Interstate Moving Costs

Guide To Interstate Moving Costs

Moving locally can be tricky at the best of times, even if it’s just down the road: but, moving interstate is a whole other can of worms.

With so much distance between two states, it’s no longer just a matter of putting things in a truck and calling it a day – it takes a lot more planning, logistics and plenty of time to ensure a smooth move.

Budgeting is a key part of moving interstate, but predicting how much your interstate move will cost can be a little tricky.

This expert guide on interstate moving costs will help you plan accordingly and give you a better idea of what to expect when putting together a budget for your move.

Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. How Much Does It Cost Move Interstate?
3. Cost of Arranging Moving Insurance
4. Cost Of Arranging Utilities
5. Moving Boxes and Packing Materials For Moving Interstate
6. Storage Cost Considerations
7. Costs of Flights When Traveling Interstate
8. Skip and Rubbish Removal Costs
9. Costs When Moving Interstate With Pets
10. Costs When Using An Interstate Removalist
11. Summary Of Interstate Moving Costs
12. Calculate Your Own Interstate Moving Costs
13. FAQ
14. Additional Interstate Moving Resources

Key Takeaways For Costs

• Average Costs:
  • Interstate moves in Australia typically range from $2,000 to $6,000.
  • Specific routes, like Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane, average around $2,800.
• Additional Costs:
  • Moving insurance: $30 per thousand dollars of declared value.
  • Utilities setup: $100 to $500.
  • Packing materials: $100+.
  • Storage: $150 to $500 per month.
  • Flights: $1,000 to $5,000.
  • Skip/rubbish removal: $150 to $500.
  • Moving pets: $100 to $500.
• Professional Help:
  • Interstate removalist services can start from $490, varying based on inventory.

How Much Does It Cost To Move Interstate?

An interstate move in Australia can cost between $2000 and $6000, based on interstate moves ZOOM has done for clients in the past. Here is a breakdown based on location:

Cost of Moving to Sydney

• Average Cost For Interstate Move Sydney to Melbourne – $2,800
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Sydney to Brisbane – $2,800
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Sydney to Canberra – $2,200

Cost of Moving to Brisbane

• Average Cost For Interstate Move Brisbane to Melbourne – $3,200
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Brisbane to Canberra – $2,990
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Brisbane to Sydney – $2,800

Cost of Moving to Canberra

• Average Cost For Interstate Move Canberra to Melbourne – $2,900
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Canberra to Brisbane – $3,200
• Average Cost For Interstate Move Canberra to Sydney – $2,200

Rough Estimations Overall – Moving Costs State To State

• Average Cost For Interstate Moves 2 Bedroom House – $2,800
• Average Cost For Interstate Moves 3 Bedroom House – $3,900

Moving Insurance: Available for $30 Per Thousand Dollars of Declared Value

When transporting your possessions, you’ll naturally want to make sure that they are protected in case of accidental damage or loss.

Of course, your interstate removalists will do everything they can to deliver from A to B safely, but there is always the possibility of some unavoidable or unpredictable event.

The interstate moving costs of your insurance will depend on what you are moving, and the volume as well. If your cargo is relatively light and is made up of simple furniture and general household items, the insurance is not likely to cost more than $500.

However, if you’re moving an entire household, complete with expensive electronics appliances and artwork, the removals insurance price will reflect that and could go up to $1500 or beyond.

The Different Types of Insurance Available and Costs

Goods in Transit – Most reputable interstate removalists will provide Goods in Transit insurance. However, this type of insurance may only cover particular objects in certain situations, so get a good idea of the cover before making your choice. Removalists who are members of AFRA are authorised to provide transit insurance for cargo and will have public liability insurance.

Contents insurance – If you have contents insurance, the policy may cover transit (with specific exclusions and conditions). For instance, some policies may not provide cover for transit unless your moving company is a registered company. Also, they are unlikely to cover you if you’re doing the move yourself. 

Standalone insurance – You can opt for insurance outside of AFRA or your contents insurer. However, this is probably not necessary unless you have speciality items not covered by typical policies.

Utilities: $100 – $500

If you’re moving interstate it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to transfer over all of your usual utilities – but it may be possible, so do check as part of your interstate moving costs considerations.

You may even need to pay a fee to end your current contracts early, which may be a few months’ worth of supply or the entirety of your remaining contract.

