Moving home brings plenty of excitement but updating your address is one of those unavoidable tasks that often gets pushed aside. Like those fancy vintage wine glasses sat collecting dust in the back of your cupboard, this admin chore tends to linger on the mental shelf for far too long - so, let this be your reminder to finally tackle it.
Whether you’re moving from a cosy Melbourne apartment or switching beachside suburbs in Sydney, changing your address is an essential task that needs to be completed around 1 month to 2 weeks before moving. Whilst not particularly exhilarating, it also doesn’t have to be as laborious as you may imagine. With a large cup of coffee and a little bit of background TV, it may even be slightly enjoyable. So, why not tick one more job off your list and consider this your comprehensive guide to letting everyone know that you've found greener pastures or at the very least a place with better water pressure?
Government Info
Updating your government-related addresses should be your top priority when moving - it's not just a legal requirement, but a crucial first step in your relocation journey. These updates include your driver's license, electoral roll registration, tax office records, Medicare, Centrelink (if applicable), and vehicle registration. While it might be tempting to postpone these changes given the notoriously long wait times and bureaucratic processes involved (we've all experienced that familiar hold music from the Tax Office), tackling them first means that you can enjoy moving forward knowing they're done.
- Australian Electoral Commission - Every member of your household (of legal voting age) should be changing over their electoral address.
- Australian Taxation Office
- Schools or Universities
- Australia Post - Alternatively, if you do not have time to change over all your addresses, you can temporarily use Australia Post mail redirection for any post that gets delivered to the wrong address.
- Child Support/ Concession cards/ Pension funds
Healthcare
Taking care of your health and your family's wellbeing should also be a top priority. If you are moving interstate, make sure to research doctors at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid being caught without medical assistance and having to Google symptoms to find out what’s wrong (the answer is rarely correct). If you're staying in the local area for your move, make sure to pop into your doctor's office or give them a quick call to let them know your new address. If you have any furry family members, don't forget to update their vet with your new details too!
Household Bills
Your household bills and utility providers are probably the most time-consuming tasks to complete on your change of address checklist due to the amount that it covers, so make sure to find a point in the day when you have a few hours free to yourself. With all the essential household bills, hired help and technology gadgets that fill your home, it's important to notify them before moving to prevent confusion. These are the household providers and utilities that will need updating with a new address:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Water
- Internet
- TV License
- Phone
- Broadband
- Household services e.g. cleaner/ gardener etc
- Cable/ Satellite
- House insurance that covers all your belongings
Memberships
Got any gym memberships or magazine subscriptions? They will also need to be notified of your move, along with any other memberships you may have. It's good to also give your gym plenty of notice about your move since they might have specific notice periods or fees - the earlier you let them know, the less likely you are to face any surprise charges. While you're at it, why not take a quick peek at your bank statements? You might spot some forgotten subscriptions lurking there (we've all been there with those free trials that weren't so free after all!). It's a great chance to declutter your monthly outgoings before starting fresh in your new place.
Financial
Another important address to change when moving house is that of your financial services. Along with making sure that you don’t miss any important payment information, updating these companies on your whereabouts can avoid serious problems such as identity theft or even worse having store points and discounts stolen. Here are some of the money-related services that you may need to update:
- Bank
- Credit cards
- Loan companies
- Pension schemes
- Superannuation
- Store cards
Vehicle
Last but certainly not least on your checklist should be to update all vehicle and driving information, particularly if you’re moving interstate. If you're moving within your state, don't forget to update your driver's license with your new address - this is crucial in case of any accidents or traffic incidents. Have a car on lease or finance? Be sure to let your lender know about your move so there's no hiccup with your payments. If you are moving interstate then before relocating you will also need to change address on car registration to whichever state you are moving to. Most states allow up to three months for your rego to be changed over but sometimes it may be shorter so you must research what to do in your new state before moving.
Share the Load
Starting a new chapter in your new home should be exciting! While updating your address is part of the moving process, remember that you don't have to shoulder every task alone. One of the easiest ways to take the weight off your shoulders is by hiring local removalists to assist you. Certain professional removalists will not only help you get from point A to point B, but they also can assist in what is possibly the most time-consuming task of them all - packing and unpacking. Experienced interstate removalists will also be able to offer you all-around care and assistance to navigate your relocation across states.Make your move smoother by sharing the load! Let the professionals handle the heavy lifting while you tackle the smaller tasks at your own pace. That way, you can start enjoying your new home with a little less to worry about.
