International Removals UK to Australia
Looking for international removals UK to Australia? Every year, thousands of British families trust us with their furniture and household removals to Australia. Whether you need a full container from London, part load removals from Manchester, or overseas shipping from anywhere in the UK, we provide door-to-door service with FIDI-accredited quality.
8-12 weeks
2-3 weeks
£4,500 - £8,500
£8 - £15 per kg
Popular routes from United Kingdom
Transit times vary by origin city and shipping method. All times are estimates and subject to shipping schedules.
| From | To | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Sydney | 56-70 days | 14-21 days |
| Manchester | Melbourne | 56-70 days | 14-21 days |
| Birmingham | Brisbane | 60-75 days | 14-21 days |
| Essex | Perth | 60-75 days | 14-21 days |
Furniture & Household Removals to Australia
From small part load shipments to full container removals, we offer flexible options for every budget. Sea freight from £4,500, with door-to-door service from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Essex and nationwide.
- 20ft & 40ft containers
- Shared container options
- Full insurance included
- 2-3 week delivery
- Ideal for essentials
- Door-to-door tracking
- Quarantine assistance
- Vet documentation
- IATA approved crates
- RORO & container shipping
- Compliance modifications
- Registration support
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Belongings to Australia from the UK?
Prices below are estimates for door-to-door sea freight service. Actual costs depend on collection location, access conditions, and services required. Updated May 2026.
| Australian City | 5 Boxes | 10 Boxes | 1 Bed (Groupage) | 3 Bed (20ft) | 4 Bed (40ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney (NSW) | £280 | £480 | £1,500 | £4,800 | £7,600 |
| Melbourne (VIC) | £280 | £480 | £1,450 | £4,750 | £7,450 |
| Brisbane (QLD) | £280 | £480 | £1,500 | £4,900 | £7,550 |
| Perth (WA) | £280 | £480 | £1,500 | £4,950 | £7,600 |
| Adelaide (SA) | £340 | £500 | £1,550 | £5,000 | £7,600 |
| Canberra (ACT) | £420 | £620 | £1,700 | £6,150 | £8,400 |
| Hobart (TAS) | £800 | £1,050 | £2,500 | £8,250 | £10,400 |
What's Included in Our Door-to-Door Service:
- Professional export packing with specialist materials
- UK collection from your residence
- Sea freight to your Australian destination
- Customs documentation and clearance
- Australian quarantine assistance
- Delivery to your new Australian address
Which Shipping Method is Right for You?
Not sure whether to choose groupage, a full container, or air freight? Use our interactive calculator to get a personalised recommendation based on your move size, budget, and timeline.
- Groupage (Shared Container)
Best for 1-2 bedroom moves. Share space and costs with others.
- 20ft Full Container
Ideal for 3-bedroom homes. Dedicated container, faster transit.
- 40ft Full Container
Perfect for 4+ bedrooms or including vehicles.
- Air Freight
Fastest option for urgent or small shipments. 2-3 weeks delivery.
Shipping Option Calculator
Find the best shipping method for your move to Australia
Estimates are indicative only. Request a free quote for accurate pricing.
How Long Does Shipping from the UK to Australia Take?
Transit times vary depending on your shipping method. Full Container Load (FCL) is faster and ideal for larger moves, while Groupage (shared container) is more economical for smaller shipments.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Dedicated container for your belongings. Ideal for 3+ bedroom moves.
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane8-10 weeks
- Perth / Fremantle7-9 weeks
- Adelaide8-10 weeks
- Hobart, Darwin9-11 weeks
- Canberra (inland delivery)9-11 weeks
Shared Container (Groupage)
Share space with other shipments. Cost-effective for 1-2 bedroom moves.
- Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane9-14 weeks
- Perth / Fremantle8-13 weeks
- Adelaide9-14 weeks
- Hobart, Darwin10-16 weeks
- Canberra (inland delivery)10-15 weeks
On arrival at port in Australia, customs and quarantine clearance typically takes 10-20 working days. This is included in the overall door-to-door estimates above.
What Are Australia's Customs & Quarantine Requirements?
All household and personal effects entering Australia are subject to physical examination by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This examination causes delays of up to 14 working days after arrival and means full containers cannot be delivered direct to your residence.
Who Can Import Household Effects Duty-Free?
Returning Australian citizens or non-citizens with a long stay/permanent residence visa who are entering Australia to take up residence after a period of residence of more than 12 months outside Australia. Shipments that don't qualify as Unaccompanied Personal Effects will be subject to formal entry, tax and duty.
Duty-Free Entry Requirements
Your household goods can enter Australia duty-free if all conditions are met:
- Items owned and used for 12+ months before export
- You hold a valid Australian visa (permanent/long-stay)
- Resided outside Australia for 12+ months continuously
- Items not intended for sale or business use
Quarantine Inspection Items
Items of interest to DAFF that may have contacted soil or vegetation:
- Gardening equipment, mops, brooms, vacuum bags
- Bicycles, scooters (including children's electric scooters)
- Golf clubs and buggies, camping equipment
- Timber items containing bark (treatment required)
- Christmas decorations with pinecones/plant matter
Note: Prior cleaning does not guarantee automatic clearance. DAFF may order further treatment if items present a quarantine risk.
Prohibited Items
Do NOT include these in your shipment:
- ✕Meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products
- ✕Seeds, herbs, spices, dried food products
- ✕Dried floral arrangements, artificial trees with real timber
- ✕Water hyacinth products (permit required)
- ✕Fruit boxes (do NOT use for packing)
Prohibited items will be confiscated and destroyed at the importer's expense.
