Moving costs
How much do removalists cost in Melbourne?
By the Outer Space Removals teamUpdated November 2026 6 min read
Most Melbourne removalists charge by the hour for a truck and two movers. The rate is only part of the bill: how the clock is counted, call-out fees and how long your move takes decide what you really pay. Here’s what a Melbourne move costs in 2026, and how to keep yours down.
The short answer
Across Melbourne, two movers and a truck typically cost between about $105 and $190 an hour in 2026, with most quotes between $120 and $180. Our rate is the same as in Sydney: $154/hr Monday to Thursday and $165/hr on Fridays and Saturdays, GST included.
A small apartment move usually costs a few hundred dollars; a full family home can run well past $1,500.
What a move costs, by home size
The time ranges we see most for local moves, priced at our weekday rate of $154/hr for a truck and two movers. Stairs, lifts, parking and how much you own decide where you land.
| Home | Typical time | Weekday cost ($154/hr) | Fri–Sat cost ($165/hr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Few Items or Studio | 2–4 hours | $308–$616 | $330–$660 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 3–6 hours | $462–$924 | $495–$990 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | 5–9 hours | $770–$1,386 | $825–$1,485 |
| 3+ Bedroom Home | 8–11+ hours | $1,232–$1,694+ | $1,320–$1,815+ |
Prefer one number upfront? Get a fixed price in about 5 minutes.
What makes a Melbourne move take longer
- Apartment towers. In the CBD, Southbank, Docklands and South Yarra, the loading dock and goods lift booking usually set the pace of the day.
- Tram streets and clearways. Chapel Street, Toorak Road, Swan Street and the CBD grid limit where a truck can stop, so the carry can be longer.
- Walk-ups. Art deco and Edwardian flats in St Kilda, Windsor and Prahran mean stairs on every trip.
- Event days. Games at the MCG and Marvel Stadium, and the Grand Prix around Albert Park, fill streets and parking.
- Not being ready. Unpacked boxes and beds still made run the clock.
Call-out fees and travel time
Some removalists charge from when the truck leaves their depot until it gets back. Others charge a flat call-out fee. We cover the first 30 minutes of driving from our Altona North depot to your pick-up, and from your drop-off back to the depot.
From Altona North, Port Melbourne, Southbank, Docklands, South Melbourne and Albert Park are inside that free time. South Yarra, Prahran, Toorak, Richmond, St Kilda and the CBD usually are too, depending on traffic over the West Gate. Further out, a call-out fee may apply, and we tell you upfront.
Hourly or fixed price?
Hourly is usually cheapest when you’re well prepared and the access is easy. A fixed price suits people who want certainty: you know the number upfront and it doesn’t change if the day runs long. Our fixed price is available in Melbourne for home moves.
How to pay less for your Melbourne move
- Move Monday to Thursday: lower rates and easier parking, especially near shopping strips.
- Book your building’s lift and dock at both ends before you book the removalist, and pick a time that fits.
- Be fully packed before the truck arrives, with boxes taped and stacked near the door.
- Check the MCG, Marvel Stadium and events calendar before choosing a date.
- Get rid of what you don’t need before moving day: every item costs time to carry.