Ultimate Moving Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure everything is sorted for moving day
Sell, donate, and recycle what you can, then organise a council clean-up for anything that’s left.
Booking a removalist or vehicle hire early means one less thing to think about and more chance of locking in your preferred move date.
Creating a moving budget can help you keep track of costs and prioritise essential expenses without any nasty shocks.
You can use bedding, clothing and towels to wrap and protect fragile items as you pack. Not only will your breakable items be protected and scratch free, but you’ll also have fewer boxes to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
Keep moving costs down and make your move more sustainable by sourcing second hand or free moving boxes. Check in with friends, family or your workplace to see if anyone has free or second-hand moving boxes. You may like to check with your local supermarket or retailers who may also have some spare boxes.
Most councils offer a kerbside collection of bulky household items such as furniture, whitegoods and small appliances. Placing these items on the kerb without a booked or scheduled collection is illegal and you can be fined. Contact your council to find out about bulky waste collections in your area.
Organising disconnection of water, electricity, gas and internet is important, as well as re-connection ahead of arrival at your new address. Contact your service providers to make sure your utilities are connected in time for moving day.
Before moving, clear out your wardrobe and only take what you need with you. You can make extra cash selling good quality clothes through a garage sale, second-hand store, or online. Alternatively, you can donate quality unwanted clothing to charity or look into a retailer garment collection program.
Have your old one recycled! Contact your council for information on how to recycle mattresses locally or visit Recycling Near You or Soft Landing for local information.
Moving home is a good time to review and consider your insurance policies including home, contents, fire, floods etc. Make sure your cover is right for your new situation.
You may need to cancel or transfer memberships for your gym or library, and redirect newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
This will be a good reference or help jog your memory when you’re reconnecting things.
Unwanted furniture in good condition can be sold through platforms such as Facebook marketplace, Gumtree and eBay. Some companies, such as IKEA, are currently running a buy back scheme offering store credit for your used furniture. If the furniture is broken or not in a good condition, contact your council to find out how they can help. Leaving furniture on the kerb, without consent of Council, is illegal dumping and you can be fined. Dispose of unwanted furniture responsibly.
Getting a new fridge delivered? Council will collect your old metal appliances and whitegoods. Items such as fridges, dryers, ovens and similar can be collected free of charge. Contact your council for more information.
Locate your passports, birth certificates and other important documents so that you can put them aside and carry them during the move.
Any appliances you no longer use - like old phones, irons, toasters, computers, and televisions - can be repaired, recycled, or responsibly disposed of. If you have any small electrical items you don’t need, you can:
- Donate to organisations like the Bower for refurbishment and reuse
- Check to see if the item is part of a take-back scheme or find a local recycler at Recycling Near You
- Contact your council or visit their website for disposal options in your area
Don’t find yourself in a rush trying to pack everything at the last minute. Packing one room at a time and labelling as you go is a good way to make sure you are packing methodically – and will be able to find your belongings when unpacking.
Don’t forget to change your address with your work, car insurer, drivers’ licence, bank, Australian Tax Office, Australian Electoral commission Superannuation Fund and your GP.
Make sure that you don’t miss any important mail. Consider contacting Australia Post to redirect your mail to your new address.
Recycle old newspapers and magazines in your yellow lid bin (or better yet use old paper to wrap breakable items like glasses). Digitise any important documents so that you don’t have to move them with you.
Check pantry items like sauces, cans and bottles to make sure you’re only taking what you need with you. If you have excess edible food you can donate it to a charity like Foodbank or OzHarvest. Out of date or expired food can be composted or added to neighbourhood composting through programs such as Share Waste.
Moving can be stressful for your pets. You may want to look into doggy day care, a cattery, or ask a friend to watch your furry friends for the day.
These items don’t belong in the red lidded waste bin, but can be disposed of for free at your nearest Community Recycling Centre.
Return old medicines to the pharmacy for free through the RUM project.
Cleaning your current home as much as you can in advance will leave less to do n or after moving day. Start early and there will be less to do later.
Keeping your most necessary items packed in one place can help you stay organised and minimise stress on moving day. The items you include in your essentials bag will be specific to you but should include anything that you may need in the 48 hours after moving.
Essential bag basics :
- Wallet and keys
- Medications
- Important documents
- Phone and charger
- Basic toiletries
- Small toolkit
- Change of clothes
- Snacks and water
To avoid denting, scratching, scuffing, and staining the floors you can:
- Cover them – with blankets, towels, cardboard, or rugs
- Carry furniture and appliances so they are not being dragged on the floor
- Designate inside and outside groups of people who are helping
- Clean any marks and dirt immediately
With everything moved out and cleaned now is a good time to document the condition of your house.
Clean the house and make sure there is nothing hiding on shelves or in cupboards.
Moving is tiring work and you’ll want to get a good night sleep in your new home. Set up and make your bed as a priority task on moving day so that you can get some rest… before unpacking everything else.
You are home!
Did you know that you can recycle soft plastic wrapping and bubble wrap? To find your nearest drop off location visit Recycling Near You.
Ordered a new TV and don’t know what to do with the white foam packaging inside the box? There’s no need to fill up your bin with it when you can recycle it. Find your nearest drop off location at Recycling Near You.
Cardboard moving boxes can be recycled in your yellow lid recycling bin. However, if your moving boxes and clean packing materials are good enough to survive another move, keep them for yourself or give them to your friends who could use them.
Set up your compost bin, worm farm or investigate community composting in your area.
Setting up systems that work for you will help free up space in your bins. Check your eligibility for discount compost bins and worm farms with Compost Revolution. If you can’t set up a system in your new place have a look at Share Waste which connects neighbours for community composting and worm farming options.
Being friendly with your neighbours can help you settle in and be a part of the community. Smile,say hello, spend time outside and ask your neighbours about their recommendations of places to visit in your local area.
Enjoy finding new local shops, supermarkets, libraries, cafes, parks, and restaurants to visit.
Contact your council or visit their website to learn about the services available to you in your new home. Importantly find out what goes in each bin, when to put the bins out and how to organise a clean-up in your area.
These centres are permanent drop-off centres for common household problem wastes that can’t be collected via council kerbside waste and recycling collection. Contact the NSW EPA to find your nearest centre.
Checking that smoke detectors and fire alarms are in working order and replacing batteries (or the entire device) is one way to help ensure your family stays safe should there be a fire in your home. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for testing instructions. Both batteries and smoke detectors can be disposed of for free at your local CRC. For more information or to find your nearest CRC contact the NSW EPA.
