Preparing to move house and not sure who you need to notify?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Thousands of NSW residents make the same search of ‘change of address checklist’ in Google each month. That’s why we’re here – to help you prepare a change of address checklist before your next move.
There are the big ones that you may have already crossed off, but we can almost guarantee that there are other list items that you still need to check. In this article, we’ve compiled a definitive change of address checklist that you can use (and check) before you move house and hit the road with our team of removalists.
Download, bookmark, or print off this page to ensure that you don’t leave any boxes unchecked ahead of your next move.
Change of Address Checklist When Moving House in NSW
1. Update Vehicle Registration & Insurance Details
Before you move, you can change your address for your drivers, motorcycle, and boat licence in one go on the MyServiceNSW website. Through the MyServiceNSW portal, you’ll be able to update your:
- Driver’s licence and vehicle registration details
- Motorcycle licence and bike registration details
- Boat licence and vessel registration details
- Update vehicle insurance details with your insurance provider
- Update your toll tags
2. Update Your Essential Service Providers
Once you’ve ticked off your vehicle registration and insurance, it’s time to take a look at those items that you use every day. Some of the most important everyday essentials that you need to update before or as a result of moving house include:
- Banks – including credit card providers and other financial institutions
- Mobile and internet providers – ensure that you have internet from day one of your move by letting your internet provider know ahead of time. You can go online to check NBN compatibility and ensure that you have the right hardware and modem.
- Home and contents insurance – don’t miss a day of coverage for your move.
- Accountant – ensure that your accountant knows about the move and your tax details don’t go missing by keeping them updated on your move.
- Home shopping – more than 6.4-million Aussies now get their shopping delivered to their front door. As such, you’ll want to keep your Coles or Woolworths shipping details up to date.
- Mail – Before you move, review where your physical mail comes from. Make a note of who is still sending your physical mail and update accordingly.
- Health insurance provider – Keep your health insurance provider in the know before you move and ensure that your physical mail is forwarded to the correct address.
- Electricity, Water and Gas – don’t spend a night in the dark or eating cold food, update your electricity and gas provider to ensure that lights and gas are switched on from the first day of your move. Notifying your electricity and gas provider also means that you will not continue to pay for the new occupants of your house.
- Update Electoral Commission – You must update and re-register with the Australian Electoral Commission to ensure that you are able to vote in local, state, and federal elections. Failure to update your electoral role details can lead to fines for failure to vote in these elections.
3. Update Friends, Family, Pets
- Friends – each year, millions of letters are marked RTS (return to sender) as people leave their residence without notifying their friends. If you are on Christmas card lists, invitation lists, or your still postcards from friends, then you need to update them.
- Family – never miss a wedding invitation and make sure that your parents, siblings, and cousins know that you have a new mailing address.
- Pet microchip registry – your cat or dog is registered with a microchip registry that enables them to be returned to you in the case that they become lost. Before you move, make sure that your home address details are updated in the microchip registry for cats and dogs.
- Neighbours – In some cases, elderly neighbours rely on their social network for everyday assistance. Make sure that your neighbours are aware of your move and that you update your contact details with them (where required).
4. Redirect All Mail with Australia Post
This is (arguably) the most important thing that you can do when you change address in NSW. Whether you’re moving suburbs or moving overseas, redirect mail ensures that your mail reaches your new postal address. From just $34, Australia Post’s redirect mail service means that:
- Eligible mail and parcels can be redirected for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months
- You can automatically notify selected banks, insurers, and energy providers
Australia Post offers complimentary mail redirect services for victims of domestic violence, natural disaster, or those in charge of a deceased estate. Check out the Australia Post website to see if you are eligible to receive free mail redirection.
Final Note
Stay on top ahead of your next move, and don’t leave your energy provider, insurance company, or the NSW government in the lurch.
Moving day is stressful enough without worrying about where your mail is being sent or whether your home, vehicle, or health insurance is still valid. Our change of address checklist for NSW residents ensures that you won’t miss a beat on moving day.
