Sydney Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbour, representing international removals from the UK to Australia

Removals to Australia from the UK

Weekly removals & container shipping to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

  • Full packing, customs and quarantine handled
  • From £670 door-to-door
  • 6-9 week transit time
BAR registered Est. 1997 4.5/5 Excellent on Trustpilot

UK to Australia Removals: Complete Door-to-Door Services

Since 1997, we've helped relocate countless families and individuals to Australia with expert care and precision. Whether you are moving to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or any other regional destination, we provide over 28 years of expertise, fast weekly shipping and a unique packing and palletisation method that ensures the absolute best protection for your personal belongings on their way to Australia.

Prices start from £670, with door-to-door transit times of 6-9 weeks depending on volume and destination.

We provide a full door-to-door service, with customs documentation and Australia biosecurity/quarantine requirements handled as part of the service.

Get started with a free quote now

What's Included in Your Move?

Every shipment includes collection, packing, shipping, customs and delivery, handled by our team from start to finish.

  • Professional Export Packing - Shrink-wrap palletisation for safer transit.
  • Guaranteed Weekly Sailings - Shared or full container direct from the UK.
  • UK Collection - Nationwide pickup from your door.
  • Customs Clearance - Export and Australian biosecurity handled.
  • Door-to-Door Delivery - Delivered to your new Australian address.
  • Shipment Tracking - Track your shipment at every stage.
  • Marine Transit Insurance - Flexible cover for your shipment.
  • Storage Solutions - Secure UK storage if required.
  • Accredited & Regulated - BAR, BIFA and CTSI Approved Code.
After Before

Every shipment is export-wrapped and sealed onto individual pallets using our shrink-fast system. Less handling and efficient loading & unloading ensures your belongings arrive in the same condition they left.

Learn more about our packing process

Tailored Shipping Options to Australia

Full Container

Exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container for larger household moves. Sealed from collection through to delivery in Australia.

  • 6-9 week transit
  • 3+ bed moves
  • 20ft or 40ft
Most popular

Shared Container

The most cost-effective option for smaller moves. Pay only for the space your pallets take on a weekly consolidated vessel.

  • 6-9 week transit
  • Small moves
  • Pay by volume

Air Freight

The fastest option, for small urgent shipments such as essential items or documents that cannot wait for sea freight.

  • 5-10 day delivery
  • Documents & essentials
  • Charged by weight
Get A Free Quote

Your Door-to-Door Timeline

A typical moving timeline for removals from the UK to Australia, from booking to delivery.

Week 1-2

Booking and Preparation

Quote confirmed, move date agreed, and shipping documentation prepared.
Request your free quote now

Week 2-3

Moving Day

Your shipment is export-packed at your home, and a detailed inventory is completed. Home collections are usually scheduled 1 to 2 weeks before the sailing date.

Week 3-4

Port Processing and Departure

Containers arrive at port to meet vessel closing dates, UK customs clearance is completed, and the shipment departs on the next scheduled sailing.

Week 4-12

Sea Transit

Sea freight from the UK to Australia typically takes 6 to 9 weeks, depending on the destination port. You can track your shipment throughout.

Week 12-14

Customs, Quarantine and Delivery

On arrival in Australia, your shipment is cleared through customs and biosecurity inspection, which typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once cleared, we arrange delivery to your Australian address.

Most door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia take between 8 and 14 weeks, depending on shipment type, destination, and customs and biosecurity processing times.

How Much Do Removals to Australia Cost in 2026?

Quick Answer

The average cost of removals from the UK to Australia ranges from £670 to £8,450 or more, depending on the size of your move and the services required. For example, a 1-bed apartment to Sydney starts from £1,390, and a full 20ft container for a 3-bed house to Melbourne will cost from £4,950.

Removal Costs from the UK to Australia

Destination Small Move
(Boxes & Bags)		 Studio Flat 1-Bed Apartment 3-Bed House
(20ft Container)		 4-Bed House
(40ft Container)
Melbourne £670 £1,320 £1,640 £4,950 £7,900
Sydney £670 £1,320 £1,640 £4,950 £7,900
Adelaide £680 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450
Fremantle £690 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450
Brisbane £670 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450
Melbourne
From £670
Small Move
£670
Studio Flat
£1,320
1-Bed Apartment
£1,640
3-Bed House
£4,950
4-Bed House (40ft)
£7,900
Sydney
From £670
Small Move
£670
Studio Flat
£1,320
1-Bed Apartment
£1,640
3-Bed House
£4,950
4-Bed House (40ft)
£7,900
Adelaide
From £680
Small Move
£680
Studio Flat
£1,390
1-Bed Apartment
£1,780
3-Bed House
£5,100
4-Bed House (40ft)
£8,450
Fremantle
From £690
Small Move
£690
Studio Flat
£1,390
1-Bed Apartment
£1,780
3-Bed House
£5,100
4-Bed House (40ft)
£8,450
Brisbane
From £670
Small Move
£670
Studio Flat
£1,390
1-Bed Apartment
£1,780
3-Bed House
£5,100
4-Bed House (40ft)
£8,450

