Moving To Australia | Moving From Overseas To Australia

We've been helping people and their families move to Australia for over 40 years. We can arrange door to door services from any corner of the globe. With a worldwide network of affiliated partners and branches throughout Australia and New Zealand we have the world covered. Whether you need to move just a few small things or all of the contents of your home we can tailor a service to meet your requirements. We have the experience, expertise and infrastructure to help make your move to Australia a pleasurable event. Let us take care of the hard work while you concentrate on everything else. So if you're looking for great service with a competitive price, let us help you on your journey to Australia.

Australian Customs Border Control

When moving goods to Australia it is important to know that your goods must be cleared for entry by the Australian Customs service. We will undertake this formality on your behalf as part of our service. You are required to provide a copy of your passport and complete an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (B534). We will submit these documents to Customs together with your inventory of goods being shipped.

As a general rule you are able to import your used personal effects and household goods into Australia without having to pay customs duty and tax provided;

The goods are your personal property and that you have owned and used whilst overseas for at least 12 months before departing for Australia.
You are in Australia at the time your goods arrive, or have evidence to verify your intended arrival to Australia.
Be an arriving person who is a permanent resident returning to Australia, or a first time migrant taking up permanent residency.

You can also import inherited goods without paying duty and tax provided you can show proof that the goods have been willed or given to you as part of the estate of person who passed away.

If you include any alcohol and tobacco products in your shipment you will have to pay import duty and tax on them. There are also very tight controls around the prohibited and restricted goods. Please be aware that some goods are prohibited while others may require special permits for importation.

It is important to be fully aware of the requirements, thus it is essential to visit Australian Customs to obtain up to date detailed information.

Australian Quarantine Border Control

Australia has a very unique environment and important agricultural industries which are free from many pests and diseases found in other parts of the world. Unfortunately the importation of personal effects can create a pathway for the introduction of unwanted exotic pests and diseases. As a result there are very strict controls put in placed by the Department of Agriculture. All shipments of household goods and personal effects entering Australia are subject to a quarantine inspection before they can be released and ok for entry into Australia. We will undertake this inspection and release process on your behalf as part of our service. In order to do so we will need you to complete an Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement (B534). We will submit this to Quarantine together with the inventory being shipped.

Most households will have a number of common items of quarantine concern that you should be aware. In some instances certain items may require some form of treatment before they are released for entry. If you ship any prohibited items the will be destroyed or ordered to be exported back out of Australia.

It is important to be fully aware of the requirements, thus it is essential to visit the Department of Agriculture to obtain up to date detailed information.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
During the period of 1 September to 30 April any shipment containing commercial goods, vehicles and other high-risk items from countries identified as having Brown Marmorates Stink Bug risk and will be subject to further quarantine treatment. Click here to see the latest advice from Department of Agriculture.

Khapra Beetle
Considered the number two National Priority Plant Pest, the Khapra Beetle is a highly invasive pest not present in Australia. It poses a major threat to Australia's grain industry. To prevent the arrival of Khapra Beetle the Department of Agriculture are banning the importation of high risk plant products. This includes many common household food items. As a result we highly recommend excluding food from all shipments. Click here to see the latest advice from Department of Agriculture.

Shipping Your Car Or Motorcycle

The importation of motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers into Australia is highly regulated and as such there are a number of requirements you need to be aware of over and beyond our shipping services.

All motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers imported into Australia require an Import Approval permit from the Department of Infrastructure before they can be shipped. Please visit their website where you will find the most current information and an online application for Import Approval.

Most motor vehicles and motorcycles will require the payment of duty and/or GST to Australian Customs. The value of duty can vary depending on the age, value and origin of a vehicle. It is important to be fully aware of this cost and all other requirements, thus it is absolutely essential you visit the Australia Customs website to find detailed information.

All motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers will require a physical internal and external inspection upon arrival to Australia by the Department of Agriculture to ensure they are clean and free of any quarantine risk material. This is a service that we will arrange for you as part of our process, however if any risk material is found in and/or on your motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer then additional cleaning services may be required and incur additional expenses.

All motor vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers need to have an Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliance and as such will require an examination by a registered engineer to ensure that all specifications are met. Thereafter you will need to obtain a Safety Certificate and then finally registration for use on the road. Click here for a link to the various State and Territory Registering Authorities.

How Much Will It Cost

Prices for moving are generally based on the amount (volume) of goods you have to move. We also take into consideration the access at your pick up and delivery points, what your packing requirements are, and if you have any items which require special handling such as pianos. Once we have these details we are able to provide you with a price.