Quick Answer
Moving house involves dozens of decisions across weeks or months — packing, logistics, utilities, paperwork and, for international moves, customs and sea freight. The most important thing to do first is to set your move date, book your moving company early, and work backwards from there with a structured checklist. Good preparation makes the difference between a stressful move and a smooth one.
Introduction
There are very few life events that carry the emotional weight of moving house. Whether you are relocating across a Sydney suburb, moving interstate from Melbourne to Brisbane, or shipping your family’s belongings to Dubai, Singapore or India – a house move touches everything at once. Your routine. Your children’s school. Your sense of home.
Research consistently shows that moving house ranks among the most stressful life events most people experience. Not because moving is inherently difficult but because without the right preparation, it tends to be disorganised, rushed and more expensive than it needed to be.
This guide is a practical, experience-based resource for Australians at any stage of planning a move. It covers what to do first, a detailed week-by-week checklist, honest guidance on costs, the key differences between local, interstate and international moves, and the mistakes that catch even well-prepared families off guard.
Helpful Tip: Whether you are moving locally or planning an international relocation to destinations like Dubai, India or Singapore, the principles of good preparation are the same. The scale and documentation requirements differ but starting early and staying organised applies to every move.
What To Do When Moving House - Where to Start
The single most common piece of advice from families who have moved is this: start earlier than you think you need to. The planning side of a move takes longer than the packing side.
Here is a practical sequence of what to address when you first decide to move house.
1. Set Your Move Date as Early as Possible
Everything else in your planning works backwards from the move date. If you are moving for a specific reason – a job start date, a school enrolment, or a visa activation – your move date is fixed.
If you have flexibility, choose a date that gives you at least 8–10 weeks of preparation time.
For international moves, this lead time matters even more. Sea freight from Australia to destinations like Dubai or India operates on vessel schedules, and earlier booking gives you significantly more choice on sailing dates and container types.
2. Declutter Before You Pack – Not While You Pack
Going through your home before packing day is one of the most valuable things you can do.
Every item you decide not to take reduces your volume and if you are paying by cubic metre or truck size, that reduction directly impacts your overall moving cost.
Room by room, ask yourself:
- Have I used this in the last 12 months?
- Would I buy it again today?
If the answer is no, sell it, donate it or dispose of it before the packing team arrives.
3. Organise Your Paperwork and Important Documents
Create a single folder – physical or digital for every document related to your move.
This includes:
- Rental agreements
- Property settlement documents
- Insurance policies
- School records
- Passports and visas
- Employment letters
- Customs paperwork for international moves
Important documents should always travel with you personally, never inside moving boxes.
4. Book Your Moving Company
For local moves, aim to book 4–6 weeks in advance.
For interstate moves, book 6–8 weeks ahead.
For international relocations, contact your moving company as soon as your destination is confirmed ideally 10–14 weeks before departure.
A reputable moving company like Star Moving will conduct a free volume assessment, confirm your container option and provide an all-inclusive quote before you commit.
5. Notify Organisations About Your New Address
Start with:
- Your bank
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Medicare
- Australian Electoral Commission
- Superannuation fund
- Employer
- Insurance providers
- Australia Post
For international moves, notify the ATO about any residency status changes, as this may affect your tax obligations.
6. Organise Utilities and Services
Arrange electricity, gas, internet and water disconnections and reconnections before your move date.
If you are moving into a new-build property or previously vacant home, allow extra time for utility activation.
The Complete Moving House Checklist - Week by Week
📅 8 Weeks Before Moving
✔ Confirm your move date and book your moving company
✔ Arrange a volume assessment
✔ Begin decluttering every room
✔ Arrange school transfers if required
✔ Review insurance policies
✔ Collect passports and visa documents for international moves
✔ Start sourcing packing materials
📅 4 Weeks Before Moving
✔ Arrange mail redirection through Australia Post
✔ Notify organisations of your new address
✔ Organise utility transfers
✔ Arrange internet connection at your new home
✔ Begin packing non-essential items
✔ Label boxes clearly
✔ Arrange pet transport if needed
📅 2 Weeks Before Moving
✔ Continue packing remaining rooms
✔ Confirm moving dates and times
✔ Arrange truck parking access
✔ Organise childcare if necessary
✔ Notify neighbours if truck access may impact parking
📦 Moving Week
✔ Pack final rooms
✔ Clean progressively as rooms empty
✔ Charge electronics
✔ Prepare your essentials box
✔ Take utility meter readings
✔ Confirm delivery instructions with movers
🚚 Moving Day
✔ Walk movers through the property
✔ Check every cupboard, shed and storage area
✔ Photograph existing property damage
✔ Sign inventory documents carefully
✔ Keep keys and access cards with you
🏠 After Moving
✔ Unpack essentials first
✔ Photograph any damaged goods
✔ Update remaining addresses
✔ Register children at their new school
✔ Update vehicle registration address if required
💡 Helpful Tip: Pack one essentials box containing chargers, medications, toiletries, basic kitchen items, important documents and one change of clothes. This should be the last box packed and the first one opened.
