Moving House Checklist: Everything You Need in 2026
Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 11 min | Pillar: Moving
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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Moving house in Australia? Whether you're shifting suburbs or crossing state lines, the difference between a smooth move and a chaotic one comes down to one thing: preparation.
This comprehensive checklist covers everything from packing strategies to utility transfers, bond payments to final inspections — so nothing falls through the cracks.
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Quick Answer
Start planning 6–8 weeks before your move. Give your landlord proper written notice, book removalists early, update your address with government agencies, document your current property thoroughly before you leave, and document your new property thoroughly when you arrive. Your bond at both ends depends on that documentation.
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The Master Moving House Checklist
### 6–8 Weeks Before Moving
Tenancy & Legal - [ ] Check your lease for the required notice period (usually 14–28 days depending on state and lease type) - [ ] Give written notice to your landlord or property manager - [ ] Review your lease for any break fees if leaving before the fixed term ends - [ ] Check your bond lodgement details — confirm the amount and authority
Planning - [ ] Set your moving date (avoid month-end and school holidays for cheaper removalist rates) - [ ] Create a moving budget — include removalists, packing materials, cleaning, and bond for new property - [ ] Start researching your new area — schools, transport, GP, supermarkets - [ ] Get 3+ removalist quotes — prices vary significantly
Decluttering - [ ] Go room by room and decide: keep, donate, sell, or bin - [ ] List valuable items for sale on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree - [ ] Book a charity collection or council bulk waste pickup
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### 4–6 Weeks Before Moving
Removalists - [ ] Book your removalist — confirm date, time, access requirements, and insurance - [ ] Confirm whether they provide packing materials or you need to source your own - [ ] Ask about insurance for high-value items
Address Updates - [ ] Australia Post — set up mail redirection (minimum 3 months recommended) - [ ] Medicare — update via myGov - [ ] ATO — update via myGov - [ ] Centrelink — update immediately if you receive payments - [ ] Electoral roll — update at aec.gov.au - [ ] Bank(s) and credit cards - [ ] Superannuation fund - [ ] Insurance providers (home contents, car, health, life) - [ ] Vehicle registration authority - [ ] Employer (payroll and HR) - [ ] Children's schools or childcare
Utilities — Current Property - [ ] Notify electricity provider of your move-out date - [ ] Notify gas provider of your move-out date - [ ] Notify internet provider — check contract terms for early exit fees - [ ] Notify water authority if you pay water separately
Utilities — New Property - [ ] Connect electricity from move-in date - [ ] Connect gas from move-in date - [ ] Book internet installation (allow 2–4 weeks lead time) - [ ] Check water billing arrangements with new landlord
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### 2–4 Weeks Before Moving
Packing - [ ] Source packing materials — boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers - [ ] Start packing non-essential rooms first (spare bedroom, study, garage) - [ ] Label every box: room + contents + fragile if applicable - [ ] Pack a separate "essentials box" for moving day (see below) - [ ] Photograph valuable items for insurance records
Subscriptions & Memberships - [ ] Gym membership — cancel or transfer - [ ] Library membership — return books and cancel - [ ] Local clubs or associations - [ ] Streaming services — update billing address - [ ] Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
Medical - [ ] Transfer medical records to new GP if changing doctors - [ ] Collect repeat prescriptions to cover the transition period - [ ] Transfer dental records if changing dentists - [ ] Update pharmacy records
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### 1 Week Before Moving
Final Preparations - [ ] Confirm removalist booking — date, time, access, and any special instructions - [ ] Defrost and clean the fridge (at least 24 hours before moving day) - [ ] Disassemble large furniture that needs to be moved in pieces - [ ] Charge all devices — you may not have internet immediately at the new place - [ ] Confirm key handover arrangements with both old and new property managers
The Essentials Box Pack this separately and keep it with you (not in the truck): - [ ] Toiletries and medications - [ ] Phone chargers and laptop - [ ] Important documents (lease, ID, insurance) - [ ] Bedding and towels - [ ] Change of clothes for 2–3 days - [ ] Basic kitchen items (kettle, mugs, plates, cutlery) - [ ] Snacks, coffee, and water - [ ] Kids' essentials and comfort items - [ ] Pet food and supplies
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### Moving Day
At Your Current Property - [ ] Do a final walkthrough of every room — check wardrobes, under beds, garage, garden shed - [ ] Check all drawers, cupboards, and storage spaces - [ ] Be present while the removalists load — check the inventory list - [ ] Note any pre-existing damage to your belongings on the removalist's paperwork - [ ] Take meter readings (electricity, gas, water) — photograph them - [ ] Take photos of every room in the empty property - [ ] Clean the property (or confirm professional cleaners are booked) - [ ] Return all keys, remotes, and access cards - [ ] Lock up and photograph the exterior
At Your New Property - [ ] Take meter readings before unpacking — photograph them - [ ] Walk through every room with the entry condition report - [ ] Photograph every room, wall, floor, appliance, and fixture — before you unpack anything - [ ] Note any existing damage on the condition report - [ ] Test all taps, lights, appliances, air conditioning, and locks - [ ] Check smoke alarms are working - [ ] Return the signed condition report within the required timeframe (usually 3–7 days) - [ ] Keep a copy of the signed condition report and all photos
