Moving home checklist for older Australians

Moving house is one of life's more stressful events at any age. When you're also downsizing, moving into a retirement village or community, or moving closer to family, there can be extra decisions and emotions. Breaking the move into smaller tasks over several weeks makes it much more manageable.

This checklist sets out a timeline you can adapt. It suits people moving themselves and families helping a parent or relative. Print it, tick tasks off and share it with whoever is helping.

Two to three months before

• Confirm your moving date, or a likely window, once contracts or agreements are in place.
• Measure your new home and draw a simple floor plan to decide which furniture will fit.
• Start decluttering, room by room. Sort items into keep, give to family, sell, donate and recycle.
• Get removalist quotes: at least two or three written quotes. Ask what's included, such as packing, insurance, dismantling furniture and access issues like stairs or lifts.
• Check your contract or agreement for any move-in requirements or restrictions, such as approved alterations or move-in times.
• Make a list of people to notify about your move.

Four to six weeks before

• Book your removalist and confirm the date and details in writing.
• Arrange storage if needed.
• Book cleaning for your old home, especially if it's a rental or sale requires it.
• Organise mail redirection with Australia Post.
• Arrange utilities to be disconnected at the old home and connected at the new one: electricity, gas, water if applicable, internet and phone.
• Plan for pets, including transport on moving day.
• Ask family or friends for help on specific days.

Two to three weeks before

• Pack non-essentials, labelling boxes with contents and the room they're going to.
• Arrange home and contents insurance for your new home, and check cover during the move.
• Collect important documents, such as identification, wills, powers of attorney, financial records, medical records and contracts, and keep them with you rather than in the removal truck.
• Refill prescriptions so you won't run short during the move.
• Return borrowed items and collect anything you've lent.
• Use up frozen food and pantry items.

Updating your address

Tell these people and organisations about your new address:

• Services Australia, including Centrelink and Medicare, which you can do through myGov;
• the Australian Taxation Office, also via myGov;
• the Australian Electoral Commission;
• your state road authority, for your driver licence and vehicle registration;
• banks, super funds and insurers;
• your doctor, dentist, pharmacy and specialists;
• My Aged Care and any aged care or home support providers;
• subscriptions, clubs and memberships;
• family and friends.

The week before

• Pack an essentials box: medications, glasses, phone and charger, toiletries, a change of clothes, bedding, kettle, cups, snacks, basic tools, toilet paper and cleaning items.
• Confirm arrangements with the removalist, helpers and the new home's manager or agent.
• Defrost the fridge and freezer if they're being moved.
• Arrange keys and access for both homes.

Moving day

• Be there or have someone you trust there to direct the removalists.
• Check the inventory and note any damage.
• Do a final walk-through of the old home: cupboards, garage, garden shed and meter readings.
• Set up the bed and essentials first in the new home.
• Take breaks, drink water and don't try to do everything at once.

The first weeks

• Unpack gradually, starting with the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
• Check safety: smoke alarms, lighting, trip hazards and grab rails.
• Find local services: doctor, pharmacy, shops and transport.
• Meet neighbours and join an activity or group.
• Update any remaining addresses.

Help for families

If you're helping a parent or relative move:

• involve them in decisions as much as possible;
• be patient with sorting belongings, which can be emotional;
• set up familiar items first to help them feel at home;
• check on them often in the first weeks.

If family can't help, ask your local council about community services for older residents. Some councils and community organisations offer help with moving, transport or settling in, and some removalists offer packing and unpacking services designed for seniors.

Label one box clearly as "open first" and keep it with you in the car, so the most important items are easy to find on the first night.

Common mistakes

• Leaving decluttering until the last week.
• Packing medications and documents in the truck.
• Forgetting to update the address with doctors and pharmacies.

Avoiding removalist problems

Most moves go smoothly, but problems with removalists do happen. To protect yourself:

• get a written quote that lists what is included and any extra charges, such as for stairs, long carries or packing materials;
• check whether the company has insurance and what it covers;
• avoid paying large deposits up front;
• record any damage on moving day and report it in writing promptly.

If something goes wrong and you can't resolve it with the business, contact your state fair trading or consumer protection agency.

Moving with pets

If you're taking a pet, check that your new home or community allows pets and what rules apply. Keep pets somewhere quiet and secure on moving day, update their microchip details with your new address and phone number, and register them with your new council if required. Give them time to settle, and keep routines as normal as possible.

Where to find more information

Services Australia has a moving house checklist for updating your details with Centrelink and Medicare. Australia Post explains mail redirection, and your state road authority explains how to update your licence and registration.

Moving safely

Moving day is physically demanding. Leave heavy lifting to the removalists and helpers, take regular breaks, keep walkways clear of boxes to avoid trips, and make sure your medications and a phone stay with you all day. If you have health conditions, plan a quieter day afterwards to rest. Arrange for someone to stay with you on the first night if you'd feel more comfortable.

Key points

Start planning a move two to three months ahead. Declutter early, get written removalist quotes, organise utilities and mail, keep important documents and medicines with you, update your address with government via myGov and others directly, and settle in gradually.