Hello!

Join Login
Learn More

Article 5 Top Tips To Move Interstate During COVID-19

By

32 Comment

Moving house at any time is classed as one of life’s most stressful events – up there with death of a loved one, family separations and major illness. With the COVID-19 pandemic and all the restrictions and uncertainty that come with it, it may seem like an impossible task to move Interstate at this time.

Even during global pandemics though, life does go on and for some people a home move Interstate at this time is unavoidable.

The good news is that even with state border closures, freight and logistics are classified as essential services so you can still move your home contents across closed borders. Most states (at the time of publication) have quarantine measures in place for anyone entering a new state, most requiring a 14-day isolation period.

Yes – you can move interstate during COVID-19

With the housing market grinding to a near halt in Australia at the beginning of April 2020 and the banning of home opens, it is now (at the beginning of May 2020) slowly beginning to reawaken. With new social distancing measures in place, you can now view properties and auctions are once again taking place with buyers onsite. Slowly, with precautions in place, life seems to be returning to a new version of normal although the prediction is that state borders within Australia will remain closed for a more extended period.

Contactless deliveries are the new normal with the onset of COVID-19

While many removalist companies are still operating there are just as many that have been forced to suspend their operations due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Like many other industries, removalists have been forced to adapt to the “new normal” with adjusted guidelines on how they can safely conduct their business.

Tips for moving interstate during the coronavirus pandemic

1) Research the type of removalist you will use.

While a full-service removalist will pack up your house contents and transport it, in these times a safer option may be a self-load option such as shipping container removals. This option gives you a full contactless moving experience. A shipping container is placed at your home and left for you to load; when you’re ready, it is collected, transported to your new address where you can unload it at your own pace. With this method of furniture removal, the process is fully contactless, although restrictions are easing somewhat, many people will not be comfortable welcoming a team of removalists into their home at this time making self-pack container removals an attractive choice.

2) Factor in self-isolation

It is important to factor in a self-isolation period if you are planning to move interstate. If you are unable to receive your home contents at your new address because you are having to self-isolate at an alternative location then you will need to ensure that your interstate removalist can provide storage facilities to hold your furniture until you can receive it. Don’t forget to enquire about the pricing for this upfront so you don’t get hit with any unexpected costs halfway through your move.

3) Packing Materials

If you opt to do your own packing and loading when moving house then you will need to source packing materials to ensure your home contents are packed safely. Some interstate removal companies may provide these free of charge but if you need to supplement these items then don’t forget to factor in ordering and delivery times when planning your moving schedule. Items such as furniture blankets, packing boxes, rope or tie-down straps are readily available at packaging specialists or most hardware stores.

4) Research restrictions

Moving interstate during COVID-19 will require a little more research on your behalf. Each state currently has its own restrictions and/or isolation measures in place which you will need to familiarise yourself with. This information is readily available online however you can easily become overwhelmed at the amount of information out there. A great place to start your research, however, is the following Government website links

Australian Government | Department of Health – COVID ADVICE, CURRENT GUIDELINES

Western Australia – COVID-19 Information

South Australia – COVID-19 Information

Victoria – COVID-19 Information

Tasmania – COVID-19 Information

New South Wales – COVID-19 Information

Queensland – COVID-19 Information

Northern Territory – COVID-19 Information

“There are new ways you can integrate into your new neighbourhood in the time of social distancing”

5) Settling into your new home

Settling into your new home when social distancing measures are in place may not be as easy as usual. When we move into a new neighbourhood the traditional ways of getting to know a place and its people is to visit local shops, cafes and perhaps join the local library or sports club. With many of these options off the table at this time, you may need to get creative to integrate into your new community.

