Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 29 2025
Cost of Moving from United Kingdom to Australia
Moving to Australia from the UK is a big move. Separated by over 15,000km, these two island nations could not be more different. This region is a massive country, over 30 times the size of the UK, in fact. With a population that is smaller than the UK, Australia promises you plenty of room to stretch your legs.
The cost of hauling to Australia from UK can be expensive. You can expect to pay between £7,000 - £9,400 to ship a full, 40-foot shipping container, and the trip will take between 6 - 9 Weeks. There are additional fees to pay along the way, and can range from storage, transport, and other fees. Working with an international mover is the best way to avoid unexpected expenses. Your shipping quote will give you numbers you can count on. Customs duty and taxes? For the most part, you won’t owe any customs duty or taxes, but your shipper will know about any special rules or exceptions you should be aware of.
What About Customs Inspections?
Besides the kangaroos, dingoes, and giant spiders, this is also famous for their strict customs inspection protocols. Many animals and plants found in Australia are not found anywhere else in the world. Protecting this unique ecosystem requires rigorous customs inspections to prevent the invasion of foreign animal and plant species.
The customs process for Australia is so stringent, in fact, that most household shipments will have at least a few items that are subject to quarantine. Among the usual suspects, such as plants and animals, wood furniture coming into the country is often quarantined for a time to ensure that they are free of wood-boring insects.
As with any international removals, working with an foreign removal company gives you the best chance of success.
Am I Allowed to Bring my Vehicle?
Vehicle imports is largely prohibited by the government. The vast majority of cars imported to Australia are by car manufacturers. There is a process for private citizens to apply for an import waiver, but approvals are so rare that this multi-week process is seldom worth it.
If you do choose to apply for an import waiver, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through the process, as well as time to make alternative arrangements if needed.
Three Movers
We don’t know about you but putting all of your worldly possessions into the hands of strangers and trusting them to carry them over 15,000 km seems scary. Working with an overseas moving company can help you move with confidence. Three Movers is an international shifting company with foreign relocation experience and a commitment to world-class service. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation flat rate relocating quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of movers UK to Australia typically ranges from $4,000 to $12,000 USD for a standard household shipment. Pricing is driven by move size (studio–5BR), total shipment volume in cubic meters, container type (shared vs sole-use), port-to-port vs door-to-door service, packing needs, insurance coverage, and Australian quarantine inspections. Full container loads cost more but reduce transit risk. This is an international move regulated under customs and biosecurity rules, not a local or intrastate service. Learn more about international moving costs.
The biggest cost drivers are shipment volume, packing level, and container choice. A 1–2 bedroom move using shared container space costs less than a 4–5 bedroom sole container shipment. Additional factors include stairs or long-carry access, fragile items, furniture disassembly, seasonal demand, UK port origin, Australian destination city, and mandatory biosecurity cleaning. Delivery access rules, parking permits, and customs documentation timelines also affect labor and storage charges for international relocations.
Transit time averages 8–14 weeks door to door. Sea freight alone usually takes 6–10 weeks, with added time for packing, UK export clearance, Australian customs, and quarantine inspections. Shared containers often take longer due to consolidation schedules. Delivery windows vary by destination city and port congestion. Weather, peak moving seasons, and inspection delays can extend timelines. Storage at origin or destination may add cost and time for international household moves. See options for international moving and storage.
It is usually worth it only for high-value, custom, or sentimental items. Shipping low-cost furniture often exceeds replacement value once packing, sea freight, insurance, and quarantine cleaning are added. Large or solid-wood items face stricter inspections and potential treatment fees. Many movers recommend shipping essentials and buying bulky items locally. This approach reduces shipment volume, container size, and overall international moving costs while simplifying customs clearance.
Yes. Common additional charges include customs inspections, quarantine cleaning, port handling fees, destination delivery surcharges, storage if clearance is delayed, and insurance deductibles. Access issues such as stairs, elevators, or restricted delivery windows can increase labor costs. Pricing also differs between port-to-port and door-to-door service. Using experienced providers helps limit surprises on international shipments. Working with vetted international moving agencies reduces compliance and documentation risks.
Online estimates provide a starting range but are not final pricing. Accurate quotes require cubic meter surveys, inventory lists, packing scope, and destination access details. A cost of movers UK to Australia calculator cannot fully account for quarantine inspections, cleaning, or port delays. For tighter estimates, movers conduct virtual or in-home surveys and confirm container type and service level. For planning ranges, review guidance on global moving services.
