A family in Yokine books their settlement date, then realises three days later they haven’t organised a removalist, notified their council, or touched a single box. Sound familiar? This moving house checklist Perth covers a complete 8-week timeline, Perth LGA notifications, summer heatwave advice, and family-specific tips so that scenario never happens to you.
In this guide you will learn:
- The exact week-by-week actions from 8 weeks out to moving day
- How to book removalists and get accurate quotes
- Utilities setup for Perth-specific providers
- Change of address steps for WA councils, government agencies, and banks
- Heatwave protection strategies for Perth summer moves
- Family and pet safety tips for moving day
8 Weeks Before Your Move
Start by walking through every room and separating items into three categories: keep, donate, and discard. Decluttering now cuts packing time later and reduces the volume your removalists need to handle, which directly affects your quote.
Contact your Perth local government area (LGA) about bulk waste collection dates. Suburbs such as Stirling, Morley, and Balcatta each operate under different councils with their own booking systems for hard rubbish. Booking a collection slot early prevents a pile of unwanted furniture sitting on your verge for weeks.
Request at least three removalist quotes at this stage. Comparing quotes eight weeks out gives you negotiating room and secures your preferred date before the busy end-of-month rush fills the calendar.
6 Weeks Before the Move
Measure doorways, stairwells, and corridors at your new property before the truck arrives. A three-seater sofa that fits your current Inglewood living room may not clear the hallway in Doubleview. Finding this out six weeks early means you can plan ahead, sell the item, or arrange a dismantling service.
Begin packing non-essentials: books, artwork, seasonal clothing, and storage items. Label every box with its destination room and a brief contents note on two sides. One label on top is not enough if boxes get stacked.
Request written quotes from removalists at this point if you haven’t already. A written quote protects you from unexpected charges on moving day.
4 Weeks Before the Move
Give your landlord the required written notice as per your tenancy agreement under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA). Failing to meet the notice period can cost you part or all of your bond.
Arrange school transfers now if you have children. The WA Department of Education assigns enrolments by address zone, so confirm your new catchment school and submit an enrolment application with your expected move-in date. Medical records, dental records, and prescriptions also need transferring to providers near your new suburb.
Confirm your interstate or local removalist booking in writing, including the date, time window, access details for both properties, and any specific handling instructions for fragile or high-value items.
3 Weeks Before the Move
Finalise your packing schedule room by room. Assign specific rooms to specific days so packing does not become a frantic overnight effort the day before the truck arrives.
Order packing materials now: double-walled boxes for heavy items, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, bubble wrap, and packing paper. For Perth summer moves between December and March, avoid black garbage bags for anything stored in the truck. Temperatures inside a closed truck can reach well above ambient levels, and dark bags absorb heat faster.
Confirm whether your removalist provides blanket wrapping for furniture. Reputable Perth removalists include this as standard, not as an add-on charge.
2 Weeks Before the Move
Submit your change of address with Australia Post. Their mail redirection service covers most senders for up to 12 months, buying time while you update individual accounts.
Contact your electricity, gas, and water providers to schedule disconnection at your current address and connection at the new one. In Western Australia, Synergy handles electricity for most metro Perth households, Alinta Energy covers gas for many areas, and the Water Corporation manages water services. Allow at least five business days for each connection request.
Notify your bank, superannuation fund, Medicare, Centrelink (if applicable), the ATO, and your private health insurer of your new address. These organisations do not automatically receive Australia Post redirection data.
1 Week Before the Move
Pack your essentials box last so it comes off the truck first. Include phone chargers, a change of clothes for each person, toiletries, basic kitchen items, important documents, medications, and the kettle. This box should travel in your car, not on the truck.
Confirm the removalist arrival time, truck size, and any parking permit requirements. In suburbs like Mount Lawley or North Perth, street parking for a large truck may need a temporary permit from the City of Vincent or the City of Stirling. Arrange this now, not on the morning of the move.
Defrost the freezer, empty the pantry of perishables, and charge all your devices the night before.
Moving Day Tasks
Be present at both properties when the removalists arrive. A walk-through at the start confirms what goes and what stays. A walk-through at the end confirms nothing gets left behind.
Take photos of meter readings at your old property before you leave and at the new property before you unpack anything. These protect you in billing disputes. Check that all windows, taps, and power points are off at the old property before handing back the keys.
At the new property, direct the removalists to place furniture in the correct rooms immediately. Repositioning a heavy wardrobe after the team has left is a two-person job that nobody wants.
Utilities Disconnection and Reconnection
Perth metro households deal with three main providers. Synergy supplies electricity to residential customers across the metro area. Alinta Energy covers gas for suburbs including Yokine, Dianella, and Osborne Park. The Water Corporation handles all water and wastewater services across WA.
Contact each provider separately with your move-out date, move-in date, and both property addresses. Request a final meter reading at your old address on moving day and an initial reading at the new address on connection day. Keep both confirmation numbers in writing.
Internet connections deserve attention too. NBN connection lead times in Perth can range from a few days to several weeks depending on the connection type and provider workload. Book your new service before moving day if you work from home.
Change of Address Checklist for Perth
The WA government’s MyAccount portal allows updates to your driver’s licence and vehicle registration with the Department of Transport. Update these within five days of moving, as WA traffic law requires a current address on your licence.
