Coronavirus COVID-19: Removalists Essential Services Updates

Updated 29/03/2021 Brisbane 3 Day Lockdown - See state-by-state information for interstate border passes for moving house.

View information currently available from each of the Australian State Governments to help answer your questions when it comes to moving house during Coronavirus border restrictions & self isolation lockdowns.

We are working with our many moving partners across Australia to take each move / quote request case by case to give certainty as required. Please call us if you have any questions, otherwise you are able to book online as usual. Please check our disclaimer at the bottom of this page as this info is only a summary and may not be up to date. Your chosen removalist can work with you to confirm any final pick up / delivery times pending which state or location you are moving to.

Frequently Asked Moving House & Coronavirus / COVID-19 Questions

Currently, yes

Although there have been recent changes to border controls, Removalists are considered an 'essential service' under freight & logistics definitions by each State Government and are able to move your goods.

Currently, yes (Most states require case by case exemption to be approved. View the state by state breakdown below and links to exemption / border pass application websites)

Currently, Removalists as an essential logistics service are able to move your goods either locally or interstate in Australia. If you are moving to WA, please review the latest info & links in the state by state breakdown below. We strongly promote through our partners safe moving practices with increased hygiene and social distancing wherever possible. We also ask that if you have, are showing symptoms of, or have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 that you let the Removalist know in advance so they can best support your move / move timing safely after any relevant quarantine measures.

Currently, yes with proof of residence, approved exemption & approved border passes.

Some Australian State Governments have begun to restrict entry for certain states or are mandating differing levels of quarantine / self isolation. Most states have a border pass system that will determine whether you will be allowed to travel to that location. See below for state by state breakdown.

We are working with Removalists on the Muval platform to ensure as much flexibility as possible to help book knowing that if sudden changes happen there will be options for postponing moves or refunding or crediting deposits where possible. Many of our Removalist partners have a high level of capacity to ensure move dates being rescheduled cause minimal disruption, or otherwise these can be easily transferred to other movers on our platform without needing to take down all of your details again.

You may need to organise car transport and or pet transport / pet accommodation when if entry to a state is allowed via air only.

For moving cars, there is typically a delay between pick up and delivery of 10 days with options for holding cars for another 3 - 4 days to align with minimum quarantine timings. For transporting pets, we recommend using a service that has comfortable pet accommodation at either end of the trip included as part of the pet transport costs. Muval can help organise quotes for your car and pet transport through trusted suppliers o align with your approved move as needed. Enter your move details online or call 1300 168 825 for more details.

Many interstate moves booked on Muval are done via rail, which means local removalist branches are handling your goods without the need to utilise interstate drivers. Our team will look for these options for you if required. Some rail pick up and delivery times are being delayed by a few days due to recent increased demand, we are also seeing increased traffic at Border control areas. So, please, book in as early as possible to get your preferred dates & note your Removalist may experience unforseen traffic delays out of their direct control.

State-by-state Overview

We have compiled the following information from a range of publically available government websites, and from individual confirmation on certain understandings directly from some government agencies.

Sydney & New South Wales (NSW)

confirmed by NSW gov. on 14 March

YES - you are allowed to leave your house for the reason to "move house or between your residences"
No other current interstate border restrictions in place as of 14/3/2021 (unless from international)
Special conditions will be allowed for freight services / crititcal requirements.
It is recommended that your carry your NSW proof of residence if moving from any location.
Removalists are able to deliver your goods interstate & locally
Local moves must abide by State social distancing / Public Health Order rules during move
Please review what you can & can't do in relation to NSW COVID rules for your house move
View NSW Gov Website information here

Melbourne & Victoria (VIC)

confirmed by VIC gov. on 29 March

Border permits or exemptions are now required for people moving to Victoria / residents of Victoria.
If travelling from Orange Zone areas - you must self isolate until you receive a negative test result after arriving.
If travelling from designated Red Zone areas and not a resident - you must get an exception permit to be able to come to Victoria.
If travelling from a Red Zone area you would need an exemption must be requested and approved to enter VIC
It is recommended to carry your new home proof of residence documentation with you if moving house
If you are moving interstate - you'll find the relevant border passes / exemption requests that are required in the relevant state by state information below.
View VIC Gov Website information here

Brisbane & Queensland (QLD)

updated on 29 March

QLD Gov / Brisbane 3 day lockdown website showing you ARE allowed to move to QLD
QLD Gov website also showing you can move house for a number of reasons including, legal reasons, private real estate house inspections, where it may be interpretted as end of lease or house sale is a valid reason to leave one house and go straight to another house. We recommend reviewing the QLD Health website for advice pending your own circumstances.
Removalists ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and are able to move your goods interstate and locally to your new home under the QLD Government definition of essential Freight & Logistics services.
The QLD government website highlights you ARE allowed to move to QLD as a permanent resident or someone moving to live permanantly in QLD from a hotspot area and you will require an approved border pass.
Exempted visitors or people moving from or who have been in these locations must adhere to 14 day quarantine, mandatory hotel quarnantine restrictions.
Outside of this area - QLD Government states that there are no restricted COVID Hotspots in Australia
If you are not from a hot spot area you are free to enter QLD from any state of territory
Other options available are local branch pick up from your home then onto interstate rail and then local branch drop off to your new home in Queensland (without need for Interstate truck drivers). Call us for details regarding this option.
Local moves abide by State social distancing rules during move
View QLD Gov Website information here

