Your International Removal: Removalist and Costs
So how do I move overseas? First things first, you need to organise a trusted removalist to take care of your moving and shipping requirements! You also need to budget and prepare for the costs that will arise when moving to a new country.
Finding an International Removalist
An international removal company can help you move your furniture overseas with you. Moving abroad requires clearing customs and duties, insuring your transit and much more so using a removalist will lighten the load of this massive undertaking.
Remember to check reviews online and request quotes from more than one removalist as this will help you pick the right moving company for your move. Be sure to look at their licenses to make sure they are part of a reputable moving network.
Most international removalists will use a container to ship your belongings overseas. For more information on this, take a look at our container shipping costs page.
Alternatively, you can let us to the hard work for you! By filling in our online form below, we can match you with up to five removalists in our network who can facilitate your move. No obligations and no fees – All you have to do is pick one!
How Much Will My Move Overseas Cost?
When planning to move overseas, it’s important to calculate how much your move will cost. Unfortunately, there is no one answer as each move is unique and will depend of the different services required. What we can do is give you an overview of international moving costs you should budget for!
The two main factors that influence the cost of your move is the distance you are moving and the volume of belongings you are bringing with you. But how do I calculate the volume of my move? Easy! By using our furniture volume calculator, you can have an estimated volume for your move in a matter of clicks 😊
Sirelo’s Top Moving Abroad Tips
Moving abroad is a difficult task to undertake but, by following our checklist, you’re sure to be prepared for your international relocation. If you’re looking for a more generalised list to follow, check out our moving house checklist.
In order to help you feel organised and ready to take on your move, we have complied our top moving tips so you can get the expert advice your need before packing up and moving to another country:
- Start early! By preparing your move at least 3 months in advance of your moving date, you are sure to be ready when the big day comes. After all, the early bird catches the worm!
- When you start packing, follow our expert packing guide so that you can optimise your space and ensure nothing gets damaged along the way.
- Another tip? Label your moving boxes as you go! You’ll thank us for this later 😉
- If you’re decluttering your belongings, consider our storage tips for the items you aren’t ready to part with! Be sure to ask your removalist if they offer storage services as well.
- Stay safe! Register your travel with Smarttraveller, the Australian governments resource and check out the Department of Foreign Affairs for all travel advisories.
Important Things to Organise Before Relocating Overseas
There are a number of important things to organise before you take on your move abroad but we’re here to ensure you don’t miss a thing! Just take a breath and follow our guidance for a stress-free move overseas.
Passport and Visas
The highest priority on our moving overseas checklist is to make sure your passport is valid and that you apply for the right visa. Check out the government website of the country you’re moving to for more information on visa applications and if you’re planning on moving permanently, ensure that your passport is valid for the next few years. Take a look at the Australia Passport Office for more advice about whether your passport needs to be renewed.
Also, if you’re moving with your family overseas, don’t forget to check if their passports are valid and what visas they are eligible for – we don’t want anyone to get caught out!
Sirelo Top Tip: If you’re moving with work, check whether they will sponsor your visa for you! Asking your employer for help is always a good option as they will have done this before with other employees.
Research Your Destination
It doesn’t matter if you’re moving to Ireland or the USA, every new country will bring new unknowns and culture shocks! We advise checking out your destination thoroughly early on so you can prepare yourself and your loved ones for the changes coming your way. Some things to consider:
- Check out the customs, traditions and cultural traits of your new home
- Get up to date with their public transport system and cost of living so you can prepare financially
- Perhaps you could learn their language if needs be!
- Analyse the job market to make sure you are suited to the new work environment
- Research the housing and schooling options (if applicable to you) and decide whether you want to rent or buy a property overseas
Get Your Documents in Order
Another important step in our moving overseas checklist is ensuring you have your important documents in order! We recommend making copies of them in case you happen to misplace your documents in transit. Some documents we advise taking with you are:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage/single certificates (for partner visas)
- Citizenship documentation
- Divorce/custody agreements if applicable
- Educational qualifications
- Dental and medical records
- Bank account details, insurance policies, wills
Who Do I Need to Notify That I’m Moving Overseas?
