The Essential Address Update Checklist: 100+ Places to Notify When Moving House
Ultimate Australian change of address checklist: 100+ places to update when moving. From government to utilities, ensure a smooth transition. Don't miss a thing!
3 min read
Moving house in Australia? Don't worry, we've got you covered with this comprehensive change of address checklist. Use this guide to ensure you update your address with all the important organisations and services after your move. Remember, not all items will apply to everyone, so use this as a starting point and cross off what's not relevant to your situation.
Government and legal address updates
- Australian Electoral Commission
- Australian Taxation Office
- Medicare
- Centrelink (if applicable)
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (if applicable)
- MyGov account
- Driver's licence and vehicle registration
- Passport
- Local council
- State Revenue Office (for land tax, if applicable)
- Child Support Agency (if applicable)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (for any surveys you're participating in)
- Jury duty registration
- Voter registration (in addition to electoral roll)
Financial institutions to update after moving
- Banks and credit unions (e.g., Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac)
- Credit card companies
- Superannuation funds
- Insurance providers (home, contents, car, life, health)
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (for business owners)
- PayPal and other online payment systems (e.g., Afterpay, Zip)
- Investment platforms (e.g., CommSec, Stake, eToro)
- Financial advisors
- Accountant
- Mortgage provider
- Rental bond authority (if renting)
Updating utilities and services after a move
- Electricity provider (e.g., Origin, AGL, Energy Australia)
- Gas provider
- Water provider
- Internet service provider (e.g., Telstra, Optus, TPG)
- Mobile phone provider
- Pay TV provider (e.g., Foxtel, Fetch)
- Home security system provider
- Solar panel/battery system provider
- Waste management services (if not covered by council)
- Streaming services (e.g., Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Binge, Kayo Sports, Apple TV+, Paramount+, YouTube Premium, Spotify, Apple Music)
Employment and education address updates
- Employer
- Professional associations or unions
- University or TAFE
- Children's schools or childcare centres
- Alumni associations
- Professional licensing bodies (e.g., for lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses, trades)
- Volunteer organisations
- Professional networking sites (e.g., LinkedIn)
Health and medical contacts to notify
- GP and other medical specialists
- Dentist
- Optometrist
- Veterinarian (for pet owners)
- Private health insurance provider (e.g., Bupa, Medibank, HCF)
- My Health Record
- Physiotherapist, chiropractor, or other allied health professionals
- Mental health professionals
- Pharmacy (for any repeat prescriptions)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (if applicable)
Subscriptions and memberships to update
- Gym or sports clubs
- Libraries
- Magazines and newspapers
- Loyalty programs (e.g., Flybuys, Everyday Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyer)
- Charitable organisations you support
- Professional or trade publications
- Wine clubs or food subscription services
- Car share services (e.g., GoGet, Car Next Door)
- Cultural institutions (museums, galleries, etc.)
- Subscription box services (e.g., HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, Bellabox)
Online accounts to modify
- Online shopping accounts (e.g., Amazon, eBay, Kogan, The Iconic)
- Social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Apple ID / Google Account
- Cloud storage services (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive)
- Gaming platforms (e.g., Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live)
- Food delivery apps (e.g., Uber Eats, Deliveroo, MenuLog)
- Fitness apps with location-based features
- Online gaming accounts with location-based features
- Smart home device accounts (e.g., Google Home, Amazon Alexa)
- Goodreads or other book tracking apps
Miscellaneous organisations to inform
- Australia Post (for mail redirection)
- Electoral roll
- Pet microchip registry (for pet owners)
- Toll road accounts (e.g., e-TAG, Linkt)
- Local library
- Religious organisations or places of worship
- Sports teams or clubs
- Frequent flyer programs (if not already included in loyalty programs)
- Car parking permits
- Home, contents, or car insurance providers (if not already included in financial section)
- Local council services (e.g., garbage collection, parking permits)
- Neighborhood watch or community groups
- Personal website or domain registrations
Business owners: Additional updates
- Australian Business Register
- Suppliers and vendors
- Clients
- Business bank accounts
- Business insurance providers
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- Business websites and online directories
- Google My Business listing
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- Trade associations
- Business licences and permits
Personal contacts to notify
- Friends and family
- Emergency contacts
- Landlord or property manager (if renting)
- House cleaner or other domestic service providers
Tips for efficient address updates
- Start your change of address process a few weeks before your move.
- Use online services where possible to update your address quickly and easily.
- Set up mail redirection with Australia Post to catch any organisations you might have missed.
- Create a spreadsheet to track which addresses you've updated and when.
- Keep important documents handy, as some organisations may require proof of your new address.
Remember, this Australian address update guide is designed to be comprehensive. While it might seem overwhelming, tackling it systematically will ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Happy moving!
