How Much Do Long Distance Movers Cost in Australia?

How Much Do Long Distance Movers Cost?

As we know, Australia is not a small country, and when it comes to moving long distances, the costs can quickly add up.

Moving can already be expensive in the first place, so adding on the expense and time involved with larger journeys can put pressure on your budget.

In normal circumstances, local moves are made up of two removalists, and their truck will be around $400-700 – but for long-distance moves, you’ll be looking at a minimum of $1500.

If you have specialist cargo or extra services added on, it’s not uncommon for the prices to reach into the thousands.

With many interstate and long distance moves across Australia, your cargo may have to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres, meaning that the trucks, tools and teams that handle it will charge accordingly.

Putting together your budget for such an undertaking is not easy, so we thought it would be helpful to put together this article for some broad information.

So, how much do long distance movers cost in Australia? Let’s find out…

Factors That Affect The Cost Of Your Long Distance Move

Of course, there are a number of factors that are taken into consideration when undertaking a long distance move in Australia. These include:

Distance

Naturally, the price of fuel is factored into any interstate move quote, which is determined by the distance travelled. For instance, a move from Sydney to Melbourne is going to cost less than Perth to Melbourne.

The distance also affects the number of hours that your moving team will use up, which will increase the bottom line as it gets longer.

Cargo Size

The volume, weight and size of your cargo will also have a significant effect on the price, as it will inform the number of people needed to handle it, the size of the truck and the fuel used for transportation.

For example, if you are moving a small apartment’s worth of goods, you’re going to be paying less than if you were moving a large family home. Similarly, if you’re moving heavier objects such as pianos, costs will also increase with the weight and space taken.

Flexibility

The urgency of your move will affect the ultimate price, as will the timing. If you are a little more flexible on your move, you can opt for a weekday or a backloading service which may end up costing less.

However, if you need the move carried out at short notice, on a weekend and with a private truck for your cargo, you will pay more in the end. If possible, always try to book in advance.

Extra Services

Moving across state lines in Australia is not always as simple as loading furniture and other belongings onto a truck and unloading them at the new location. Additional services are frequently needed, like pre-packing, antique removal, vehicle movement, short or long-term warehouse storage, self-storage, pool table or aquarium removal, pet transfer, and others.

The easiest way to make sure everything is taken care of is to work with a moving partner like ZOOM who will be able to offer all the extras themselves without having to involve expensive external partners.

Packing Services

You’re likely to be trying to save money in any way you can, but one thing that may actually end up saving you money is opting for professional packing services.

Your moving company will be able to provide the packing materials and free moving boxes (which can be very expensive) and will also be able to load and unload them in less time.

Plus, with purpose-constructed boxes such as those from a professional company, they can be stacked more efficiently in the truck to save space.

Storage

It’s not usual to need some kind of storage support when moving long distance. As always, the volume needed to store will affect the cost, but generally, an average home will cost anywhere between $150-$500 a month.

Insurance is usually included in the price, but make sure to confirm that before agreeing to the final price.

Accommodation and flights

It’s easy to forget one of the most important things to factor into your long distance move: yourself! Depending on your preferences and budget, there are a few different ways you can handle this:

• Flying – Flying directly to your destination, or to a transport hub nearby is going to be the quickest and easiest way, although it will likely be the most expensive – especially if you’re moving an entire family. And, as you’ll be travelling faster than your removalists, you may need to book accommodation around the time of their arrival to make sure you’re all syncing up properly. Just like with most things, remember to book early to get the best prices. Flights will likely cost you anywhere between $500-$1000 or more.
• Driving – Australia is a very large country, but if the drive seems manageable, it would be a great way to get to your new home. Remember to factor in costs such as fuel, insurance and other practicalities. You may also need to book yourself into a hotel or two along the way if it is a long distance. We also recommend getting your car serviced before such as long distance to make sure you don’t experience any problems or breakdowns!

Transporting Your Pets

Moving with pets is a whole other story, but if you’re travelling by car this can be the easiest option. If this isn’t possible, you can look into pet delivery services that can help you – although this will add to your overall bottom line.

Just like with other cargo, the specifics will inform the price, such as the distance that will be travelled and any specific needs of your pet.

As such, the price will likely be anywhere between $100-600 depending on the above parameters. Here are more tips on moving pets interstate.

Packing and Boxes

If you choose to pack yourself, you’ll be looking at anywhere between $4 per box all the way up to $40 or even more. You’ll also need to factor in other materials such as tape, bubble wrap, cable ties, padding and more.

You can expect to spend at least $100 in total. As such, we recommend opting for a packing service and free moving boxes from ZOOM.

Let ZOOM Help You Out

As you can see, long distance moves come with a lot of costs you may not have considered.

However, by choosing us as your moving partner, you can be sure you’re getting the most affordable rates, and fantastic service to boot.

For more help on finding out how much long distance moving costs in Australia, check out our handy interstate moving calculator.