Moving house is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful — and expensive — life events. Yet most people dramatically underestimate the total cost. Beyond the removalist quote, there are cleaning fees, storage, connection charges, new furniture, and dozens of small costs that add up to a far larger number than expected. This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget accurately.
Estimate your total moving cost: Use our Moving Cost Calculator to build a complete budget for your move.
What the Average Australian Move Actually Costs
The total cost of moving house in Australia depends heavily on distance, volume of belongings, and whether you're also buying and selling property. Here's a realistic overview:
| Move Type | Typical Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Local move (same city, 2-bedroom apartment) | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Local move (same city, 4-bedroom house) | $2,500–$6,500 |
| Interstate move (e.g. Sydney to Melbourne) | $4,500–$12,000 |
| Interstate move (e.g. Sydney to Perth) | $8,000–$20,000+ |
| Full service (pack, move, unpack) | Add 30–50% to above |
These figures are for the removalist alone. The full cost of a move — including all the items below — is typically 1.5–2.5× the removalist quote.
The Complete Moving Cost Checklist
1. Removalist Costs
Removalists typically charge either a flat rate (for interstate) or an hourly rate (for local moves). Hourly rates are $130–$200 per hour for a two-person team with a truck. Add a travel fee (usually 1 hour each way) and you can see how costs mount.
Key variables that increase removalist costs:
- Stairs (usually $50–$100 extra per flight)
- Furniture disassembly/reassembly
- Long carry distance (e.g., building with no loading dock)
- Large or awkward items (pianos: $300–$600; pool tables: $400–$800)
- Weekend or public holiday moves (20–30% premium)
Always get three quotes. Prices can vary 40% for the same job. Check Google reviews and verify they have public liability insurance before booking.
2. Packing Materials
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Moving boxes (20–50 boxes depending on house size) | $80–$200 |
| Tape, bubble wrap, packing paper | $40–$80 |
| Wardrobe boxes (2–3) | $40–$80 |
| Mattress bags | $20–$40 |
| Total packing materials | $180–$400 |
Free alternatives: Facebook Marketplace and local groups often have free moving boxes. Liquor stores and supermarkets frequently give away boxes. Wardrobe boxes are worth buying — they save significant time and protect clothing.
3. Cleaning Costs
Your old property needs to be left in a clean state. Your new property may need cleaning before you move in. End-of-lease cleaning is a legal requirement for renters and is scrutinised against the ingoing condition report.
| Cleaning Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| End-of-lease clean (apartment, 2-bed) | $350–$600 |
| End-of-lease clean (house, 4-bed) | $500–$1,000 |
| Carpet steam cleaning (per room) | $40–$80 |
| Oven and appliance cleaning | $80–$150 |
| Bond cleaning guarantee (some companies offer if inspection fails) | Included or $50–$100 extra |
4. Storage Costs
If there's a settlement gap between selling and buying, or a lease break, you may need storage. Storage units in Australian capital cities cost $150–$400 per month depending on size.
A 3-bedroom house typically fits in a 10m² storage unit (~$200–$300/month). For a brief gap (2–4 weeks), some removalists offer temporary storage as part of their service — ask about this when quoting.
5. Connection and Utility Fees
These are easy to forget and add up quickly:
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Internet connection / new contract setup | $0–$100 (often waived for new customers) |
| Gas connection fee | $50–$100 |
| Electricity connection fee | $0–$80 |
| Redirecting mail (Australia Post, 3 months) | ~$39 |
| Driver's licence / vehicle registration address update | $0 (online, but takes time) |
6. Real Estate Transaction Costs (if buying/selling)
If your move involves a property transaction, the costs are significantly larger:
- Stamp duty: $10,000–$60,000+ depending on property price and state. Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to get your exact figure.
- Conveyancing/legal fees: $1,500–$3,000 for purchase; $800–$1,500 for sale
- Real estate agent commission: 1.5–3% of sale price for selling
- Building and pest inspection: $400–$800
- Lenders mortgage insurance (if <20% deposit): $5,000–$30,000+
7. New Home Setup Costs
Most moves involve at least some new furniture or appliances, particularly if you're upsizing. These costs are easy to underestimate:
| Item | Budget Range | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Window furnishings (blinds/curtains) | $500–$1,500 | $800–$2,500 |
| Additional furniture | $500–$3,000 | $1,500–$8,000 |
| New appliances (if not included) | $0–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Garden equipment / tools | $0–$500 | $200–$1,000 |
| Touch-up paint and minor repairs | $100–$500 | $300–$1,000 |
How to Reduce Your Moving Costs
- Move mid-week. Removalists are significantly cheaper Monday–Thursday. Weekend rates carry a premium of 20–30%.
- Move in the shoulder season. January–February and June–August are peak moving periods in Australia (summer moves and end-of-lease cycles). March–May and September–November are quieter and often cheaper.
- Declutter before you quote. Removalists charge based on volume and weight. Every item you sell or donate before the quote reduces your cost. Use Facebook Marketplace — you can fund part of your move from items you no longer need.
- Pack yourself. Full packing services add 30–50% to removalist costs. If you have the time, packing yourself is a significant saving. Start 4–6 weeks out.
- Compare three quotes, not one. The variance between removalist quotes for identical jobs is often 20–40%. Always get at least three.
- Negotiate end-of-lease cleaning. Some landlords accept a lower cleaning standard for older properties. Check your condition report — if the property wasn't perfect when you moved in, you're only obliged to return it to that standard.
Creating Your Moving Budget
Use this framework to estimate your total moving cost:
Local move, 3-bedroom house — sample budget:
- Removalist (6 hours, 2 people + truck): $1,200
- Packing materials: $250
- End-of-lease clean: $600
- Carpet steam clean (3 rooms): $200
- Storage (2 weeks): $200
- Utility connections: $150
- Mail redirect: $39
- New home items: $1,500
- Total: ~$4,139
- Add 15% contingency: $4,760
Always add 15–20% contingency to your moving budget. Something always costs more than expected: the removalist runs over time, a cleaner finds additional work, or you discover you need new blinds on day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book removalists?
For local moves: 2–4 weeks in advance. For interstate moves: 4–8 weeks in advance, especially if moving during peak periods (January, June–July). Good removalists book out quickly. Once you have a settlement or lease end date, book immediately.
Do I need moving insurance?
Removalists carry public liability insurance for damage they cause, but coverage for damage to your possessions during transit varies. Check whether your home and contents insurance covers goods in transit — some policies do, some don't. If not, removalists typically offer transit insurance for 1–3% of declared goods value.
Can I claim moving costs on tax?
Generally no for personal moves. If you're relocating for work and your employer doesn't reimburse you, some moving costs may be deductible if they are directly connected to earning assessable income — but this is narrow and fact-dependent. Speak to a tax agent if this applies to you.
Build your moving budget
Use our calculator to estimate your total moving costs and avoid any nasty surprises.
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