Moving house in Australia: a practical checklist before and after

Moving out of a rental in Australia takes more than just packing your belongings. If you don’t follow the right process, you can lose your security deposit or get caught in a legal dispute. This guide walks through each step so your move goes smoothly.

Ending a lease on time vs. breaking it early

These two situations have completely different processes.

Ending at the end of the fixed term: When your fixed-term lease is coming to an end, you need to give a notice to vacate to the landlord or agent within the timeframe required by your lease and your state’s law. If you don’t give notice, the lease may roll over to a periodic (month-to-month) tenancy and you remain liable for the rent.

Breaking the lease early: If you want to move out before the lease ends, this is more complicated. You are usually liable for the costs of finding a new tenant — which can include advertising fees and part of the rent for the time the property sits empty. The exact cost depends on the state and the terms of your lease. Always read the lease carefully and talk to the agent before deciding.

How much notice do you have to give?

The minimum notice required by law depends on:

• Your state
• The type of lease (fixed term or periodic)
• Who is giving the notice (the tenant or the landlord)

Check your lease — it usually sets out this term clearly. If you are unsure, contact the agent or your state’s tenant protection authority to confirm.

Give notice in writing (email is enough in most cases) and keep proof that you sent it.

Returning the property in the right condition

You are obliged to return the property in a condition equivalent to when you received it (allowing for normal wear and tear). To do this:

Compare against the move-in condition report

Get out the condition report you signed when you moved in and go through each item. The condition report is an important legal document — if you noted a particular crack when you moved in, the landlord cannot charge you for that crack when you leave.

Checklist before handover day

• Clean everything: including the kitchen (inside the oven too), bathroom, floors, and windows
• Clean the carpet: if there is carpet, a professional steam clean is often required — check the lease to see if it is a requirement
• Tidy the garden: mow the lawn and clear rubbish if this is your responsibility under the lease
• Remove personal items: don’t leave anything behind — including in the garage or storage
• Fix small damage: for example nail holes in the wall or stubborn stains — fixing them yourself is cheaper than having the landlord hire a tradesperson
• Return all keys and access cards

The final inspection

Most agents carry out a final inspection before or just as you hand back the property. If you can, be present at this inspection to:

• Know immediately if there is anything to resolve
• Push back if the agent records something that isn’t accurate
• Photograph the whole property before you hand over the keys — this is your evidence

Don’t hand over the keys before the inspection is done.

The bond refund process

Your bond is held by the state bond authority (not the landlord). When the tenancy ends:

• If both parties agree: the landlord/agent and the tenant both fill in the refund claim. The bond is returned to you within a few business days.
• If there is a dispute: either party can lodge an application with the state bond authority or tribunal. The tribunal will consider evidence from both sides (photos, condition report, email correspondence) and make a decision.

This is why keeping records, taking photos, and storing all correspondence in writing matters so much.

Updating your address

Don’t forget to update your address with all the relevant agencies and organisations. Here is a basic checklist:

Essential (affects your legal rights and obligations):

• ATO (Australian Taxation Office) — via myGov
• Medicare — via myGov or the Medicare app
• Centrelink (if you receive payments) — via myGov
• Electoral roll — via aec.gov.au
• Driver’s licence — via your state transport authority

Financial:

• All bank accounts
• Employer / HR (to receive payslips and correspondence)
• Superannuation (super fund)

Utilities and services:

• Electricity, gas, internet — cancel or transfer the service
• Subscriptions for mail, magazines, or a PO box (if any)
• Pharmacy, family doctor
• Online shopping subscriptions

Set up mail redirection:

Australia Post offers a Mail Redirection service — you pay a fee and mail sent to your old address is automatically forwarded to your new one for a set period. This is a safety net while you gradually update everyone.