Movelane › Sydney to Melbourne
Sydney to Melbourne removalists: compare up to 3 quotes
Tell us about your move once. Up to 3 removalists that run Sydney to Melbourne contact you with a quote. It's free, there's no obligation, and it works from Melbourne to Sydney too.
The route at a glance
Sydney to Melbourne is a straight run down the Hume, so it's one of the quicker interstate moves for its distance.
- Distance
- About 878 km by road, almost all on the Hume Motorway and Hume Highway, past Goulburn and Albury–Wodonga.
- Backloading
- Typically 1 to 3 business days in transit. You share the truck and pay for the space you use.
- Dedicated truck
- Your load only, on pickup and delivery dates you agree up front. It costs more than backloading, so ask for both prices.
- Time zone
- Same as Sydney. Both cities use daylight saving, so pickup and delivery times line up all year.
- How it's priced
- By volume in cubic metres (m³), not by the hour. Estimates by home size are below.
What a Sydney to Melbourne move costs (2026)
Backloading estimates: typical volume multiplied by published rates for this route, from about $105 to $130 per m³. A dedicated truck costs more. Your own quote depends on your load, access and dates.
| What you're moving | Typical volume | Backloading estimate |
|---|---|---|
| A few items | up to ~7 m³ | up to ~$900, but minimum charges are common |
| Studio or 1 bedroom | ~10 m³ | $1,050 – $1,300 |
| 2 bedrooms | ~15 m³ | $1,600 – $1,950 |
| 3 bedrooms | ~30 m³ | $3,150 – $3,900 |
| 4 bedrooms | ~40 m³ | $4,200 – $5,200 |
For comparison, Muval's booking data for Sydney to Melbourne backloading shows an average job of about $2,145 for 16.6 m³. Houses with a garage, shed or outdoor furniture often run bigger than the typical volumes above, which pushes the price up in proportion.
Before you book
- List everything, including the garage, shed and outdoor furniture. Volume sets the price, and bedroom count is only a rough guide to it.
- Book lifts and loading docks at both ends. Apartment buildings in Sydney and Melbourne often need a lift booking and only allow moves at set hours.
- Check where the truck can park in Melbourne. Inner suburbs have tram lines, clearways and permit zones. Tell the removalist if the truck can't stop close to the door.
- Get the volume and inclusions in writing, so the price doesn't change on the day.
- Watch the calendar. The end of the month and school holidays book out first, and NSW and Victorian school holidays don't line up exactly.
- Moving a car too? Car transport is usually booked separately from furniture removal.
Once you're in Melbourne
- Driver licence: if you intend to live in Victoria for more than 6 months, you need to convert your NSW licence to a Victorian one.
- Car registration: registering an interstate car is done in person at a VicRoads Customer Service Centre, by appointment. A NSW-registered car generally doesn't need a roadworthy certificate if its registration is current and the owner's name stays the same. Check the timing that applies to you with VicRoads.
- Rental bond: claim your NSW bond through Rental Bonds Online once the final inspection is done. In Victoria, bonds are held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA).
- Electricity and gas: Victoria isn't on Energy Made Easy. Compare plans on the government's Victorian Energy Compare site before you book the connection.
- Address updates: Medicare and the ATO through myGov, your bank, and the AEC for your electoral enrolment. Australia Post can redirect your mail for a fee.
How it works
You deal with the removalists directly. We don't add anything to their price.
Tell us about your move
Suburbs, home size and your date. One form.
Removalists contact you
Up to 3 companies that run Sydney to Melbourne get in touch with a quote.
Pick the one that fits
Compare price, dates and what's included, then book directly.
Common questions
How long does a Sydney to Melbourne move take?
Backloading is typically 1 to 3 business days in transit. With a dedicated truck, you agree the pickup and delivery dates with the removalist up front.
How much does it cost to move from Sydney to Melbourne?
With backloading, roughly $1,600 to $1,950 for a 2-bedroom home and $3,150 to $3,900 for 3 bedrooms, based on published rates of about $105 to $130 per m³. A dedicated truck costs more. Your quote depends on your actual volume, access and dates.
Do I need a roadworthy certificate for my NSW car?
Generally not, if the NSW registration is current and you're keeping the same owner name. You do need to register the car in Victoria in person at VicRoads.
Can I use Movelane to move from Melbourne to Sydney?
Yes. Put your Melbourne suburb in "Moving from" and your Sydney suburb in "Moving to". The same removalists run the route both ways.
Does it cost anything?
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. Backloading rates are Muval's published data for Sydney to Melbourne (from $103.50 per m³, average $129.37, average job $2,144.92 for 16.58 m³). Transit time is from Transcorp Removals & Storage. Typical volumes are from removalists' guides by Ready Movers and Upmove. Licence and registration: VicRoads. Checked October 2026. Estimates exclude packing, insurance and other extras.