Australia Moving & Removals Guide

Household Effects

Advice on moving the contents of your home to Australia

Duty free entry is granted providing goods have been owned and used abroad for 12 months or more preceding owner’s arrival into the country. Owners can nominate a third party to clear their effects however this may incur extra charges at destination. In this case the owner must arrive into Australia nomore than 6 months later.

All new items purchased within 12 months of importation must be declared to Australian customs in which case duty and GST will be charged at the applicable rate.

All household and personal effects entering Australia are subject to physical examination by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS).Items of interest to AQIS are those which may have come into contact with soil and vegetation such as gardening equipment; bicycles; patio furniture; golf clubs; vacuum cleaner bags, etc. All such items should be thoroughly cleaned prior to move day.

Fridges and freezers containing CFC refrigerants will be allowed entry when imported as part of a household move by a first time immigrant or a returning Australian who originally purchased the item in Australia.

Required documentation for household goods only:
Australian customs form (B534) for personal and household effects
Photocopy of passport, photo and visa page.
Inventory list (completed by packing crew)

Motor Vehicles

Need to move your car or motor vehicle with you to Australia

All motor vehicles including cars, motorbikes, motorised caravans, sit-on lawnmowers and quad bikes must obtain prior import approval. All motor vehicles are subject to duty and GST which is calculated on the value and age of the vehicle.

Once the vehicle has been granted approval and imported, changes to the vehicle may be required to make it compliant with Australian safety standards.

Prior to shipping, all motor vehicles must have their chassis and wheels steam cleaned and the inside valeted (if applicable.) Vehicles can only be shipped with a minimal amount of fuel in the tank.

Sailing boats, non-motorised caravans, trailers etc can be imported duty and GST free however a vehicle import approval must still be sought prior to entry.

Any vehicle shipped without prior approval from the Australian authorities is liable for re-export or destruction and a possible fine of up to A$13,000.

Additional documentation required for motor vehicles:

Australian customs form (B357) for motor cars
Vehicle registration form
Sales or purchase invoice, service record
Import approval

Restrictions

What can and can't you take with you when you move to Australia

Foodstuffs such as meat, poultry, dairy products, seeds, herbs and spices (and all related products) are prohibited from inclusion within the shipment.

We recommend that no food or beverages be included within a shipment in order to avoid possible costly delays. Alcohol may be imported providing a full listing has been made; duty and GST will be charged at the appropriate rate. Please note that beer, wine and spirits all attract extremely high levels of duty.

Untreated wooden items including bark and certain Christmas decorations made of natural products will be ordered for treatment or destruction at the importer’s expense. The shipping of bamboo products, basketware, caneware and rattanware is possible, although these may be required to undergo cleaning, disinfection, or fumigation at destination incurring extra costs.

Feathers, furs, skins, tusks, etc. from endangered species are all prohibited; otherwise certain items may require further inspection and treatment. Generally speaking, items which have been treated during the manufacturing process, such as feather duvets or leather sofas, will not cause any problems.

Most firearms require Police authorisation which should be sought prior to shipping with the Police department of the relevant state. Upon arrival the firearm will be taken away for ballistics / safety testing and returned to the owner once approved and the firearms licence has been presented.

Firearms including pistols, pump-action shot guns, self-loading rim rifles & automatic firearms are all subject to further import restrictions.

Additional Information

Electricity

The electrical supply in Australia is 240-250 volts. Domestic appliances from the UK should work/operate in Australia with an adapter for the power outlet, which although being three pin is of a different design to that used in the UK.

Some televisions and video recorders/players will function in Australia (please check with the individual manufacturer).

Mobile telephone

Operaters include Optus (www.optus.net.au), Telstra (www.telstra.com) and Vodaphone (www.vodaphone.com.au). Coverage extends to all major cities including good coverage in Tasmania; access in some of the more isolated, outback and rural areas is limited. GSM 900 and 1800 networks in use.

Internet

ISPs include BigPond (www.bigpond.com), Hunterlink (www.pacific.net.au), and Tassienet (www.tassie.net.au)

GMT

Sydney +10 hours, Perth + 8 hours

Country Dialling code

00 61 followed by local code (6 for Canberra, 2 for Sydney, 9 for Perth)