Coronavirus COVID-19: Removalists Essential Services Updates

Are Removalists Essential Services?

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.

Can You Still Move House During Coronavirus?

Currently, yes (WA requires case by case exemption to be approved)

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.

What if Stage 4 Lockdown Measures are Implemented?

Based on other countries, moving may need to be postponed

Countries such as New Zealand and the UK have enacted 2-to-4 week blanket STAGE 4 laws to totally restrict travel and movement in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. It has been advised that moving house in New Zealand and the UK is not permitted and people should be temporarily pausing and postponing any activities that would create a need to move house.

Can I Move House During Stage 3 VIC & NSW Government lockdowns?

Currently, yes

Some Australian State Governments have begun Stage 3 restrictions and at this point moving house in both New South Wales & Victoria is currently allowed and Removalists services are still available.

We are working with Removalists on the Muval platform to understand procedures IF a stricter lockdown were to happen in Australia and moving house was prohibited. In this scenario, we would expect Removalists to reorganise any moves to happen as soon as possible once able or work with customers for relevant refunds or credits where applicable. 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.

Key Information for Moving House During Coronavirus:

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

Please note: 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.

What effect will relaxed Coronavirus restrictions have on moving house:

As governments start to discuss lifting some restrictions, we anticipate there will be a back log of move requests coming in June / July. If you need to move during this time, we suggest booking in early.

We are already seeing bookings as far in advance as January 2021.

With limited availability of airline seats, there are also timing and cost issues to consider for flying between states as part of your move. 

Again, we suggest based on feedback from our current customers, to begin securing tentative dates for your move as far as in advance as possible to avoid last minute higher prices. You can get instant no obligation quotes for your move through Muval here. 

COVID-19 Essential Removalist Services - State-by-state Overview

MOVING TO NEW SOUTH WALES / FIND SYDNEY REMOVALISTS (confirmed by NSW Gov 31st March):

• No current interstate border entry self isolation restrictions in place
• Removalists are able to deliver your goods interstate & locally 
• Local moves abide by State social distancing / Public Health Order stage 3 lockdown rules during move
• Moving house is specifically ALLOWED and shown as an exception to the rule against leaving your house
• View NSW Gov Website information here

MOVING TO VICTORIA / FIND MELBOURNE REMOVALISTS (confirmed by VIC Gov 1st April):

• No current interstate border entry self isolation restrictions in place
• Removalists are able to deliver your goods interstate & locally
• Local moves abide by State social distancing / Public Health Order stage 3 lockdown rules during move
• Moving house is specifically ALLOWED and shown as an exception to the rule against leaving your house
• View VIC Gov Website information here

MOVING TO QUEENSLAND / FIND BRISBANE REMOVALISTS (updated & confirmed on QLD Gov 2 April):

• 14 day self isolation upon entry will be in place Wednesday 25th March Midnight until Midnight 2nd April and continues for any person entering the State who has travelled overseas or to designated areas within Australia.
• If you are a QLD resident with a border pass travelling to QLD and have not been to any of the restricted areas, you do not need to strictly self isolate for 14 days, and otherwise would expect to abide by local self distancing rules.
• Queensland Online Border Passes are required for people arriving into the state as per new conditions below.
• As of 12.01am 3rd April - Travel into QLD is now only available for QLD residents with a Border Pass, proof of residency and / or otherwise exemption by way of an approved border pass.
• If you have an official lease or residency document for your new QLD residence, it's advised to take with you to help speed up Border control as well.
• Removalists ARE exempt from requiring 14 days self isolation and are able to move your goods interstate to your new home under the QLD 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 Queensland (without need for Interstate truck drivers). Call us for details regarding this option.
• Local moves abide by State social distancing rules during move
• Roadmap reviews for no restrictions on interstate travel / border passes is due around end of June 
• View QLD Gov Website information here

MOVING TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA / FIND ADELAIDE REMOVALISTS (confirmed by SA Gov 24 Mar 12.48pm):

• 14 day self isolation effective immediately upon entry and to be enforced by Border Control from 4pm Tuesday 24th March.
• 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
• General unrestricted travel is due for review late June as per the SA gov COVID-19 recovery roadmap
• View SA gov general information here

MOVING TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA / FIND PERTH REMOVALISTS: (confirmed on WA Gov 3 Apr 3.23pm) - 

• WA have announced temporary closure of border from 11.59pm Sunday 5th April (re-open date TBA) 
• Some exemptions do apply however, moving house INTERSTATE to WA is NOT currently on the exemption reasons list, but, is able to be requested case by case (confirmed by WA COVID HOTLINE 3 APRIL 3.23pm)
• An exemption request can take up to 48 hours to be processed without guarantee of approval.
  
• We suggest early request of exemption if required before booking move and / or ensuring someone else in WA can receive your goods to your new home.
  
• WA Roadmap is otherwise showing review of relaxed interstate travel / moving due to be reviewed by late June.
• Currently - 14 day self isolation upon entry to be enforced from 1.30pm Tuesday 24th March.
• Western Australia Arrival Forms are required for people arriving into the state.
• 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.
• New WA regional travel restrictions will be in place as of Midnight 31st March and there are now relaxed travel restrictions for general travel between these regions with an exemption form as of May 18.
• Removalists are exempt from these restrictions, however, residents moving between regions will need to fill in an exemption form that will be available on the WA website as of 31st March.
• 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

MOVING TO NORTHERN TERRITORY / FIND DARWIN REMOVALISTS (confirmed by NT Gov 30 Mar 6.00pm):

• 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). Current interstate arrivals are still requiring 14 days self isolation upon entry (this was as of 4pm Tuesday 24th March)
• NT Arrival Forms will be required for people arriving into the state & available at the Borders.
• 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

MOVING TO TASMANIA / FIND HOBART REMOVALISTS (confirmed by TAS Gov 3 April):

• Update: from 3rd April all non essential interstate travellers who are moving house to Tasmania MUST spend 14 days forced quarantine in provided (Tas Gov covers basic costs - see their site for details) accommodation & basic food options upon entry.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• Mid to Late July is when border controls may be reviewed as per Tas Gov COVID-19 Roadmap
• View TAS border restriction information here

MOVING TO ACT / FIND CANBERRA REMOVALISTS:

• No current border entry self isolation restrictions in place
• 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. Please call us if you have any questions: 1300 168 825.