Your moving house checklist for a stress-free move

2 June 2026 * 7 minute read

Moving house is often listed among life’s most stressful events. And for good reason! Between coordinating logistics, managing finances, and ensuring nothing gets left behind, it can quickly feel overwhelming. A clear moving house checklist can help you stay organised, reduce stress, and make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible.

Our handy checklist approach encourages you to plan ahead using a structured timeline. Starting eight weeks out, the guide below breaks your moving house journey into manageable stages so you can stay in control and enjoy a stress-free move.

Key takeaways 

•  Plan ahead and stay organised: Start early, book movers, update your address, and line up utilities to avoid last-minute stress.
•  Declutter before you pack: Donate, sell, or discard unwanted items to reduce moving costs, save time, and simplify unpacking.
•  Pack smart for moving day: Label boxes clearly, protect fragile items, and prepare a “first night” essentials box for a smooth arrival.

Six to eight weeks before you move 

Plan ahead 

Eight weeks before your moving date, start planning the logistics and financial aspects of your move. Moving can be time consuming, and costs can soon add up, especially for long-distance relocations. 

Moving day can come around quickly, so it’s helpful to create a calendar with key tasks and dates to avoid last-minute stress. We’ve compiled a moving checklist (PDF 70KB) to help – download, print and stick it to the fridge, so you can tick off tasks as you complete them.

Set a moving budget 

Begin by setting a budget that accounts for:

• Removalist or moving company fees
• Packing supplies and packing materials
• Removals insurance and home and contents insurance updates
• Connection fees for utility providers
• Cleaning services
• Temporary storage or accommodation if required
• Unexpected or extra cost expenses

Confirm settlement dates with your lender and real estate agent. If you bank with multiple providers, notify other financial institutions early to prevent disruptions. It can be a good idea to do your sums well in advance, because moving house can be expensive. How expensive depends on the size of your move and the distance between locations, and on how much professional help you intend on enlisting. Our Budget Planner can help you work out how much you could afford. 

Create an inventory

Creating a detailed inventory list will help you understand what you own and how much you need to pack. It also helps when updating your insurance provider and filing claims if anything is damaged.

Your inventory should include:

• Major furniture and appliances
• Electronics
• Valuables such as artworks, antiques, or musical instruments 
• Important documents
• Fragile items needing extra protection
• Items requiring bubble wrap or special handling

This step helps determine how many boxes you’ll need and supports a smoother unpacking process.

Start organising and decluttering

Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter your house and reduce what you transport and unpack. 

You can categorise items depending on whether you want to keep them, donate items to charity, sell valuable goods online, host a garage sale, or dispose of broken or unwanted items responsibly. 

Return borrowed items and don’t forget library books or clothing at the dry cleaners. Decluttering reduces physical labour, lowers moving costs, and helps you save time when unpacking.

Get quotes and book a moving company

DIY moving can be more cost-effective and could be a useful choice for small or short moves. However, if you are moving long distance or have a big house, a professional removalist could help make your move go smoothly. 

Obtain quotes from multiple moving companies to satisfy your budget and needs. Here are a few things to consider before accepting a quote:

• Do you want the removalist to pack and unpack boxes?
• Do you need packing materials provided?
• Do you have any large or dangerous items that need special handling?
• Do you need separate transport of cars, trailers, boats or pets to your new home?

Many removalists charge by the hour, so to help make the most of their time, as well as maximise the space in the truck, it’s best to have all your items packed and labelled in boxes ahead of time. The quicker your removalist can work and the fewer trips they take, the lower the cost for you. You may want to compare: 

• Pricing structure
• Insurance coverage
• Availability
• Experience with fragile or specialty items

Once you’ve chosen a removalist, book early to secure your preferred moving day. If relocating far away, confirm long-haul logistics for long distance moves.

Four weeks before you move 

Check home and contents insurance

Moving house can be a great time to review your home and contents insurance policies. You may want to consider:

• Coverage during transit
• Protection for high-value belongings
• Coverage start date for your new house
• Cancellation or transfer for the old house

Be sure to contact your insurance provider to either cancel or roll over coverage to your new home. 

Arrange cleaning

Whether you choose to book professional cleaners or DIY, be sure to meet any end-of-lease requirements, such as oven cleaning, carpet steam cleaning, window cleaning, and pest control. Remember you’ll need to consider cleaning for both the old and new properties.

