For many, the prospect of an interstate relocation in Australia conjures images of hefty bills for transportation, packing, and various surcharges. Without careful consideration, what seems like a simple transition to move home or relocate office can easily become one of the most expensive ventures you undertake. So how we get the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia?
Throughout this guide, we’ll explain how to save money, compare your moving options, and warn you about sneaky fees that can happen without warning. Learning these main points allows you to find the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia without extra worry.
➜ You can also check our moving interstate checklist.
Know What You’re Dealing With: Costs of Moving Interstate
While moving interstate in Australia is exciting, it is important to know the costs ahead of time. Since prices vary widely, you should understand what you are up against before starting.
Average Price Range for Interstate Moves in Australia
The range for interstate moving within Australia is generally $2,600 to $5,850 for a three-bedroom house, but a straightforward move can often be had for as little as $300, while complex projects may reach as much as $10,000. A one-to-two-bedroom apartment may cost you between $1,300 and $3,000. These figures usually include moving costs and basic working costs but not charges for added moving services.
Key Factors Influencing Cost
There are a number of important things that can raise the total price of your move.
- Distance: Distance plays the greatest role in determining cost. Moving your items a longer distance means you will pay more because it takes more fuel, longer hours of work, and sometimes overnight stays for the removal team. It is cheaper to move locally than a statewide relocation in NSW. At the same time, it is normally cheaper to move from Sydney to Melbourne than all the way from Sydney to Perth.
- Volume of Goods: The more belongings you have, the more space you’ll occupy on the moving truck and the more time and effort required for packing, loading, and unloading. This is often measured in cubic metres. Moving a few boxes interstate will naturally be far cheaper than transporting an entire household of furniture interstate. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move furniture interstate, consider decluttering significantly before the move.
- Mode of Transport: While most interstate moves in Australia occur via road, the type of service chosen impacts cost. Full-service removalists offering exclusive use of a truck will be more expensive than options like backloading.
- Additional Services:
- Packing and Unpacking: The price for packing and unpacking services varies widely, from a couple hundred to more than a thousand dollars, depending on how many belongings you are moving. One of the top ways to move interstate on a budget is to pack your items yourself.
- Storage: If you have to wait between leaving your original home and moving into the next, storage often costs weekly or monthly fees.
- Vacate Cleaning: If you don’t want to take on the hassle of cleaning your house before a move.
- Insurance: Securing your items during the move is highly advisable; choosing insurance will increase your expenses.
- Specialty Items: Because moving pianos, pool tables, or antiques requires special equipment and steps, you will be charged extra.
- Accessibility: Complications at either the pick-up or drop-off stops (such as small stairways, far drives or few parking spots) can add to the labour and raise the total cost.
- Timing: Planning your move during vacation months or on weekends often costs more as many people travel then. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia, consider scheduling it during the quieter times of the week.
Cheapest Way to Move Interstate in Australia: Options You Can Try
If you plan ahead and check out different alternatives, you can successfully move interstate on a budget. Check out these practical methods that won’t break the bank during your long-distance relocation:
Backloading
Backloading is similar to ride-sharing, except you share space with your things. It means putting goods in any empty areas of a truck scheduled to travel after taking a load of someone else’s items. You are only charged for the space your belongings use in the truck.
Backloading is perfect if you have flexible moving dates, as you must align with the truck’s existing schedule. It’s also highly suitable for smaller loads or when you’re looking for the cheapest way to move house interstate without a full household of items.
Hiring a Moving Truck or Van Yourself
Anyone ready to manage the truck and heavy belongings can rent a van or truck for a cheap way to move interstate. This means you’re entirely responsible for managing your time and belongings.
Cost breakdown (rental, fuel, tolls): The total cost will depend on several factors:
- Rental fee: Prices change according to the truck’s size and how long it is rented for.
- Fuel: Long-distance journeys, especially when you drive larger vehicles, tend to be quite expensive.
- Tolls: Consider the tolls you’ll pay on the interstate you choose.
- Additional costs: Make arrangements for insurance, things you need for your move and where you will stay if the move takes longer than planned.
Shipping Containers / Portable Storage Units
If shipping containers or portable storage units appeal to you, they take the stress out of moving by utilising a full-service mover and a completely DIY move. You will get a container at your home, fill it with your things and the company will transport it to your desired address.
