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Australia is a beautiful and naturally diverse country with spectacular white sand beaches, luscious tropical rainforests and vast desert landscapes. With its natural paradise and authentic laid-back lifestyle it is no surprise that people have flocked from all over the world to call Australia home.
However, as such an expansive country with an intricate network of cities and states, moving house can be trickier here than it is elsewhere in the world. Therefore knowing how to navigate a straightforward move is necessary. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, to create a smooth and trouble-free Aussie move:
Research – As Early As Possible
The first thing to consider when moving house is researching your future home as thoroughly as possible. A task that may not be exciting but is key to understanding the area you are moving to, here are some essential things to look into:
- Begin researching removalist companies
- Start collecting important documents in one place
- Research local schools or amenities that may have wait-list
- Plan your connection/disconnection of utilities
- Look into moving with pets
Hiring The Experts
A necessary step when moving house in Australia is looking into hiring professional removalists to help. For those moving interstate, removalists would be able to provide the bandwidth of expertise and functional practice that would be greatly required for such an extensive move.
Additionally, for those moving inner-city, finding a local removalist with proven experience in driving trucks within compacted regions could also be extremely helpful in avoiding potential accidents on route.
What to consider when finding a removalist company?
- Are they AFRA accredited? (Australian Furniture Removers Association)
- Do they offer Moving Interstate?
- Do you also need removalists to pack or unpack for you?
- Are they ‘Full Service Removalists’?
- Transparent pricing
Finding removalists that cover all of these points means that you can rest assured that your move is in good hands, automatically taking the pressure off your shoulders.
Essential Notifications (4-6 weeks before)
Life admin tends to be left to the last minute for the most part, but organising important documents with your new address will create a seamless entry into your new home. Update your address with:
- Australian Electoral Commission
- Medicare/ Healthcare providers
- Australian Taxation Office
- Banks and credit card companies
- Insurance providers
- Driver’s licence and car registration
- Superannuation fund
- Subscription services
- Gas and Utilities
- Internet and phone
Moving Pets
Ensuring your furry friends also have an easy ride is critical to any pet owner. If moving interstate it is important to make sure that any pets are fully vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.
Consider arranging professional transportation of pets in advance so that they do not get left behind. Specialised training may also be something to take into account, particularly if moving to more remote areas.
Despite its beauty, Australia’s wildlife can also be dangerous, snake training or recall training may be particularly important to ensure your pet’s safety.
Packing Strategy (2-4 weeks before)
Create a packing strategy that works best for you. Start with your least-used items such as out of season clothing like jackets or a winter quilt if moving in summer. If moving interstate, make sure to check the weather in the state you are moving to as temperature can vary greatly between states.
It’s also best to start packing early so that you don’t fall short of packing in a rush and misplacing items. Also take into consideration packing an ‘Essential Box’ for the day of arrival, filled with toiletries, clean sheets and other essentials.
With the help of expert removalists, packing and unpacking can all be assisted or completely taken care of. This may be something to consider if on a time-limit.
Moving Day Preparations (The Day Before)
Hopefully, if everything has gone to plan the day before the big move should be a fairly calm experience. With everything boxed up and admin tasks completed there are only a few things left to do before you can bask in the glory of your new home:
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator
- Charge all electronic devices
- Pack a personal overnight bag for travels
- Prepare snacks and drinks for the journey (particularly if it’s a long one)
- Collect all keys
- Check weather forecast
On the Big Day
With your trusted removalists in transport and an empty house left, there is only one thing left to move- the people. Make sure to give the house one last look around and don’t forget to lock the windows and doors. Finally, prepare to say your goodbyes as it’s out with the old and in with the new.
By following these simple steps, moving home in Australia should be a breeze.
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