Adelaide & South Australia (SA)

confirmed by SA gov. on 29 March

All people wishing to enter SA now need to fill in a SA border pass prior to arrival (best option is to do 14 days in advance)
SA Gov Website as of 29/03/21 8.32pm shows - If moving for a genuine relocation to SA from a hot spot as directed by SA government - you will also need to undergo a compulsory COVID-19 test
14 day self isolation effective immediately upon entry and to be enforced by Border Control if arriving from a designated hotspot, plus other testing and restriction as per SA gov website directions.
Removalists ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and are able to move your goods interstate to your new home under the SA Government definition of essential Freight & Logistics services.
Other options available are local branch pick up from your home then onto interstate rail and then local branch drop off to your new home in South Australia (without need for Interstate truck drivers). Call us for details regarding this option.
Local moves abide by State social distancing rules during move
View SA gov general information here

Perth & Western Australia (WA)

confirmed by WA gov. on 29 March

From the 14th November 2020 - All interstate travellers to WA are subject to:
- completion of a G2G PASS declaration (expect 6 days for processing)
- health screening and temperature test on arrival at Perth Airport
- COVID-19 testing, if required.
- You may have to complete 14 days self quarantine or in a mandatory government quarantine facility dending on what risk status your current location has.
Very low risk states and territories
(No community cases in 28 days)
- not required to quarantine
- currently includes VIC, NSW, SA, TAS, ACT and NT
Low risk states and territories
(Less than 5 community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average)
- must self-quarantine for 14 days in suitable premises
- must present for a COVID-19 test on Day 11 if still in WA
Medium risk states and territories QLD is currently considered a Medium Risk state and requires special exemption for entry as a permanent resident
If for some reason you believe you need a special exemption and / or to not do 14 days quarantine you can request, special exemption
An exemption request can take up to 48 hours to be processed without guarantee of approval.
Removalists, regardless of exemption of person moving, ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and are able to move your goods interstate to your new home under the WA Government definition of essential Freight & Logistics services.
Other options available are local branch pick up from your home then onto interstate rail and then local branch drop off to your new home in Western Australia (without need for Interstate truck drivers). Call us for details regarding this option.
It is recommended to carry your lease or new residence documentation with you.
Local moves within regions are still allowed & abide by State social distancing rules during move
View WA Gov Website information here

Darwin & Northern Territory (NT)

confirmed by NT gov. on 14 March

Update: from 11.59pm 1st April all non essential interstate travellers & returning residents MUST spend 14 days forced quarantine (at own cost after 3rd April) in accommodation options upon entry (please see NT Gov Site for confirmation of accommodation options - approximate cost around $2,500) ONLY if they have been in or through a declared hot spot within the last 14 days.
NT Arrival Forms will be required for people arriving into the territory.
From the 17th July - interstate travellers will NOT need to self quarantine unless you have passed through a designated hotspot within the last 14 days. If you have passed through a hot spot - and are approved to enter - you will need to do compulsory supervised self quarantine at your own costs. Please see important information about mandatory quarantine, costs and locations here
Please use this pre fill in this NT border pass for anyone moving to NT after the 17th July
Removalists ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and ARE able to move your goods interstate to your new home under the NT Government definition of essential Freight & Logistics services.
Call the Muval team to work with you to find Removalists with storage options, or, to time delivery until after quarantine, or, to help find best timing for someone you designate to be at your NT residence for delivery.
Local moves abide by Territory social distancing rules during move
View NT border restriction information here

Hobart & Tasmania (TAS)

confirmed by TAS government on 14 March

Tasmanian Arrival Forms are required for people arriving into the state prior to arrival and are available also upon arrival but may take longer to process
Rules for entering Tasmania have recently changed - and you can move to Tasmania from low, medium and high risk areas pending certain quarantine standards and passes are approved:
Tasmania’s new traveller system ‘Tas e-Travel’ is now accepting registrations for travel from low-risk areas under eased border restrictions from Monday 26 October WITHOUT the need to self quarantine. To register your travel or move please use Tas e-Travel pass for low risk areas
If moving from a medium or high risk area - for approval - you will need to use the G2G Pass / Arrival Form
If being approved to travel from a high risk or restricted area - you may need to complete 14 days Quarantine at your own cost in a Government mandated accommodation.
Call the Muval team to work with you to find Removalists with storage options, or, to time delivery until after quarantine, or, to help find best timing for someone you designate to be at your TAS residence for delivery.
Removalists ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and ARE able to move your goods interstate to your new home under the Tasmania Government definition of essential Freight & Logistics services.
Local moves abide by State social distancing rules during move
View TAS border restriction information here

Canberra & Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

No current border entry self isolation restrictions in place
However - if travelling from a designated hot spot you may be required to get tested and self quarantine.
Removalists are able to deliver your goods
Local moves abide by Territory social distancing rules during move
View ACT Gov Website information here

We're Here to Help Make Your Move Easier

We realise it’s a tough time for many customers where moves may not have been part of the plan and hope that regardless your next move brings a positive future, plus a productive 2 weeks unpacking & settling in where self isloation restrictions are in place.

Our platform aims to provide you through our large network of Removalist providers a great deal and your desired dates / availability. If there is anything our experienced customer success team can do to help sort your move on the phone or you have any further questions, please contact us on 1300 168 825.

You can also access instant pricing / quotes & for available Removalists online (any unassisted online bookings will be double checked by our team to ensure there are no restriction issues before acceptance of job from Removalists).

Disclaimer: This information is changing regularly and is subject to change without notice. No information presented here provides any guarantee that your move will still go ahead as planned. Please also be aware there are fines that may be payable for breaching strict quarantine guidelines set by each relevant State and it's important to be familiar with those regulations to be able to comply. To support best practice, we are working with our many Removalist partners to take each move / quote request case by case to give as much certainty as possible to your move as required. If you are in a high-risk area and you do not NEED to move, we strongly recommend postponing to restrict any potential spread of the virus. Please call us if you have any questions: 1300 168 825.