Last updated October 2025
Moving house can feel exciting — and a little overwhelming. At Palmers Relocations, we handle the heavy lifting, packing, moving, and even unpacking, so you can focus on settling into your new home. If your move is international, we’ll even take care of customs paperwork for you.
But there’s one thing only you can do: update your address. Get it wrong, and you risk missing bills, mail, or even important government correspondence. To make it simple, we’ve created the ultimate change-of-address checklist for Australians moving house — all the essentials in one place.
Why Changing Your Address Matters
First things first: missing mail isn’t just inconvenient — it can cause real problems.
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Bills & Payments: If your bank, utility providers, or insurers don’t have your new address, invoices can get lost. Missed payments may incur fees, penalties, or even service interruptions.
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Privacy: Your mail contains sensitive information. You don’t want it landing in the hands of strangers. While new residents might forward some mail, it’s not guaranteed.
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Efficiency: It’s much easier to update your address while still at your old home than after you’ve moved halfway across the country or the world.
Is Mail Redirection Useful?
Yes — but think of it as a short-term safety net.
Australia Post’s mail redirection service can forward your mail for 1 to 12 months. You can redirect multiple names to one address, and it works both within Australia and, in many cases, internationally.
Some perks:
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Automatic notifications to banks, energy providers, and telcos.
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Holds and redirects parcels to your new address.
Remember: mail redirection doesn’t replace updating your address directly with each organisation — it just buys you extra time to make the changes.
Keep Track of Your Incoming Mail
A simple trick: make a list of companies and organisations that send you mail. It makes your D-day update faster and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
The Ultimate Change of Address Checklist
Here’s everything you need to notify when moving house:
1. Government Organisations
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Australian Electoral Commission (important for voting)
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Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
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Concession cards
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Department of Human Services (Medicare, Centrelink, child support, Veterans’ Affairs)
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Senior cards
2. Non-Government Organisations
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Australia Post
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Charities
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Libraries
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Local councils
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Superannuation funds
3. Cars & Vehicles
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Car insurance
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Driver’s license
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Vehicle registration
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Roadside assistance memberships
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Toll accounts
4. Banking & Financial
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Banks & credit unions
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Accountants
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Life insurance providers
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Loan companies
5. Health & Medical Practitioners
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Hospitals & clinics
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GP
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Specialists (e.g., chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, orthodontist, physiotherapist)
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Health insurance providers
6. Work & Education
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Employer
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Childcare providers
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Schools, TAFE, universities
7. Leisure & Subscriptions
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Sporting clubs & gyms
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Magazines & newspapers
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Store loyalty programs
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Unions
8. Pets
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Veterinarian
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Microchip registry
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Pet insurance
9. Utilities & Services
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Electricity, gas, water
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Internet & phone providers
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Streaming services (Netflix, Stan, Foxtel, etc.)
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Home & contents insurance
10. Friends & Family
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Obvious but easy to forget! Send your new address to everyone important — it saves birthday surprises from going awry.
Extra Tips for a Smooth Move
Unsubscribe or Switch to Digital
If you’ve signed up for mail-order catalogues or loyalty programs you no longer use, unsubscribe or switch to digital versions. It’s better for your mailbox — and the planet.
Keep Records
Whenever you update an address online or in person, save a record. If a parcel or invoice goes missing, or you need to contest a late fee, this documentation is invaluable.
Pro Tip from Palmers
Start updating addresses before moving day, and use mail redirection as a backup. It’ll save you headaches and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Moving house doesn’t have to be stressful. With this checklist and a bit of planning, you can hit the ground running at your new home — knowing all the important updates are done.