Final costs are based on shipment size, declared value for insurance, and your collection and delivery locations. These costs include packing, collection, sea freight shipping, customs & bio-security and delivery to your door.

Packing included UK collection Sea freight Customs & biosecurity Door-to-door delivery
Get your exact price

Most quotes are issued same day. No obligation, no hidden fees.

Get a Free Quote 0800 389 0784

Live Weekly Sailing Schedule to Australia

We publish live sailing schedules for every Australian destination we serve, something no other UK removals company offers. Dates are pulled weekly from our shipping line partners, so they reflect real availability, not estimates. Sea transit typically takes between 50 and 67 days, depending on destination port (see full breakdown below).

Upcoming Departures

Live sailings departing from the UK, updated weekly from confirmed vessel data.

Next sailing
HMM Gdansk
Next week
HMM Hope
Next week
YM Worth
In 3 weeks
HMM Pride
In 4 weeks
Typical Transit Times

Sea transit time to major Australian ports.

Fremantle 54 days
Brisbane 55 days
Sydney 58 days
Melbourne 59 days
Adelaide 62 days
View the full UK to Australia shipping schedule

Australia: Customs, Quarantine & Biosecurity

Clearing Australian Customs & Biosecurity

All personal effects shipped to Australia are subject to inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Australian Border Force (ABF). Items must be clean and free from soil, seeds and organic matter to pass biosecurity screening.

Customs clearance and quarantine inspection typically add 1 to 2 weeks to your delivery timeline, depending on the contents of your shipment.

We prepare, check and lodge the required customs paperwork with you to ensure your goods clear quickly and without delays.

1 What paperwork do I need?

We’ll guide you and provide secure upload links. Typically you’ll need:

2 How do I prepare items to avoid quarantine delays?

Clean and dry anything that’s been outdoors or stored in garages to remove soil, seeds or organic matter.

  • Outdoor furniture, garden tools, lawn equipment
  • Bicycles, camping gear, golf clubs, boots and sports kit
  • Vacuum cleaners - remove bags and wipe interior surfaces
  • BBQs and patio heaters - remove ash, grease and residue
  • Timber items - check for dirt or insect traces

We prepare and check all required documentation before shipment to reduce clearance delays.

3 Which items are restricted or need permits?

Not allowed:

  • Fresh or frozen food, meat, dairy, fruit
  • Soil, sand, leaves and untreated plant material
  • Firewood, untreated timber offcuts, natural wooden ornaments
  • Straw-filled cushions, mattresses or pet bedding with organic fill

Allowed with permits or extra checks:

  • Outdoor/garden equipment (must be thoroughly cleaned)
  • Certain wooden furniture or carvings depending on treatment
  • Animal-based products like feathers, shells, leather, wool or bone
  • Some medicines and supplements (import limits apply)
  • Sporting and camping gear (free from dirt and plant matter)
  • Tools and machinery with fuel, grease or oil residues

Not sure? Send us a photo and we’ll confirm if it’s allowed, needs cleaning, or requires a permit.

Read our full Australia customs & quarantine guide

1st Move Partners and Associations

Customer Reviews for our UK to Australia Removals

Here’s what our customers say about moving from the UK to Australia with 1st Move. From expert packing and weekly shipping to smooth customs clearance and delivery, our reviews reflect real experiences from door-to-door removals across Australia.

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Anonymous avatar icon
Quote mark icon

Marian G

Anglesey to Melbourne, Australia

1st Move could not have been friendlier or more helpful in helping me get several items shipped to Australia. They made a potentially stressful activity easy. The staff were all knowledgeable and really nice to deal with. I can't recommend them enough.

Read more Australia moving reviews
Anonymous avatar icon
Quote mark icon

Chaya R

London to Victoria, Australia

I highly recommend 1st Move International and will definitely use them again. They were caring, understanding and very patient with me and made sure I knew exactly what was happening every step of the move. Thank you for being so helpful!