Buy or borrow packing boxes

Start collecting packing materials early. Ask local stores or online community groups for used packing boxes to reduce costs. When it comes to packing, materials should include sturdy boxes, packing tape, permanent markers for labelling, and bubble wrap for delicate items.

Two weeks before you move 

Packing tips 

Begin packing non-essential items several weeks in advance. 

● Label each box with its room destination and contents

● Create a colour-coding system

● Pack heavy items in small boxes

● Wrap fragile items with padding for extra protection

It can also be a good idea to prepare a first night box so you don’t need to unpack everything immediately. Don’t tape up the box since you’ll likely be adding to it right up until your move. You might like to include: 

• Toilet paper
• Phone chargers and mobile phone
• Basic kitchen items such as plates, cups, utensils and the kettle
• Pyjamas, towels, and toiletries
• Medications
• Bedding
• Snacks

An ‘unpacking box’ can also be helpful. Include cleaning supplies, scissors, screwdrivers, and tools such as Allen keys to assemble furniture and start unpacking. Having these items easily accessible may save you time and frustration as you settle into your new home.

New address details – who to notify? 

Make a list of the key people and organisations you need to inform about your change of address. Updating your address details can be essential to ensure uninterrupted services. Most companies can receive notifications and updates online. Here’s a list to get you started:

• Australia Post, to redirect your mail to your new address
• Energy suppliers
• Council and water rates
• Internet and phone providers
• Banks and financial institutions 
• Workplace, schools, or childcare providers 
• Superannuation provider
• Car, health and personal insurances
• Driver’s licence
• Car, trailer, caravan, or boat registrations
• Centrelink
• MyGov
• Medicare and your medical provider 
• ATO
• Electoral roll
• Insurance provider 
• Loyalty programs 
• Family and friends
• Subscriptions, Pay TV, or other services 

The final week countdown

Create a last-minute to-do list

There are a few essential tasks that need to be done just prior to moving. Make a separate checklist and allocate who’s doing what. Put the list somewhere visible so everyone in your household can see what they need to do, and when.

• Confirm removalist booking
• Finish packing
• Defrost fridge and dispose of perishable food
• Confirm key collection arrangements and identify all keys ready for delivery to the real estate agent or your conveyancer
• Back up important computer files
• Prepare TVs, routers and printers, and label all cables and remote controls. Take pictures on your phone before dismantling so you can remember where the wiring goes.

The day before moving:

• Charge phones and devices
• Empty rubbish bins
• Double-check cupboards and storage areas
• Disconnect appliances
• Take photos of utility meter readings
• Pack cleaning supplies for final touch-ups

Keep essential important documents in a safe, easy-to-access folder. And don’t forget to take photos of the old house for your memory bank!

On moving day… 

Make plans for kids and pets

Moving day can be chaotic. Having your little ones or your pets clear of the removalist will keep everyone safe. If possible, ask friends and family for help, or book daycare or pet boarding. 

The kids might like to pack their own small bag with a few favourite things that they can easily access on the first night in the new house. Similarly, pets will appreciate familiar bedding and some extra TLC to help them settle in. Keeping routines stable helps the whole family adjust to the move.

A final walk through 

If you’ve hired a removalist, be available for any questions but give them space once packing begins. Before the truck leaves, check your home, garage and shed to ensure everything is packed. 

Before handing over the keys:

• Check all cupboards and storage areas
• Remove rubbish and unwanted items
• Complete agreed cleaning requirements
• Confirm utilities have been disconnected
• Lock all windows and doors
• Leave instruction manuals or warranties for new occupants

Settling into your new home

At the new house, direct movers where to place boxes to make unpacking easier. Once you arrive, you might like to: 

• Check utilities are functioning
• Inspect the property for urgent repairs
• Assemble essential furniture
• Start unpacking key areas first
• Introduce yourself to neighbours
• Unpack gradually to avoid overwhelm and help everyone settle comfortably into the new home.

Enjoy your new home, you’ve earned it! 

To sum up 

A moving checklist can help you stay organised and in control during a major life transition. By planning early, decluttering, notifying the right organisations, and packing strategically, you can turn a potentially overwhelming experience into a manageable process.

Whether relocating across town or across the country, following this house checklist could help ensure nothing is overlooked. With careful preparation and support from friends, family, and trusted professionals, your move can be efficient, organised, and even enjoyable, setting the stage for a positive start in your new house.