Smartlist

Plan how you'll do the move. Research removalists or compare van hire offers if you'll do the move yourself.

Check out our video guide - Moving house - should you DIY or call in the pro's

Check out our video guide - How much does it cost to move house?

Start gathering boxes, tape (with tape dispenser), bubble wrap and newspaper, and a thick black marker to write descriptions of each box.

This is a great opportunity to identify items you can sell, donate or discard. You may need to organise a skip, a hard-rubbish collection, or a garage sale.

Identify items for disposal. Make a list of items for sale and list them on eBay/Gumtree. Throw out, donate, sell or give away what is costing you space.

Check out our video guide - Turn your move into cash with a garage sale

Check out our video guide - Should you get home insurance at your new address?
Did you know that moving house could affect your insurance? Even reduce it? It pays to compare policies for your new area.

Check out our video guide - Six reasons why moving house could affect your insurance

If you've bought a house (congratulations BTW!), your first key activity is to pay the deposit. You'll need to engage a conveyancer to do this.

Check out our video guide - Property settlement: how it works, and traps to avoid

Also, book in repair work. If your contract of sale or lease requires any maintenance or repair work prior to your move date, get tradespeople organised now.

Still househunting? Go direct to websites of local real estate agents to get the jump on brand new properties becoming available.

Found a place already? Confirm the date and key collection with the real estate agent.

Decide if you need to arrange short or longer-term external storage for items that won't be moving to your new place.

Check out our video guide - Six benefits of short-term storage

Booking a relocation service may feel extravagant but if you're moving states or a long-distance it could save you money. Relocation services can be booked for vehicles such as cars, boats, trailers or caravans.

Start researching your new neighbourhood to locate key amenities such as supermarkets, parks, public transport etc. Make a list of those you might need to find a recommendation for such as a new doctor or dentist.

Arrange for school or daycare transfers.

Book pet relocation services (unless you will do it yourself).

Check out our video guide -  Ten tips to help kids and pets through the moving process

Start packing! It may take longer than you expect. Or, consider using a professional packing service to take care of it for you.

Create a moving checklist of all precious, special and fragile items that will be moved. Organise protective wrapping and packing materials.

Gather important personal documents (like birth certificates and wills) and store them in a waterproof folder ready for moving.

If you're planning to use a removalist or need to hire a moving van, ensure you book it early.

Check out our video guide - Seven reasons to use professional removalists
Looking to book a removalist? Save time, money and hassles booking your move with Muval.

Renters - give notice to your landlord and organise a final inspection.

Organise time off work to ensure a smoother move. You may need both the day before and the day of your move off.

Book babysitters for your children and pets on moving day.

Notify all utility providers and arrange disconnections and reconnections:

• Energy (electricity and gas)
• Water
• Internet / landline
• Pay TV

Are you looking for a new internet plan at your new address? Check out this offer from Tangerine, Australia's award-winning provider.

Organise a mail redirection service to your new address so you don't miss any important mail.

Don't forget to update your address with the required government agencies, accounts and memberships. Use the Smaver Updater to make this task easier for you.

Check out our video guide - Avoid unnecessary fines or costs – change your address with these key organisations

Cancel services such as food delivery, gardeners or house cleaners.

Organise a house cleaning service for both your existing and new homes. Get a competitive price from Jim's Cleaning Group today.

Ensure the garden is well-maintained. Consider engaging a gardener to save you time and hassle.

Use up frozen or perishable food items so you empty your fridge, freezer and pantry by the time moving day arrives.

Service your car. If you are driving long distances during your move, ensure your car is in good working order.

Check the garage to ensure you haven't missed any items to move/sell/dispose of.

Check settlement - If selling, check in with your conveyancer to ensure the settlement is in order - especially if you require the funds on time.

Final inspection - If you’ve purchased a new home, arrange a final inspection 24-48 hours before settlement to ensure that the property is up to the agreed standard.

Collect all sets of spare keys to your current home from friends and family.

Arrange a time and place to collect the keys to your new home, or visit your landlord and collect the keys yourself. Consider booking in a locksmith to change the locks at your new home on moving day.  

• Back up computers and important devices, with files are stored separately and securely.
• Pack plates vertically to keep them more secure and prevent breaking during the move.
• Set essentials aside. Keep small, important items (like remotes, keys and chargers) in a specially marked box. Keep bedding and towels for moving day in a separate, marked box.
• Keep bed linen, curtains and towels aside ready for use in your new home.
• Check that all lids and jars are screwed on properly to avoid spills during transit.         
• Water indoor plants and pack them into plastic boxes.         
• Drain petrol and oil from tools and equipment.

• Confirm move details with removalist/van hire company.
• Create a floor plan. Include all room measurements in your new home to ensure all furniture fits, giving you enough time to replace what doesn’t.
• Check manufacturer instructions on washing machines and fridges for moving tips.
• Investigate any moving requirements (like parking and access restrictions, lift protocol and traffic management) imposed by authorities such as your local council, body corporate or building manager.
• If needed, arrange parking for removalists/moving van.    

• Safely dispose of dangerous goods that cannot be moved. Ensure that gas cylinders and air bottles are empty and that valves are open.         
• Order a skip and hard rubbish collection. Fill them with unwanted items.
• Start cleaning (or book a professional cleaner).

Return borrowed items such as library books; pick up dry-cleaning; refill prescriptions to cover until after you move.

Freelancers - update clients with your new address details, and update invoices with new address details.

Contact your utility companies and confirm that your services are scheduled to be disconnected and reconnected.

Create a kit with all the basics you'll need for moving day:

• bottles of water
• first aid kit
• prescription medication
• phone chargers
• toilet paper

Pack a bag for each family member containing clothes for moving day, toiletries and toys/snacks/bedding for children and pets.

Charge mobile phones and place chargers in a safe place. 

Write important numbers down just in case you run out of battery on moving day.

Walk removalists through your home, giving clear instructions. Ensure that access points are clear of clutter so removalists can use them safely. 

Clearly mark ‘high priority’ boxes and make them easy to access. Ensure removalists are aware of them so they can be loaded last and be the first off.

Make a final check of all cupboards, cabinets and storage areas to make sure nothing has been left behind.

Don't forget to check any sheds, garages and garden areas.

Set out all the rubbish for council cleanup.

If you've engaged professional cleaners, check that they have covered everything that was agreed upon.

Provide keys to real estate agent/new owner.

Remove garage opener from your car.

Lock all doors and windows.

Have a photocopy of the furniture floor plan so you can instruct removalists.

Ensure that access points are clear of clutter so removalists can use them safely.

Notify removalists if you find anything missing.

Check your storage items to ensure nothing is missing or damaged before signing the inventory.

Utilities - check that they are connected and take photos of the meters

Previous tenants - check if there are any items left behind by the previous tenants or occupants

Renters - take pictures of the house as part of a condition report

Garden - inspect the garden before your kids and pet start playing 

Unpack your moving day kit based on your requirements

Start with assembling your bed 

Unpack your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and other rooms 

Place your important documents in a safe place 

Don't forget to leave your fridge in the upright direction for the time recommended by the manufacturer before switching on.

Ready to treat yourself to a new mattress? Check out this fantastic offer from Sleeping Duck.

Consider a letterbox drop to introduce yourself.

Check out our video guide -  Eight ways to settle into your new neighbourhood sooner

Contact previous professionals (doctors, dentists etc) to forward your records to new practitioners.

Check out our video guide - Eight tips when choosing a new medical practitioner