Moving to Australia Checklist

Once you have your migration in order you may find this list of checklists useful during your relocation to Australia. You could also consider our relocation service.

Have you notified the following of your change in address?

The Post Office, for mail redirection?
Your financial institutions to transfer to Australia or close your accounts?
The electoral registrar?
The taxation department?
Your leasing company?
Your insurance company to transfer or terminate your household insurance?
Your life insurance company?
Your car insurance company?
Your health insurance fund?
The school principal and received a letter regarding the status of your children in school?
Stores where you have charge accounts?
Relatives, friends, and regular correspondents?
Club memberships?
Publications you subscribe to?
Your doctor and dentist to obtain copies of your medical records?
Your lawyer?
Your place of worship?

Have you discontinued these services?

Gas?
Water?
Electricity?
Telephone/Cable TV?
Newspaper/Publication delivery?

Have you also?

Defrosted your refrigerator/freezer and drained all water hoses?
Disconnected your washing machine and drained water?
Checked with manufacturer to ensure all major appliances are correctly prepared for moving to Australia? (we recommend not to take white goods as they are expensive to ship and it is usually more cost effective to sell them and buy out in Australia)
Emptied all gas cylinders?
Arranged for Electricity or Gas Companies to disconnect any fittings from the supply?
Put aside bits and pieces you don’t want to take to Australia?
Returned books, videos, etc.?
Removed Fixtures and fittings from walls?
Put important items such as passports and Australian flight tickets into your personal luggage so they are not accidentally packed?
Arranged for someone to look after your children during the packing process? This can be a stressful time for them.
Washed thoroughly any items that may be of interest to Quarantine/Agriculture, i.e. mowers, garden tools, golf equipment, bicycles, etc.

Dangerous Goods

The following articles are classified as "DANGEROUS" and cannot be stored or transported to Australia:

Ammunition
New or partially used cans of paint
Linseed oil
Bleach products
Gas cylinders (unless emptied)
Turpentine
Kerosene
Petrol
Cleaning fluids
Aerosols of any kind
Vegetable oils
Chemical sets, etc

A few don'ts

Don’t fail to advise of any high value items i.e. antiques, furs, or paintings within your household goods. For insurance purposes, a separate valued list is requested.
Don’t put breakables in drawers
Don’t put liquid in drawers (sauce bottles, perfumes etc.)
Don’t overload furniture
Don’t store perishable tuckers such as cereals, flours etc.
Don’t polish your furniture prior to your move to Australia.
Don’t store or transport jewellery, money, legal documents, taxation papers, insurance policies or other documents/high value articles. You should keep these items with you.
Don’t forget to tell us EVERYTHING you want moved to Australia. It’s your responsibility to check before the vehicle(s) depart.

Now, one last look around

Anything left behind? The attic, garden, garage, basement?
No clothes at the dry cleaners, shoes at shoe repair shops, sporting goods in lockers at clubs/schools?
Water heater turned off?
Main power turned off?
Gas taps turned off?
Windows and doors locked?
Old house keys surrendered?

Finance

Purchase currency on forward contract from a currency specialist (better rates than banks)
Pay 10% deposit on forward contract
Close credit cards but one on-line access one
Close bank and savings accounts except joint one
Close Kids PO accounts
Contact specialist International Financial Advisor eg HiFX
Receive report of recommendations from FA
Action recommendations
Agree balance to be left in UK account
Set up Australian bank account
Make initial contact with Australian IFA and book appointment
Organising 'bridging life cover' as stop gap until get to Oz
Pay remaining 90% on forward contract
Send P85 to Inland Revenue to get tax rebate (must have P45)
Buy some Australian cash for first few days until 'unlock' Oz bank acct

Removals

Contact a removal company such as Anglo Pacific
De clutter all rooms, loft, sheds, etc.
Pass items to friends who need/want them
E-bay items
Charity shop and tip the rest
Agree luggage contents
Set up contract with chosen company
Pay for removals and insurance
Hand completed customs form to packers on the day
Clean, inspection and hand back keys (we were living in rented accommodation for the last year)

Flights

Get quotes for flights
Agree flight date and carrier
Book Flights
Buy additional luggage
Trial pack and weigh
Pack luggage
Book travel insurance

Moving Out

Notify agent of date you are moving out
Request reference from agent
Speak to landlord re: leaving items behind
Notify council re: council tax
Notify Water Board
Notify Gas company
Notify Electric company
Notify BT
Notify ISP
Notify TV license people
Notify Gym
Notify Kids nursery/school
Take final meter readings
Book window cleaner
Arrange final inspection with agent

Transition Phase

Consider using a relocation service
Book Hotel at destination
E-mail confirmation to Australian government 7-10 days before & request address details
Book taxi to airport (a big one!!)
Sell Cars
Get rid of shed
Buy clothes for Oz as required