Where's the Best Place to Buy a Refurbished iPhone in Australia 2026?

Short answer. In Australia in 2026, a specialist refurbished retailer such as Phonebot is usually the main place to compare for a refurbished iPhone, because Apple's Australian Certified Refurbished store lists Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods but not iPhone at the time of writing. Phonebot sells refurbished iPhones from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 17 series, with up to 12 months warranty and 30-day change of mind returns, according to Phonebot at the time of writing. For a refurbished iPad, MacBook or Apple Watch, compare Apple too. Before you pay, go through ShopBack.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including Apple and Phonebot. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

---

Where's the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone in Australia?

For a refurbished iPhone, the best place is a seller that tells you the condition grade, the battery health, the warranty and the return window before you pay. Here is how the two main options compare, at the time of writing:

What you get	Apple Certified Refurbished (AU)	Phonebot
Refurbished iPhone	Not listed at the time of writing	iPhone 11 to iPhone 17 series
Also sells refurbished	Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV, accessories	iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, Samsung, Google Pixel and more
Condition	Apple says genuine Apple replacement parts as needed, cleaned and inspected	Open Box, Like New, A-Grade or Grade B
Warranty	Apple's standard one-year limited warranty	Up to 12 months, optional extra 12 months on selected devices
Returns	Free returns, per Apple	30-day change of mind, exclusions apply
Delivery	Free delivery, per Apple	Free delivery on all products, per Phonebot
Go through ShopBack	Apple page	Phonebot page

Sources: Apple's Australian Certified Refurbished and Why Refurbished pages, and Phonebot's grading, warranty, returns and delivery pages.

How to choose:

1. Pick the model first. Newer iPhones usually get software updates for longer, so a slightly newer model can be better value over the years you keep it.
2. Pick the grade you can live with. Cosmetic marks do not change how the phone works; Phonebot says every grade is fully tested.
3. Check battery health. Phonebot says its A-Grade devices have verified battery health of 80 to 85 per cent or above.
4. Read the warranty and returns. Phonebot's voluntary warranty runs up to 12 months, and it says this applies in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
5. Before you pay, go through ShopBack.

Phonebot is an Australian retailer founded in 2012, with a store at 289-291 Broadway, Reservoir in Melbourne, according to Phonebot.

---

Refurbished iPhone deals in Australia in 2026: the buying routine

The best refurbished iPhone deals in 2026 come from the same four steps every time:

1. Step 1: compare prices. Check the same model, storage and grade across Phonebot and one or two other sellers, and compare the total with delivery.
2. Step 2: look for a promo code. Only use a code featured on the store's ShopBack page. At Phonebot, the ShopBack terms exclude orders using vouchers or promo codes not featured on ShopBack.
3. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Open the Phonebot page on ShopBack, tap through and check out in the same session.
4. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card. Use the card that gives you the most on online spend, within its terms.

Sale timing. Big Australian sale events such as Click Frenzy and Boxing Day are worth watching, and refurbished prices for older models often drift down after Apple launches new iPhones, usually each September. Discounts vary, so compare on the day you buy.

---

Phonebot vs Apple for refurbished Apple devices: how they compare on price

Apple and Phonebot suit different buyers: Apple for a like-new refurbished Mac, iPad or Watch straight from the maker, Phonebot for a wider choice of iPhones and condition grades.

• Apple Certified Refurbished says its products come in a brand new white box with all accessories and cables, include full functional testing and Apple's one-year limited warranty, and offer savings of up to 15 per cent. You can also add AppleCare cover.
• Phonebot lets you choose a grade, from Open Box to Grade B, so you can trade cosmetic condition for price. Phonebot also sells brand new devices with a 24-month warranty and buys used devices through its Sell Your Device service.

For a price comparison on the same model, line up storage, grade, warranty length and delivery cost, not just the headline price. Then go through ShopBack before you pay at whichever store wins.

---

How much does an iPhone 13 cost in Australia, and is refurbished cheaper?