How to Move House Efficiently
Choose the Right Moving Company – Not Just the Cheapest Quote
Two moving quotes can look similar while covering completely different services.
Before accepting any quote, ask:
- Does it include professional packing?
- Is insurance discussed?
- Are customs services included for international moves?
- What happens if goods are damaged?
For international moves, working with a company like Star Moving that manages both origin and destination processes significantly reduces customs risks and delays.
Professional Packing vs DIY Packing
For local moves, self-packing may work well if you have enough time and quality materials.
For international sea freight, professional packing offers major advantages:
- Export-grade materials
- Fragile item protection
- Accurate packing inventories
- Better customs documentation
- Reduced damage risk during ocean transit
Plan Access at Both Ends
Parking access often becomes a last-minute issue.
For apartment buildings or CBD locations:
- Check loading zone rules
- Arrange parking permits if required
- Notify building management early
Do the same for your destination property.
Managing Fragile and High-Value Items
Artwork, antiques, mirrors, electronics and musical instruments often require specialty packing.
For international relocations, notify your movers in advance so appropriate materials and creating solutions can be prepared.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a House?
The honest answer is: it depends.
Moving costs vary based on:
- Volume of goods
- Distance
- Access conditions
- Packing requirements
- Storage needs
- Destination country
- Freight method
For international moves, destinations like Dubai, India, Singapore and the Philippines each have different shipping and customs profiles.
⚠️ Worth Knowing: The most accurate way to understand your moving cost is through a professional volume assessment. Generic online calculators rarely reflect real-world moving requirements.
Why the Cheapest Quote Isn’t Always the Best Option
A cheaper quote often reflects what has been excluded.
For international relocations, missing costs may include:
- Destination customs coordination
- Port charges
- Delivery fees
- Storage
- Insurance
- Documentation handling
An all-inclusive quote from a reputable mover is usually more transparent and reliable long-term.
Local vs Interstate vs International Moving
Factor | Local Move | Interstate Move | International Move |
Timeline | Hours to 1–2 days | 1–3 days | 6–12 weeks |
Logistics | Truck & crew | Interstate transport | Sea freight container |
Packing Complexity | Standard packing | Reinforced transit packing | Export-grade packing |
Documentation | Minimal | Moderate | Extensive customs documentation |
Customs | Not required | Not required | Required |
Insurance | Recommended | Important | Critical |
Lead Time | 1–4 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 8–16 weeks |
Managed By | Local removalist | Freight/removalist | International moving company |
Common Moving Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Underestimating Packing Time
Packing always takes longer than expected.
A typical three-bedroom home can require 2–3 full days of organised packing.
Poor Labelling
A box labelled “Kitchen” helps.
A box labelled “Kitchen — kettle, mugs, coffee supplies” helps much more.
Label clearly on multiple sides.
Not Checking Insurance
Standard carrier liability often covers very little during sea freight transport.
For international relocations, marine cargo insurance covering full replacement value is strongly recommended.
Leaving Customs Paperwork Too Late
International customs documentation must be detailed and accurate.
Incorrect or vague inventories can cause customs delays, storage fees and clearance complications.
Hiring Based Only on Price
Experience, communication and documentation management matter significantly more than a headline price difference.
Especially for international moves.
Final Thoughts - A Move Is More Than Boxes
Every item packed into a moving box carries personal meaning.
Moving house is fundamentally a personal transition that happens to involve logistics.
When the logistics are managed properly – professional packing, organised documentation, reliable communication and experienced customs handling – the moving process becomes significantly less stressful.
That allows families to focus on what actually matters: settling into the next chapter of their lives.
FAQ's
Choose your move date and book your moving company early. Then create a structured checklist and timeline.
Costs vary depending on volume, distance, packing requirements, storage and access conditions. A professional assessment provides the most accurate estimate.
- Local moves: 4–6 weeks
- Interstate moves: 6–8 weeks
- International moves: 10–14 weeks
Start with seasonal items, books, spare rooms and storage areas.
Leave daily essentials until the final days.
For international relocations, marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended due to limited carrier liability coverage.
Common requirements include:
- Passport copy
- Packing inventory
- Customs declaration
- Bill of lading
- Visa documentation
- Insurance certificate
Requirements vary depending on the destination country.