It’s important to let your service providers know that you will no longer need their services and that you won’t be at that address anymore. People you should remember to notify and or cancel their services before you leave are:
- Your family and friends of course!
- Banks
- Utilities provider (electricity, water etc.)
- Mobile company
- Your local council
- Car registration
- Insurance (home, car)
- Superannuation fund provider
- Real estate agent or landlord
- Australian Taxation Office
- myGov to update your contact details
- The Electoral Commission
- Australia Post to re-direct your mail
- Your lawyer, accountant/financial advisor
- Cancel subscriptions
Let these service providers know when you’re planning to leave the country as soon as you know yourself. Leaving it for too long may leave you having to pay for subscriptions that you no longer need – moving abroad is costly enough, we don’t want you to have any unnecessary expenses!
Banking, Taxation and Money Transfer Abroad
Banking in A New Country
Setting up a local bank account in your new destination will be one of the first things you do. Research what documents are required to set up your account as they differ from country to country. You will need a local bank account for many things after your move so we advise getting this sorted ASAP!
Before going abroad, we recommend setting up e-statements with your current bank and notify them of your address change. They may even have a branch in your new country so they can assist you with the transition. It might also be helpful to get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
Other than this, be sure to have some local currency at hand when you move abroad and you should be all set to go with your banking!
Taxation
If you’re remaining an Australian resident for tax purposes, then you will need to lodge an Australian tax return and declare all your foreign income, including any exempt income. You can do this on your myGov account.
If you choose to no longer be a resident for tax paying purposes, you will only be taxed by the Australian government on your Australian income (with some exceptions).
Remember: Make sure you turn off the myGov security code feature before you lose access to your Australian mobile number! We wouldn’t want you getting locked out now would we?
![Moving overseas preparation]()
Medical Requirements Before You Go
Be sure to visit your local GP and dentist before you go for a full check-up and to receive any vaccinations required for your destination country.
Ask for copies of your records as well and request additional prescription medication in case you run into difficulty in your new location overseas.
Comprehensive travel and health insurance is highly recommended when moving overseas. It is better to be safe than sorry and protect yourself and your belongings against any unforeseen risks.
Last but not least, prepare a first aid kit to bring with you on the plane. You never know what will happen but it’s always handy to have a few plasters and painkillers to hand, especially on a long moving day!
Notify Medicare
You will still be entitled to Medicare for up to five years after moving overseas. After this time, you will no longer eligible and will need to re-enrol if you decide to return to Australia.
Medicare has reciprocal health agreements with eleven countries, so if you’re moving to one of these countries you may be entitled to necessary healthcare. These countries are:
- New Zealand
- The UK
- Ireland
- Malta
- Belgium
- Finland
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Slovenia
- Italy
Take a look at Medicare on the Government website for more information.
Make Yourself At Home!
Congratulations! You have completed a successful move overseas and we couldn’t be happier for you. Before you put your feet up after your move, be sure to check all of your items arrived safely and securely to your new home.
But no need to rush the unpacking! Take a moment to relax after your move overseas. It’s been a hectic time for you and your family so you need to rest yourself before you begin your new life.
Meet your neighbours and explore your new environment. This is an exciting moment for you so embrace it and look forward to what comes next! And hopefully, with our moving overseas checklist, you will feel ready for your new life abroad.
![Couple laying down next to moving boxes]()
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
We think you are! Request removal quotes through Sirelo today and you can start your moving abroad journey. We are here to assist you with your moving requirements so you can count on us to connect you with trusted removalists who are experienced in international relocations.
We hope you found our moving overseas checklist helpful for your move abroad. For any further moving related queries, check out the rest of the Sirelo website – we’re here to help you move with a smile 😊
Good luck with your overseas relocation!
