How much do removalists cost in Australia
Here's what removalists charge in each capital city, by home size and on interstate routes.
Key takeaways
- Removalists usually charge by the hour for local moves and by volume for interstate moves, so the size of your home is the biggest factor in what you'll pay.
- Call-out fees, minimum bookings, stairs, weekend rates and packing are charged on top of the base rate, so ask for an itemised written quote.
- Moving on a weekday, packing yourself and comparing at least 3 quotes are the easiest ways to bring the cost down.
How much removalists cost depends on where you live, how much you're moving and how far it's going. The tables below show typical hourly rates in each capital city, total costs by home size and prices on popular interstate routes. We put them together from published removalist rate cards and booking data, checked in October 2026.
How much do removalists cost per hour?
Most removalists quote an hourly rate for 2 movers and a truck, usually including GST. Adding a third mover and a bigger truck costs more per hour but can finish a large move faster. Most companies also charge a minimum booking and a call-out or travel fee on top.
Here's what removalists charge in each capital city for a standard 2-mover crew on a weekday. Prices are as at October 2026, based on Finder analysis of published removalist rate cards and booking data. Most include GST, but they exclude call-out fees and extras.
| City | Hourly rate (2 movers + truck) | Typical total for a 3-bedroom local move |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $140–$200 | $600–$1,300 |
| Melbourne | $114–$300 | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Brisbane | $110–$175 | $800–$1,200 |
| Perth | $120–$176 | $600–$1,200 |
| Adelaide | $90–$180 | $800–$1,500 |
| Hobart | $150–$165 | $1,000–$1,700 |
How much do removalists cost by home size?
The size of your home matters most because it sets how many movers you need and how many hours the job takes. A rough rule used by removalists is about 1 hour to load and another hour to unload every 10 cubic metres of furniture and boxes. The prices below are as at October 2026 for a local move under about 30km on a weekday, without packing. Stairs, long carries and tight parking push you towards the top of the range.
| Home size | Typical crew | Typical hours | Typical total cost (local move) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1 bedroom | 2 movers | 2–4 hours | $250–$900 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2 movers | 3–6 hours | $400–$1,300 |
| 3 bedrooms | 2–3 movers | 5–8 hours | $600–$2,200 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 3–4 movers | 7–10+ hours | $1,000–$2,700+ |
How much does it cost to move interstate?
Interstate removalists usually price by volume (cubic metres) rather than by the hour, so the route and how much you're moving set the price. A shared or backloaded truck is usually the cheapest option, and booking a dedicated truck that carries only your belongings costs more.
These are typical prices on popular routes as at October 2026, based on Muval interstate booking benchmarks from May 2023 to June 2026. They exclude access fees, packing and peak-date surcharges.
| Route | Typical price | Average move size | Price per cubic metre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney to Melbourne | $1,650–$1,900 | 14.2m³ | $135 |
| Sydney to Brisbane | $2,000–$2,400 | 18.3m³ | $130 |
| Melbourne to Adelaide | $2,150–$2,550 | 16.8m³ | $152 |
| Melbourne to Brisbane | $2,750–$3,200 | 16.5m³ | $195 |
| Sydney to Perth | $2,950–$3,450 | 12.4m³ | $280 |
| Brisbane to Perth | $3,050–$3,600 | 12.6m³ | $286 |
| Melbourne to Hobart | $3,250–$3,850 | 14.0m³ | $274 |
Backloading vs a dedicated truck
Backloading means your belongings share space on a truck that's already making the trip, often on its return leg. It's the cheapest way to move interstate, but you trade flexibility for the saving. Pick-up and delivery dates can move by several days, and your goods may be stored in a depot along the way.
A dedicated truck carries only your belongings, travels straight to your new home and runs on fixed dates. It suits large moves, fragile items or tight settlement dates.
What extra fees do removalists charge?
The hourly rate is only part of the bill. These fees are the most common reason a final invoice is higher than expected. All prices below, including packing, specialist items and storage, are as at October 2026.
| Fee | Typical cost | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out or travel fee | $100–$130 flat, or included in the hourly rate | Is travel from the depot charged both ways? |
| Minimum booking | 2–3 hours | What's the minimum, and do you bill in 15 or 30-minute blocks? |
| Weekend and public holiday rates | Often higher than weekday rates | Is the rate the same 7 days a week? |
| Stairs | $50–$80 per flight | Is there a charge for stairs or a lift? |
| Long carry (truck can't park close) | $50–$100 flat | How far from the door can you carry before a fee applies? |
| Fuel levy | 5%–12% of the bill | Is fuel included in the hourly rate? |
How to estimate your removalist cost
You can get a reasonable estimate before you ask for quotes with this formula:
Estimated cost = (hours × hourly rate) + call-out fee + extras
- Estimate the hours. Use the home size table above, or allow about 2 hours for every 10m³ of belongings (1 to load and 1 to unload), plus driving time between homes.
