Sydney Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbour, representing international removals from the UK to Australia

Removals from the UK to Australia

Moving to Australia? For 28 years, 1st Move International has provided fully managed door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia, with weekly shared and full container shipping services.

Get your free quote today, or continue below for removal costs, shipping times, customs and biosecurity requirements, and how our service works.

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Removals from the UK to Australia

Planning a move to Australia? We ship household goods from the UK to all major Australian destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with weekly services departing from London Gateway.

Removals to Australia typically start from around £670, with shipping times of 6-9 weeks depending on shipment size and destination. Every shipment is professionally export packed and securely palletised before being loaded onto our weekly consolidated container services.

From collection, packing, insurance and shipping through to Australian quarantine inspection and final delivery, our experienced team manages the entire process.

How Much Do Removals to Australia Cost in 2026?

Quick Answer

Removals from the UK to Australia typically cost between £670 and £8,450+ for door-to-door shipping, depending on shipment size and destination. Smaller shared shipments start from around £670, a 1-bed apartment from £1,640, and a full 20ft container for a 3-bed house from £4,950. Door-to-door shipping typically takes 8 to 14 weeks, including customs clearance.

Removal Costs from the UK to Australia
Destination Small Move
(Boxes & Bags)		 Studio Flat 1-Bed Apartment 3-Bed House
(20ft Container)		 4-Bed House
(40ft Container)
Melbourne £670 £1,320 £1,640 £4,950 £7,900
Sydney £670 £1,320 £1,640 £4,950 £7,900
Adelaide £680 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450
Fremantle £690 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450
Brisbane £670 £1,390 £1,780 £5,100 £8,450

These are typical door-to-door removal costs from the UK to major Australian cities. Costs are generally lower for Melbourne and Sydney, and slightly higher for Adelaide, Fremantle and Brisbane due to routing and port scheduling.

Final costs are based on shipment size, declared value for insurance, and your collection and delivery locations.

These costs include:

  • Professional export packing and palletisation
  • Collection from your UK home (or warehouse loading)
  • Sea freight shipping to Australia
  • Customs and biosecurity clearance
  • Delivery to your Australian address

Weekly Shipping Schedule to Australia

Our removals to Australia sail on scheduled commercial vessels operated by the world's leading shipping lines, with regular departures from the UK via Europe, South Africa, onwards to Singapore and then to all major Australian ports.

Select a port below to view the next available vessel, transit time and estimated arrival date. If you're unsure which port is closest to your final destination in Australia, our move coordinators will advise you. We always route your shipment through the most efficient port for your final destination.

Next vessel to Brisbane
APL Merlion
Sails from UK
5 Apr 2026
Transit time
45 days
Est. arrival
20 May 2026
VesselSailsTransitEst. arrival
APL Merlion5 Apr 202645 days20 May 2026
APL Temasek13 Apr 202649 days1 Jun 2026
MSC Loretta19 Apr 202644 days2 Jun 2026
CMA CGM Kerguelen25 Apr 202644 days8 Jun 2026
Get a free quote or view full sailing timetable

Planning Your Move

To help you plan your move, here is a typical door-to-door timeline for removals from the UK to Australia.

  • Weeks 1–2: Booking and preparation
    Quote confirmed, move date agreed, and shipping documentation prepared.
  • Weeks 2–3: Moving day
    Your shipment is export-packed at your home, and a detailed inventory is completed. Home collections are usually scheduled 1 to 2 weeks before the sailing date.
  • Weeks 3–4: Port processing and departure
    Containers arrive at port to meet vessel closing dates, UK customs clearance is completed, and the shipment departs on the next scheduled sailing.
  • Weeks 4–12: Sea transit
    Sea freight from the UK to Australia typically takes 6 to 9 weeks, depending on the destination port. You can track your shipment throughout.
  • Weeks 12–14: Customs, quarantine and delivery
    On arrival in Australia, your shipment is cleared through customs and biosecurity inspection, which typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once cleared, we arrange delivery to your Australian address.

Most door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia take between 8 and 14 weeks, depending on shipment type, destination, and customs and biosecurity processing times.

Shipping Options from the UK to Australia

There are three main ways to ship household goods from the UK to Australia: shared container, full container and air freight. The right option depends on the size of your move, your budget and your preferred timeline for delivery.

Shipping Method Best for Transit time Prices from How it works How you're charged
Shared Container Boxes, personal items and smaller moves (1–2 bedrooms) 6-9 weeks £670 Professionally packed, palletised and shipped in a shared container with weekly departures You only pay for the space your shipment uses inside the container
Full Container Larger household moves (2–4+ bedrooms) 6-9 weeks £4,950 Exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container Fixed price based on container size (20ft or 40ft)
Air Freight Essential items, documents, or small urgent shipments. 5-10 days From £40 (documents) Shipped by air cargo for the fastest possible delivery Charged by weight or volume (whichever is greater)

Shared Container (Most Popular)

The most cost-effective option for smaller moves, from a few boxes and personal items up to a one or two-bedroom home. Your belongings are professionally packed and palletised onto individual pallets, then loaded alongside other UK to Australia shipments.