Required Documentation for Australian Customs (ABF)
Customs Form B534
Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement. All sections must be completed and each page signed and dated. Signature must match passport. Electronic signatures not accepted.
Passport & Visa
Copy of ID page and signature page. Visa grant letter required if visa stamp not in passport. Full Australian residential address required (no PO Box or business address).
Inventory List
Detailed inventory of goods in English. Owner-packed goods require separate contents list from owner. OBL (Ocean Bill of Lading) or AWB (Air Waybill) also required.
Important: Sea cargo must be reported to ABF 48 hours before arriving at first Australian port. Airfreight must be reported 2+ hours before arrival. Failure to do so results in fines.
Motor Vehicle Import Requirements
Motor vehicles are NOT considered personal/household effects and are always subject to duty and GST.
Duty & Tax Rates:
- Passenger vehicles under 30 years: 5% duty + 10% GST
- Vehicles 30+ years old: No duty, 10% GST only
- Motorcycles: No duty, 10% GST only
- Luxury Car Tax (33%) on vehicles over A$67,525
Critical Requirements:
- Vehicle Import Approval required BEFORE shipping
- Vehicles without approval face re-export or destruction
- Fines up to A$13,000 for non-compliance
- Zero tolerance policy on asbestos components
All shipments are subject to quarantine examination fees covering inspector attendance, processing, warehousing, and unpacking/repacking of items designated for inspection. Source: FIDI Global Alliance Import Customs Guide Australia (June 2023)
What Is the Timeline for Moving from the UK to Australia?
Understanding the process helps you plan effectively. Here's what to expect week by week for a typical move.
Week 1-2: Planning
- Initial consultation & home survey
- Receive detailed quote
- Book your removal date
- Receive packing materials (if self-packing)
Week 3-4: Packing & Shipping
- Professional export packing
- Collection from your UK address
- Container loading & sealing
- Documentation preparation
Week 5-12: In Transit
- Sea freight to Australia (6-9 weeks)
- Regular shipment tracking updates
- Prepare Australian customs docs
- Coordinate your travel dates
Week 13-15: Arrival
- Australian port arrival
- Customs & quarantine clearance
- Delivery to your new home
- Unpacking assistance (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move from UK to Australia?
Removals to Australia from the UK typically cost between £280 for 5 boxes up to £10,000+ for a full 40ft container. A typical 1-bedroom move using shared container (groupage) service costs around £1,400-£1,700, while a 3-bedroom full container starts from £4,700. Final costs depend on volume, destination city, and additional services like packing and insurance.
How long does shipping to Australia take from the UK?
Sea freight from UK to Australia typically takes 8-10 weeks for full container (FCL) shipments or 9-14 weeks for shared container (groupage) services. Transit times vary by Australian destination, with Perth being slightly faster (7-9 weeks FCL) due to its west coast location. Air freight takes 2-3 weeks but costs significantly more.
What's included in door-to-door removals to Australia?
Our comprehensive service includes: pre-move survey, professional export packing with specialist materials, UK collection, sea freight shipping, customs documentation, Australian quarantine assistance, and delivery to your new address. Optional extras include full unpacking service, debris removal, and UK or Australian storage.
What are the cheapest removals to Australia options?
To reduce costs: choose part-load/groupage shipping where you share container space, self-pack using our materials, be flexible with dates to ship during off-peak seasons, reduce volume by selling items before moving, and compare quotes from FIDI-accredited companies. Box-only shipments from £280 offer the most economical option for small moves.
What items can't be shipped to Australia?
Australia prohibits: fresh/dried/preserved food, plants, seeds and soil, untreated wooden items, animal products (feathers, skins), weapons (strict licensing required), and certain medications. Items like garden tools, bikes, and golf clubs must be thoroughly cleaned. Our team provides detailed guidance on Australian quarantine requirements.
Can I ship my car from UK to Australia?
Yes, but vehicles require prior import approval from Australian authorities before shipping. All motor vehicles are subject to duty and GST based on value and age. Modifications may be required to meet Australian safety standards (right-hand drive conversion isn't needed as both countries drive on the left). Vehicles must be steam cleaned before shipping.
Where in Australia Can We Deliver Your Belongings?
With our own warehouses and delivery teams throughout Australia, we provide door-to-door service to all major cities and regional areas.
New South Wales
Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Orange, Wagga Wagga
Victoria
Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Wodonga, Sale
Queensland
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Mackay
Western Australia
Perth, Fremantle, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Broome, Port Hedland
South Australia
Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Whyalla
Other Territories
Canberra (ACT), Hobart & Devonport (TAS), Darwin & Alice Springs (NT)
Important considerations for British movers
Moving from United Kingdom to Australia involves unique considerations. Here's what you need to know before your move.
UK driving licences can be exchanged in most Australian states
NHS records should be obtained before departure
British qualifications are generally recognised
Consider the Working Holiday visa if under 35
The UK has a tax treaty with Australia to avoid double taxation
Part load options available for smaller shipments
Best Removals UK to Australia
FIDI-accredited international removals with thousands of satisfied customers. Read our reviews and see why British families trust us with their move to Australia.
Local Expertise
Our United Kingdom team understands local regulations and handles all export documentation
Full Insurance
Comprehensive marine insurance covering your belongings from door to door
End-to-End Service
From packing in United Kingdom to unpacking in Australia, we handle everything
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Moving to Australia partners with Conroy Removals, a FIDI-FAIM accredited international removals leader. In Australia and New Zealand, we operate our own warehouses and delivery teams. At origin, we work with vetted FIDI partners to ensure white-glove service.
Ready to start your United Kingdom to Australia move?
Get a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs. Our British team is ready to help.