Public Transport or Flights + Freight for Belongings
If you have little to move, using a freight or courier is usually the cheapest way to move boxes interstate.
Parcel services are suitable for shipping boxes, and the cost you pay depends on the parcel’s size, weight, and shipping distance. For bigger items, you may have to go with specialised freight companies.
Instead of going together with your belongings, you use budget airlines or trains to get to your destination. Because this method is especially suited to those with minimal belongings, it can be the cheapest way to move interstate.
You can go wherever you like, while your luggage meets you there.
Save Money with Smart Packing for Your Interstate Move
Each dollar you aren’t spending during an interstate move adds up in the end. A great way to save money by packing well is to organise your efforts carefully. Using certain effective approaches, you can cut your moving costs a lot and can contribute to achieving the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia.
Here’s how smart packing can put money back in your pocket:
Declutter Before You Move
This is arguably the most impactful step in saving money on your move and a cornerstone of how to move interstate on a budget. The more items you have, the more space they take up in the moving truck and the more time (and thus money) it costs removalists to pack, load, and unload.
- Be Ruthless: Check every corner of your house, every closet, and every drawer. You should get rid of an item if you haven’t used it in a year, it’s broken, doesn’t fit, or lacks personal meaning.
- Sell, Donate, or Dispose:
- Sell: You can sell on websites like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree in Australia. A garage sale is also an option. By making extra money, you may save money for your move, answering questions like how to move interstate with no money.
- Donate: Give unwanted but usable items to charities like Salvation Army or Vinnies. This is a great way to give back and avoid disposal fees. Check out our donation guides:
- Dispose: When something is broken or can no longer be used, dispose of it properly. Contact your local council for information on waste collection and recycling. Or avail our rubbish removal services and we’ll take care of it.
- Think Volume: Every item you eliminate reduces the overall volume of your shipment. This directly translates to needing a smaller truck or less space on a shared load, contributing to finding the cheapest way to move house interstate.
➜ You can check our Moving House Checklist for an easier time.
Use Free or Cheap Packing Materials
Don’t let the cost of packing supplies inflate your moving budget. There are many ways to acquire materials without breaking the bank, helping you find the cheapest way to move boxes interstate.
Visit supermarkets, liquor stores, bookstores, or offices and ask if they can give you spare boxes. Many people are willing to give them away so they don’t have to pay to dispose of them. Liquor boxes are often sturdy and can be used as storage for books or weighty items.
Filling or wrapping non-fragile items with old newspaper or magazine paper is a great way to reuse them. However, be cautious around fragile things, as the ink can spread on them.
If you need some materials, visit hardware stores or discount businesses for moving kits. Sometimes, using a specialist moving company in Perth for both your packing and moving can get you a lower price on the packing materials.
➜ Related: Where to Get Moving Boxes
Pack Strategically to Save Space (and Money)
Packing your things efficiently protects them and allows you to use every space, influencing how much you pay. This is very important when you’re looking for the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia.
Compare and Book Wisely: Securing the Best Deal for Your Interstate Move
After you’ve organised and packed wisely, the best thing to do next to cut moving costs is to compare and book carefully. You should rely on online tools, get to know the finer points of pricing, and remain adaptable to your schedule to get the best prices. This strategy helps you find the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia.
Use Online Comparison Tools
Today, you don’t need to contact many removalists individually. Many websites are built to make it easy to get quotes and pick the cheapest way to move interstate.
Online moving cost calculators are free of use to all those who want to get an estimate.
Remember to share specific facts about your move (e.g., what you are transferring, access conditions, and special services). This guarantees that what you are told to pay now will be close to, if not exactly, what you end up spending later.
Book Early to Lock in Lower Rates
Procrastination can be costly when moving interstate. Booking your removalist well in advance can lead to significant savings.
Be Flexible with Your Dates
Flexibility helps you save money when finding the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia.
- Avoid Peak Season:
- School Holidays: These times are very busy and often more costly because families want to prevent their children from missing much schooling.
- End of Month/Weekends: Many rental agreements end during the last part of every month and on weekends, so demand is highest then.