You only pay for the space your pallets take up, not the whole container. Because we use pre-booked commercial sailings departing weekly, your shipment goes on the next available vessel rather than waiting for a container to fill.

On arrival in Australia, your pallets are cleared through customs, including quarantine inspection, and delivered directly to your door. Shared container prices start from £670.

Full Container (Best for Larger Moves)

For larger household moves, you have exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft shipping container.

  • 20ft container: typically suits a 2–3 bedroom home, prices start from £4,950
  • 40ft container: suitable for 4+ bedroom homes, prices start from £7,900

Your belongings are professionally packed and loaded into your dedicated container, which is sealed and remains secure until delivery at your Australian address. Subject to access, loading can take place at your home or at our warehouse, whichever works best for your move.

Air Freight (Fastest Option)

Air freight is available for small, urgent shipments to Australia such as essential items or documents. Door-to-door transit times are typically 5 to 10 days, but costs are significantly higher than sea shipping. Because we offer faster weekly sailings, many customers find sea freight arrives sooner than expected, reducing the need for costly air freight. Air freight prices start from £40.

What's included in your removals service to Australia?

A complete door-to-door removals service from the UK to Australia.

  • UK Collection - Nationwide collection arranged around your schedule.
  • Professional Export Packing - Safer packing and palletisation.
  • Ocean Freight Shipping - Weekly shared or full container services.
  • Customs Clearance Support - Assistance with all export and Australian biosecurity documentation.
  • Shipment Tracking - Track your shipment at every stage.
  • Flexible Delivery Options - Door-to-door or port delivery.
  • Optional Insurance Cover - Flexible insurance cover options available.
  • Storage Solutions - Secure UK storage prior to departure if required.
  • Accredited & Regulated - Members of BAR and the CTSI Approved Code.
After Before

Every shipment is professionally export-packed and palletised for safer handling on long-haul sea routes.

Our palletised system reduces handling risk and improves protection throughout transit to Australia.

Learn more about our packing process

Get A Free Quote

Why choose 1st Move International for your move to Australia?

Five reasons customers choose our UK to Australia removals service.

Faster shipping for removals to Australia

Faster weekly departures from the UK

Safer packing for removals to Australia

Better protection for your belongings

Smarter pricing for removals to Australia

Measured exactly for transparent pricing

Dedicated Move Manager Icon

Dedicated move manager from collection to delivery

Customs clearance icon

Support with customs, quarantine and delivery

Your move to Australia in 4 simple steps

A straightforward door-to-door process from the UK to Australia.

1

Get your quote

Request a free quote and receive a clear itemised estimate. For larger moves, we offer easy video surveys via WhatsApp. Most quotes are issued same day.

Typical time: same day.

2

Professional packing

We collect, export-wrap and palletise your belongings, sealing them securely for safe and efficient handling in transit.

Arrives sealed and secured.

3

Ship with weekly sailings

Once packed, your shipment is booked onto the next scheduled weekly departure. Track progress throughout the journey.

Reliable weekly departures.

4

Customs & delivery

We handle Australia’s customs, biosecurity and import paperwork, and arrange delivery to your Australian address.

Stay informed at every step.

Australia: Customs, Quarantine & Biosecurity

Clearing Australian Customs & Biosecurity

All personal effects shipped to Australia are subject to inspection by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Australian Border Force (ABF). Items must be clean and free from soil, seeds and organic matter to pass biosecurity screening.

Customs clearance and quarantine inspection typically add 1 to 2 weeks to your delivery timeline, depending on the contents of your shipment.

We prepare, check and lodge the required customs paperwork with you to ensure your goods clear quickly and without delays.

1 What paperwork do I need?

We’ll guide you and provide secure upload links. Typically you’ll need:

2 How do I prepare items to avoid quarantine delays?

Clean and dry anything that’s been outdoors or stored in garages to remove soil, seeds or organic matter.

  • Outdoor furniture, garden tools, lawn equipment
  • Bicycles, camping gear, golf clubs, boots and sports kit
  • Vacuum cleaners - remove bags and wipe interior surfaces
  • BBQs and patio heaters - remove ash, grease and residue
  • Timber items - check for dirt or insect traces

We prepare and check all required documentation before shipment to reduce clearance delays.

3 Which items are restricted or need permits?

Not allowed:

  • Fresh or frozen food, meat, dairy, fruit
  • Soil, sand, leaves and untreated plant material
  • Firewood, untreated timber offcuts, natural wooden ornaments
  • Straw-filled cushions, mattresses or pet bedding with organic fill

Allowed with permits or extra checks:

  • Outdoor/garden equipment (must be thoroughly cleaned)
  • Certain wooden furniture or carvings depending on treatment
  • Animal-based products like feathers, shells, leather, wool or bone
  • Some medicines and supplements (import limits apply)
  • Sporting and camping gear (free from dirt and plant matter)
  • Tools and machinery with fuel, grease or oil residues

Not sure? Send us a photo and we’ll confirm if it’s allowed, needs cleaning, or requires a permit.

