Moving house is a big undertaking, and there are many things to remember to make the transition as smooth as possible.
One of the most important things to do when you move is to notify everyone of your new address, from the utility companies to your family and friends. It may seem like a simple task, but it’s surprising how easy it is to forget.
And if you fail to change your address with the post office, you can end up with many missed bills, late fees, and undeliverable packages.
So before you start packing up your boxes, make sure you add updating your address to your list of top priorities. As an extra safety precaution, you may also consider using the Australia Post mail forwarding service, which allows you to redirect eligible mail to the new address just in case you forgot to notify someone.
With a little planning and preparation, moving house can be a relatively painless process. So, here’s what you need to know about changing your address and having your mail redirected by Australia Post.
Who Do You Need to Notify When Changing Your Address?
One of the first things you need to do when you move home is to update your address with all the relevant people and organisations. This may seem daunting, but it’s quite straightforward if you take it one step at a time.
First, list everyone who needs to know your plan to change address. This includes family and friends, your bank and other financial institutions, your employer, utility companies, subscription services, and so on.
Once you have your list, start working through it systematically, updating your address with each person or organisation. It’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible after moving to avoid any mix-ups or delays in receiving important correspondence.
Besides your friends and family, here are a few organisations and companies you should consider adding to your checklist:
Government and Other Official Organisations – Australian Tax Office (ATO) – Australian Election Commission – Australia Post – Department of Transport in your state for vehicle registrations – Department of Human Services (Medicare, Centrelink, child support) – Schools – University or TAFE | Financial Institutions, Work and Insurance – Home contents insurance – Other insurance (car, health and pet insurance) – Employer – Banks and other financial institutions Accountants, financial advisors and legal representatives – Superannuation providers |
Utilities and Subscriptions – Electricity and gas – Water provider – Internet and mobile service provider – Foxtel and other pay-TV subscriptions – Store memberships and loyalty programs – Gym Union affiliations Sporting clubs | Medical Institutions – General practitioner – Dentist – Veterinarian Ancillary health professionals, such as physiotherapists, podiatrists and optometrists – Pet microchip registries |
What is a Mail Redirection Service?
The Australia Post office offers a mail redirection service that allows you to have your mail forwarded from your old residential mailing address to your new address for up to 12 months. This service is perfect for those moving houses, as it takes the stress out of ensuring your mail gets to your new home.
Redirecting your mail serves as a precautionary measure just in case you’ve forgotten to notify someone on the list or an organisation forgets to update your new address on their servers.
How Does Australia Post Mail Forwarding Work?
Australia Post makes it easy to redirect your mail to your new address. You can choose to redirect your mail for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, and you can add up to 6 names to your application. They also allow you to extend your service or change or cancel it at any time after registering for the service.
Additionally, you can opt-in to notify selected banks, insurers, energy providers, and telecommunication providers of your new address. Once everything is set up and you have the confirmation letter, Australia Post will forward all your mail from your previous address directly to your new street address.
If you have business premises, you can also redirect mail with Australia Post. You can learn more about redirecting your business mail on the Australia Post website.
How Much Does it Cost to Redirect Your Personal and Business Mail?
The table below outlines the cost of Australia Post mail forwarding depending on how long you use the service and where you redirect your mail to:
Redirection to: | Up to 1 month | Up to 3 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 12 months |
Australian residential address | $34 | $68 | $102 | $170 |
International | $68 | $136 | $204 | $340 |
If you hold a concession card (or you’re a dependant of someone who holds a concession card), Australia Post offers reduced rates, as indicated by the table below:
Redirection to: | Up to 1 month | Up to 3 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 12 months |
Australian residential address | $20.40 | $40.80 | $61.20 | $102 |
International | $40.80 | $81.60 | $122.40 | $204 |
It’s also worth noting that Australia Post will waiver the redirection fee where you’re:
- a victim of a natural disaster,
- a caretaker of a deceased estate, or
- a victim of domestic violence
How Do You Set Up Mail Redirection or Mail Hold?
You can redirect your mail with Australia Post with an online form or at any Australian Post Office.
Online Applications
The online application process to redirect your mail is relatively straightforward. There is a separate application depending on whether you have a concession card or not:
- Personal Mail Redirection: Apply Here
- Concession Cardholder Mail Redirection: Apply Here
In-Person Applications
If you would prefer to submit your application in person, you can do so at any AusPost office. You will need to provide them with the following documents:
- Completed mail redirect form
- Valid ID
- Your old address and your new forwarding address
- The names you would like to include on the application (up to 6)
Key Takeaways
Moving house can be a stressful time, so it’s essential to make sure you’ve taken care of everything—including redirecting your mail. Australia Post offers a convenient mail redirection service that will forward all of your mail from your old address to your new one, so you don’t miss anything important. The process is easy and only takes a few minutes—plus, it’s affordable, too.
And if you would like to make the moving process that much easier, make sure to get in touch with a removalist.
ABC Removalists is a leading provider of removals services in Sydney, and we’re dedicated to helping our customers have the best possible experience. We offer a wide range of services to suit every need, and our team is highly experienced and professional. We’ll work with you to ensure your move goes smoothly and do everything we can to make it as stress-free as possible.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and get a free quote.