Interstate Moving Guide: Planning a Cross-Country Move in Australia
Moving interstate is a different exercise from a local move. The distances involved — Sydney to Melbourne is 880km (547 miles), Melbourne to Perth is 3,400km (2,113 miles) — change the economics of what you transport yourself versus what you ship, hire, or leave behind.
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The Fundamental Interstate Moving Decision
Before packing a single box, answer these questions:
How far are you moving?
Under 500km (310 miles): DIY truck hire is usually cost-effective. 500km–2,000km (310–1,243 miles): the economics shift toward partial or full removalist services. Over 2,000km (1,243 miles): a full removalist is almost always the right financial and practical choice.
How much are you moving?
A studio apartment: a single van or trailer trip. A 3-bedroom house: 20+ cubic metres of goods, requiring a full truck and/or removalist.
What's your timeline?
If you need items immediately at the destination, you either drive them or pay for express shipping. If you have flexibility, sea freight or backload removalists can cut costs by 40–60%.
What to Transport in Your Car vs Ship
Transport in Your Car
- • Valuables and irreplaceable items
- • Important documents (originals)
- • Electronics you'll use immediately
- • Medications and medical equipment
- • Items you'll need on arrival night (clothes, bedding, toiletries)
- • Pets
- • Plants (where permitted by state biosecurity laws)
Ship or Leave Behind
- • Bulk furniture (beds, sofas, wardrobes)
- • White goods (often cheaper to sell and rebuy)
- • Boxes of non-urgent items
- • Garden furniture and tools
- • Exercise equipment
- • Items not used in past 12 months
- • Anything you're unsure about keeping
Shipping Options for Interstate Moves
Full-service interstate removalists
$3,000–$12,000+ for a 3BR houseHandle packing, loading, transport, unloading, and sometimes unpacking. Best for large moves and those without time or physical capacity to self-manage.
Backload / part-load removalists
$800–$4,000 for a 3BR houseYour goods share a truck with other customers' moves going the same direction. Significantly cheaper, but delivery windows can be 2–3 weeks rather than a fixed date.
Self-drive truck hire (interstate)
$400–$1,200 for a 3BR house (fuel extra)Highest control, lowest cost, highest effort. Large one-way truck hire is available from major hire companies. Factor fuel costs carefully — a large truck covers 8–12L/100km (20–29 mpg).
Shipping containers / freight
$600–$2,000 per containerFor moves to WA or QLD from the eastern states, sea or road freight containers can be cost-effective. Items are loaded, sealed, and delivered to destination.
State Biosecurity: What Can't Cross Borders
Australia's states have strict biosecurity laws about what can be transported across borders — particularly relevant for interstate moves. Common restrictions:
- Western Australia: The strictest restrictions — many fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, honey, and untreated timber are prohibited. Check the WA DPIRD website before packing anything that grew in a garden or came from a farm.
- South Australia: Restrictions on stone fruit, grapes, and various plant materials to protect SA's wine and fruit industries.
- Tasmania: Island quarantine applies — most fresh produce cannot be brought on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry.
- General rule: If it's a plant, soil, food, or came from a garden, check the destination state's biosecurity rules before loading it in your car.
Plan What Fits in Your Car
Use stowey to determine exactly what you can fit in your car for the drive — and what needs to be shipped.
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