Then, you’ll need to sort out utilities on the other side. These will typically cost somewhere between $15 and $100 per utility, depending on what is being supplied. For instance, your Internet provider will charge you up to $50 for a connection fee, and your water may cost even more. According to Canstar Blue, an energy cost comparison site, you’ll pay anything from $12 and $90 for electricity, depending on your area and provider, and $10 to $60 for gas connections. See more about energy connection/disconnection fees on their website.

However, there is a silver lining to this. Starting new contracts with new utility suppliers will give you the chance to get better deals, where many companies provide special offers to new customers – and may even waive connection or activation fees entirely.

Boxes and Moving Materials: $100 and up (depending on volume)

Most of us prefer to pack ourselves when we move: it just gives a little more control over what goes where and provides peace of mind that your goods are safe according to your standards.

But, if you are packing yourself, it may end up costing more than you think – especially if you have large or oddly shaped belongings that need extra protection. Here are the moving costs for some everyday packing items, according to Amazon.au.

Cardboard packing boxes – Anywhere from $3 and up per box, depending on the box’s size and quality. Typically, you can get a pack of 25 boxes (11x6x6 inches) for around $62. However, these are just a medium size. For clothes, you can get special cardboard ‘wardrobes’, which cost approximately $25 each.

Plastic packing boxes – Cardboard boxes can be solid, but if you want something even more robust and waterproof, plastic boxes can be a good choice. They typically go for around $25 for a 12-litre container.

Tape and bubble wrap – You’ll also need to protect your items and close up the boxes. Bubble wrap is fantastic for this, but as you can imagine, wrapping an entire table will take up quite a lot. For a generic 72-foot roll of wrap, you’ll pay around $25, and around $5 for a roll of strong tape.

Interstate Moving Costs Pro Tip* – If you’re using a professional removalist company, there’s a chance that they will supply all free moving boxes and materials at no additional charge.

Storage: $150 – $500 per month

Making long-haul moves means that you’re likely to have removed many if not all of your personal belongings from your previous home. If you’re lucky enough to have friends or family with plenty of attic or garage space, you won’t need to worry too much – but if your cargo is too much, you’ll need to explore your storage options.

The good news is that most urban areas will have many storage facilities available, many of which will be in partnerships with various removalists who can offer special rates.

Like other items on our interstate moving costs guide here, the cost of your storage will ultimately depend on the volume and nature of your cargo. However, as a general rule of thumb, the average home will cost you anywhere from $150-$500 a month, depending on the above factors.

Many storage facilities will offer insurance as part of their service, but you will need to make sure that they cover your cargo if you have any especially expensive or valuable items such as artwork or high-value electronics. Talk to your removalists or storage companies to see what their rates and insurance policies are.

Flights: $1,000 – $5,000

If the idea of an extended road trip is not your idea of a good time, you can make your life easier by flying interstate. This has many advantages, especially if your car is too small to transport your essentials or you’re not a fan of driving in general. However, the convenience of flying comes with a cost.

The cost of your flight will hinge on many factors, including:

• The airline and class you choose.
• The amount of cargo you are bringing with you, as carry-on and as baggage
• The number of passengers. 
• The length and distance of the flight.
• Any extra costs for pets or specialist cargo.

To get the best possible price for your flight, we recommend using one of the many flight comparison websites out there. They will give you a general idea of which airlines have the best prices, and you can then contact them directly about any special cargo that you need taking care of.

Skips and Rubbish Removal: $150-$500

You’ll probably end up with a lot of old furniture and other items that you’re happy to part with when considering interstate moving costs. Not only will this reduce the amount of clutter you would otherwise have to pay for transport, but it’s also a great chance to start cleaning and enjoy new purchases in your new home.

But, you can’t just leave all of it behind. Instead, we recommend donating or selling unwanted furniture items that are still in good condition, you may even consider holding a garage sale if you have a lot of items. Check with your local council about arranging a free council collection of your unwanted items. You could consider hiring a skip that you can use to dispose of all clutter and old furniture. While prices will differ depending on companies and locations, renting a skip will typically cost anywhere from $150 to $500 (according to the price comparison site, https://www.bookabin.com.au/) – and the price of removing the skip and the rubbish inside may or may not be part of this quote.

If you require removal of the rubbish on top, this will likely cost you north of our estimate, but as always, shop around to find the best prices for your budget. Instead of throwing everything away, consider selling your old furniture, clothes and belongings online to save on overall interstate moving costs.

