Moving into a new property can be an exciting, if hectic, process. This is especially true if you are moving to Victoria from another state or country. To minimise stress, and make your transition to a new place easier, you should start making plans to move well before your moving date.
Moving Checklist
Once you have signed your new lease, give your current rental provider notice that you intend to end your rental agreement and move out. For more information on ending your tenancy, click here.
Make sure utilities and services (electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.) are connected to the property before you move in. This process can sometimes take a while, so make a start well before you move in. Make sure to also let service providers from your current property know that you are moving, so you don’t continue getting billed after you leave.
Update your address with the University, your bank, Centrelink, super, mygov, and other services you use. For a fee, you can also arrange to have your mail redirected to your new address. Visit Australia Post for more information.
Organise how you will move your belongings to your new home. Make sure to arrange any removalist services in advance. You can also hire a van if you prefer to move things yourself.
Sell or donate any unwanted belongings. For a list of op shops, click here to visit the Support Services Directory.
Collect boxes and start packing your belongings. Try packing items from each room together to help with organisation. Make sure to label each box to make things easier when unpacking.
If you’re a new international student arriving in Victoria from overseas, you can arrange a free airport pickup. Visit University of Melbourne for more information.
Buy any essential items you will need. Most private rental properties in Victoria are unfurnished so you will likely need to buy a bed, couch, fridge, etc. You may also need to buy cutlery, pots, and pans. Consider shopping at op shops to save money. Click here for a list of op shops.
Do a thorough clean of your current rental property before you move out. You may want to contact a professional cleaning service to do this for you.
If you’re living with others (e.g. – in a Share house), it can be a good idea to discuss expectations early on. Try to plan how you will share responsibilities for cleaning, paying bills/other expenses, etc. at the start of your tenancy to avoid disagreements later on.
Do a thorough inspection of your new home and complete a condition report. A condition report is a record of the condition of the property at the start of your tenancy. The Rental Provider/Landlord may not identify issues as part of their initial inspection, so it is important that you take photos and record any issues that you find. It can provide evidence in the event of a dispute. Click here for more information about condition reports.
