids start at just $10, and the proceeds will go towards free swimming lessons for local families at risk of not participating in learn-to-swim or other dedicated water safety programs.
More than $1.9 million has been raised for charities and community initiatives through Sydney Airport’s Lost Property Auctions since 2013. The 2025 auction, run online by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers, gives shoppers across Australia the chance to grab everything from tech, handbags, jewellery, perfumes, sporting equipment as well as plenty of quirky one-offs like a giant teddy bear, a vacuum cleaner, and even a frying pan.
This year’s proceeds will support families struggling with cost-of-living pressures by providing swimming lessons to children who might otherwise miss out through the Inner West Aquatics team.
In addition to swimming lessons for children, future programs aim to include adult learn-to-swim and water safety programs, as well as broader community-based water safety and recreation programs.
To kick-start the initiative, Sydney Airport is donating $100,000, which will fund the equivalent of 4,000 free swimming lessons. The airport is aiming to raise $200,000 more from the 2025 Lost Property Auction, which equates to around another 8,000 free swimming lessons.
Sydney Airport general manager of Corporate Affairs, Josh Clements, said, “This auction is more than just a chance to score a great find, it’s about giving back to our local community.
“Together, the Inner West Aquatics team and Sydney Airport are committed to improving water safety, promoting health and wellbeing, giving more of our local children the chance to learn to swim.
“We’ve kicked this fund off with a $100,000 donation and hope the Lost Property Auction will help triple that amount.
“For every $25 raised, another child gets a free swimming lesson, equipping them with life-saving skills and confidence in the water, right here in the communities around the airport.”
The Inner West Aquatics team works with the Royal Life Saving Society to deliver water safety programs, and Royal Life Saving Society Health promotions manager, Louise Smalley, said, “It’s brilliant to see Sydney Airport turning lost property into little swimmers.”
“This initiative is a creative and impactful way to support local families who are struggling with the rising cost of living, and it will help save lives.
“Swimming is a vital life skill, but our research shows nearly half of Year 6 students in Australia can’t swim 50 metres, and one in ten children aged five to fourteen have never had a swimming lesson.
“This program aims to help close the gap by giving children who need it free swimming lessons and access to water safety programs, and that’s a powerful way to support local families and build safer communities around the airport.”
Inner West Aquatics will roll out the program to its community in the coming months.
The 2025 Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction includes around:
• 250 laptops
• 200 earbuds/headphones
• 60 Kindles
• 100 pairs of sunglasses
• 250 pieces of jewellery & watches
• 250 pieces of clothing
• 80 handbags & wallets
• 50 cameras
• 50 bottles of perfume
• 40 gaming consoles
• 40 hair dryers & straighteners
• 30 plush toys, including a giant 90cm teddy bear
• 10 boxed Lego sets
• 4 bikes
• 3 surfboards
• 2 sets of golf clubs
Some of the more unique items:
• vacuum cleaner
• frying pan and air fryer
• coffee machine
• 2 pairs of binoculars
• The Lord of the Rings book collection
• a violin and electric keyboard
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers Director, Casi Prischl, said, “The Sydney Airport auction is one of our most loved events. People from all over Australia log in to bid, not just for the bargains, but because it supports something meaningful.”
“This year we’ve got a great mix of high-quality electronics, gorgeous jewellery, handbags and wallets, perfumes, hair straighteners and sporting equipment like surfboards, bikes and golf clubs.
“For the kids and the young at heart we have boxed Lego sets, more than 40 gaming consoles and lots of unique toys including a giant 90cm tall teddy bear.
“Some of the more unusual items are a vacuum cleaner, air fryer and a frying pan, perfect if you’re planning to clean up at the auction and cook up a bargain.”
How lost property is returned, reused, and rehomed
Sydney Airport’s dedicated lost property team works hard to reunite lost items with their owners. Last year we welcomed 41.4 million passengers and returned more than 7,000 items that were left behind.
What remained unclaimed from 2024 has been donated to local charities or repurposed in this year’s auction.
It’s worth noting that checked baggage is managed by individual airlines and is not included in the auction. Travellers looking for lost baggage should contact their airline directly.
Auction Details
The auction kicked off Monday, 2 June, with bids starting from $10.
• Tech & Gaming | closing 9 June at 11am
• Jewellery & Watches | closing 10 June at 11am
• Clothes & Shoes | closing 11 June at 11am
• Sunglasses, Bags & Accessories | closing 11 June at 2pm
• Beauty, Alcohol & Home | closing 12 June at 11am
Items can be shipped (delivery fees apply) or picked up by appointment from 118 Parramatta Road.
