Change of Address Checklist Australia: Who to Notify When You Move

House keys, property documents and a miniature house to communicate moving administration and paperwork

Moving into a new home involves far more than packing boxes. It means updating your address across private companies, financial institutions and government bodies.

Forgetting an address update is more than an inconvenience. Missing transport deadlines, important notices or insurance updates can cause unnecessary problems after you move.

Use this Australian change of address checklist to work through the key notifications, keep your details up to date and make sure essential services follow you to your new home.

At a glance

The Master Change of Address Roadmap

Use this six-step overview to work through your address updates in a practical order.

Step	What to do
1. Set Up a Safety Net	Arrange Australia Post mail redirection 1–2 weeks before moving.
2. Streamline Government	Update your myGov profile and choose which eligible linked services to notify.
3. Meet Legal Deadlines	Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration within the relevant state timeframe.
4. Protect Your Finances	Notify your banks, superannuation fund and car/home insurers.
5. Connect Essential Utilities	Arrange electricity, gas and internet for your new home.
6. Update Everyday Accounts	Check subscriptions, delivery apps, pet records and toll accounts.

Step 1 · Government

1. Government Agencies & Legal Requirements

Government agencies and state transport authorities may require address changes within particular timeframes, so prioritise these updates first.

State Transport & Driver's Licence

In many Australian states and territories, drivers are required to update their residential address within 14 days. Western Australia generally allows 21 days. Check the current requirements for your own state or territory.

State / Territory	Road & Transport Authority	Official Portal	Deadline
NSW	Service NSW	MyServiceNSW Account	Within 14 days
VIC	VicRoads	myVicRoads Portal	Within 14 days
QLD	Department of Transport & Main Roads	TMR Online Services	Within 14 days
WA	Department of Transport	DoTDirect	Within 21 days
SA	Service SA	mySA GOV	Within 14 days
ACT	Access Canberra	Access Canberra Portal	Within 14 days
TAS	Service Tasmania	Service Tasmania Online	Within 14 days
NT	MVR Northern Territory	MVR online services	Within 14 days

Check the latest rules and deadlines with your state or territory road authority.

myGov: The Central Federal Shortcut

You can update your address in your myGov profile and choose to share the change with eligible linked services, including Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Centrelink. Check that each service has received and applied the correct details.

Medicare

Keep your contact information current for correspondence and claims.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Make sure tax notices and other correspondence reach the right address.

Centrelink & Services Australia

Check your address and accommodation details if you receive payments or assistance.

Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)

If you are eligible to vote, keep your electoral enrolment up to date. You generally need to have lived at your new address for at least one month before you can enrol there or update your enrolment to that address.

Step 2 · Money & protection

2. Financial Institutions & Insurance Policies

Updating your address with financial institutions and insurers helps keep correspondence secure and reduces the risk of complications with a policy or claim.

Car Insurance: Update the address where your vehicle is usually kept. Your postcode and garaging address can affect premiums and policy conditions.

Home & Contents Insurance: If you are buying, check when your building cover needs to start. Confirm whether your contents are insured during the move.

Banks, Credit Unions & Credit Cards: Update your mailing and residential addresses in your banking apps so cards and statements reach the correct property.

Superannuation Funds: Check your address directly with your super fund instead of assuming another agency will share the update.

Share Registries & Investment Accounts: Update any investment platforms and share registries you use, such as Computershare, CommSec, Pearler or Stake.

Step 3 · Essential connections

3. Essential Home Utilities & Broadband

Electricity, gas and broadband often need lead time for account setup, connection requests and possible installation appointments.

Electricity & Natural Gas Retailer: Arrange move-in connections around 1–2 weeks ahead where possible. Follow any main switch or meter instructions from your retailer.

Internet & NBN Provider: Check the broadband technology at your new home and whether a technician is required. Leave any NBN Connection Box (NTD) installed at your old property.

Water Authority: If renting, ask your property manager how water accounts are handled. If buying, confirm the water authority notifications included in your settlement.

Step 4 · Important records

4. Healthcare, Education & Work

Employer & Payroll: Update your address in your employer's HR or payroll system so employee and tax records stay current.

General Practitioner (GP) & Specialists: Update your patient contact details, and arrange medical record transfers if changing clinics.

Private Health Insurance: Update your contact details and check whether moving interstate affects the cover or benefits you need.

Schools, Daycare & Universities: Notify your education provider and confirm enrolment or catchment requirements if moving to a different area.

Step 5 · Everyday essentials

5. Daily Subscriptions & Delivery Profiles

Nothing is more frustrating than having dinner or a parcel delivered to your old address. Review your saved delivery details before your next order.

Food Delivery Apps: Update saved addresses in Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog and any other food delivery apps.

E-Commerce & Digital Wallets: Check your addresses in Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Meal Kit Subscriptions: Update HelloFresh, Marley Spoon or other meal deliveries before the next order cut-off.

Pet Microchip Registry & Council: Update your pet's registered address and check local council registration requirements.

Toll Tag Accounts: Update your contact and vehicle details with Linkt, EastLink or your toll account provider.

Step 6 · A safety net

The Safety Net: Australia Post Mail Redirection

Even with a comprehensive checklist, unexpected mail can slip through. Consider setting up mail redirection before moving, then use forwarded letters to identify any accounts you missed.

Australia Post offers different redirection periods. Select a duration that suits your move and check the latest options and fees when applying.