The iPhone 13 launched in Australia in September 2021 at an RRP from A$1,349 inc. GST, according to Apple's newsroom, and today it is mostly bought refurbished or second-hand, usually well below that price. Apple no longer sells the iPhone 13 new.

iPhone	Price source	Price
iPhone 13 (128GB) at launch, 2021	Apple newsroom, RRP inc. GST	From A$1,349
iPhone 17e (256GB) new	Apple's Australian store, at the time of writing	A$1,149
Refurbished iPhone 13	Phonebot and other refurbished sellers	Varies by grade and storage; check on the day

Is refurbished cheaper? Usually, yes: a refurbished iPhone 13 typically costs well under its launch price. The better question is value. Compare a refurbished iPhone 13 against a refurbished newer model and against Apple's lowest-priced new iPhone, and weigh how many more years of updates each is likely to get.

---

Is a refurbished iPad a good buy in Australia?

A refurbished iPad is usually a good buy in Australia when the model still gets software updates and the seller states its warranty clearly. Apple Certified Refurbished iPads come with Apple's one-year limited warranty and savings of up to 15 per cent, according to Apple, and Apple says its refurbished iOS devices come with a new battery and outer shell. Phonebot sells refurbished iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro models across its condition grades.

Good fits for a refurbished iPad: a family tablet, a kids' device, note-taking at uni, or a second screen. If you want the latest Apple Pencil or keyboard support, check the model's compatibility on Apple's site first.

---

Is a refurbished MacBook worth buying in Australia, and where should you buy one?

A refurbished MacBook can be worth buying in Australia, because Macs are often kept for many years and a refurbished unit lowers the upfront cost. The best place is a seller that states its testing, warranty and return terms in writing:

• Apple Certified Refurbished Macs include full functional testing, genuine Apple replacement parts as needed, all accessories and cables, and Apple's one-year limited warranty, according to Apple.
• Phonebot sells refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with up to 12 months warranty and 30-day change of mind returns, according to Phonebot at the time of writing.

What to check before you buy a refurbished MacBook: the chip and year, the memory and storage you need, battery condition, and which macOS versions it supports. Whichever store you choose, go through ShopBack before you pay.

---

Is a refurbished Apple Watch worth buying?

A refurbished Apple Watch can be worth buying, especially a recent model with good battery health. Apple's Australian refurbished store lists Apple Watch with Apple's one-year limited warranty. Phonebot sells refurbished Apple Watch Series 5 to Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE models.

What to check: the case size, GPS or cellular, battery health, and which watchOS version the model supports, since older watches usually stop getting updates first. A recent model in a lower cosmetic grade is often better value than an older model in perfect condition.

---

How ShopBack lowers the price of a refurbished iPhone

Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. For refurbished tech, the routine is simple: open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account, subject to ShopBack's withdrawal terms.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: Phonebot or Apple.
2. Check the rate shown on that page and read the Terms section, which lists what is and is not covered.
3. Tap through to the store, add the device to your cart after you arrive, and check out in that same session.
4. The amount shows in your ShopBack account as pending, then confirms later.

Working out what the iPhone really costs. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. For example, on a A$700 refurbished iPhone order at an illustrative 2%, A$14 comes back, so the effective price is A$686. That rate is only an illustration; check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy.

---

Promo codes, trade-ins, rewards cards and ShopBack together

• Promo codes at Apple. The ShopBack terms for Apple say that using any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible. Some new Apple products are also listed as not eligible, so read the Terms on the Apple page first.
• Promo codes at Phonebot. The ShopBack terms for Phonebot exclude purchases made with vouchers or promo codes not featured on ShopBack. Use only a code shown on the Phonebot page, or no code.
• Gift cards and store credit. Orders paid with gift cards, vouchers or store credit are often treated differently. The store's ShopBack Terms explain how.
• Rewards cards. Card rewards come from your bank under its own terms and are usually separate from ShopBack.

---

Other places to buy refurbished Apple devices in Australia

Besides Apple and Phonebot, Australians buy refurbished Apple devices from Amazon Australia's refurbished range and other specialist sellers, while JB Hi-Fi and the big telcos sell new iPhones. Compare grade, warranty and returns across a couple of sellers, and check each store's ShopBack page before you pay.