💡 RentWize Tip: Use RentWize's condition report tool to photograph your new property with GPS-stamped, timestamped evidence. This documentation is your most important protection for getting your bond back when you eventually move out. [Document your move-in →](https://rentwize.com.au)
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### After the Move
Immediate (First Week) - [ ] Unpack essentials first — kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - [ ] Check all your belongings arrived and nothing was damaged - [ ] Report any removalist damage within 24 hours (in writing, with photos) - [ ] Set up internet and utilities - [ ] Find your nearest GP, pharmacy, supermarket, and emergency services - [ ] Introduce yourself to neighbours
Within the First Month - [ ] Update driver's licence with new address (check your state's deadline) - [ ] Update vehicle registration if moving interstate - [ ] Register children at new school or childcare - [ ] Transfer to a new GP and dentist if needed - [ ] Update your home contents insurance policy with new address and any changes
Bond at Your Old Property - [ ] Submit your bond refund claim through your state's bond authority - [ ] Follow up if you don't receive confirmation within 14 days - [ ] If your landlord disputes the bond, respond in writing with your evidence
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End-of-Lease Cleaning Checklist
The most common cause of bond disputes is cleaning. Here's what to cover:
### Kitchen - [ ] Oven — inside, outside, racks, glass door (consider professional oven cleaning) - [ ] Rangehood and filters — degrease thoroughly - [ ] Stovetop and splashback - [ ] All benchtops - [ ] Cupboards — inside and out - [ ] Dishwasher — filter, seal, interior - [ ] Sink and drains - [ ] Floors — sweep and mop
### Bathroom(s) - [ ] Shower screen — remove soap scum and water marks - [ ] Grout and silicone — remove mould - [ ] Toilet — bowl, seat, base, behind - [ ] Vanity, mirror, and tapware - [ ] Exhaust fan - [ ] Floors — sweep and mop
### Bedrooms and Living Areas - [ ] Dust all surfaces, skirting boards, and light fittings - [ ] Windows — inside, and tracks - [ ] Sliding door tracks - [ ] Carpets — vacuum (professional steam clean if required by lease) - [ ] Hard floors — sweep and mop - [ ] Walls — remove scuff marks - [ ] Light switches and power points - [ ] Air conditioning filters and vents
### Outdoor Areas (if applicable) - [ ] Lawns — mow and edge - [ ] Gardens — weed and tidy - [ ] Paths and driveways — sweep - [ ] Garage or carport — sweep and clean
### General - [ ] Remove all personal belongings - [ ] Remove all blu-tack and fill picture hook holes - [ ] Clean light switches and power points - [ ] Empty and clean all bins - [ ] Return all keys, remotes, and access cards
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Packing Tips That Save Time and Money
### Room-by-Room Packing Order
1. Start with: Spare rooms, garage, storage areas (least used) 2. Then: Books, decorations, non-essential kitchen items 3. Then: Clothing (except current week's outfits) 4. Last: Daily essentials (pack these the night before)
### Box Labelling System
Label every box with: - Room (Kitchen, Master Bedroom, etc.) - Contents (brief description) - Priority (Unpack first / Can wait) - Fragile (if applicable)
### What NOT to Pack in the Moving Truck
- Important documents (lease, ID, passports, insurance)
- Medications
- Valuables (jewellery, laptops, hard drives)
- Irreplaceable items
- Your essentials box
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much notice do I need to give my landlord? A: It depends on your state and lease type. For a fixed-term lease ending at its natural conclusion, typically 14–28 days. For a periodic (month-to-month) tenancy, usually 21–28 days. Check your state's specific requirements.
Q: Do I need to professionally clean the property when I move out? A: You need to return the property to the same standard of cleanliness as when you moved in, accounting for fair wear and tear. Professional cleaning is only required if your lease specifies it AND it's enforceable in your state (mandatory professional cleaning clauses are unenforceable in some states).
Q: Can I get my bond back before I move out? A: No. Bond refund claims can only be submitted after you've vacated the property and returned the keys.
Q: What if I find damage at my new property after I've already returned the condition report? A: Contact your property manager in writing immediately. While the condition report deadline has passed, documenting newly discovered issues promptly is still important — especially if they affect habitability.
Q: How long does it take to get my bond back? A: If your landlord agrees to a full refund, most state bond authorities process refunds within 14 days of the claim. If there's a dispute, it can take 6–12 weeks through tribunal.
Q: What happens if I leave things behind when I move out? A: Your landlord can charge you for the cost of removing abandoned items. Remove everything — including items in the garage, garden shed, and any storage areas.
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Related Articles
- [Moving Interstate: The Complete Checklist →](/moving-interstate-checklist)
- [How to Get Your Bond Back: The Complete Guide →](/how-to-get-bond-back)
- [Exit Inspection: How to Leave Your Rental Spotless →](/exit-inspection-checklist)
- [How to Handle a Rental Bond Dispute →](/how-to-handle-bond-dispute)
- [The Complete Guide to Finding Flatmates in Australia →](/finding-flatmates-australia)
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Move Smart. Protect Your Bond.
RentWize keeps your tenancy documentation in one place — condition reports, move-in photos, maintenance logs, and bond details — so you're protected from day one to move-out day.
[Start your moving checklist with RentWize — it's free →](https://rentwize.com.au)
RentWize, Live Wiser.
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This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Tenancy laws vary by state and are subject to change. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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