Moving to Preston? The 2026 Relocation Checklist That Saves Hassle

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 Preston)
• 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 – Preston 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 Preston

• 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

Cost of Moving to Preston

Tips from Preston Locals

1. Join the local Facebook group for suburb-specific tips and recommendations
2. Get familiar with the nearest train station and bus routes
3. Download the council’s app for bin days, local alerts, and community events

For a full guide to what Preston is like, see our honest guide and cost of living breakdown.

Information current as of April 2026. Council boundaries, services, and fees may change. Check your specific council website for the latest.

Before You Move: Preston Planning Snapshot

Preston is a renter-heavy inner-north suburb, so book essentials early. ABS Census data recorded 33,790 residents, 15,665 private dwellings, and 5,472 rented households in Preston. That means 40.1% of Preston households rented, compared with 30.2% across Greater Melbourne. Expect more competition for leases, movers, parking spots, and lift bookings than in many outer suburbs.

Housing stock also affects the move. Preston has 35.6% two-bedroom dwellings, well above Greater Melbourne’s 20.4%, plus 24.9% townhouses/semi-detached homes versus 16.2% across Greater Melbourne. Measure stairwells, shared driveways, unit entrances, and townhouse garages before move day.

• Compare energy providers – set up electricity and gas for move-in day with AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia or another retailer.
• Book NBN or 5G home internet – check address availability before signing, especially around apartment blocks near High Street and Plenty Road.
• Confirm parking access – Preston has more car-light households than Melbourne overall: 12.8% of dwellings had no registered vehicle, compared with 8.5% across Greater Melbourne.
• Notify services – redirect mail, update licence address, bank, Medicare, insurer, employer, school and subscriptions.
• Check building rules – apartments and townhouses may require lift bookings, move-in time windows, or strata approval.

Moving Week Checklist

• Pack by room and priority – label “first night” boxes for bedding, towels, chargers, kettle, medications and basic cookware.
• Photograph the property – take dated photos of walls, floors, appliances, meters, garden condition, keys and remotes.
• Transfer utilities – record electricity, gas and water meter readings on handover day.
• Plan the truck route – High Street, Bell Street, Plenty Road and Murray Road can be slow during peak times.
• Set aside permit time – if the truck needs to occupy street space, check City of Darebin parking rules before move day.
• Confirm key collection – Preston rentals can involve agents based outside the suburb, so confirm office location and timing.

Data-Backed Moving Analysis

Preston’s moving profile is closer to dense inner Melbourne than suburban fringe Melbourne. Separate houses still make up 55.7% of occupied dwellings, but this is far below Greater Melbourne’s 67.8%. The higher share of townhouses and apartments means access planning matters more than simply hiring a larger truck.

Rent stress is slightly lower than the Greater Melbourne benchmark in the 2021 Census: 28.9% of Preston renter households paid more than 30% of income on rent, compared with 30.9% across Greater Melbourne. However, Preston’s rental share is much higher, so there are more renters competing for the same local removalists, cleaners and lease-start appointments.

The practical takeaway: book movers 2-4 weeks ahead, arrange cleaners early, and avoid assuming easy driveway access. A Preston move is often about timing and access, not distance.

Local Tips

Preston Market, High Street and Plenty Road are useful for first-week groceries, hardware runs and takeaway when the kitchen is still boxed up.

If you are moving near Bell or Preston stations, check clearways and timed parking before unloading.

Townhouses off side streets often have narrow garages; confirm whether your fridge, washing machine and couch need to enter through the front door instead.

For families, update school, childcare and GP details before move week because local appointments can fill quickly.

FAQ

Q: How early should I book a removalist for Preston? A: Book 2-4 weeks ahead, especially for Saturday moves, apartment moves, or properties near High Street, Bell Street and Plenty Road.

Q: Is Preston more renter-heavy than Melbourne overall? A: Yes. ABS data shows 40.1% of Preston households rented in 2021, compared with 30.2% across Greater Melbourne.

Q: What is the biggest moving risk in Preston? A: Access. Many homes are units, townhouses or apartments, so check stairs, lifts, parking limits, garage clearance and truck stopping space before move day.

