How Long Does It Take to Move House in Australia?

Moving house is an exciting life change but one that comes with a long checklist and many moving parts. One of the most common questions we hear is:

How long does it take to move house in Australia?

While every move is different, most households need 6 to 10 weeks to plan, pack, move and settle in. Your actual timeline depends on:

• The size of your home
• How much you’re moving
• Whether you hire professional movers
• How early you start
• Whether you require temporary self storage

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown, plus practical tips to make your move easier.

Average Timeframes by Property Size

Source:  Roomia customer insights + national removalist averages

What Affects How Long It Takes to Move House?

1. Size of your home

More rooms = more time. A 4-bedroom home may take 2x longer to declutter, pack, and clean than a 2-bedroom unit.

2. How early you start

If you start planning at least 6 weeks out, you’ll have time to tackle each phase calmly. Last-minute moves (less than 2 weeks) are doable but far more stressful.

3. Professional help vs DIY

Hiring removalists or professional packers can dramatically shorten moving time. Roomia customers who used movers typically packed 40% faster and reported fewer delays.

4. Availability of storage

Self storage gives you the flexibility to stage your move over time instead of cramming everything into one day. Explore Roomia’s storage options to reduce pressure on moving day.

Insights from Recent Research

• Australians move 13 times in their life (HomeMove, 2023)
• 85.3% find moving stressful (Budget Direct, 2023)
• Older Australians struggle more with clutter: 76.5% of those aged 58–67 felt they had too many belongings when moving, vs 56.5% of 18–27s (Budget Direct, 2023)

1. Planning and Organisation (Weeks 1–2)

Your first priority is building a clear moving plan.

• Use Roomia’s Moving House Checklist — a practical, free-to-use digital planning tool that outlines exactly what to do and when
• Book removalists as early as possible
• Notify utility providers, insurers, and postal services
• Schedule time off work and arrange pet or child care
• Budget for boxes, trucks, cleaners, and storage

Pro tip: Use a calendar or app to keep your planning on track.

2. Decluttering and Sorting (Weeks 2–4)

Reduce what you need to move and start fresh in your new space.

• Sort your belongings into keep, donate, sell, and discard
• Start with storage-heavy areas like wardrobes, garage, and kitchen
• Items you want to keep but don’t need immediately?

Store them securely at your local Roomia Self Storage facility

Decluttering now will save you hours later.

3. Packing (Weeks 4–8)

Packing takes longer than most people expect—so start early.

• Begin with rooms you use the least
• Use sturdy boxes and clear labelling
• Pack by room and category (Roomia’s Box Shop has everything you need)
• Create an inventory and label fragile items clearly
• Keep essential items out for the final few days

A smart packing plan reduces breakages and speeds up unpacking.

4. Moving Day (Week 9 or 10)

Whether you’ve hired movers or have friends lending a hand:

• Be packed and ready the night before
• Walk through the plan with your movers
• Have water, snacks, chargers, and essentials nearby
• Keep documents and valuables separate

Still have items that don’t fit in the new place? Roomia Self Storage offers flexible short- or long-term storage options.

5. Unpacking and Settling In (Week 10+)

Unpacking is best done gradually and with a plan.

• Start with the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms
• Use your box labels to guide placement
• Set up one room at a time
• Retrieve stored items as you create space
• Recycle or reuse moving boxes

Tip: Use our Space Calculator to estimate how much storage you may still need after your move.

How Roomia Can Help You Move

At Roomia, we’re more than just storage. We help simplify the moving process with:

• Secure, 24/7 accessible self storage in multiple sizes
• Affordable moving supplies from our Box Shop
• Online bookings and real-time unit size calculator
• Friendly support from our team, whenever you need it

Tools to Simplify Your Move

• Moving House Checklist – Free digital step-by-step guide
• Space Calculator – Find the right size storage unit
• Box Shop – Buy moving boxes and supplies online
• **Find a Storage Unit Near You**

Find a storage unit near you

Calculate your space

Need Temporary Storage While Moving?

Whether you’re staging your home, downsizing, or still figuring out where everything will go in your new space, Roomia Self Storage gives you the breathing room you need.

Get a quick quote or call 1300 766 642 to speak with our team.