Moving Planner
Moving house checklist
This moving house checklist details all the major tasks and when you need to complete them ahead of moving day. We’ve covered all the tasks for local moves, moving between cities and moving overseas. Every move is different, so use this checklist as a guide, and if you’re unsure about the timing for each task, always give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.
Four weeks before moving day
- Book your moving company to ensure you can get moved on the day that suits you best. We’ll need a detailed list of everything you need moved, so allow time for a pre-move assessment. If anything changes, let us know.
- For your protection, we recommend getting moving insurance, which covers you from when we take possession of your belongings to when we deliver them.
- If you have school-aged children, let your school or daycare know you’re moving. If they have to change schools, organise to get any records transferred.
- If you will be changing doctors, dentists or any other medical professionals, get a copy of your medical notes or arrange to get them transferred.
- If you’re moving overseas, obtain visas, residency and work permits. Check that your passports are up-to-date and arrange any necessary vaccinations.
- Begin packing as soon as you can if you’re doing it yourself. Packing is a big job, and it takes time. Check out our moving tips for advice about packing yourself.
- As you pack and empty each cupboard or room, clean as you go. Sell, donate or dispose of any unwanted furniture and items.
- Eat down your fridge, freezer and pantry. Don’t replace food items unless necessary.
- Organise a farewell party.
Two weeks to moving day
- Contact the post office and get your mail redirected. If you have any regular subscriptions that come through the mail, contact the providers about your change of postal address.
- Return anything you’ve borrowed from friends, neighbours or the library.
- If you have children, arrange for someone to look after them for you on moving day.
Contact as many of the following service providers as necessary to let them know about your change of address:
- Bank
- Phone and internet provider
- Electricity and gas company
- Subscription TV
- Insurance company
- Tax department
- Electoral Registrar
- Doctor and dentist
- Other medical specialists
One week to moving day
- Complete and return any documentation relating to your move to us.
- Complete any last-minute property maintenance before moving day.
- Mow the lawns and take any garden waste or rubbish from the property to the tip.
- Purge all gas cylinders at a registered testing station.
- Prepare a package for your children during the move with a change of clothes, food and drinks and an activity they will enjoy.
The day before moving day
- Defrost and clean your fridge and freezer.
- Disconnect sound systems, computers, televisions, appliances (where possible) and other electronic devices. Tie up cords and package them in the original boxes if you still have them.
- Put all your important documents in one place.
- Empty fuel from mowers, line trimmers, chainsaws, heaters, lamps and stoves etc before removal.
Moving day
- Call your power company with your final reading if you don’t have a smart meter.
- Complete any final cleaning tasks required and check your home thoroughly to make sure nothing will get left behind.
- Check that you have turned off the water, gas and electricity, and turn off your hot water cylinder if you have one.
- Make sure you lock all the doors and windows.
- Give all your old house keys to the new owners or rental company.
- Enjoy your move.