Moving to Tools? 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 Tools)
• 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 – Tools 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 Tools

• 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 Tools

Tips from Tools 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 Tools 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.

Tools and Supplies to Organise Before Moving Day

• Book moving equipment early – for a standard Melbourne apartment move, allow 1 trolley, 1 moving dolly, 10-20 moving blankets, 20-40 boxes, packing tape, markers, and mattress covers.
• Match tools to your property type – lifts, tight laneways, terrace stairs, basement car parks, and apartment loading docks all change what you need.
• Confirm access dimensions – measure fridge space, stair turns, lift height, doorway width, and parking clearance before hiring a truck.
• Prepare a basic hand-tool kit – Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, Allen keys, adjustable spanner, pliers, tape measure, utility knife, drill, zip ties, and painter’s tape.
• Keep essentials separate – charger, medication, lease documents, keys, cleaning cloths, toilet paper, bin bags, and one change of clothes should travel with you, not in the truck.

Data-Backed Cost Check

For Melbourne renters, the moving budget is usually shaped by three numbers: rent, bond, and transport. If weekly rent is $550, one month’s rent is about $2,390. If rent is $700, one month is about $3,043. At $900 per week, one month is about $3,911. Victorian rules generally cap the bond at one month’s rent unless rent is more than $900 per week, so your up-front cash requirement often rises sharply with each $50-$100 increase in weekly rent.

Compared with a lower-cost outer-suburban move, an inner-Melbourne move usually has higher friction costs: paid parking, loading-zone limits, lift bookings, and shorter but slower trips. A 10 km move across suburbs such as Richmond, Southbank, Carlton, Brunswick, or Prahran can take longer than a 25 km outer-suburban move if access is poor.

A practical Melbourne comparison:

• Small room move: 8-12 boxes, 1 trolley, car or van, 2-4 hours.
• One-bedroom apartment: 15-25 boxes, blankets, trolley, van or small truck, 4-6 hours.
• Two-bedroom apartment: 30-45 boxes, 2 movers, truck, lift booking, 6-8 hours.
• Three-bedroom house: 50-80 boxes, truck, 2-3 movers, full-day move.

Step-By-Step Moving Tools Checklist

2-4 Weeks Out

• Ask the agent or building manager whether you need a lift booking, move-in time slot, loading dock access, or certificate of currency from removalists.
• Check if your street needs a temporary parking permit or if clearway times affect the truck.
• Buy or source boxes in three sizes: small for books and kitchenware, medium for general items, large only for light bulky items.
• Create labels by room: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, laundry, office, storage, fragile, and open first.

1 Week Out

• Disassemble furniture that will not fit through doors or lifts.
• Put screws, bolts, and Allen keys into labelled zip bags taped to the item.
• Photograph cable setups for TVs, monitors, routers, and standing desks.
• Wrap fragile items with towels or packing paper, not newspaper if staining is a concern.
• Pack a cleaning caddy: spray, gloves, sponge, microfibre cloths, mop head, vacuum attachments, and rubbish bags.

Moving Day

• Tape doors open only where permitted by the building.
• Protect lift walls and corners with blankets if the building does not provide padding.
• Load heavy items first: fridge, washing machine, bed frame, sofa, tables, then boxes.
• Keep one tool bag accessible until the final item is assembled.
• Take dated photos of the empty property, meter readings, keys, walls, floors, oven, bathroom, and any pre-existing damage.

Local Tips

• Melbourne apartments often require lift bookings during weekday business hours, so confirm this before booking movers.
• Inner-city streets can have tow-away clearways; check both sides of the street, not just the closest sign.
• For tram streets and narrow laneways, a smaller truck plus extra trips may be faster than one large truck.
• Keep wet-weather protection ready, especially for mattresses, timber furniture, electronics, and cardboard boxes.

FAQ

Q: What tools should I keep out until the end? A: Keep a screwdriver set, Allen keys, drill, tape measure, utility knife, pliers, packing tape, zip ties, and cleaning supplies accessible until everything is assembled.

Q: How many boxes do I need for a Melbourne apartment move? A: A one-bedroom apartment usually needs 15-25 boxes; a two-bedroom apartment usually needs 30-45 boxes, depending on books, kitchenware, clothes, and storage.

Q: Should I hire moving equipment or buy it? A: Hire trolleys, dollies, and blankets if this is a one-off move. Buy tape, labels, mattress bags, gloves, and basic tools because they are useful during unpacking and repairs.

Source: Victorian Government Consumer Affairs Victoria – bond amounts and payments, 2025