Here are some of our suggestions on how you can feel connected to your new neighbour during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Although cafes and restaurants are currently permitted to serve takeaway’s only, you can support your local café by ordering a takeaway coffee, you’ll still get on familiar terms with the café staff and possibly have a socially distanced chat to other locals in the queue
  • Visit your local park – one huge positive to come out of COVID019 is the sense of community that has come about with more people choosing to exercise outdoors at their local open green space as opposed to in gyms and fitness clubs. Go to the closest park to your home and you’re bound to run into some of your neighbours. If you’re exercising a pet, that’s always a great ice-breaker for starting a chat with someone new.
  • Another positive side effect of social distancing has been a great sense of community that is occurring across Australia. New rituals such as driveway happy hour, kerbside art, teddy bear hunts and the observation of the dawn Anzac Day service on our own driveways are just some of the new ways we are learning to stay connected within our communities. Instead of having your afternoon tea inside your home, take a picnic blanket and a couple of camp chairs out to your front verge, you’ll be amazed how many people stop to say hello or give a wave.

Would you consider a move Interstate at this point? Tell us in the comments below.

Share this

Comments

  • I think there was a lot of moving from Victoria to QLD during covid

    Reply

  • So many people moved interstate

    Reply

  • I can see why so many people are moving interstate since COVID began. In places like Melbourne, we have been in lockdown for most of the last 2 years. For people who don’t have family living close, it has been incredibly hard. I have had 2 friends move to QLD to be closer to family just to have more support.

    Reply

  • I wouldn’t be game to more to another state during this pandemic, the borders get slammed to easily and too quickly at the drop of a hat.

    Reply

  • Im glad we dont need to move at the moment. It all sounds so tricky.

    Reply

  • We have been thinking about it in general so these tips and information is actually a heaven sent. Thank you!

    Reply

  • There would have to be a really great reason for me to move interstate regardless of covid-19

    Reply

  • I’ve packed up a house and moved overseas twice, but I’m not so sure I would want to move now, during a global pandemic. My hat’s off to those who are moving interstate at this time.

    • I’m sure moving overseas is even more of a massive undertaking so hats off to you for doing it twice! I guess moving right now is not ideal but some people have no choice in the matter.

    Reply

  • Gosh no I think it would be too stressful.

    Reply

  • There are so many things to think about when moving at the moment. It sounds like a bit of a nightmare for those that have to do it.

    Reply

  • moving anywhere is stressful

    Reply

  • Moving at any time is a nightmare even before Covid but I don’t think it matters if you move during a pandemic as long as you practice social distancing and clean everything they touch but I think I would have done that anyway regardless of the pandemic.

    • Doing a self pack shipping container move removes all of the worry – as it is an entirely contactless process you don’t need to have removalists entering your home.

    Reply

  • We moved 75km away seaside during Covid-19 and it certainly had its challenges. The positive was that we had no time to rest. We packed, moved and unpacked. So there was no downtime. The cons included Telstra cutting us off a week only (so I couldn’t work); unable to say goodbye to family and friends in the way I had hoped, and the challenges with settling into a new town when you can’t get out to find your services, people, etc.

    • Yes, I’m sure it’s very difficult to integrate in your new community while undertaking social distancing measures. Thankfully, restrictions seem to be lifting somewhat.

    Reply

  • This is not and never will be an issue for me. We moved into our home 41 years ago and I’d never leave

    • Good on you! Loving a home and staying in a home is a good thing.

    Reply

  • I have only recently moved so I definitely won’t be moving anytime soon especially not interstate as all of my close family live nearby.

    Reply

  • Perfectly happy where we are right now, so it would be a no! We know people that have moved and it was quite an operation.

    Reply

  • I want to move to a newer home but the thought of packing and moving stops me haha

    • You’re not alone! The positive part of moving is that it forces you to reevaluate your possessions and have a good sort out – it’s just not always easy doing it!

    Reply

  • I never want to move house again. I hate it.

    Reply

  • I’ll be going through a move towards the end of the year but not interstate, 4 hrs from where we are now. It’s stressful already as I’ll be leaving my 18 yr old behind and I don’t think I’m quite ready for that

    • Oh dear, I can imagine that is hard !

    Reply

  • No way. I am happy with where i am now.It is so stressful moving at this point.

    Reply
Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

Join Login

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join