Read our full Australia customs & quarantine guide

1st Move Partners and Associations

Our reviews for removals to Australia

Marian G

1st Move could not have been friendlier or more helpful in helping me get several items shipped to Australia. They made a potentially stressful activity easy. The staff were all knowledgeable and really nice to deal with. I can't recommend them enough.

Kathy H

This is a different way of moving "part container" personal effects. I was a bit worried about the concept but Tom in the UK was extremely good at explaining the system and I have to admit it worked perfectly.

Claire S

I was extremely happy with the service received. Everyone was polite and efficient at every step of the process. I will highly recommend!

David U

Excellent service. Kept us up to date with all developments. Highly recommended.

Michael P

From first contact to completion of the job everyone at 1st Move International had time to talk through options, they all worked with humour and appeared to enjoy their work from the driver who collected my stuff up through the office staff. I can't think what they could have done better

Chaya R

I highly recommend 1st Move International and will definitely use them again. They were caring, understanding and very patient with me and made sure I knew exactly what was happening every step of the move. Thank you for being so helpful!

Rob A

Quick, transparent and easy. The collection, updates and experience was swift, clean and smooth. I’m so grateful to find this company to help us for the move too!

Read More Reviews on Trustpilot

Trustpilot

Look for the Badge. We are a BAR registered mover.

As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines when moving personal effects overseas. This includes financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of relocating their goods worldwide.

Common questions about removals to Australia

Door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia typically fall within the following guide prices:

  • Small move (boxes & bags): £670
  • Studio flat: £1,320
  • 1-bedroom apartment: £1,640
  • 3-bedroom house (20ft container): £4,950
  • 4-bedroom house (40ft container): £7,900–£8,450 depending on destination

These figures represent typical full-service door-to-door removals, including UK collection, export packing, ocean freight, customs clearance and final delivery in Australia.

Your final quotation will vary depending on collection and delivery location, total shipment volume, and insurance. For an accurate fixed price, please request a tailored quote.

Door-to-door removals from the UK to Australia typically take 8 to 14 weeks, depending on shipment size, destination port and customs processing times.

Sea transit times from the UK to Australian ports range from approximately 6 to 9 weeks. Shipments to Sydney and Melbourne are generally faster (around 6 weeks), while Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane can take 7 to 8 weeks. You can view current transit times and upcoming vessels on our sailing schedule above.

Once your shipment arrives in Australia, customs clearance and quarantine inspection typically add 1 to 2 weeks. In the unlikely event there are items that have not been properly cleaned (outdoor equipment, garden tools, sporting goods), additional time may be required.

A typical door-to-door timeline looks like this: UK collection and packing (1 to 3 days), port processing and container loading (3 to 7 days), sea transit (6 to 9 weeks), Australian customs and quarantine (1 to 2 weeks) and final delivery to your door once cleared (1 day).

No, a home survey is not required for us to quote you accurately. However, we do offer easy home surveys via WhatsApp for those who would like to provide us with more information on their move in order to help us provide the best estimate. You can walk us through your home at a time that suits you, or simply send us photos and videos at your convenience. There are no apps to download and no appointments to book. Find us on WhatsApp on +44 1179 828123. Your move coordinator will assess volume and provide a quote, typically on the same day.

Yes, free secure storage is provided up until your move date, and we can provide extended storage at an additional cost if necessary. Our team will be happy to advise further details on this.

If you are shipping a smaller volume (from a few boxes up to a one- or two-bedroom home), a shared container (groupage) is usually the most cost-effective option. You only pay for the space you use.

For larger households (typically three bedrooms or more), a sole-use 20ft or 40ft container offers greater control, sealed transit from collection to arrival, and direct routing.

We will advise the most suitable option based on your inventory.

We provide door-to-door removals to all Australian states and territories, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, as well as regional locations.

Shipments typically arrive via major Australian ports before final delivery is arranged to your new address.

Marine insurance is strongly recommended for international removals. We offer Move Protect, our specialist shipment protection for moves to Australia, covering your belongings from collection through to delivery.

Full details are provided with your quotation.

Find out more about Move Protect here.

To comply with Australian Border Force (ABF) and Department of Agriculture requirements, you will typically need:

We prepare and check all required documentation prior to shipment to support smooth customs clearance.

Most used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free, provided they have been owned and used for at least 12 months prior to shipping.

GST or import duty may apply to:

  • New or unused items
  • Commercial goods
  • Certain high-value items

Inspection or quarantine fees may also apply where required.

We will confirm eligibility and documentation requirements before shipment.

Australia has strict biosecurity regulations. Restricted or prohibited items commonly include:

  • Food products and perishables
  • Meat, dairy and plant materials
  • Soil-contaminated goods
  • Animal products
  • Certain alcohol and tobacco products

We provide guidance before collection and packing to reduce inspection issues and delays.

Following customs clearance, we coordinate with our approved delivery partners in Australia to arrange final delivery to your Australian address.

Yes. Once your shipment has been packed and assigned to a sailing, you will receive tracking details to monitor its progress and estimated arrival.

Extra Resources & Guides for Moving to Australia