6 Real-Life Cost Breakdowns Of Moving Interstate in Australia

Is your next move taking you from Queensland to NSW? Or from Victoria to Queensland? If you’re considering moving in Australia, chances are you are moving interstate. In the years before COVID, almost half a million Australians moved to a new state or territory every year. The number has dropped since. Though, at nearly 400,000, there are still a lot of Australians who call a new state their home every year!

In our “5 Tips for a Stress-Free Interstate Move” guide, we give practical advice on how to make sure your interstate move goes as smoothly as possible. In this article, we break down the costs of moving interstate.

How Much Does It Cost to Move Interstate? – Cost Factors

Interstate moves are known to be expensive. Let’s understand the cost drivers Before we delve into the precise costs.

1. The Volume / Amount of Items To Be Moved

The precise cost of moving interstate depends on the amount of furniture, equipment and boxes that you are transporting. Removalists estimate costs based on volume. The more things there are, the longer it takes to pack, load and unload them. The more things there are, the larger the trucks needs to be. That’s why decluttering is a good money-saving strategy when moving houses.

2. The Distance You Require Items To Be Transported

The next cost is fuel. Naturally, a move from Cairns to Sydney is likely to cost you more than a move from Cairns to Brisbane. There are some variations to this. If items can be shipped (sea freight), a long-distance move may be cheaper than a short-distance move that relies on trucks. However, as a rule of thumb, long-distance moves will cost more because of the higher fuel consumption and travel time.

3. The Time Required to Complete The Move

Moving is labour-intensive. For a small 3-bedroom household, expect a removalist to have a team of 2 to 4 people packing, loading and supervising. If you require additional services, such as packing of valuables, furniture assembly or packing, expect to pay extra for the additional time required to complete the move. Some removalists may also choose to include the time taken to travel from their headquarters to your premises as well.

4. The Time Of The Year

Often overlooked but equally important is the time of the year and even the time of the week that you are looking to move. Removalist companies typically charge much more in the holiday seasons and extra expenses will be incurred for those looking to move on a weekend as opposed to a weekday.

5. Logistics

Logistics can make a difference to the cost of your interstate move. Moving out of a Sydney ground-floor apartment that’s easily accessible from the road and into a Melbourne townhouse with its parking doesn’t require much additional planning. However, if you are moving out of a 4-storey walk-up flat into a remote house at the end of a gravel road, it will cost you extra.

Interstate Moves: Cost-Saving Strategies

A great way to move interstate without breaking the bank is a DIY move. All you need is a moving truck and a few mates to help you, and you’re good to go!

With our one-way truck rental, you can move interstate from A to B without having to return the vehicle to its original location. Plus, we deliver the truck to you and pick it up again once you are done moving. We drop off and pick up from almost anywhere on the East Coast, as far south as Adelaide and north as Cairns.

Our 3-tonne Pantech trucks have enough cargo space for the contents of a 3-bedroom townhouse and come with a handy hydraulic tailgate lifter. Best of all, you only need a standard C-licence to drive one!

Moving Interstate: Cost Breakdowns

Here’s a summary of cost estimates for moving interstate in Australia, based on real-life examples and industry averages. These are estimates. As stated above, costs will vary significantly depending on the distance, volume of goods, and services included! As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay anywhere from AU$2,500 for an interstate move. An average household is likely to cost around AU$4,500.

1. Sydney to Melbourne

Here’s our first example. Let’s say, you are moving the contents of a 3-bedroom townhouse from Sydney to Melbourne. This will likely cost you in the range of AU$2,500 to AU$5,000. This cost estimate is for a full-service move and includes packing, loading, transport and unloading, as well as packing materials and insurance.

2. Sydney to Brisbane

For a larger interstate move from Sydney to Brisbane expect to be in a range of AU$8,000 to AU$11,000. For example, a full-service package for a 4 bedroom house with 2 living rooms costs approximilatey AU$10,000.

3. Brisbane to Perth

Now, let’s consider a move from QLD to WA, so a long-distance move. With the longer distance, costs increase. Expect to spend anywhere between AU$6,000 to AU$10,000 for a 3-bedroom house. Due to the long distance (over 4,300 km), this is one of the most expensive routes. A 3-bedroom house move can cost around $7,000–$9,000, including transport and basic packing. Additional costs can arise from transporting cars (usually done by train) or because of storage.

4. Melbourne to Adelaide

If moving from Victoria to South Australia, Melbourne to Adelaide, the average cost is between AU$2,000 to AU$4,000. A smaller move (e.g., a 2-bedroom apartment) can cost around $2,500–$3,500, including loading, transport, and unloading. Backloading options are available for as low as $2,000. To control costs, consider partial-service packages, where you are in charge of packing, and professionals manage the loading and transport.

5. Canberra to Gold Coast

Queensland is a popular destination due to its relatively low cost of living and great climate! Moving to the Sunshine State from Canberra will cost you in the range of AU$3,000 to AU$6,000. A 3-bedroom house move typically costs around $4,000–$5,500. This includes transport and basic packing services. Some companies offer discounts for mid-week moves.

6. Perth to Darwin

Last, let’s consider WA to NT, Perth to Darwin, i.e. a long-distance move on a less-common route. The cost here will range from AU$5,000 to AU$8,000, due to the distance (about 4,000 km). A 3-bedroom house move can cost around $6,000–$7,500, including transport and basic services.

These six cost estimates give you a ballpark range for a professionally managed interstage move. For a more accurate estimate, it’s best to get quotes from multiple removalists or truck rental companies.

What Our Customers Say About Moving Interstate With Us

In the last few years, our Pantech trucks have been used by hundreds of happy customers who moved interstate DIY. Here’s what they say about choosing our one of Pantech trucks.

If you have any doubts about organising your own move, speak to us today about your options!