Read more Australia moving reviews

Read All of Our International Removals Reviews on Trustpilot

Trustpilot

Look for the Badge. We are a BAR registered mover.

As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines when moving personal effects overseas. This includes financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of relocating their goods worldwide.

Common questions about removals to Australia

Removals from the UK to Australia typically cost between £670 and £8,450, depending on shipment size and destination. A small move (boxes and bags) starts from £670, a 1-bedroom apartment from £1,640, and a full 20ft container for a 3-bedroom home from £4,950. Prices include UK collection, export packing, sea freight, customs clearance and delivery in Australia.

For an accurate estimate tailored to your move, please request a quote.

Door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia typically take 8 to 14 weeks. Sea transit is 6 to 9 weeks depending on destination port (Fremantle is fastest, Brisbane slowest).

Australian customs and quarantine inspection adds 1 to 2 weeks on arrival, and UK collection and port processing adds 1 to 2 weeks at the start. Outdoor items (garden tools, camping gear, sporting goods) must be thoroughly cleaned before shipping, or biosecurity delays can add further time.

A shared container (groupage) is usually best for smaller moves (up to 1–2 bedrooms) - you only pay for the space you use. A sole-use 20ft or 40ft container is better for 3+ bedroom households, with sealed transit and direct routing. We'll recommend the most suitable option based on your inventory.

We deliver to all Australian states and territories, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, plus regional and rural addresses. Shipments arrive via the major Australian ports before final delivery to your door.

No, a home survey is not required for us to quote you accurately. However, we always welcome any extra photos or videos that you can provide to help us provide the best estimate. You can do this easily via WhatsApp. You can walk us through your home at a time that suits you, or simply send us photos and videos at your convenience. There are no third-party apps to download and no appointments to book. Find us on WhatsApp on +44 1179 828123.

We recommend booking 6-8 weeks before your intended sailing date, particularly during peak season (May-September). Earlier booking gives you flexibility with packing dates and ensures space on your preferred sailing. For urgent moves, we can often accommodate shorter lead times - contact us to check availability. We also offer a 10% early booking discount for anyone who books within 10 days of receiving their quotation. It's completely free to book, no deposit is required and you can cancel anytime.

Yes, free secure storage is provided up until your move date, and we can provide extended storage at an additional cost if necessary. Our team will be happy to advise further details on this.

To comply with Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture requirements, you will typically need:

We prepare, check and lodge all required documentation on your behalf to support smooth customs clearance.

Most used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free, provided they have been owned and used for at least 12 months prior to shipping.

GST or import duty may apply to:

  • New or unused items
  • Commercial goods
  • Certain high-value items

Inspection or quarantine fees may also apply where required.

We will confirm eligibility and documentation requirements before shipment.

Clean anything that's been outdoors, stored in garages, or in contact with soil - garden tools, camping gear, bikes, sporting equipment, and shoes. Dust, soil, seeds and organic matter are the most common causes of biosecurity delays. Because our shipments are individually palletised, Australian biosecurity officers can inspect your goods without unloading other customers' belongings, which typically speeds up clearance.

Australia enforces strict biosecurity regulations. Commonly restricted or prohibited items include:

  • Food and perishables
  • Meat, dairy and plant products
  • Soil-contaminated goods (garden tools, outdoor equipment, shoes)
  • Animal products
  • Certain alcohol and tobacco

We provide guidance before collection to reduce inspection issues and delays. Full list in our Australia customs and biosecurity guide.

Yes. We offer Move Protect, our specialist cover designed for international removals. It protects your belongings from collection through to delivery, with cover based on your declared replacement value.

Full details are provided with your quotation.

Find out more about Move Protect here.

Yes. Once your shipment is packed and assigned to a sailing, we'll provide tracking details so you can monitor vessel progress and estimated arrival. Your move coordinator is also available throughout the journey for status updates. You can use our container tracking tool to track your shipment.

Once your shipment clears Australian customs, our approved local delivery partners handle final transport to your new address. They'll contact you to schedule a convenient delivery time.

Date changes are handled free of charge where possible, subject to sailing availability. If your plans change significantly, our UK storage options have you covered until you're ready to ship.

We specialise in household removals. For vehicles, our sister company Autoshippers handles car shipping to Australia, including exclusive container, R-Rak and RoRo services. For pets, we recommend PetAir UK, our partner and specialist pet shippers.

Extra Resources & Guides for Moving to Australia