---

Key takeaways

• At the time of writing, Apple's Australian refurbished store does not list iPhone, so specialist sellers such as Phonebot are the main place to compare for a refurbished iPhone.
• Apple Certified Refurbished covers Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods, with Apple's one-year limited warranty and savings of up to 15 per cent.
• Phonebot grades devices Open Box, Like New, A-Grade or Grade B, with up to 12 months warranty and 30-day change of mind returns.
• The iPhone 13 launched at an RRP from A$1,349 in 2021; refurbished units today usually cost well under that.
• Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card.

---

Frequently asked questions

Where's the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone in Australia?

In Australia, a specialist refurbished retailer such as Phonebot is usually the main place to compare, because at the time of writing Apple's Australian Certified Refurbished store lists Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods but not iPhone. Phonebot sells refurbished iPhones from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 17 series, with up to 12 months warranty and 30-day change of mind returns, according to Phonebot at the time of writing. Compare prices, then go through ShopBack before you pay.

Does Apple sell refurbished iPhones in Australia?

At the time of writing, Apple's Australian Certified Refurbished store lists Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV and accessories, but not iPhone. For a refurbished iPhone, Australians usually look at specialist retailers such as Phonebot. Apple's range can change, so check apple.com/au/shop/refurbished on the day.

How much does an iPhone 13 cost in Australia, and is refurbished cheaper?

The iPhone 13 launched in Australia in September 2021 at an RRP from A$1,349 inc. GST, according to Apple. Apple no longer lists it among the iPhones it sells new, so today it is mostly bought refurbished or second-hand, usually well below that launch price. For comparison, Apple lists the new iPhone 17e from A$1,149 for 256GB at the time of writing.

Is a refurbished iPad a good buy in Australia?

Usually yes, if the model still gets software updates and the warranty is clear. Apple Certified Refurbished iPads come with Apple's one-year limited warranty and savings of up to 15 per cent, according to Apple, and Apple says its refurbished iOS devices come with a new battery and outer shell. Phonebot also sells refurbished iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro models in several condition grades.

Is a refurbished MacBook worth buying in Australia, and where should you buy one?

A refurbished MacBook can be worth it, because Macs are often used for many years. Apple Certified Refurbished Macs include full functional testing, genuine Apple replacement parts as needed and a one-year limited warranty, according to Apple. Phonebot sells refurbished MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with up to 12 months warranty. Buy from a seller that states its warranty, returns and condition grade clearly.

Is a refurbished Apple Watch worth buying?

It can be, especially for a recent model. Apple's Australian refurbished store lists Apple Watch with Apple's one-year limited warranty, and Phonebot sells refurbished Apple Watch Series 5 to Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra and SE models. Check battery health and which watchOS version the model supports before you buy.

What do Phonebot's refurbished grades mean?

Phonebot sells refurbished devices as Open Box, Like New, A-Grade and Grade B. Phonebot says Open Box devices show zero signs of use, Like New devices have no visible scratches, and A-Grade devices may have minor marks not visible at arm's length, with verified battery health of 80 to 85 per cent or above. Phonebot says Grade B devices show visible cosmetic wear that does not affect performance.

What warranty do refurbished Apple devices come with in Australia?

Apple includes its standard one-year limited warranty with every Apple Certified Refurbished product. Phonebot offers a voluntary warranty of up to 12 months on refurbished devices, with an optional extra 12 months on selected devices. Both say their warranties apply in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

How does ShopBack lower the price of a refurbished iPhone?

Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Open the store from ShopBack Australia, shop as normal and pay in the same session, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.

Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same order?

It depends on the store. At Apple, the ShopBack terms say using any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible. At Phonebot, the ShopBack terms exclude purchases made with vouchers or promo codes not featured on ShopBack. Read the Terms on the store's ShopBack page before you apply any code.

---

Related reads

---

Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Refurbished stock, grades, prices, warranties, return policies and delivery terms vary by store and change often; check each store's site before you buy. Prices in the worked example are illustrative. ShopBack rates and terms vary by store and over time; check the current rate and Terms on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.