Moving house is incredibly common in Australia, yet it remains one of the most stressful life events. The ABS reports 1.14 million households around 12% moved within a single year, with younger adults relocating even more often. Budget Direct found 1 in 5 Australians had moved in the past 12 months, and almost two-thirds felt overwhelmed by how many belongings they owned, highlighting why planning and decluttering matter. Other surveys show 57% of people rank moving as more stressful than changing jobs or having a child.
This guide shares 27 practical, data-backed moving house tips to help you stay organised, calm and in control.
Planning & Money Tips: Get Organised Before You Touch a Box
Good planning reduces moving house stress because it prevents last-minute costs, time blowouts, and surprise admin tasks. This section gives you practical steps to organise your budget, documents, quotes and timelines before any packing begins.
Tip 1: Set a Realistic Moving Budget
A clear budget protects you from the hidden costs that most Australians underestimate. Many movers forget to factor in cleaning, childcare, pet boarding, packing materials, parking permits, meal costs, and short-term storage. Create a simple budget that includes every category, even the small ones.
If you want to reduce upfront costs, consider a hybrid move. Mobile storage often costs less than a full-service removalist because you only pay for the space you use, with optional loading help if needed. This gives you control over timing and reduces hourly labour fees, with the understanding of typical self storage costs for households helps build a more accurate moving budget.
Tip 2: Create a Master Moving File
A master file keeps every important document in one place, which helps you avoid delays when comparing quotes or signing forms. Use a digital folder or binder to store your moving checklist, removalist quotes, insurance documents, floor plans, and condition reports.
This simple step also makes it easier to track deadlines and resolve disputes. It reduces stress because you always know where your information is.
Tip 3: Record a Simple Inventory for Quotes & Insurance
A basic inventory speeds up quotes, protects your belongings, and helps you decide what needs storing. List items room by room, and include anything fragile or oversized. Removalists and insurers rely on accurate details to provide correct pricing and coverage.
This list also helps during staged moves or settlement gaps. Many Super Easy Storage customers use short-term storage when they renovate, downsize, or move in phases, and an inventory makes this process smoother.
Tip 4: Decide Early — DIY vs Removalist vs Hybrid
Choosing your moving method early saves money and prevents last-minute panic. DIY is cheaper but requires more time and physical effort. Full-service removalists are convenient but usually charge hourly rates, travel time, and additional fees.
A hybrid move gives you flexibility. Super Easy Storage delivers a storage module to your door, helps with loading if needed, and stores everything securely, which reduces double handling and cuts costs. Good preparation and clear access also reduce removalist time.
Understanding the difference between traditional vs mobile storage helps clarify which option suits your timeline.
Tip 5: Review Your Utilities, Insurance & Financial Accounts
Updating essential accounts early prevents service interruptions and late fees. Check your electricity, gas, internet, home insurance, contents insurance, and any subscriptions tied to your old address.
Notify each provider before moving day so the transition is smooth. This removes stress when you arrive at your new home.
Tip 6: Choose the Best Date to Move (Consider Seasonal Peaks)
Your moving date affects cost, availability, and stress levels. Spring and the shoulder seasons are often cheaper and less hectic than mid-summer. Where possible, avoid school holidays, which are peak times for removalists and rental turnovers.
If you must move during a busy period, book earlier than usual and prepare your packing ahead of time.
Tip 7: Use Shared Planning Tools if Moving with a Partner or Housemate
Shared digital tools reduce miscommunication and keep everyone on the same page. Use apps or cloud-based lists to track tasks, payments, and deadlines. This prevents duplicated effort and forgotten responsibilities.
When everyone has visibility, the entire move feels calmer and more coordinated.
Decluttering & Packing Tips: Move Less, Pack Smarter
Decluttering before moving reduces costs and cuts the time you spend packing, lifting, and unpacking. Packing smart also protects your belongings and makes a moving day run smoothly.
Tip 8: Start in Low-Emotion Rooms
Begin decluttering in rooms that hold fewer emotional items so you can build momentum. Spaces like the laundry, bathroom, or linen cupboard are simpler to sort and help you make early wins.
If you’re not ready to donate or sell items yet, short-term mobile storage lets you clear space without rushed decisions. This keeps your home organised as moving day approaches.
Tip 9: Apply the “Don’t Pay to Move It” Rule
Only pack items you would still buy today. If you would not purchase it again or pay to store it, it should not go into a box. This rule reflects current moving research showing that many Australians feel they have too many belongings when relocating.
This mindset reduces packing time and lowers transport or storage costs.
Tip 10: Know What NOT to Pack (Hazards, Liquids, Junk)
Avoid packing items that movers cannot legally or safely transport. This includes open liquids, half-used paint, aerosols, chemicals, flammable products, and broken or unusable furniture.
Removing these items early keeps your packing efficient and prevents delays on moving day. It also protects the rest of your belongings from leaks or damage.
Tip 11: Use a Colour + Number Labelling System
A simple labelling system saves time during unloading and unpacking. Assign each room a colour. Number each box. Note the contents in a small list or digital tracker.
This system helps movers place boxes in the right rooms and reduces the stress of searching for essentials.
Tip 12: Pack by Zones, Not Object Types
Pack according to where items belong in your new home, not by category. Instead of packing “all books” together, pack based on living zones. This makes unpacking faster because items are already grouped by how you use them.
Zone-based packing reflects how real households function and reduces decision fatigue when settling in.
