How Much Does a Removalist Cost? Real-Life Examples for Moving in Australia

Are you considering moving to a new home? Or moving interstate? Whether you’re moving locally, interstate, or across the country, understanding how much you can expect to pay is crucial for planning your move. To help you out, we’ve gathered real-life examples of removalist costs from across Australia. We often talk to people who are considering moving house, but they don’t factor in all of the expenses that come with a move. After reading this article, you will know exactly how much to budget for when hiring a removalist to move from city to city or state to state!

Hiring a Removalist: Your Options

First up, let’s understand what your options are when hiring a removalist. As with any service, there are variations that range from full-service moves to backloading or DIY. The right choice depends on your budget, timeline, and how much effort you’re willing to put in. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

1. Full-Service Removalist

Full-service removalists handle every aspect of your move, making it the most convenient option. This typically includes:

  • Packing your belongings (with or without packing materials provided).
  • Loading and unloading the truck.
  • Transporting your items to your new home.
  • Optional extras like insurance or storage.

This option is best for busy professionals, families, or those moving long distances who want a hands-off experience. Of course, the overall cost of a full-service removalist is substantially higher than other options, since you’re paying for the convenience of not having to worry about packing, loading or transportation.

2. Partial-Service Moves

If you’re looking to save some money but still want professional help, partial-service moves are a good middle ground. With this option:

  • You pack your belongings yourself.
  • The removalists handle the loading, transport, and unloading.

This option is best for those who are organised and have the time to pack but want to avoid the heavy lifting. Overall, this option is more affordable than full-service moves, but it still requires effort on your part. Also, bear in mind that if anything goes wrong – say an item breaks – it’s not always clear who is responsible. Was the item packed poorly? Then it’s your fault. Or did it break during transportation? Then it’s the removalists’ fault. Usually, it’s hard to track down what exactly happened. Given the lower price tag, it is no surprise that when it comes to damages or lost items, partial-service movers are more difficult to deal with than full-service movers.

3. DIY Move and Renting a Truck

If find the idea of a partial move too difficult, or don’t mind a bit of extra work and saving more money, then a DIY move with a rented truck is a fantastic option. With a DIY move, you are in control of everything: from packing to loading to transporting and ultimately, unpacking. All you need is the right vehicle. Luckily, there are many moving truck rental options. Best of all, these trucks, which can fit the contents of a 3-bedroom townhouse, can be driven with a standard car licence in Australia.

At Mobile Truck Rental, we provide 3-tonne Pantech Trucks that are ideal for moving. Best of all, we deliver a truck to you, and pick it up from you – anywhere along the East Coast (Victoria, NSW, Queensland – visit our locations page to see which areas we’re in or get a quote online). With our one-way rentals and door-to-door service, you never have to visit a rental site or worry about logistics.

Delivered to your Door!  We Drop Off – You Move – We Pick Up

  • Drive On A Car Licence
  • Automatic
  • 20m³ Pantech Body (4.2m long x 2.1m wide x 2.1m high)
  • Fits an average 3 Bedroom Unit
  • Latest Model Trucks
  • 750kg Rear Tailgate Lifter
  • Seats 3 Adults
  • Economical Diesel Engines
  • Air Con / CD / MP3 Player 
  • Free Trolley & Rope
  • Free Isuzu Roadside Assist (1800 947 898)

With a DIY move, you can enjoy significant cost savings compared to hiring a full- or partial-service removalist. This option is best for budget-conscious movers, small households, or those who prefer to handle their own packing and loading. It is also the most affordable option, especially for local or interstate moves.

4. Backloading

Backloading is a budget-friendly option where you share space on a removalist truck that’s already making a return trip. Backloading comes with its own pros and cons. For example:

  • Backloading is generally cheaper than hiring a dedicated removalist, as you’re only paying for the space you use.
  • One drawback is the longer wait times, as the truck may need to make multiple stops, i.e. your furniture is only delivered to you when the moving truck has delivered the other goods it has loaded.
  • There is also less flexibility with scheduling. You need to accommodate the backloading company’s schedule, rather than the other way around.

This option is best for cost-conscious movers who are flexible with timing and don’t need their belongings transported immediately. It is cheaper than dedicated removalist services, but you have less control over the process. Compared to a DIY move, backloading maybe cheaper or more expensive. With backloading, you often have to shop around for the best price. If you are lucky you can get a deal somewhere. If you’re unlucky and there are no trucks driving, you may have to wait until capacity opens up. With a removalist or DIY move, you are in control of your dates and you can confirm the cost right away by requesting a quote.

Yes, We Come to You. You Move. We Pick Up. One Way Possible.

You Only Need a Car Licence. 20m³ Pantech Body. All trucks come with a free trolley and rope, all have rear tailgate lifters and all are automatic.

For the best rates on Pantech Truck Hire, contact us today.

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How Much Does a Removalist Cost? Real-Life Examples for Moving in Australia

Now let’s speak about costs. Here’s a breakdown of what people are paying for removalists in different scenarios. We’ve added dates to these costs, so you can get a sense of what prices might be like today (expect them to be higher than a few years ago).

Removalist Cost Breakdowns in Australia

1. Sydney to Melbourne

  • Details: 3-bedroom house, full-service move (packing, loading, transport, unloading).
  • Cost: $4,500
  • When: 2023
  • Are you about to move from Sydney to Melbourne? Here’s our moving guide!

2. Brisbane to Perth

  • Details: 3-bedroom house, full-service move, including storage for 2 weeks.
  • Cost: $8,200
  • When: 2023

3. Melbourne to Adelaide

4. Canberra to Gold Coast

  • Details: 3-bedroom house, full-service move, including packing materials and insurance.
  • Cost: $4,500
  • When: 2023
  • Leaving the ACT to move up north? Here’s our Canberra to Gold Coast moving guide.

5. Perth to Darwin

  • Details: 3-bedroom house, full-service move, including storage for 1 month.
  • Cost: $7,200
  • Source: 2023

6. Sydney to Brisbane

7. Adelaide to Melbourne

8. Melbourne to Sydney

9. Brisbane to Cairns

  • Details: 3-bedroom house, full-service move, including packing and storage.
  • Cost: $6,500
  • Source: 2024

What Affects The Cost of a Removalist?

As you can see from the overview above, there can be large differences in the costs of hiring a removalist. Generally, five factors determine how much you’ll be charged by a removalist:

Distance: Interstate moves (e.g., Brisbane to Perth) are more expensive than local or shorter-distance moves.

Volume: Larger homes (e.g., 4+ bedrooms) cost more to move than smaller apartments.

Services: Full-service moves (packing, loading, transport, unloading) are pricier than partial-service or DIY options.

Timing: Peak moving seasons (summer, school holidays) often have higher rates.

Additional Services: Storage, insurance, and packing materials can add to the total cost.

To find the best deal, make sure to compare quotes, declutter and be flexible. Moving fewer things during mid-week or off-peak seasons can save you money – but always speak to several companies to compare prices.

Moving Truck Rental and DIY: Here’s What Our Customers Say

If after reading this article, you are considering a DIY move with one of our moving trucks, visit our testimonials page and hear from others who have decided to take charge of their own move!

Mobile Truck Rental - Testimonials