Although the reasons for moving to Australia are usually positive, like relocationg to a larger property or a new job, the relocation itself can be traumatic. Use our tips and free advice to make the move go smoothly.

Relocation to Australia starts a new chapter in your life. Our moving company can help you to move your home, with free independent advice about moving to Australia, moving house hints and tips and interesting Moving articles. Contact us now for your free no obligation removal quote!

     HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE:

Of course, moving to any new land has its own potential pitfalls, and Australia is no exception. For a Full Container Load Shipping to Australia, you can expect a door-to-door transit time of 6-8 weeks. A Shared Container Moving to Australia - known as groupage - will almost certainly be cheaper, but will take longer, 10-12 weeks door-to-door.

The times stated below are for time at sea, please also allow for customs clearance and delivery upon arrival at port in Australia. Our relocation managers will be happy to advise on delivery times but as a general rule we would estimate 14-21 days for part load deliveries depending on the area in Australia.

- Perth: 36 days
- Adelaide: 30 days
- Melbourne: 44 days
- Brisbane: 41
- Sydney: 40 days

     WHAT CAN I MOVE TO AUSTRALIA:

You will of course want to know what personal and household items you can move to Australia, which ones you might have to pay duty or tax on, and which you cannot move into Australia. For example, you can import any house items and personal effects that you have owned and used for 12 months or more before you depart for Australia duty-free. But they can ALL be subject to a physical examination by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), carried out in AQIS approved premises. Such an inspection can hold things up for up to 14 working days after the consignment has arrived. Because of this inspection full containers are not and cannot be delivered direct to your new home in Australia. There are standard charges for AQIS inspections based on the volume of the consignment, so make sure your international removals company quotes for these separately prior to shipping to Australia.

But what items are most likely to attract the interest of AQIS? Certainly any goods that may have come into contact with the soil or vegetation - not just the obvious things like garden tools and garden furniture, bicycles and camping equipment, golf clubs or cricket bats, but shoes, boots and any outdoor sportswear. There are also vacuum cleaners and anything containing dried vegetable matter, such as pine cones and wreaths within Christmas decorations.

It's essential that you thoroughly clean such items before you move to Australia, and it may be worth considering other treatments such as fumigation and/or steam cleaning - again, get advice from your international moving company to Australia about this. But even then, AQIS may still at their discretion order further cleaning or treatment, which will incur additional shipping costs to Australia.

     ITEMS THAT YOU MUST DECLARE ON ARRIVAL:

- Food commercially prepared, cooked and raw food and ingredients
- Dairy and egg products
- Animal products
- Seeds and nuts
- Fresh fruit or vegetables
- Live animals and animal products
- Plant material
- Used freshwater watercraft, sporting or fishing equipment

More detailed items you must declare when moving to Australia

Take time to compare agents that will help with moving to Australia; so that you find one that is right for your personal moving needs. Remember all cases are different so confirm that they have experience in your shipping to Australia requirements. Do ensure that your international moving company provide you with information about all the fees ahead of making any commitment, and get this in writing. Also, do not be afraid to ask about their success rate. If they are a reputable international shipping company to Australia they should not be afraid of telling you how good they are.

To get free advice on moving to Australia, tips on relocation and shipping your personal items to Australia contact us tuday! 0800 612 6259