International Removals from the UK to the Australia

As a rough guide see our table below for some typical shipping and moving Costs from the UK to Australia in 2025.

The above costs should only be used as guide only. Prices shown are port to port freight costs. They do not include UK collection or packing costs (we don't know how much stuff you plan to ship or exactly where you are departing from).

To receive an accurate quote for the total cost involved for your move to Australia simply request a quick quote, talk to our team live or give us a call on +44 117 9828 123.

It is important to know when the ship will sail from the UK to determine the correct arrival time for your household goods.

We offer weekly sailings direct from the UK to all main ports in Australia. Port to Port shipping time average 45 to 50 days after sailing from the UK.

Most movers however need to wait up to 3 months before they can fill their container before they can ship, so although the transit times may be the same the arrival times with 1st Move can be up to 3 months earlier.

At 1st Move we share with commercial exporters, we do not need to wait to fill our containers so we ship out every week. This means faster arrival times so you can settle into your new life without having to wait months while your goods hang around in the UK.

On average it takes between 45-50 days for goods to arrive. For exact sailing and arrival times, check out our weekly Australia shipping schedule.

Be it Darwin or Alice Springs, Wollongong, or Launceston we have got you covered. We offer international removals services to all the Australian States and Territories of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania—and two internal territories—the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, which contains Canberra.

We serve these destinations through all the main arrival ports listed below with weekly shipping services direct from the UK.

• Melbourne:
  Victoria's state capital and a major port on the southeastern coast, handling a wide range of cargo.
  
• Sydney:
  The capital of New South Wales and a bustling port on the east coast, known for its iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
  
• Brisbane:
  Located on the Brisbane River, this Queensland port is a key hub for trade with Asia and the Pacific.
  
• Adelaide:
  South Australia's capital city and a major port on the southern coast, serving as a gateway to the country's interior.
  
• Fremantle:
  Western Australia's largest port, situated on the Indian Ocean and handling significant volumes of cargo, including minerals and agricultural products.

Wherever your destination, we’ve got you covered.

Yes, we offer a 10% early booking discount for every move to Australia. Booking your move early allows us to better plan our collection services and streamline our packing teams for maximum efficiency. Booking your move early means we can make savings on transport and packing schedules and pass these savings to you, our customers.

Moving overseas can be a stressful experience and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to take that first step on your journey to Australia.

So why not book your moving day now, it’s easy, no deposit, no obligation, no cancellation fees and our 10% early booking discount is our thank you for getting organised early.

You can book your move up to 12 months in advance and this offer is available to all our customers who book their move to Australia within 10 days of receiving their quote.

Let’s get that big ball rolling and Book your move in less than 60 seconds here.

Door-to-Door: Your 7 Step Guide

Be in full control of your move! This detailed timeline outlines each step of the process, from getting a quote, moving day, packing, and shipping to finally receiving your belongings in your new home. Plan your move with confidence and get ready for your new life Down Under.

1. Get a Quote (1 day): Start by obtaining a free online quote from our website or contact our team for a detailed estimate based on your specific needs.
2. Book Your Move (5 days) : After receiving you moving quote and you are happy to book with us, we can usually arrange collection withing a few days of your preferred moving day and certainly with 5 days after you have received your quotation. You can book your no-deposit move online here.
3. Moving Day (1 day): Once your moving day has been agreed our transport department will be in touch to confirm, they will also contact you a week before to confirm the exact details of your shipment and packing requirements and arrival time on the day. We will call you the day before to confirm that you are ready and again on the morning of moving day to update you with the arrival time of our packers.
4. Packing and Palletising: (3 to 5 days):
   • For shared container services your furniture personal effects and household goods will be professionally packed, shrink-wrapped, and palletised back at our warehouse. This process normally takes a few days at which time we are ready to ship your goods.
   • For full house moves which need a 20ft or 40ft container we can load directly from your home if you have suitable parking and access for a few days. If you do not have parking or access, we can collect in smaller vehicles and load the container at our warehouse.
5. Loading to container (1 day): Once we have packed your goods, we are good to go. Immediately! We are the only moving company that offer weekly sailings from the UK to Australia and the only UK moving company who publish our sailing schedules online. Once packed, your shipment will be loaded to a shared container for shipping on the next available vessel sailing from London Gateway port.
6. Container vessel transit times from the UK to Australia (average between 45 to 50 days): We provide exact sailing and transit times to Australia on our weekly sailing schedule.
7. Arrival procedures - Customs Clearance and Delivery (5 to 7 days):Our approved customs brokers and redelivery agents in Australia are Conroy Removals. A long-standing and respected agent who we have been working for over 15 years. Conroy Removals were established over 50 years ago and will arrange customs clearance on your behalf.
   