Apply for mail redirection: Submit your request online or at a participating Australia Post outlet.

Complete identity verification: Check what identification is required for the people included in your application.

Review forwarded mail: Use redirected letters to identify organisations still using your previous address.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I forget to update my driver's licence within 14 days?

Many state transport authorities require address changes within 14 days, although deadlines vary. If your old address remains on record, important notices and renewals may go to the wrong place. Update your details as soon as possible and check the rules for your state or territory.

Can I update all my government details in one place?

Not completely. myGov lets you update your profile and choose to share certain changes with eligible linked services such as Medicare, the ATO and Centrelink. Other agencies, including state transport authorities and the AEC, may still need separate updates.

Does BeMoved update my driver's licence or electoral roll?

No. BeMoved helps customers compare and arrange electricity, gas and broadband services. You need to update government identification and electoral details through the relevant official services.

FAQs

Moving can be daunting, but we can help you tick a few tasks off your list.

Check out our helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions, or get in touch via livechat if you need additional assistance.

How long does it take to organise my connection with BeMoved?

Using the BeMoved service, we can get your connection sorted in just a few minutes, without having to spend ages on the phone, sitting on hold or making multiple phone calls.

How much notice do I need to give to connect electricity and gas at my new address?

It depends on the provider you choose, but it's always recommended to give at least a few days notice where you can. It's worth remembering that electricity and gas can only be connected on weekdays (not weekends or public holidays).

How soon can gas be connected?

Natural gas connections can take 2-3 business days, so make sure to submit your order ASAP if you need gas services connected.

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Do I need to be at the new address to get connected?

In most cases, no, no one will need to be at the home when the connection is turned on. You'll likely have to make sure the electricity supply is switched off on the main switchboard, though. The provider will give you instructions once your application is submitted.

What does it cost to connect my energy and gas?

There is no cost to use the BeMoved service to connect your electricity or gas. Costs for the plans you choose will vary depending on the provider and plan you choose, and these costs are shown on the plans page.

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How is the BeMoved service free?

The providers pay a fee to BeMoved when you connect electricity or gas using the BeMoved service. This does not affect the price you pay, nor the plans or options available for you to choose.

I've been approved for a rental property. How do I connect electricity?

The process for a rental property is the same as other properties. Simply go through the connection flow, choosing the address, connection date, energy provider and plan, and provide a few personal details. From there, we'll get your connection sorted!

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Can I complete my connection online?

Absolutely! That's the benefit of using the BeMoved service. In just a few minutes, and without any annoying phone calls or sitting on hold, we can get your connection sorted and tick that task off your list.

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How do I track my order?

Once you've submitted your order, you'll receive an SMS and Email with details of how to keep track of your order.

How can I keep track of my utilities after I move?

Once you’re settled into your new home, RateGuard, our household bill monitoring service, can help you keep an eye on your energy, gas or internet plan over time. Securely connect your utilities data and RateGuard will monitor your usage and plan, and let you know when it may be worth reviewing your options.

Learn more about RateGuard →

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Where do I find my main switch?

Your main switch is located in your fuse or meter box. Depending on your property, your meter box could be:

on an outside wall
in your garage
in your hallway
in a kitchen cupboard In your meter box there'll be a number of switches.

Look for the one that has the "main switch" label. Some properties also have a hot water switch - if yours does, you'll need to look for that one too. Flick the main switch (and hot water switch if you have one) to the off position (this might be shown as an | for on and O for off) to allow your electricity connection to take place. Once your power company has confirmed your electricity is connected, switch the main switch and hot water switch back on.

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What's a smart meter and how do I know if I have one?

A "Smart Meter", or digital meter, records your energy consumption every 30 minutes and sends usage data to your retailer. This means you get more timely and accurate bills, and can receive bills monthly.

Unlike smart meters, "Basic Meters" measure your usage from one point in time to another and are read by a meter reader every 3 months.

Smart meters generally have a digital face with numbers or digits that represent your current read data and electricity consumption. Basic or analogue meters generally have a dial that spins around, recording your consumption in kWh.

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What energy providers does BeMoved partner with?

We partner with Australia's top-tier providers, including EnergyAustralia, Origin and AGL.

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Can I just transfer my energy from my old address to my new address, and stay with the same provider?

In a word, yes, it's possible. Technically speaking, the energy companies still require it to be a disconnection (at the old address) and then a connection (at the new address). We can still facilitate this through the BeMoved service, if you choose to stay with one of our partner providers.

Can I use different providers for energy and gas?

Yes, absolutely. When you go through the flow and choose services to connect, you'll be able to choose the same, or different providers for energy and gas.

Can you disconnect my energy at my old address?

In most cases, we can arrange disconnection at your old address, as long as your old address used one of the partner providers for your energy. Most providers will charge a disconnection fee which is added to your final bill.

How much notice do I need to give to disconnect at my old address?

It's recommended to give a week's notice, where possible.

Why do I need to provide personal details?

Your personal information is required to pre-fill your utility connection application. We will ask for your full name, mobile phone number and email address. Once you have chosen your provider and plan, you'll also be asked for your ID details, date of birth and address. These are required by the energy companies to process your application.

We do not disclose or sell your personal information to anyone, and collecting these details is for the sole purpose of arranging and facilitating your utility connection (as per the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988). BeMoved Privacy Policy.