- Public Holidays: Flying or travelling during public holidays frequently means paying more.
- Embrace Off-Peak: If you can choose, opt for a day in the middle of the week (Tuesday to Thursday) and move outside of busy school seasons, mainly autumn or winter (except in December and January). Traditionally, quieter months mean removalists might be able to work for you at a more convenient time and for a better price.
Avoid Hidden Costs
Moving interstate can be complex and often expensive, but understanding and avoiding hidden costs is key to making it a smooth and affordable experience. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia, dig into the fine print of any moving quote.
Answers to questions like, “What is the cheapest way to move furniture interstate?” or “How to move interstate on a budget?” often lie in meticulous planning and a keen eye for potential extra charges.
Understand Cancellation and Rescheduling Fees
One of the most common pitfalls when planning an interstate move, whether it’s the cheapest way to move furniture interstate or the cheapest way to move boxes interstate, are cancellation and rescheduling fees. Life happens, and plans can change. Before committing to a moving company, inquire about their policies regarding cancellations or changes to your moving date.
These fees can sometimes be substantial, making an otherwise cheap interstate move costly. Always get these policies in writing to avoid disputes later.
Check for Insurance Coverage
Another vital step is to check for insurance coverage. While you might be focused on the cheapest way to move house interstate, neglecting insurance can be a huge mistake. Understand what kind of coverage, if any, is included in your quote. Does it cover damage in transit or only total loss? What are the limitations?
If you are moving valuable possessions, buy extra insurance, as it can easily pay for itself should anything get damaged.
This is particularly relevant when figuring out how to move interstate with no money—a damaged item could set you back far more than the insurance premium. Always clarify the claims process and deductible amounts.
Beware of Fuel Surcharges, Weight Limits, and Access Fees
Always be aware that other fees could increase your moving bill. These additional surcharges are becoming more frequent and changing with market shifts. Check whether your rate will cover all the expenses or whether fuel will be billed separately.
It is also important to ask about weight limits. Going over the limit can lead to expensive charging fees that can instantly deplete your savings. You should also find out about access fees. You may need these if the place for pickup or delivery is hard to get to, for example, with long driveways, steps, or a need for special parking permits.
Budget-Friendly Tips to Have a Cheap Interstate Move
Many Aussies always search for the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia. Thankfully, there are many affordable tricks and tips real Australians follow when relocating. If you want the cheapest way to move furniture interstate or just need advice on moving interstate on a budget, we have tips prepared for you.
When planning, particularly if you’re trying to achieve the cheapest way to move interstate, it’s crucial to learn from common mistakes.
- Underestimating your belongings: Many people only consider major furniture, overlooking boxes of smaller items. This can lead to needing a larger truck or incurring extra charges for additional trips. Get a thorough inventory.
- Last-minute packing: If you rush, your packing may be poor, you could damage your things, and you might have to buy new supplies at the last minute. Start early.
- Not getting multiple quotes: To find the cheapest interstate move, check a variety of long-distance moving companies for their fee and service details. Don’t make a choice based only on your first quote.
- Neglecting to declutter: Moving items you no longer need or want simply adds to the cost. Declutter rigorously before you pack.
Hack: If someone you know is moving to the same place as you at the same time, try sharing resources. This could involve sharing the cost of a larger moving truck or splitting fuel costs if you drive yourselves. When you need to move only boxes or a small collection of furniture, this approach can be a surprisingly cheap way to move interstate.
Let The Smooth Movers Help You Achieve the Cheapest Way to Move Interstate
By now, you’ve learned that securing the cheapest way to move interstate in Australia doesn’t mean sacrificing a smooth transition. It means being organised, avoiding widespread mistakes, and making careful decisions.
When finding the cheapest way to move interstate, consider the price and how comfortable and reassured you’ll be. Since no two situations are the same, you should also consider your personal needs, what you own, and how much time you need.
We are aware of the difficulties involved in an interstate move, and that’s why we make sure you can rely on our service and reasonable rates. Our speciality is helping you move quickly and dependably all across Australia. We make it possible for you to decide on the cheapest way to move interstate that fits your requirements.
The Smooth Movers is ready to give you a custom quote. Let us help you organise your budget-friendly interstate move! Contact us now.
