Moving interstate in Australia: Everything you need to know

Australia is a huge and diverse country, where each state has its own laws, climate, and lifestyle. Moving from one state to another not only means adapting to new rules and customs, but also requires detailed planning and logistics.

If you are considering moving within Australia, whether for work, education, or simply because you are looking for a change in your living conditions, this article will provide you with all the key information and factors you should consider before taking the big step.

Planning

A move in Australia is not something that can be done overnight. The distances between states are huge, and you need to move all your belongings from one place to another. It is ideal to start planning and getting quotes as early as possible, at least 6-8 weeks before your planned moving date. This will give you enough time to organize all the logistics and avoid last-minute stress.

Do your research

First, you should research all the information you can about the state and city you wish to move to. If you have friends or acquaintances living in that city, contact them and ask them about their experiences, whether they are happy with the place, and if it meets their expectations.

Another option is to join social media groups for people from your country who live in that city. These groups are great because you can post a specific question, and usually, someone will answer. The other positive aspect is that these are people who grew up like you, likely have similar tastes or customs, and probably are interested in the same things.

Create a budget

Sit down and start writing an estimate of how much it would cost to move. If you’re moving for work, some companies cover part of the relocation, so it’s worth asking your employer if this type of compensation is available. In total, a move can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 AUD, depending on which part of Australia you’re moving to, how many belongings you have, whether you're moving alone or with your family, and if you have a vehicle or pet.

Plan a visit

I know it might be expensive, but try to visit the city first before moving to get a real feel of what living there would be like. Imagine yourself and your family living day-to-day in that city.

Visit the main sites and try to schedule house, apartment, or room inspections while you are there to get an idea of what you can get for that price.

Locate your workplace and see where would be a good place to live. Observe the transportation system, check if it is frequent, economical, or if you will definitely need to get a car.

Selecting your belongings

Start sorting out the things you really need and sell, or give away the ones you don’t. This task takes quite some time. Keep in mind that in some Australian cities, you can find second-hand furniture and appliances in good condition. However, in other cities, this is not as common, so it’s better to bring your own.

Executing the plan

Once you’ve decided that you want to move to that particular city, estimated the costs, and feel comfortable with your decision, start looking for companies that will move your belongings, finding housing in your new destination, and figuring out how to move your car.

Finding housing

The housing situation has been a bit challenging in recent years across Australia. Many cities are growing, and many new families are looking for places to live.

The recommendation is to start looking for housing in advance so that the end of your current lease coincides with the beginning of your new one. As I mentioned earlier, go and inspect homes in person—don’t trust photos alone.

If you still don’t have housing but need to move as soon as possible, then Airbnb can be a great option. They offer discounts for monthly stays and you can use it as a base while you search for your new home.

What about the car?

If you have a vehicle, you need to decide whether you want to drive it yourself or have it shipped. Remember, the distances in Australia are enormous, and you may not want to add so many kilometers to your car or you might not feel comfortable driving for so many hours. For example, a trip from Melbourne to Perth takes about 36 hours across the desert.

We hired a company called CEVA. It’s a shipping service where they pick up the car, load it onto rails, secure it, and transport it. We did this because we didn’t think our small Honda Jazz would survive such a long journey. The car took almost two months to arrive at our destination in Perth, and the total cost was $1844 AUD.

Moving all of your belongings

There are companies that handle the moving of all your belongings from one city to another or from one state to another. The cost varies depending on what you have. You can move the entire content of a house or apartment (furniture, beds, dressers, kitchen items), and the price is calculated based on volume, not weight.

When searching "companies for moving interstate in Australia" on Google, there are a lot of options and it can be really time consuming to try and understand which companies are safe to use and to get quotes. Most of them make you fill out long forms and online estimations based on your belongings. For example, if you have two mattresses, bed frames, a desk, living room and dining room furniture, you have to go through and check these items off a list every time.

Thankfully, we were recommended a service called Muval by a friend - they take your information once, and then get quotes from a bunch of companies that are part of their platform. Then you just choose the one you like best, and they help get the move booked in with that company. They have great reviews, and the communication was fantastic.

There are other companies with competitive rates, such as Taxibox. When we moved, Taxibox hadn’t yet expanded to Perth, but we have used them since to store furniture in a safe and easy way.

When you book the service, the company delivers a wooden box of eight cubic meters to your address. They park it as close as possible, leave it for a few days so you can start packing, and try to fit as much as possible into that space. When it’s ready, you close it, they pick it up and take it to your final destination. They can redeliver the box to most locations in Australia, so its great if you only have a few bulky items.

Keep in mind that if your belongings arrive at your destination and you haven’t found a home yet, Taxi Box offers storage services for an additional fee, for as long as you need. We've used them a few times and love the service - if you decide to use Taxibox yourself, sign up with our referral code 762685-PAL for $75 credit towards your first bill.

Packing

Get free boxes from the supermarket—usually, if you ask, they’ll give you a few. If you want something more sturdy and of a more uniform size, you can buy boxes from Bunnings. You can also purchase bubble wrap to pack delicate items like TV screens, computers, or china.

The recommendation is to label each box so you know the contents and fill them efficiently without wasting space to fit more items. At the end, you can make an inventory of how many boxes and packages you have, so you know what you’ve sent and what you’ll receive at the other end.

What to Do After Moving?

Once you are settled, there are a few things you must not forget, and here are the most important. Find ways to socialize with others; it’s crucial for your adaptation. Update your address in all services, and finally, register your driver’s license and vehicle.

Finding a Community

Once you’ve settled into the new city, it’s important to look for ways to integrate and build a support network. This part of the adaptation process is crucial, as having a social circle will not only help you feel less lonely but will also allow you to get to know the local culture better and feel more connected to your surroundings.

One of the best ways to start is to join activities that interest you or that you enjoy, such as signing up for a gym or joining a sport, which will not only benefit your physical well-being but will also give you the chance to meet people with similar interests. You can also participate in social events or meetups. Don’t underestimate the power of social interaction for your emotional well-being; even a simple coffee or a chat after an event or work can be the beginning of a new friendship or an opportunity to learn something new.

Change Your Address

Remember to update your address from your old one to the new one. There are many administrative, legal, and personal services where you need to update your address, and you can usually do this online. For example, at your medical center or Medicare, your bank, university, work, local traffic authority, or any subscriptions you have. This will help ensure that mail and packages stop arriving at your old address.

If you’re unsure whether you’ve updated all addresses, you can sign up for mail redirection with Australia Post. This service forwards all mail sent to your old address to your new one, even if it’s in another state. In English, the service is called the "mail redirection service," and you only need to pay a quarterly fee. Once you start receiving redirected mail, you’ll know where you forgot to update your address.

Register Your Driver's License and Vehicle

If you move to another state, you may need to transfer or update your driver’s license according to local laws. Each state has different rules, so it’s important to check the requirements on the local government’s website. For example, in Perth, you have three months to change your driver’s license to one from Western Australia.

To finalise

Moving from one state to another is not an easy process, both emotionally and logistically. As you’ve seen in this post, these are the most important aspects to consider when moving from one state to another state in Australia. We hope that you make a well-organized budget and are prepared when it’s time to start the move to avoid unexpected costs or having to make hasty decisions.