Understanding Rates

The rates for removal jobs in Australia can vary significantly based on several factors such as the size of the move, distance, services required, location, and whether the removal is for residential or commercial purposes. 

Below is an overview of typical pricing for different types of removalist services in Australia: 

Removalist costs in Australia can vary widely depending on factors like job size, distance, and services required. On average, expect to pay between $100 to $200 per hour for local moves and $2,000 to $5,000 for interstate moves, with additional costs for packing, storage, Insurance and a Call-out fee

Factors Influencing Removalist Rates:

1. Size of the Job:

• The volume of items (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or whole house)

• The number of movers required

2. Distance:

• Local moves (within the same city or area)

• Interstate moves (across states or long distances)

3. Additional Services:

• Packing/unpacking services.

• Furniture disassembly and reassembly.

• Storage services.

4. Location:

• Urban areas (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne) tend to have higher rates than rural areas.

• Different states may also have slightly varying rates.

Here's an example of how removalist businesses usually charge. Note: The below given is just an example. Prices may differ depending on the client:

1. Local Moves (Same City)

• Hourly Rates: For local moves, most removalist companies charge by the hour. $100 to $200 per hour for 2 movers and a truck.

• Larger trucks or more movers may increase the hourly rate to $200 to $300 per hour.

Factors Impacting Cost:

• Number of movers.

• Size of the truck.

• Access to the property (e.g., stairs, elevators).

• Distance between pick-up and drop-off locations (though still within the same city).

2. Interstate Moves

• Average Cost:

  • Interstate removalist jobs typically charge based on the volume of items (in cubic meters) and the distance of the move.

  • The cost can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more depending on the distance and size of the move.

• Typical Rates:

  • $100 to $150 per cubic meter.

  • For example, moving from Sydney to Melbourne, which is around 800 km, could cost between $3,000 to $4,500 for a standard 3-bedroom house.

• Other Factors:

  • The route (some routes may be cheaper due to higher demand).

  • Seasonal demand (prices can be higher during peak moving seasons).

3. Small Moves (Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments)

• Hourly Rates:

  • For smaller jobs, such as moving the contents of a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment, the cost may be around $100 to $150 per hour.

• Estimated Total Costs:

  • These jobs may take around 2 to 4 hours, leading to a total cost between $400 and $700 for a small local move.

4. Long-Distance Moves (Intra-State)

• Average Cost:

  • For moves within the same state but over long distances (e.g., from Sydney to Newcastle or Melbourne to Ballarat), removalist costs can range from $1,500 to $3,000.

• Cost Per Kilometer:

  • Removalists may charge $1 to $2 per kilometer, with extra charges for large volumes.

5. Packing and Unpacking Services

• Packing Services:

  • Professional packing services can add to the total cost of the removal.

  • $30 to $60 per hour per packer.

  • On average, packing a 3-bedroom house can cost between $300 and $800 depending on the amount of work involved.

• Packing Materials:

  • The cost of boxes and packing materials (bubble wrap, tape) may also be charged, ranging from $100 to $250 for a full set of packing materials.

6. Storage Services

• If storage is required during the move, this adds to the total cost.

• Short-term storage: Around $100 to $200 per week for a small storage unit.

• Long-term storage: Larger spaces for long-term storage may cost around $200 to $400 per month depending on the location and size.

7. Additional Services and Costs

• Insurance: Some removalists offer insurance coverage, which may be included in the cost or added as an extra charge (typically $200 to $500 depending on the value of goods).

• Special Handling: Moving fragile or high-value items (e.g., pianos, artwork) may incur extra fees, usually $100 to $300 depending on the complexity.

• Disassembly/Assembly: Furniture disassembly and reassembly services can add $50 to $150 depending on the item