Changing address in Australia: which agencies you need to update

Moving house in Australia is not just about packing boxes. You need to notify a number of agencies and organisations of your change of address to avoid missing important mail, being penalised for not receiving a notice, or running into trouble with services you use.

High priority — update straight away

MyGov and federal services

If you already have a MyGov account, most federal services (Centrelink, Medicare, ATO) can have their address updated at the same time through MyGov. This is the most efficient place to start.

ATO (Australian Taxation Office): your address affects tax notices, refunds and official correspondence. Update through myTax or MyGov.
Centrelink: if you receive any payment from Centrelink, not updating your address can affect your payments and notices.
Medicare: to receive a new card or correspondence relating to Medicare.

Visa and immigration

If you are on a visa, you have a legal obligation to notify the Department of Home Affairs of a change of address within a set period. Do this through ImmiAccount.

This is a high priority because failing to update it can affect your visa record.

High priority — within the first week

Your bank

Update your address with all of your bank accounts. New cards, important notices and legal documents from the bank are sent to your registered address.

Vehicle registration (rego)

Each state requires the address on your vehicle registration to match your residential address. Update it with your state’s transport authority (VicRoads, Service NSW, TMR Queensland, and so on). In many states this is a legal obligation to be done within a set number of days after moving.

Driver licence

Like rego — the address on your driver licence should reflect your current residential address.

Insurance

Update your private health insurer, home insurer and car insurer. A wrong address can affect your insurance policy.

Within the first month

Your employer: so you receive payslips and work-related correspondence
Your superannuation fund: so you receive annual statements and correspondence
Utility providers: electricity, gas, internet — sign up for new services or transfer existing ones to the new address
Your children’s school (if applicable): your residential address affects the school zone
Your GP (family doctor): to update your patient record
Australia Post: you can use a temporary mail redirection service to receive mail sent to your old address while you update everything gradually

Practical tips

Start with MyGov — a single login can update several federal services at once
Make a list of every service you use and tick each one off as you update it
Set up a temporary mail redirection through Australia Post — this helps you receive old mail while you finish updating
Remember to update your address with online shopping platforms (Amazon, eBay) to avoid deliveries going to the wrong place

Note: This list is not exhaustive — everyone’s situation is different. Specific legal obligations (such as the notification deadline for immigration or rego) vary by state and visa status. Confirm directly with the relevant agencies.