Pets: $100-$500

It’s easy to forget about the cost to move interstate with pets when faced with everything else, but you might be in for a surprise if you don’t factor them in.

Moving a pet interstate over the air will certainly cost you a few hundred dollars (depending on the flight and distance), and even if you’re driving, making sure that they are vet-cleared and comfortable will also eat up some of your moving budget.

Remember, pets can react in many ways to a move as large as relocating interstate.

For more information, take a look at our tips on moving pets interstate.

Using A Removalist:  Costs Vary Based On Your Inventory. Prices start from as little as $490

If you do decide to use interstate removalists to take care of it all for you, you’ll need to factor their costs into your overall budget. It’s generally recommended to use an experienced moving company to help you with your relocation.

Not only will they take all the stress and hassle away from your move, but they can also provide packing materials and help out with every step of the journey, including loading and unloading.

When you consider the costs of fuel, boxes, stress and your own time, it makes a lot of sense to use professional a professional interstate removalist.

There are cheap ways to move interstate. At ZOOM, our interstate removals team know what it takes to pull off a long-haul move with complete care and efficiency, with prices that will surprise you.

We pride ourselves on providing affordable, fair and transparent quotes for our clients, who don’t have to worry about any fees or hidden charges.

Moving Interstate Summary Of Costs:

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when moving interstate – Of course, everyone’s individual needs and circumstances will be different, so please use these cost ranges as a guide, rather than a prediction.

Here are all of the estimates in one handy table:

A Quick Note From Us

Before you feel too overwhelmed by absorbing all the various interstate moving costs, consider that once you break things down into smaller parts, it can be managed – use a professional moving company like ZOOM for your relocation!

Through us you can book expert interstate removalists and even backloading removals for those on a lower budget! 

Calculate Your Own Interstate Moving Costs

If you would like to calculate your own cost to move interstate, then it’s now possible with our useful interstate moving cost calculator.

It has been designed to allow our clients to determine their own costs based on what needs to be moved.

It will also allow for better planning, and better budgeting for the move, preventing miscalculations and nasty surprises.

Our moving estimator is extremely easy and convenient to use!

There are further instructions on the page on how to use it, but if you need further assistance, do not hesitate to call our helpful customer service desk on 1300 788 164.

Interstate Removalist Cost FAQ

What Is The Cheapest Way To Move Interstate In Australia?

Backloading has been shown to be a highly cost-effective way to move items from state to state. This is because customers can share a moving truck (and the costs) with other customers.

For more information read our article on What Is Backloading?.

What Are The Best Ways To Plan My Budget For When Moving Interstate?

• Compare interstate moving quotes from multiple moving companies to get an idea of prices.
• Use an interstate moving calculator
• Consider moving dates. For example, avoid public holidays, school holidays and other key dates for lower costs.
• Where possible, be resourceful with packing supplies. For example, with ZOOM Removals customers automatically get access to FREE moving boxes.

What Are Some Additional Service Fees I Should Be Aware Of For Interstate Movers?

Be aware of “hidden fees’ that some moving companies may charge when moving interstate. *Note – This is not the case with ZOOM Removals. We provide transparent moving quotes with a full breakdown of costs before any upcoming move.

Just like in any industry moving scams have been known to happen.

• Long Carry Charges: This is a charge that may be applied if the distance from your door to the truck is excessive.
• Bulky Item Fees: Movers may charge extra for items that are unusually large or heavy, such as pianos, pool tables, or large appliances.
• Stair Carry Charges: If there is no elevator access in your origin or destination building, your movers may charge extra for stair carry services.
• Tolls and Fuel Surcharges: Many moving companies add a fuel surcharge as well as additional fees to their base rate to account for fluctuations in fuel prices and a toll fee coverage.
• Packing materials: While some movers include packing materials in their quotes, others charge extra for boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies.
• Furniture Assembly/Disassembly: While some companies such as ZOOM do this as a complimentary service, other may attempt to charge for this service.

Interstate Moving Resources

• Interstate Moving Calculator
• Packing Calculator
• Moving Checklist
• Change of address checklist
• Tips On How To Avoid The Challenges Of Moving Interstate
• Tips On Moving Pets Interstate
• Moving Interstate For Work Tips
• 11 Cheap Ways to Move Interstate
• Avoiding the Challenges of Moving Interstate
• Interstate Moving Checklist

And, as always, if you have any questions about moving interstate and how we can help you, simply call us or use our Contact us page.