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1. Planning Your Move
A well-planned move transforms a potentially chaotic event into a surprisingly manageable process. In Australia, the average person moves house every seven years — yet most admit they underestimated the complexity when it came time to actually do it. The single biggest mistake? Starting too late.
Whether you're moving across the street or interstate, the principles are the same: build a realistic timeline, assign tasks to a schedule, and work backwards from your move date.
8–12
weeks
ideal planning window
6.1M
Australians
relocate every day
$4,200
average cost
for a typical house move
Your Moving Timeline
Structure your move into four clear phases. Each phase has specific tasks that, when done on time, prevent the last-minute scramble that causes most moving-day disasters.
8–12 Weeks Out
Set your moving date and total budget
Research and collect removalist quotes
Start decluttering room by room
Notify your employer of the change
4–8 Weeks Out
Arrange utility connections for new address
Source packing boxes and materials
Redirect Australia Post mail
Notify Medicare, ATO, and schools
1–4 Weeks Out
Pack non-essential items first
Confirm removalist booking in writing
Update driver's licence address
Arrange pet and plant transport
Moving Week
Pack the essentials box last
Photograph meter readings at both homes
Do a final room-by-room walkthrough
Confirm all utilities are active at new home
2. Creating a Moving Checklist
A comprehensive checklist is your most valuable moving tool. It prevents forgotten tasks, reduces anxiety, and gives every household member a clear picture of what's done and what isn't. Break it into categories rather than one overwhelming list.
Pro Tip
Assign each checklist item to a specific week, not just "before the move." Vague deadlines are how important tasks get forgotten until moving day.
Notify all utility providers (electricity, gas, water, internet)
Set up Australia Post mail redirection
Update address with ATO and myGov
Notify bank and financial institutions
Update Medicare, health insurance, and Centrelink
Cancel or transfer gym, streaming, and subscription services
Organise packing materials: boxes, tape, bubble wrap
Label all boxes clearly by room and priority
Photograph all electronics before disconnecting cables
Pack an essentials bag for the first night in your new home
Need Electricity, Gas, Internet or Water Connected?
3. Booking Removalists
Choosing the right removalist is one of the highest-stakes decisions in your move. A professional, insured removalist treats your belongings as if they were their own. An unreliable one can leave you with damaged furniture, a missed settlement date, or both.
Verify Insurance
Ask for a certificate of currency showing public liability and goods-in-transit insurance before committing to any quote.
Check Reviews
Look for 4+ stars across Google, ProductReview.com.au, and Trustpilot. 50+ reviews give a reliable signal — ignore one-off outliers.
Get It in Writing
A written quote with a fixed price (or clear hourly rate) protects you. Never accept a phone-only estimate.
Confirm Fleet Size
Ensure the truck size matches your volume. Overloaded trucks cause damage and delays. Ask if they have furniture blankets and tie-down straps.
4. Connecting Electricity & Gas
Without electricity connected on day one, you can't charge phones, run the fridge, heat water, or cook. Without gas, no hot showers or heating. Organising these connections in advance is simple, free, and takes less than five minutes through Connect2Move.
Electricity
- Compare market vs standing offers
- Check feed-in tariff if you have solar
- Review usage rates and supply charges
- Arrange 1–3 days before moving in
Natural Gas
- Not available in all postcodes
- Compare natural gas or LPG options
- Heating bill savings can be significant
- Allow 1–5 business days
5. Setting Up Internet & Water
In the era of remote work and video streaming, moving house without pre-arranged internet is a serious productivity risk. Water transfers are simpler — but still require action on your part before settlement day.
Don't Leave Internet Until the Last Minute
NBN connections take 2–10 business days. If you work from home, organise this at least 2 weeks before moving day or you'll be on mobile data.
Water accounts are managed by your regional authority (Sydney Water, Melbourne Water, SA Water, etc.) rather than a competitive market. Contact them directly to transfer the account into your name and arrange a meter reading on or before settlement day.
Check the NBN technology type at your new address first — it determines available providers and maximum speeds. FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) offers the fastest and most reliable connection, followed by FTTC, HFC, then FTTN.
6. Updating Your Address
Address updates are the most tedious administrative task of any move — and the most commonly left incomplete. Missed updates create real problems: wrong tax records, lost mail, delayed superannuation correspondence, and insurance coverage gaps.
Government
- ATO & myGov
- Electoral Commission
- Driver's Licence
- Medicare / DVA
- Centrelink
Financial
- Bank accounts
- Superannuation fund
- Credit cards & loans
- Share registry
- Insurance providers
Daily Life
- Australia Post redirect
- GP and specialists
- School enrolments
- Employer / payroll
- Subscriptions
Utilities
- Electricity provider
- Gas provider
- Internet / NBN
- Water authority
- Pay TV / streaming
7. Moving Day Tips
Moving day is where preparation pays off. Even the most carefully planned moves can feel chaotic — but with the right strategies, you can stay calm, stay on schedule, and arrive at your new home with everything intact.
Pack an essentials box the night before
Include toilet paper, kettle, mugs, chargers, a change of clothes, medications, and snacks. Load it last, unload it first.
Photograph meter readings at both properties
Timestamped photos of gas, electricity, and water meters protect you from billing disputes at both ends.
Do a room-by-room walkthrough before leaving
Check wardrobes, under beds, attic hatches, the garage, shed, and letterbox. You'd be amazed what stays behind.
Keep children and pets clear of the work area
Arrange a babysitter or pet care for moving day. Little feet in the path of removalists causes accidents and slows everyone down.
Tip your removalists
A cash tip of $20–$50 per person is customary for a great job and often results in noticeably better care of your furniture.
8. Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced movers fall into the same traps. Here are the six that cause the most stress — and how to sidestep them entirely.
Mistake
Booking removalists too late
Fix
Book 4–6 weeks ahead. Weekends and end-of-month dates fill up weeks in advance.
Mistake
Not decluttering before packing
Fix
Every box you don't pack saves you money and space. Moving is the perfect excuse to purge.
Mistake
Forgetting to forward mail
Fix
Set up Australia Post mail redirection for at least 3 months (~$35). Catches stragglers for months after your move.
Mistake
Leaving utility connections last-minute
Fix
Arrange electricity, gas, and internet at least 2 weeks out. Some take 10 business days.
Mistake
Wrong box sizes for heavy items
Fix
Books and kitchenware in small boxes. Bedding and pillows in large boxes. Overpacked large boxes cause injuries and breakages.
Mistake
Not reading the removalist contract
Fix
Understand insurance coverage, the claims process, and liability exclusions before anything is signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning my move?
Ideally, begin planning 8 to 12 weeks before your desired move date. This provides enough time to collect quotes, declutter, pack systematically, and arrange utility transfers without last-minute rush fees.
How do I connect electricity and gas at my new home?
You can arrange electricity, gas, and internet simultaneously through Connect2Move in one free call or online application. We coordinate directly with Australia's top retailers to ensure power and broadband are active on moving day.
Do I need to disconnect utilities at my old home?
Yes, you must notify your current energy and broadband providers to book final meter reads and account closures for your move-out date so you are not billed for subsequent occupants.
What is the cheapest way to move house in Australia?
Decluttering heavily before moving, sourcing free boxes from local stores, moving on midweek dates (avoiding peak Friday/weekend surcharges), and comparing removalist quotes with Connect2Move are proven ways to reduce moving costs.
How long does it take to get internet connected?
If the property already has active NBN equipment, connection can take 1 to 3 business days. If a technician visit is required for a new installation, allow 2 to 10 business days.
