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 Transport)
- 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 – Transport 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 Transport
- 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 Transport |
|---|---|
| Supermarket | Closest Coles/Woolworths within 5-10 min drive |
| Post Office | Check auspost.com.au for nearest |
| Medical Centre | See our Transport medical guide |
| Library | Check council website for nearest branch |
| Gym | Check local options – Anytime Fitness or similar |
Cost of Moving to Transport
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Removalists (2-3br) | $500-1,200 |
| Bond (4 weeks rent) | $2346 |
| First month rent | $2828 |
| Utility connections | $50-150 in fees |
| Internet setup | $0-99 (provider dependent) |
| Parking permit | $0-50 |
| Address changes | Free (online) |
| Total move-in costs | $4,125+ |
Tips from Transport 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
For a full guide to what Transport 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.
Transport Budget Snapshot
For most Melbourne moves, transport costs split into three buckets: moving-day vehicle access, first-month commuting, and address updates for licences, registration, toll accounts and parking permits.
A full-fare Zone 1+2 myki daily cap is $11.40 in 2026, so a five-day work week using myki Money costs up to $57.00. That is the same as a 7-day myki Pass at $57.00, so the pass only starts to make sense if you travel most days or want predictable weekly spend. A longer myki Pass is cheaper at $6.84 per day, or about $205.20 for 30 days, compared with up to $342.00 for 30 separate weekday daily caps.
Zone 2-only commuters pay less: the 2026 daily cap is $7.20, and a 7-day Zone 2 pass is $36.00. That matters if you are moving to outer-middle suburbs where both home and work sit outside Zone 1. For weekend inspections, furniture runs or settling-in trips, the full-fare weekend/public holiday cap is $8.00, which can be cheaper than parking in inner Melbourne for a few hours.
Driving has a different cost profile. A CBD or inner-suburb move may need paid parking, loading-zone timing, toll planning and clearway checks. Transport Victoria notes that all clearways on major roads within 20 km of Melbourne’s CBD are tow-away zones, so a removalist parked in the wrong window can turn a low-cost move into an expensive delay.
Step-by-Step Transport Checklist
Map your first-month commute – check whether your new home is Zone 1+2 or Zone 2 only, then compare myki Money against a 7-day or 28-plus-day pass.
Check station, tram and bus access before signing – confirm walking time, night frequency, weekend service and whether the route still works when one line has replacement buses.
Book removalist access – ask the agent, owner or building manager about loading docks, lift bookings, height limits, garage access and move-in time windows.
Check clearways and permit zones – inspect both sides of the street for weekday peak restrictions, tram-lane rules, no-stopping signs and resident permit areas.
Plan a legal loading option – if there is no driveway or loading bay, contact the local council about temporary parking permits or bay reservations before move day.
Update VicRoads within 14 days – change residential, postal and garage addresses for your licence and vehicle registration after you move.
Update toll and roadside accounts – change Linkt, EastLink, insurance, roadside assistance and car-share accounts so notices do not go to the old address.
Test the commute before move-in week – do one peak-hour trip from the new address and one late-evening trip home if you regularly work nights.
Local Tips
Inner-north and inner-south moves often look simple on a map, but tram corridors can make truck parking difficult. Confirm whether the removalist can stop legally without blocking a lane.
Apartment moves in Docklands, Southbank, Carlton, Richmond and the CBD commonly require lift bookings. Do this before booking the truck, not after.
If you are choosing between two rentals, price the commute for a full month. A cheaper rent can be offset by paid parking, tolls or a longer Zone 1+2 commute.
For airport, hospital or shift-work households, check first and last services. Some suburbs with good daytime access are much weaker before 6am or after midnight.
FAQ
Q: Should I buy a myki Pass as soon as I move? A: Only if your travel pattern is predictable. In 2026, a 7-day Zone 1+2 pass costs $57.00, the same as five full-fare daily caps, while a 28-plus-day pass is better value for regular commuters.
Q: What is the biggest moving-day transport mistake in Melbourne? A: Assuming the truck can wait outside. Clearways, tram routes, permit zones and apartment loading docks can all restrict access, especially within 20 km of the CBD.
Q: How quickly do I need to update my licence address? A: VicRoads says you need to update your address within 14 days of moving, including the garage address for where your vehicle is kept.
Source: Victorian Government / Transport Victoria — 2026 public transport fares