Notify your local council by contacting the relevant LGA directly. Ratepayers in suburbs like Stirling, Morley, or Balcatta register changes through their respective council’s online portal or by calling the rates department. Strata managers for apartment owners also need written notification of an address change.
Other organisations to notify: your employer’s HR department, your children’s schools, the Australian Electoral Commission (enrolment updates are compulsory within eight weeks of moving), your vet, your gym, and any subscription services.
Post-Move Settling In
Unpack in priority order: bedroom first for sleeping essentials, bathroom second, kitchen third. Living areas and storage can wait until the house is functional.
Check your new LGA’s waste collection schedule as soon as you arrive. Bin days, recycling weeks, and green waste collection cycles differ across Perth councils. Missing your first bin night means two weeks of boxes with nowhere to go.
Walk the neighbourhood on your first evening. Locate the nearest pharmacy, GP, supermarket, and petrol station. Knowing the area before you need it reduces the stress of early settling-in days.
Perth Heatwave and Seasonal Moving Tips
Perth summers regularly produce temperatures above 40°C, and moves scheduled between December and March carry real risks for both people and belongings. The cooler months of May through August offer the most manageable conditions for moving in Perth.
Wrap electronics and heat-sensitive items in insulating material and move them in an air-conditioned vehicle rather than the truck when possible. Wooden furniture and musical instruments are particularly vulnerable to rapid temperature shifts.
Hydration matters on a physical level too. Moving crews and families should drink water continuously, not reactively. Scheduling the heavy lifting for early morning and taking a midday break during a summer move is a practical approach that experienced Perth removalists follow without being asked.
Moving House Checklist for Perth Families
Enrol children in their new school before moving day so they start without delay. The WA Department of Education’s online enrolment system accepts applications in advance.
Western Australia requires all dogs to be microchipped and registered with the local council. When you move, update your pet’s registration address with the new LGA within 30 days. Cats require microchipping in WA, and registration rules vary by council area, so check with the new LGA directly.
On moving day, keep children and pets in a designated safe room or with a trusted adult away from the loading activity. Removal crews moving furniture through doorways and down stairs cannot safely watch for small children or animals. Arrange a playdate, a pet-sitter, or a family member to supervise separately so the move runs without incident.
Why Choose Perth Moving Services
Perth Moving Services has been handling residential and commercial relocations across Perth for over 11 years, serving suburbs from Yokine and Dianella through to Osborne Park, Balcatta, Mount Lawley, and Inglewood.
- 11+ years of removalist experience across Perth metro and surrounding suburbs
- Upfront, transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Professional removalists trained in safe furniture handling and packing
- Full range of services: house removals, apartment moves, office relocations, furniture removals, packing and unpacking, and interstate moves
- Modern vehicles and quality moving equipment for every job
- On-time arrivals and efficient moves with minimal disruption to your day
- Personalised, customer-focused support from your first call to final delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be on a moving house checklist in Perth?
A moving house checklist Perth residents should use covers eight weeks of preparation: decluttering, removalist booking, utilities disconnection and reconnection, change of address with Australia Post and WA government agencies, school transfers, council notifications, and a moving day essentials box. Perth-specific steps include LGA bulk waste bookings and heatwave planning for summer moves.
How do I prepare for moving house in Perth during summer?
Schedule your move in the early morning to avoid peak afternoon heat. Wrap electronics and heat-sensitive items in insulating material, and transport them in a climate-controlled vehicle. Keep water on hand for everyone involved, and avoid placing heat-vulnerable items such as candles, records, or wooden instruments in a closed truck during a Perth summer day.
What utilities do I need to set up when moving in Perth?
Perth residents need to contact Synergy for electricity, Alinta Energy for gas in many metro suburbs, and the Water Corporation for water services. Contact each provider at least five business days before your move-in date. Book your internet connection well ahead of moving day, as NBN connection lead times in Perth vary by area and connection type.
Who needs to know my new address in Western Australia?
Update your address with the WA Department of Transport for your driver’s licence and vehicle registration, your local council’s rates department, Australia Post for mail redirection, Medicare, the ATO, your bank, superannuation fund, private health insurer, employer, and the Australian Electoral Commission. Strata owners should also notify their strata manager in writing.
How can I make moving less stressful with kids and pets in Perth?
Arrange a trusted adult to supervise children and pets away from the loading area on moving day. Pack a separate bag with their favourite items, snacks, and comfort objects to keep them occupied. Enrol children in their new school before moving day, and update pet microchip registration with the new Perth LGA within 30 days of settling in.
When should I book removalists for a move in Perth suburbs?
Book your Perth removalist at least six to eight weeks before your move date, especially for end-of-month dates when demand peaks across suburbs like Morley, Stirling, and Balcatta. Summer moves between December and March book out faster due to school holiday timing. Securing a written quote and confirmed booking date well in advance prevents last-minute availability issues.
Ready to Move Without the Stress?
Getting the checklist right is half the job. The other half is having a removalist team that shows up on time, handles your belongings with care, and charges exactly what they quoted.
Perth Moving Services brings over 11 years of local experience to every move across Perth metro. Call 0489 985 953 or email sales@perthmovingservices.com.au to get a no-obligation quote and lock in your moving date.
—