- Pick a rate for your city. Use the low end for an easy move on a weekday and the high end for apartments, stairs or a weekend booking.
- Add the extras. Include the call-out fee, any stairs or long carries, packing and insurance.
For example, a 2-bedroom unit with one flight of stairs might take about 4 hours. Multiply that by the hourly rate for your city, then add the call-out fee and a stairs fee from the tables above.
Hourly rate or fixed price: which is cheaper?
An hourly rate is usually cheaper for small, simple local moves where you're packed and ready, because you only pay for the time used. A fixed price is safer for large, interstate or complicated moves, because the cost is locked in even if the job runs long.
If you choose an hourly rate, check whether the company bills in 15-minute or 30-minute blocks and when the clock starts. Some start the clock when the truck leaves the depot rather than when it arrives at your door.
Hourly rate
Pros
- You only pay for the time you use
- Usually cheaper for small, well-prepared moves
Cons
- The bill grows if you're not packed or access is tricky
- Travel time and minimum hours can add up
Fixed price
Pros
- You know the full cost up front
- No risk if traffic, stairs or delays slow the job down
Cons
- You pay the same even if the move finishes early
- Quotes rely on an accurate inventory, so missing items can be charged extra
How to save money on removalists
- Move on a weekday, mid-month. Weekends, public holidays, the end of the month and summer are the busiest and most expensive times.
- Get at least 3 written quotes. Prices for the same job can differ noticeably between companies.
- Declutter before you book. Every cubic metre you sell, donate or dump is time and truck space you don't pay for.
- Pack yourself. Have every box packed, taped and labelled before the truck arrives, so the crew isn't waiting on the clock.
- Clear the way. Book parking, reserve the lift and disassemble beds and tables ahead of time.
- Be flexible on interstate dates. Backloading can cost far less than a dedicated truck if your dates can move.
- Mix and match. Move boxes and small items yourself and pay removalists only for the heavy furniture.
"We bought our first home and moved earlier this year, which was a pretty stressful time given I was 7.5 months pregnant. We got quotes from 3 local removalists and compared them with the cost of hiring a van and getting some mates to help over a weekend. After weighing it up, we hired a van for about $300 for 2 days and roped in a few friends, which worked well for us. My advice is to shop around and compare a few quotes, and check exactly what's included so you don't get hit with hidden costs on the day."
How to choose a removalist and avoid bad quotes
The NSW Government advises getting an itemised written quote and a contract before you hire a removalist. The contract should list the services, an inventory of your belongings, both addresses, pick-up and delivery dates, the payment method and any storage charges.
Watch for these red flags:
- A quote far below everyone else's. Lowball interstate quotes are sometimes followed by demands for extra payment before your goods are delivered.
- A large upfront deposit. Be wary of handing over most of the cost before the move happens.
- No written quote or contract. Verbal estimates are hard to hold anyone to.
- No physical address or ABN. Check the business details and read independent reviews.
Look for a removalist accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). Accredited members must meet standards for equipment, vehicles, staff training and insurance.
Removalists aren't required by law to insure your belongings during a move. Under Australian Consumer Law, though, they must provide their service with due care and skill. If your goods are damaged or the job isn't done properly, raise it with the company first, then contact the Fair Trading or consumer affairs office in your state.
Before you buy transit insurance from a removalist, check whether your home insurance covers moving house. Some policies include cover for goods in transit.
Is it cheaper to move yourself?
A DIY move is usually cheaper upfront. You'll pay for truck or van hire, fuel and packing materials, but it costs you time and effort, and you carry the risk if furniture or the truck gets damaged.
DIY works best for studio or 1-bedroom moves with friends to help and no heavy items. For anything bigger, a hybrid approach often works well: move boxes yourself and book removalists for a few hours for the furniture.
The total cost of moving house
Removalists are often the biggest cost of the move itself, but they're rarely the only one. When you budget for a move, also allow for:
- Cleaning. An end-of-lease or bond clean if you're renting.
- Utilities. Connection fees for electricity, gas and internet at your new home. It's also a good time to compare energy plans for your new address.
- Insurance. Updating your home and contents insurance, or getting renters insurance for your belongings.
- Overlap costs. Rent or a mortgage on two homes, plus storage if the dates don't line up.
- Buying costs. If you're buying, factor in stamp duty, conveyancing and inspections. Our guide to the costs of buying a house breaks these down.
Moving house? Don't pay too much for power
Compare electricity and gas plans available at your new address.
Use our moving house checklist for electricity, gas and internet to make sure everything is connected on moving day. If you're moving out for the first time, our guide to the costs of moving out of home covers what else to budget for. You can find more guides on buying a house here.
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