Frequently asked questions
It's best to start updating your address about 2-4 weeks before your move. This gives organisations enough time to process your request and ensures that your mail and services are redirected to your new address as soon as possible after you move. Some updates, like those for government services, can take effect immediately, while others might take a few days or weeks to process.
Yes, it's important to update your address with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). This ensures you're registered to vote in the correct electorate and continue to receive election-related information. You can update your details online through the AEC website or by filling out a form at any AEC office, post office, or Centrelink office.
The easiest way to update your address with multiple government services is through your myGov account. Once you've updated your address in myGov, you can choose to share this update with linked services such as the Australian Taxation Office, Medicare, and Centrelink. This saves you from having to update each service individually.
To set up mail redirection with Australia Post:
1. Visit the Australia Post website or a post office.
2. Choose the duration for your mail redirection (1, 3, 6, or 12 months).
3. Provide your old and new addresses.
4. Pay the required fee (costs vary depending on the duration and whether it's for an individual or business).
5. Verify your identity with acceptable ID documents.
You can set this up up to three months before your move or up to six months after.
Yes, some organisations should be prioritized:
1. Government services (ATO, Medicare, Centrelink)
2. Your bank and financial institutions
3. Your employer
4. Utility providers for your new home
5. Driver's licence and vehicle registration
6. Electoral commission
These are crucial for maintaining your legal obligations, ensuring continuous access to essential services, and avoiding any potential issues with mail or payments.
Common documents accepted as proof of address include:
- A recent utility bill (electricity, gas, water)
- A lease agreement or mortgage document
- A recent bank statement
- A driver's licence or government ID card with your new address
- A statutory declaration stating your new address
Always check with the specific organisation for their accepted forms of proof, as requirements can vary.
The process varies slightly by state, but generally:
1. Visit your state's road and transport authority website.
2. Look for the option to change your address online.
3. Enter your driver's licence number and personal details.
4. Provide your new address.
5. In some states, you may need to visit a service centre to complete the process or get a new licence card issued.
Remember, in most states, you're required by law to update your licence address within a certain timeframe after moving (usually 14-28 days).
Yes, in today's digital age, most services offer online options for updating your address. This includes government services, banks, utility providers, and many private companies. However, some organisations might still require you to update your address in person or via phone for security reasons. Always check the organisation's website for the most up-to-date method of updating your details.
If you forget to update your address:
1. Update it as soon as you remember.
2. Contact the organisation to inform them of the delay and check if there's any important mail you might have missed.
3. If you've set up mail redirection with Australia Post, this should catch any missed mail.
4. For very important organisations (like the ATO or your bank), you might want to call and confirm that no critical communications were sent to your old address.
To update your address with your superannuation fund:
1. Log into your online account with your super fund.
2. Look for a section like "Personal Details" or "Update Contact Information."
3. Enter your new address details.
4. If you can't do this online, call your super fund directly.
5. If you have multiple super funds, repeat this process for each one.
Keeping your address current with your super fund ensures you receive important information about your retirement savings.
Generally, simply changing your address doesn't have direct tax implications. However, if your move is related to your work or investments, there might be tax considerations:
- If you're moving for work, you might be able to claim some moving expenses.
- If you're moving out of a property you've been renting out, this could affect your tax deductions.
- If you're moving interstate, be aware of any differences in state taxes or duties.
Always update your address with the Australian Taxation Office to ensure you receive important tax-related communications.
To update your address with Medicare:
1. Log into your myGov account and access your Medicare linked service.
2. Select "Update personal details" and then "Update address details."
3. Enter your new address and save the changes.
Alternatively, you can call the Medicare program or visit a Medicare service centre with identification and proof of your new address.
To update your address on the electoral roll:
1. Go to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website.
2. Use the online enrolment system to update your details.
3. You'll need to provide your driver's licence or Australian passport number for identification.
4. If you can't do it online, you can download and complete an enrolment form and return it to the AEC.
Remember, it's a legal requirement to update your enrolment details within 8 weeks of moving.
To change your address for Centrelink:
1. Log into your myGov account and access the Centrelink linked service.
2. Go to your profile or personal details section.
3. Select "Contact details" and then "Update address."
4. Enter your new address details and save.
You can also update your address by calling Centrelink or visiting a service centre. It's important to update this promptly as it can affect your payments and obligations.
While there's no centralised system for updating all utilities at once, some options can make the process easier:
1. Some utility connection services can help set up multiple utilities for your new address at once.
2. If you're staying with the same providers, call them and ask if they can update your address for multiple services in one go.
3. Create a checklist of all your utilities and work through them systematically.
4. Some real estate agencies offer services to help coordinate utility changes when you move.
Remember, even if you use a service, it's always good to follow up and confirm that each utility has your correct new address.
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