According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 43 percent of Australians have moved home in the last five years. What is more, it’s expected that moving interstate is something many Australians are bound to do at some point in their lives.
It doesn’t matter if you’re moving for employment opportunities or a change of lifestyle. Because the states are different, so are the moving challenges. Here’s a crash course on interstate moving in Australia.
Quarantine laws
Australia is famous for its stringent quarantine laws, but not many people know that these apply between states, as well. Items like plants, animal products and agricultural equipment which may contain contaminants and soil are best left behind or given away prior to moving. You can find more about biosecurity zones within each state and territory on the Government interstate quarantine page, together with a downloadable traveller’s guide.
What you really need
When moving interstate, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to pack everything you have to the last nail. If you take time and effort to sort through your possessions and decide what you really need in the new home, you’ll cut down on moving costs, while providing some of the items to those who need them the most.
Many professional movers have partnerships with charities so they will readily pick up the items that burden you and donate them to those in need. Art and items of value can be placed for sale on Gumtree, Etsy or EBay.
Six weeks before the move
Find suitcases, boxes and other empty containers you already have. By using these, you’ll cut down on the number of packing items that need to be purchased. Seasonal items that no one will miss in the next six months can be packed first.
This includes seasonal clothing, holiday decorations, stored items, etc. Notify your utility companies, credit card companies and your bank about your move, so they can take your name off these services, or keep your cards and accounts active in the new location.
Choosing the removalist
At the first glance, moving house on your own is definitely the cheapest option, but once you start breaking down what’s involved, costs and complications start adding up. Home relocations require professionals with different specialities, from packing and storage to delivery and insurance.
For instance, these removalists from Inner West offer backload removal service – if you don’t have a lot of items, or your timetable is not too tight, they can load your boxes onto another moving truck, scheduled for the same destination. This way you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
If you still want to DIY
Hands down, if you don’t have a lot of items, making the trip yourself in your own vehicle is the fastest and the simplest way to move home. Still, you need to consider a few challenges.
Your car needs to be capable of making long distances safely, and you’ll add substantial mileage to your car in a short time. Long drives are also challenging for any pets you might have, especially if the space inside the vehicle is tightly occupied by moving boxes. Many removalist companies offer pet relocation so there’s one thing less to worry about.
Moving day
When the moving day finally arrives, all your packing needs to be done already. When you load the shipping container or the moving truck, instruct the movers which boxes go on the bottom – those holding heavier and sturdier items, while fragile items go on top.
Once your place is empty, take another tour of the cabinets and closets to make sure everything is taken out. Keep an overnight moving bag with you all the time – for important documents, bills, cash, keys, medicines, etc.
The interstate move can be a stressful experience, even for those who have moved a few times within the city limits. Hiring a company to help you with the move speeds the things up, but it’s more cost effective if you get organised and pack everything on your own before the truck arrives.