The Ultimate Guide
to Moving House in
Australia The Ultimate Guide to
Moving House in Australia

1. Planning Your 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.

1

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

2

4–8 Weeks Out

Arrange utility connections for new address

Source packing boxes and materials

Redirect Australia Post mail

Notify Medicare, ATO, and schools

3

1–4 Weeks Out

Pack non-essential items first

Confirm removalist booking in writing

Update driver's licence address

Arrange pet and plant transport

4

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.

Essential Moving Checklist

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

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.

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.

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.

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