Source: ABS QuickStats: Preston and Greater Melbourne, 2021 Census

Before You Move (2-4 Weeks Out)

• Compare energy providers – set up electricity and gas for move-in day with AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia or another Victorian retailer.
• Confirm connection dates – Preston has many older detached houses and newer apartments, so check whether the property uses gas, electric hot water, embedded network billing, or all-electric appliances.
• Book removalists early – aim for a weekday slot if moving near High Street, Plenty Road, Bell Street or Murray Road, where parking and loading access can be tighter.
• Redirect mail and update services – update Medicare, VicRoads, banks, insurers, super, subscriptions and electoral details.
• Measure access points – check lift bookings, stair width, laneway access and parking permits before moving bulky furniture into apartments or townhouses.

Data-Backed Moving Cost Analysis

Preston sits about 9 km north-east of Melbourne CBD, so moving costs are usually lower than outer-suburb relocations that require longer truck time, but higher than a short inner-north move with easy laneway access.

For renters, Domain’s current Preston listings show 355 rental properties in and around Preston, with median rents of $720 per week for 3-bedroom houses, $610 for 2-bedroom houses, $550 for 2-bedroom units, and $455 for 1-bedroom units. Compared with Domain’s March 2026 Melbourne medians of $590 per week for houses and $600 per week for units, Preston’s 3-bedroom houses sit about $130 above the Melbourne house median, while 2-bedroom units sit about $50 below the Melbourne unit median.

That gap matters when budgeting bond and upfront rent. A 3-bedroom Preston house at $720 per week usually means a bond around $3,129 if calculated as one calendar month’s rent, plus first month’s rent. A 2-bedroom unit at $550 per week usually means around $2,390 bond. Budget another $300-$900 for removalists depending on access, distance, stairs and packing volume.

Step-By-Step Preston Moving Checklist

1. Lock in the property and bond payment Confirm the lease start date, bond amount, first rent payment and key collection time. If moving into an apartment, ask the agent whether a lift booking or building manager approval is required.

2. Set up utilities Book electricity at least 5 business days ahead. If the home has gas cooking, gas heating or gas hot water, set up gas as well. For apartments, ask whether there is an embedded network before choosing a retailer.

3. Plan parking and truck access Check whether your street has timed parking, clearways or permit zones. This is especially important near High Street, Preston Market, Bell Station, Plenty Road and the Preston South/Thornbury edge.

4. Book internet Check the NBN technology type for the exact address. Apartments may need building access for technicians, while older houses may have existing cabling that still needs activation.

5. Inspect before unpacking Take timestamped photos of floors, walls, appliances, windows, blinds, heating, cooling, locks and garden areas before placing furniture. Upload them with the condition report.

6. Update local services Transfer council bins if needed, locate your nearest pharmacy and GP, and update delivery addresses before the first grocery order.

Local Tips

• Preston Market trips are easier before lunch on weekends; avoid scheduling move-in grocery runs during peak market times.
• Bell Street can slow removalists during school and commuter peaks, so mid-morning weekday moves are usually smoother.
• If you are moving into a unit near High Street or Plenty Road, inspect bedroom noise levels at night before signing where possible.
• For households without a car, prioritise walking distance to Preston, Bell or Regent stations rather than relying only on tram access.

FAQ

Q: Is Preston expensive compared with Melbourne overall? A: For family-sized houses, yes. Domain shows Preston’s 3-bedroom house median rent at $720 per week, above Melbourne’s house median of $590. Units are more moderate, with 2-bedroom units around $550 compared with Melbourne’s unit median of $600.

Q: How much cash should I have ready before moving into a Preston rental? A: For a 2-bedroom unit at $550 per week, allow roughly $2,390 for bond, plus first month’s rent and moving costs. For a 3-bedroom house at $720 per week, allow roughly $3,129 for bond before rent and removalist costs.

Q: What should I check first on move-in day? A: Check keys, power, hot water, heating, locks, smoke alarms, appliance operation, window coverings, internet connection points and any damage listed on the condition report before unpacking.

Source: Domain — Preston suburb profile and March 2026 Rental Report