When it comes to collecting ’em all, Asif Mir is living his childhood dream.
The 31-year-old from western Sydney has turned his passion into a booming career, amassing a collection of trading cards ranging from Pokémon to Dragon Ball Z, Star Wars and Power Rangers worth more than $1 million.
As a young boy, Mr Mir remembers watching cartoons and anime on breakfast TV, but having strict parents meant he couldn’t collect cards from his favourite shows.
“It’s nostalgia that brings back memories of wanting that (Pokémon creature) Charizard card that I always wanted, and now I can finally get it with my adult money,” he told AAP.
About one-in-three Australian adults are collectors, equating to 7.6 million of the national population according to a report by eBay and Deloitte Access Economics.
The median Australian hobbyist has 50 collectables worth a total of $2200, based on a survey of 2000 collectors.
Expanded to the entire population, the report estimates Australians own about 380 million collectables at a price tag of $16.8 billion.
Australia is an emerging collector nation as technological, economic and social change over the past 25 years expands people’s access across the globe – with Australians spending a record of $69 billion on online shopping in 2024.
Mr Mir’s hobby began in 2019 as with a few shelves, folders and boxes but more than five years on, his collection has grown exponentially.
“Every single room (in my house) is covered in Pokémon,” he said.
“My garage to the bathroom, my bed and my pillows – everything is something collectable.”
Mr Mir quit his job as a sign language interpreter to pursue the passion full time, making him upwards of $2 million in the past five years which allowed him to buy a house with the money.
Genuine love for the items and nostalgia are the top motivators for collectors, the report said, but cost-of-living pressures have seen some turn to the hobby for extra support.
About one-in-five collectors surveyed have turned their passion into a financial endeavour, while 35 per cent said they collect because the item is a good investment.
Collectors reaped a median profit of $5400 in the last year and $13,000 over the past three years – up from the $5000 to $10,000 median profit in the three years prior to 2023.
Coins are the most popular collectable followed by toys, pre-loved fashion items, and antiques, while trading cards amount to some of the most expensive collectables on eBay.
Collecting trading cards has evolved from a childhood pastime to a serious hobby driven by nostalgia, with the potential to become a rewarding investment, eBay Australia’s Alaister Low said.
“It’s an exciting world where passion meets investment, and the thrill of the hunt for those elusive cards continues to grow,” he said.
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