A solid change of address checklist is the one thing that saves most people a world of pain when they move house, and after years on the trucks around Wollongong and the Illawarra we’ve watched plenty of families do everything right with the packing and the truck, then get stung weeks later by a missed bill, a fine posted to the old place, or a parcel sitting on a stranger’s doorstep. The honest truth is that updating your address is boring admin nobody wants to do, so it gets left until the last minute. This is the checklist we’d give our own family: who to notify, when to do it, and how to make sure nothing important slips through the cracks.
Start your change of address checklist two to three weeks out
Don’t leave this to moving week. Moving week is chaos, and the last thing you’ll feel like doing after a full day of lifting is sitting on the phone to your bank. Two to three weeks before the truck arrives, sit down for one hour and work through the list below. Most updates take five minutes each online, and doing them early means your mail, your bills and your government records all switch over cleanly. If you’re still sorting the bigger picture, our guide on the things to do before you move pairs nicely with this one.
A quick tip from our side of the truck: open a notes app or grab a sheet of paper and tick each item off as you go. It sounds basic, but the reason people miss things isn’t laziness — it’s that there are simply more accounts tied to your address than you’d ever guess.
Redirect your mail first
Before you notify a single company, set up a mail redirect with Australia Post. This is your safety net. No matter how thorough your list is, you’ll forget someone — an old subscription, a random government letter, a birthday card from your aunt. A redirect catches all of it and forwards it to your new place for as long as you choose. You can set up an Australia Post mail redirect online in a few minutes, and we genuinely recommend it to everyone regardless of how organised they think they are.
Government and official records
These are the ones that carry real consequences if you skip them, so do them early:
- Electoral roll — you’re legally required to update your enrolment within a set period after moving. It’s free and takes two minutes to update your address with the AEC.
- Driver’s licence and vehicle registration — update both with Service NSW. There are time limits here too, and an out-of-date licence address can cause headaches with fines and renewals.
- Medicare and My Health Record — update through your myGov account.
- Australian Taxation Office — also handled through myGov, so you can knock several of these over in one login.
- Centrelink or NDIS — if you receive any payments, update straight away to avoid disruption.
Money and finance
This is where a missed update can cost you actual dollars. Work through every financial account tied to your address:
- Banks and credit unions (each one, not just your main account)
- Credit cards and any buy-now-pay-later accounts
- Superannuation fund
- Home, car, contents and health insurance — and tell your contents insurer your new address, because your cover follows the address on the policy
- Share trading, KiwiSaver-style accounts, and any investment platforms
- Your accountant or bookkeeper
If your move is stretching the budget, our tips on moving house on a budget can help take the edge off.
Utilities and home services
Some of these you’ll be cancelling at the old place and setting up at the new one, so treat them as two jobs, not one. Line up your connections a week ahead so you’re not spending the first night in the dark:
- Electricity and gas — arrange disconnection at the old address and connection at the new one
- Internet and NBN — book the transfer early, as installers get booked out
- Water (usually handled through the property, but confirm with the agent or council)
- Mobile and home phone providers
- Streaming and subscription boxes that post physical items
Work, health and everyday accounts
These are the ones that hide in plain sight. Run through them and you’ll catch the stragglers:
- Your employer (payroll and HR)
- GP, dentist, specialists and your local pharmacy
- Your child’s school or daycare
- The vet — and update your pet’s microchip registry, which people forget constantly
- Loyalty and rewards programs
- Online shopping accounts (update the default shipping address so parcels don’t head to your old door)
- Electoral, club and gym memberships
The day you hand back the keys
Right at the end, once you’ve moved out, do a final sweep. Check the letterbox one last time, leave a forwarding note for the new occupants if you’re friendly with them, and confirm your redirect is active. If you’re moving a long way — say a stress-free interstate move — the redirect matters even more, because popping back to grab stray mail simply isn’t an option.
And if you want a hand with the actual move itself, that’s our department. Our Wollongong house removalists handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the admin that keeps your life running.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I update my address?
Start your change of address checklist about two to three weeks before you move. Set up your Australia Post mail redirect first as a safety net, then work through government, finance and utility accounts. Leaving it to moving week is how things get missed.
Is a mail redirect really necessary if I’ve told everyone?
Yes. Even the most organised movers forget a few accounts — an old subscription, an annual insurance letter, a government notice. A redirect quietly catches everything for the period you choose, and it’s cheap insurance against a missed bill or fine.
Do I legally have to update my address anywhere?
A few places, yes. In Australia you’re required to keep your electoral enrolment, driver’s licence and vehicle registration up to date within set timeframes after moving. These are the ones worth doing first because there can be penalties for letting them lapse.
What’s the one thing people forget most?
Pet microchip registries and default online-shopping addresses. Neither feels urgent, but a lost pet with an old address on the chip, or a parcel sent to your former home, both cause real grief. Add them to your list.
Moving soon? We’ll handle the heavy part
Once the admin is sorted, let us take care of the move. Premier Removalist is a local, Wollongong-based team that treats your gear like our own. Give us a call on 1300 015 050 for a straight-talking quote, or fill in the form below and we’ll get straight back to you.
