Moving interstate in Australia
Advice to help when moving interstate across Australian to a new home. Whether moving to a state capital or a regional area, moving a greater distance requires a bit more planning. Here are some suggested approaches to make it easier.
Allow some time - don't rush your move
While there is an existing movers guide and checklist on the Powershop website, if you are moving interstate there can be additional things to consider to help make your move a smooth one. When you're just moving across suburbs or to a town, not so far away, backtracking to collect forgotten items is not such a big deal. But Australia is a big place, and if you're moving across the country or resettling in Sydney or Melbourne, moving to Queensland or South Australia, there can be big logistics to consider, and even more changes to manage than with smaller relocations.
Having plenty of time to plan is helpful with any move, but especially so when going interstate. Two months is a good buffer, but you may not have that luxury. Try to have at least 6 weeks if you can to keep it manageable. Specialist interstate removalists will be able to give you helpful advice, but there are other things to consider like making sure you've got enough time to declutter the place you are leaving and compare energy plans to make sure your utilities are all lined up for your destination.
You might even want to create a moving timeline. You can make that as detailed as it needs to be, but do cut yourself some slack. There's a fair chance some obstacles will come up along the way, but at least a general timeline can be handy to give you a list and a sequence you can monitor as you progress.
Decluttering before you pack
This is wise information even when you're moving a couple of suburbs away. But for longer interstate moves around Australia, you'll definitely be wanting to get rid of as much stuff as possible. Don't move something from Sydney to Melbourne only to then decide you probably don't need it. Throw out as much as possible and try to be ruthless. There is more detailed info on decluttering elsewhere in our energy insights articles, but in a nutshell, here are five key points.
Start early - If you can declutter as much as possible at least a month out before you move it will cause a lot less stress and give you time to make more considered decisions.
Go room by room - Plan to tackle one piece at a time. This will help the task to not be too overwhelming, and it allows you to be focused and make sure that no area gets overlooked.
Limit sentimental items - Photos can be digitised, and so can every other thing kept on paper. If you're keeping old letters, kids' artwork and paper souvenirs, trim it down to the essentials and take a photo on your phone for a quick digital version.
Get sorting - Streamline the decluttering process by putting things into piles. Everything will go into one of four piles:
◦ Keep it.
◦ Sell it.
◦ Donate it.
◦ Things to throw out.Can I throw this out? - If you're not sure if something should stay or go, consider if you've used it in the previous 12 months. If keeping something is a 'maybe' and you haven't used it for over a year, you can probably just get rid of it.
How much does it cost to move interstate?
That depends. Moving from Albury to Wodonga is not the same as from Adelaide to the Gold Coast. However, regardless of how far you are moving, backloading can be a budget-friendly option that will help save costs with your move (more on this below). Also compare interstate removalists as their rates can vary and different movers may have more competitive rates for particular routes.
How to choose an interstate moving company
Check reviews online to get a sense of who is available, but word of mouth recommendations from friends and family are super helpful. Even if someone you know who has moved interstate has given a solid recommendation still do your own research. Check that the companies you're considering are licensed and insured.
Ask the companies you're considering to provide you with a written estimate, but don't use price alone to make your decision. One may be cheaper but consider reviews of their service and quality. Use your judgement and take into account how responsive they are with their customer service, and their experience and reputation for long-distance interstate moves.
What is backloading?
If you share truck space with someone moving in the same direction as you, you can take advantage of left over space in their truck with your belongings. You only pay for the space your things take up and this can be at a cheaper rate as moving companies want a fully loaded truck for the journey. Backloading can help to save on your overall move cost but will require you to be flexible with scheduling as your things are being moved with other people's belongings.
State to state move logistics
Utilities and address changes
Some service providers operate Australia wide, while others just in some states. You may be able to stay with the same companies for some services as you move interstate, if so, you'll need notify them of your new address. It is likely you will need to update some services be it internet, water, electricity and gas.
Remember Powershop provides electricity to homes throughout NSW, VIC, SA and South-East QLD. We also sell gas in areas of VIC and NSW. When you compare energy plans with Powershop you'll be able to see all our electricity and gas plans that are available at your new address.
Planning around schools and kids
If you've got school aged kids, research and reach out to schools in your new area. Talking to the schools you can make sure you understand their enrolment process and any differences in your new state. Keep your kids involved and try and visit the new school before they start. Make sure you've got school reports and immunisation records as the new school will need these in the admission process.
Packing to make your life easier
Careful labelling with your packing will make your life easier when you get to your new home. It can also be reassuring to know what has been packed already. A few tips:
Use sturdy boxes that can hold the weight of their contents.
Label the boxes with a destination room and a rough list of contents.
Colour code your labels so boxes can be categorised at a glance.
Make sure anything fragile is labelled as such and has plenty of protective wrapping in the box.
Avoid overpacking and stuffing things into boxes.
Take photos of cable layouts for TVs and computers to make your tech set up at your new home go more smoothly.
There's no one perfect way to move interstate, but these suggestions above should make things that bit easier.
Moving day tips
Plan the route and timing
When planning long distance moves around Australia, it helps to have your route mapped out ahead of time. Between capitals might be more straightforward, but if you’re moving between regional areas planning will help.
General pointers:
• Check traffic updates, and plan rest stops.
• Start early to avoid peak traffic.
• For electric vehicles, map out charging stations along the way and ensure your vehicle is fully charged before departure.
If you’re moving and have an electric vehicle, Powershop has EV specific plans you can compare.
Whether you’re travelling via EV or not, it’s still good to take breaks every two to three hours. This helps you to stay alert and drive safe. Be especially cautious if you’re driving a moving truck or unfamiliar vehicle for the move. It may take some adjustment if you've rented a truck, and be harder to control than what you are used to driving.
Settling in to your new home and new state
Settling into a new home in a new state can be exciting, but also challenging. If you explore your new neighbourhood – cafes, parks, gyms, sports centres you can get a sense of the place and become more familiar with the faces in your new community.
It can be useful to join local groups or clubs that match up with what you’re into. Be it gardening, sports or other interests, you’ll begin to feel much more at home as you make some connections in your new community.
Give yourself time to adjust, but do try and lean into whatever the differences are with pace and lifestyle in your new area. Stay open minded and curious and enjoy this exciting new chapter in a new home.