   Once your personal effects have cleared customs, Conroy’s will agree a suitable date for the delivery of your belongings to your new home.
   (This normally takes between 3 and 7 days)
   
   They will contact you around 2 weeks before the ship arrives, but please feel free to introduce yourself at any time simply quoting 1st Move International as your carrier. They are looking forward to speaking to you and helping you through customs and redelivery to your home. Contact details are:

Brisbane Branch & Head Office:
• Address: 20 Briggs Court Kallangur, QLD 4503
• Phone: +61 7 5495 2156
• AU Freephone: 1800 640 774

Melbourne Branch:
• Address: 25 Fowler Road Dandenong, VIC 3175
• Phone: +61 3 8541 2000
• AU Freephone: 1800 640 774

Perth Branch:
• Address: 5 Purdy Place Canning Vale, WA 6155
• Phone: +61 8 6279 5200
• AU Freephone: 1800 640 774

Sydney Branch:
• Address: 28 Huntingwood Drive Huntingwood, NSW 2148
• Phone: +61 2 8787 7800
• AU Freephone: 1800 640 774

Townsville Branch:
• Address: 10 Catalyst Court Mount Saint John, 4818
• Phone: +61 7 4774 7999
• AU Freephone: 1800 640 774

Now you have a clear roadmap for your move! Ready to get moving? Get a quote here.

Generally, Australian citizens and permanent residents returning after 12 months abroad can import their used personal effects duty-free. This typically includes household goods and furniture owned and used for over a year. These include clothing and footwear, personal hygiene and grooming items, furniture, appliances, sports equipment and books. However, some items may still be subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) or other charges.

• Antiques: May be duty-free but are subject to 10% GST.
• Commercial Imports: If your goods are deemed for commercial use, duties and taxes may apply.
• Customs Regulations Change: Always check the latest information on the Australian Border Force (ABF) website. You can find the latest regulations on the Australian Border Force website.

Australia has strict biosecurity laws to protect its unique environment and banning or limiting the import of almost all food and animal products including;

• Alcohol & tobacco
• Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables
• Plants, grains, seeds, nuts
• Animals and animal food
• Soil or items with soil attached

The Australia government provides a full list of these items. Please also see our own restricted items for Australia guide and our Australia Customs Guide for more information.

We require the following documents to ship your personal effects from the UK:

• Passport: A copy of the photo page of your passport
• Visa or Permit: If you do not have an Australia passport, you must hold a valid Visa in order to import your personal belongings.
• Packing Inventory: A list of all items to be shipped.
• Customs form B534: Our team will provide you with a blank copy of this form and will be on hand to assist you in completing it correctly.

Please see our detailed customs guide for personal effects shipping to Australia.

All documents and forms can be securely uploaded via our document transfer page.

Yes, if you are planning to move permanently, you will need a visa before you can enter and move any household goods from the UK. Below is an outline of available visas and the Australian Government provides great advice on visa application requirements here. Have a look at Australia Visa Finder options here.

• Skilled Work Visa (Sponsored or Nominated): This visa is ideal if you have skills and experience in an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List, and you have an employer willing to sponsor you.
• Skilled Work Visa (Not Sponsored or Nominated): This option is like the sponsored visa, but it doesn't require employer sponsorship. You'll need to demonstrate your skills and experience align with Australia's workforce needs.
• Distinguished Talent Visa: This visa targets individuals with exceptional and recognized talent in specific fields.
• Invest or Business Visa: This visa is for those who want to establish or invest in a business in Australia.
• Parent, Child, or Family Member Visa: This category covers visas for family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Partner or Spouse Visa: This visa allows you to live in Australia if you're married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Yes! We provide a tracking service for all our international removals. Once your shipment is in the container and loaded to the vessel, you will receive a tracking number. This will allow you to monitor the progress of your shipment online using our container tracking tool and stay informed about its estimated arrival time.

The short answer is yes, when you move to Australia it is possible to have your car shipped at the same time, and the good news is they drive on the left-hand side, just like the UK. We can arrange to ship your car inside a container or by specialist Ro Ro , (Roll on Roll off) services from Southampton. You will have to obtain prior permission and apply for Vehicle Import Approval before you can ship your car.

Autoshippers is part of the 1st Move International group of companies, and are one of the largest shippers of private vehicles to Australia They have over 25 years of knowledge and experience and can guide you through the intricacies, paperwork, and customs requirements to safely ship your vehicle. Please visit the Autoshippers Australia car shipping page here for more information.