You got the Hillside keys and now the boring life-admin is suddenly urgent. Do this in order: lock in utilities and internet first, photograph everything on arrival, then spend week one fixing bins, address updates, health care and your real commute.
The Verdict
Set up energy, internet and mail redirection before anything else, because those are the three jobs most likely to punish you after move-in day. Electricity and gas need to be ready when the fridge arrives, NBN installation can take 5-10 business days, and Australia Post mail redirection starts at $37.50 for 1 month. If you leave those until the weekend before the move, Hillside will feel harder than it is.
The order matters. Two to four weeks out, compare AGL, Origin and Energy Australia, book the NBN connection after checking available speeds at your new address on nbnco.com.au, and redirect your mail. Then notify the bank, employer, Medicare, ATO and Electoral Commission, transfer or top up your Myki, and find a local GP or nearby clinic that is accepting new patients. On moving day, the big advantage in Hillside is practical: most properties have driveway access, so a removalist truck usually does not need a special parking permit. Still photograph gas and electricity meters as soon as you arrive, test every lock, and if you are renting, document the condition report with timestamped photos before you unpack. Don’t treat the condition report as admin filler – you’ll regret it when a scuffed wall becomes your problem at bond time.
Local Reality
Hillside is a car-first move for most households, so the first week is less about discovering cute shortcuts and more about making the suburb function around your routine. Your nearest Coles or Woolworths may only be a 5-10 minute drive, but that still matters when the pantry is empty and the moving boxes are blocking the kitchen. Same with the post office: check auspost.com.au early, because the nearest branch may not be the one your old suburb habits would make you assume.
The practical local test is your commute. Do a full peak-time trial before your first workday, including the drive or bus leg to the nearest train station, Myki top-up, parking or drop-off timing, and the return trip. Hillside can feel easy on a quiet afternoon and completely different when everyone is trying to get out at once. Download the council app in week one for bin days, local alerts and community events, then check your exact collection day rather than copying what the neighbour does. Medical is another early job: use the Hillside medical guide to shortlist a medical centre and confirm whether it is taking new patients. Skip the gym hunt until the essentials are done, unless you already know you need Anytime Fitness or a similar option to keep your routine alive. If your daily life is west of your nearest train connection, test that commute before you commit to a pattern – the wrong transport assumption will cost you more time than any moving box.
Who This Suits
If you are renting, make the condition report your main moving-day task: timestamped photos, meter readings, every lock tested, and no unpacking until the evidence is done. If you are buying or moving into a larger family home, prioritise removalists, driveway access and utility connections so the house works from night one. If you commute by train, your first local mission is not the supermarket – it is the peak-hour test to the nearest train station with Myki ready. If you work from home, book the NBN installation first and have a backup connection for the 5-10 business day wait. If you are moving with kids or older family members, find the GP, pharmacy, medical centre and post office in week one, not when someone is already sick.
Cost-wise, expect the move-in bill to be real even before furniture or new appliances. A 2-3 bedroom removalist move is estimated at $500-1,200. Bond is listed here at $1713, first month rent at $2011, utility connection fees at $50-150, and internet setup at $0-99 depending on provider. Parking permits are usually unnecessary because most properties include parking, but allow $0-50 just in case. Online address changes are generally free. The working total is $5,176+, and that is before the first big grocery run at Coles or Woolworths.
Timing changes the job. Two to four weeks out is for providers, mail, government records and GP research. Moving day is for access, meters, locks and evidence. The first week is for MyGov, Medicare, bank, licence updates through VicRoads online, AEC voting address notification within 8 weeks, bins, supermarket, pharmacy, post office and the commute trial. Do not save the commute test for Monday morning.
What to Do Next
Book your NBN and energy connection today, then run the peak-hour commute before your first workday. After the essentials are live, read the Hillside cost of living breakdown so the first month does not surprise you.
Before You Move (2-4 Weeks Out)
- Compare energy providers – set up electricity and gas for move-in day (AGL, Origin, Energy Australia all service Hillside)
- Book internet installation – NBN connections take 5-10 business days. Check available speeds at your new address on nbnco.com.au
- Set up mail redirection – Australia Post redirect starts at $37.50 for 1 month
- Notify important contacts – bank, employer, Medicare, ATO, Electoral Commission
- Research local council – Hillside falls under the local municipality
- Transfer or get Myki – add money before your first commute
- Find a local GP – check nearby clinics are accepting new patients
Moving Day Essentials
- Removalists or DIY – most properties have driveway access for truck loading
- Parking permit for truck – usually not needed – driveway access available
- Meter readings – photograph gas and electricity meters on arrival
- Condition report – if renting, document EVERYTHING with timestamped photos
- Keys and access – collect from agent/landlord, test all locks
- Emergency contacts – save local SES and council numbers
First Week in Hillside
- Update your address on MyGov, Medicare, bank, and licence (VicRoads online)
- Register to vote at new address (AEC requires notification within 8 weeks)
- Get a parking permit – not usually required – most properties include parking
- Set up bins – check which day is your collection day via council app
- Find your nearest – supermarket, pharmacy, medical centre, post office
- Test your commute – do a trial run to work at peak time before your first day
Local Services to Set Up
| Service | Where in Hillside |
|---|---|
| Supermarket | Closest Coles/Woolworths within 5-10 min drive |
| Post Office | Check auspost.com.au for nearest |
| Medical Centre | See our Hillside medical guide |
| Library | Check council website for nearest branch |
| Gym | Check local options – Anytime Fitness or similar |
Cost of Moving to Hillside
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Removalists (2-3br) | $500-1,200 |
| Bond (4 weeks rent) | $1713 |
| First month rent | $2011 |
| Utility connections | $50-150 in fees |
| Internet setup | $0-99 (provider dependent) |
| Parking permit | $0-50 |
| Address changes | Free (online) |
| Total move-in costs | $5,176+ |
Tips from Hillside Locals
- Join the local Facebook group for suburb-specific tips and recommendations
- Get familiar with the nearest train station and bus routes
- Download the council’s app for bin days, local alerts, and community events
Information current as of April 2026. Council boundaries, services, and fees may change. Check your specific council website for the latest.
