Movelane › Interstate moving costs
How much does it cost to move interstate in Australia?
From about $1,000 for a few items to $9,000 or more for a 3-bedroom home going to Perth. Distance matters, but less than you'd think: what you take, and whether you can be flexible with dates, matter as much.
Cost by route (2026)
Backloading estimates: a typical home volume multiplied by each route's published per-m³ rates. Pick a home size to compare.
Your own volume may differ: houses with a garage, shed or outdoor furniture often run 35 to 45 m³ for 3 bedrooms. Put in your own size and items with the cost calculator.
Further costs more, but less per kilometre
Divide each route's rate by its distance and long moves come out cheaper per kilometre. Long routes mostly travel by rail in shared containers, and the truck legs are short.
So doubling the distance doesn't double the price. Cutting what you take does: every cubic metre you leave behind saves the full per-m³ rate.
What adds to the bill
The estimates above cover moving your load. These are usually quoted on top, so ask for each in writing.
Packing and boxes
A full packing service can add a lot. Packing yourself, with free or reusable boxes, is the easiest saving.
Transit insurance
Often optional and priced on the value you declare. Check the excess and what's excluded before you buy.
Storage
Needed when lease dates don't line up, especially on long routes where delivery takes weeks.
Access
Stairs, lifts, long carries and tight parking add labour at either end. Mention them in your request.
Special items
Pianos, pool tables, safes and large artwork need extra people or equipment and are priced separately.
Your car
Most removalists don't move cars; car transport is usually booked separately with a carrier.
Work out your own move
Pick your route, home size and garage, or add items one by one, and see your backloading range straight away.
Common questions
What's the average cost to move interstate in Australia?
It depends mostly on how much you move. On one booking platform, typical interstate bookings run from about $1,450 for 13.6 m³ (Melbourne to Sydney) to about $2,850 for 22.6 m³ (Sydney to the Sunshine Coast). A full 3-bedroom home usually costs more: roughly $3,000 to $9,300 with backloading, depending on the route.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house interstate?
With backloading, about $3,000 to $4,500 between Sydney and Brisbane, $4,500 to $6,100 from Melbourne to Queensland, and $6,800 to $9,300 to Perth, assuming about 30 m³. A dedicated truck costs more.
What's the cheapest way to move interstate?
Move less, pack yourself and choose backloading with flexible dates. Backloading is usually 30 to 50% cheaper than a dedicated truck because your load shares the trip.
Do interstate removalists charge by the hour?
Usually not. Local moves are often charged by the hour, but interstate moves are priced by the space your load takes up, in cubic metres, plus any extras.
Does it cost anything to get quotes here?
No. Requesting quotes is free and you're under no obligation to book. Removalists may pay us for receiving requests; it doesn't change the price they quote you.
Sources and method. Per-m³ backloading rates are the published 2026 rates used in each route guide: Transcorp Removals & Storage for Sydney and Brisbane, and Muval's route data for the other routes. Typical bookings are Muval's typical move price and volume for each route. Typical home volumes are from removalists' guides by Ready Movers and Upmove. Estimates are volume multiplied by the rate range, rounded to the nearest $50, and exclude packing, insurance and other extras. Per-kilometre figures divide each route's rate range by its road distance. Checked October 2026.