Tip 13: Use Household Items as Packing Materials
Use what you already have to protect fragile items. Towels, bedding, clothing, socks, and scarves can cushion breakables and reduce the need for bubble wrap.
This cuts material costs and reduces waste while keeping your items safe.
Tip 14: Create a Cables & Screws System for Furniture & Tech
Pack screws, bolts, and cables in labelled bags taped directly to their furniture or device. Photograph the setup before disassembly to make re-assembly easier.
This prevents parts from being lost, a common cause of moving frustration.
Tip 15: Pack an Essentials Suitcase for Each Person
Prepare a personal suitcase with everything needed for 24–48 hours. Include clothes, medications, toiletries, chargers, and important documents.
This ensures you can function comfortably even if unpacking takes longer than expected.
Tip 16: Create a Dedicated “No-Pack Zone”
A no-pack zone keeps critical items separated from the main moving load. Use a room or cordoned-off area to store keys, essential documents, daily medications, pet supplies, and cleaning gear.
With mobile self-storage, you can load your module in stages, which keeps the no-pack zone accessible until the last moment. This avoids accidental packing of items you still need.
Admin & Address Tips: Who to Notify (and How to Track It)
Managing your admin early reduces the stress of moving home because it prevents missed bills, lost mail, and service interruptions. These steps help you stay organised and protect your personal information during the transition.
Tip 17: Build a Master Change-of-Address List
A single change-of-address list keeps your admin simple and prevents missed updates. Group your contacts into categories so you can work through them quickly:
- Government: driver licence, vehicle registration, Medicare, ATO
- Banking and financial services
- Insurance providers
- Utilities and internet
- Schools, employers, medical providers
- Subscriptions and delivery services
This list helps you stay consistent and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Tip 18: Set Up Mail Redirection Early
Mail redirection protects your privacy and catches any accounts you forgot to update. Australia Post allows you to redirect mail for months at a time, giving you space to settle into your new home without missing important notices.
It also keeps your old address secure, especially if your property is left vacant between settlement or rental changeovers.
Tip 19: Photograph Final Meter Readings for Protection
A quick photo of your electricity, gas, and water meters prevents billing disputes. Take the photos on moving day, ideally with your phone’s timestamp visible.
Send the readings to your providers immediately. This simple step acts as evidence if a future charge looks incorrect.
Moving Day Tips: Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Stay in Control
Moving day runs smoother when you prepare your home, assign roles, and protect your belongings from damage. These tips help you stay organised and reduce moving house stress during the busiest part of your relocation.
Tip 20: Do a Safety Sweep Before Moving Anything
A safety sweep prevents falls, injuries, and damage to your furniture. Clear walkways, remove rugs, secure cords, and check that paths to the front door are unobstructed.
Good access also reduces removalist time and keeps the loading process efficient.
Tip 21: Assign Roles to Avoid Chaos
Everyone should know their role before moving begins. Assign duties such as supervising movers, managing pets or children, handling documents, or directing box placement.
Clear roles reduce confusion and prevent repeated questions throughout the day.
Tip 22: Set Up an Essentials Station Near the Front Door
An essentials station keeps high-priority items within reach. Use a small table or bin near the entry for chargers, cleaning supplies, keys, tools, snacks, and important documents.
This station prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures essentials do not get packed by mistake.
Tip 23: Walk Every Room Before Leaving (Protect Your Bond)
A final walkthrough protects your rental bond or settlement inspection. Check cupboards, drawers, and high shelves. Look behind doors and inside built-ins.
Photograph each room once cleared. This provides evidence of condition if questions arise later.
Tip 24: Do Arrival Safety Checks (Smoke Alarms, Leaks, Locks)
New homes need a safety check before you start unpacking. Test smoke alarms, check for water leaks, inspect window locks, and confirm that entry doors close securely.
These checks give you peace of mind on your first night.
Tip 25: Plan for Food, Breaks & Stress Management
Moving days are physically demanding, so plan meals and rest breaks. Pack easy food, water, and basic first-aid items. Schedule short pauses to reset and keep energy steady.
This helps you avoid fatigue-related mistakes and reduces stress for everyone involved.
Tip 26: Watch for Moving Scams & Red Flags
Stay alert to suspicious behaviour from unverified operators. Red flags include refusing to provide written quotes, demanding upfront cash, avoiding insurance questions, or changing prices on the day.
Working with reputable providers protects your belongings and reduces risk.
After You Move: Settling In Without Burning Out
Settling into a new home is easier when you focus on a few high-impact tasks instead of trying to unpack everything at once. These steps help you regain control and feel comfortable quickly.
Tip 27: Focus Your First Week on High-Impact Tasks
Start with the rooms that make daily life functional. Set up bedrooms first so everyone can rest properly. Unpack the kitchen next to create a sense of routine and reduce takeaway spending.
Create a short unpacking plan and avoid overwhelming yourself. Schedule at least one “no-unpacking night” to reset and avoid burnout.
Explore your neighbourhood early. Walk to the local shops, parks, or transport routes so the new area feels familiar.
Make Your Move Easier With Super Easy Storage
Super Easy Storage helps you move with less lifting, fewer logistics, and more control. We deliver the storage module to your door, you load at your own pace, and we store everything securely until you need it back.
If you want a smoother, more flexible way to move, book your mobile storage module with Super Easy Storage and stay in control from start to finish.