Guide
Interstate moving checklist
Moving to another state is more than a long drive. Your car, your licence, the power and internet, the kids' school and the pets all need sorting before you go. This interstate moving checklist builds on our general moving checklist, with the extra steps a move between states brings.
Print it and tick it off as you go. If you get stuck, call us on 0420 247 109.
Your interstate moving checklist
Eight weeks before
- Get your price on the online form or by phone, and lock in your date. Ask us to price road and rail side by side if rail suits your route.
- Sort what you are keeping, selling or giving away. Every item you leave behind is one less to move a long way.
- Decide how your car gets there. If you are driving it, plan the trip so you arrive before the truck.
- If you have children, contact schools in the new area about enrolment.
Four weeks before
- Book storage if your old and new dates do not line up.
- Tell us about stairs, lifts, long carries and parking at both ends, using the access advice form.
- Plan the pets separately. Book their transport or plan their trip with you, and find a vet in the new area.
- Start packing the rooms you use least, and label each carton with its room.
Two weeks before
- Book the power, gas, water and internet at the new address, and set an end date at the old one.
- Redirect your mail and update your address with your bank, employer, insurer and doctor.
- Check your new state's rules for transferring your driver licence and car registration, and how long you have to do it.
- Use up frozen food and pantry items you do not want to move.
One week before
- Check whether you need a council parking permit for the truck at either end.
- Pack a bag of essentials to keep with you: documents, medicines, chargers, a change of clothes and a few kitchen basics.
- Read the dangerous goods and safety flyer and set aside anything our crew cannot carry.
- Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer the day before.
Moving day
- Be there, or have someone there, while the truck is loaded.
- Keep valuables, documents, medicines and your essentials bag with you, not on the truck.
- Walk through every room, cupboard, the garage and the garden shed before the truck leaves.
- Leave keys and remotes for the next people, and take final meter readings.
When you arrive
- Be there, or have someone there, for delivery. Our crew places everything room by room.
- Check the power, water and internet are on, and unpack your essentials bag first.
- Transfer your licence and registration within your new state's timeframe.
- Enrol with a local doctor and update your address on the electoral roll.
What makes an interstate move different
A local move can be fixed the same day if something is forgotten. An interstate move cannot. Your goods are on the road for longer, you are a long way from the old house once you leave, and each state has its own rules for drivers and cars. That is why the planning starts earlier.
- Your vehicle. Decide early how your car gets there. If you drive, plan the trip around the delivery date, and remember plants, perishable food and animals cannot go on the truck.
- Utilities in a new state. Providers can differ between states, so check who supplies your new address before you book the connection.
- Licence and registration. Each state sets its own rules and time limits. Check your new state's transport authority for what applies to you.
- Schools. Enrolment rules and term dates vary, so start the conversation with the new school early.
- Pets. We move your household goods, not animals. Plan your pets' trip separately.
- Essentials with you. Anything you need in the first days, or cannot replace, travels with you.
We give you the timing with your quote, so you can plan the rest around it. See Interstate removals for how we move between states, and our guide to what drives the cost of an interstate removal.
Questions
How early should I start planning an interstate move?
Around eight weeks gives you time to get a price, sort your things and book the car, school and utilities without a rush. If you are short on time, call us and we work out what to do first.
Do I need to change my licence and registration?
Each state sets its own rules and time limits for transferring a driver licence and car registration. Check your new state's transport authority before you move, so you know what applies to you.
Do you move pets?
No. We move your household goods. Plan your pets' trip separately, and make sure someone is with them on moving day.
What should I keep with me instead of on the truck?
Documents, medicines, valuables, chargers and anything you need in the first days. Our dangerous goods flyer lists items our crew will not carry, such as gas, fuel, paint and chemicals, as well as perishable food and plants.
Ready to book?
Tell us where you are moving from and to, what is moving and when. We send one price up front, before you book.