Removals to Australia

Australia

Full container loads | Groupage | Baggage | Air Freight

As one of Britain’s leading international removal companies, Burke Bros Moving Group is widely recognised for its special skills in international removals to Australia. Whether you require a full household removal, a part load or simply one item, we offer a high-quality professional shipping service to all destinations in Australia.

As you would expect from a professional international removal service, we have all the professional hands you need for a smooth relocation overseas. We have the global knowledge, contacts, affiliations and practical skills to take care of you all the way to your new life. And for your further peace of mind, we offer full financial protection door-to-door.

The Removals Process

• To be able to provide you with an accurate quotation for removals to Australia, one of our experienced estimators needs to assess the volume of household effects that you want to take with you and any packing requirements you have. This can be completed either by an in-home survey or, if you prefer, via a video survey.  Calculating the correct volume is key to a realistic quotation and the estimator can offer you some invaluable advice in preparation for your move.  Knowing the cost of removals will also allow you to budget effectively for your move.     
• Once moving day is here, we will arrive at your home to pack and wrap your belongings ready for shipment over a two-to-three-day period with the container being loaded on the last day and the inventory checked, ready for the container to be locked, sealed and driven to the UK port.
• All of our removal men are trained overseas packers and will ensure your belongings are safely packed. If you have specialist items such as pianos, clocks or glass cabinets for example, bespoke crates can be made to further protect these items in transit.
• Your furniture and effects are then ready to be loaded on to the shipping container. Alternatively, they can be put into storage for any amount of time you require until you are ready for the move to be completed.
• We offer Marine Insurance on all of our international removal services that is sufficient to cover your entire move, including cover for the cost of your goods and the cost of the shipment itself, on all effects packed by Burke Bros.

• You may require a full 20ft or 40ft container, depending on the volume of effects you’re shipping. We also offer part-loads or groupage containers, if you’re taking less items, where you only pay for the space your possessions take up within a container.  This can be a more cost-effective way of shipping your effects.
• Transit Time to Australia: Your items can take on average between 8 to 10 weeks to be shipped for a full container and 8 to 12 weeks on a groupage container. Times can also vary depending on the location of the port in Australia they are going to.

• Upon arrival in Australia, one of our trusted destination agents will then take care of your belongings and move. All goods entering Australia are subject to customs clearance and quarantine inspection.

International Container Shipping to Australia

Depending on the volume of effects you have to move to Australia, we offer both full-container and shared-container shipping services. If you aren’t moving the volume of belongings to fill a whole shipping container, a shared container enables you to pay only for the space you need. If speed isn’t of paramount importance to you, this is the most cost-effective service for smaller moves.

Shared Container Services

Shared container services, also known as groupage, are ideal for those who do not have enough items to fill an entire container. This method allows you to share a container with other customers who are also shipping goods to Australia. The main benefits of shared container services include:

• Cost-Effectiveness: You only pay for the space your items occupy, making it a more economical option compared to hiring a whole container.
• Flexibility: It’s suitable for smaller moves, such as shipping personal effects or a partial household.
• Environmental Impact: Sharing space reduces the carbon footprint per individual shipment.

However, since the container is shared, the shipping time might be longer as the container will only depart once it is full. Typically, transit times range from 6 to 10 weeks for the East Coast and 8 to 12 weeks for the West Coast of Australia.

Full Container Services

Full container services (FCL) are designed for larger moves where you need an entire container to yourself. This option is particularly suitable for families or individuals moving the contents of a whole house. The benefits of full container services include:

• Speed: Full containers generally ship faster than shared containers since they don’t need to wait to be filled with other customers’ goods. Transit times are usually between 5 to 8 weeks for the East Coast and 7 to 10 weeks for the West Coast.
• Security: Your items are the only ones in the container, reducing the risk of damage or loss.
• Convenience: It provides the flexibility to pack and organise your belongings as you see fit, ensuring everything is loaded and unloaded at once.

While more expensive than shared containers, full container services provide a more streamlined and direct shipping process.

Air Freight and Sea Freight:

Whether you opt for sea freight or air freight, we offer flexible shipping options to suit your needs. 

With our extensive network, we guarantee timely delivery to your new Australian destination. 

We provide containers of various sizes (20ft and 40ft) to accommodate your belongings.

How Long Do Removals to Australia Take?

On average, household effects can take between 10 and 12 weeks to be shipped to Australia if you’re moving a full household and require your goods to travel in a sole-use container.

If you have less than a full household and have opted for a shared container load, in which you’re just paying for the space that your goods occupy, this may take longer.

Groupage/Shared container loads can take on average, 12-16 weeks to arrive. These are approximations and are subject to several different factors, one of which is the final destination in Australia. Airfreight can arrive within days.

* Also note shipping can be delayed due to industrial action, blocked shipping routes and hostile activities in other countries. Our international shipping consultants will advise of any possible delays before shipping.

How Much Do Removals to Australia Cost?

The cost of relocating from the UK to Australia can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the volume of personal belongings, the distance between the starting point and destination, and the services required. Estimates typically include packing, loading, shipping, customs clearances and unloading at the destination.

Additional costs may arise from optional services such as professional packing, temporary storage, and insurance. Airfreight is a quicker but more expensive option compared to sea freight, which is slower but more economical for larger shipments.

Visa Requirements for Moving to Australia

If you’re visiting Australia for a short period, there’s no need for a visa. What you will need to arrange, though, is an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before you travel. This remains valid for up to one year for travelling to Australia by air travel.

However, if you decide to move to Australia permanently, this will require a visa. Here is a brief overview of the different types of permanent immigration visas:

• Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. It is based on points tested on skills, age, English language ability, and work experience.
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): This visa allows Australian states and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Australia and are interested in settling in a particular state or territory.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186): This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by their employer. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): This visa allows employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian. There are options for short-term, medium-term, and labour agreement streams.
• Family Sponsorship: This allows Australian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their relatives to come to Australia. This includes the Partner Visa (subclass 820/801) and Parent Visa (subclass 103).
• Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188/888): This visa is designed to attract experienced businesspeople and investors to Australia. It includes the Business Innovation stream, Investor stream, and Significant Investor stream.

Each visa type has specific eligibility criteria and application processes, so it’s important to research thoroughly and choose the one that best suits your circumstances.

Documents needed:

There are several documents that you will need to ship your items to Australia, they include- Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement Form 8534 (6/100) Copy of Photo page of passport and Visa and contact details in Australia.

Customs Clearance and Quarantine Procedures:

From the date of your shipment at our agent’s Bonded depot, clearance will take approximately 10-14 working days to clear the shipment through customs and quarantine prior to delivery to your new residence. Duty will be charged on alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and household items that have not been owned and used twelve months prior to shipping. This must be paid to customs and will delay your delivery of the shipment if payment is not made. Quarantine will inspect every shipment that is cleared through our agent’s depot. They may order fumigation, steam cleaning and other specialised treatments on items and additional charges will apply.

International Packing

Burke Bros packing crews are professionally trained in international export packing to ensure that your furniture and belongings arrive at their new destination in the best possible condition after their international journey from the UK, whether by air freight or sea freight.  

Delivery to your new home:

Once your items have been cleared, our agent’s operations department will arrange a mutually suitable day for delivery to your new home, or your shipment can be placed in to secure storage facilities. Their services should include full unwrapping of all furniture items, reassembly of items that require non-specialist attention such as beds, dressers and bookcases etc. Other services may be available at an additional cost.

Prohibited items include:

• Drugs of dependence, narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates and tranquillizers.
• Food stuffs of any type, herbs and spices.
• Christmas decorations, such as pinecones or silk trees with real timber trunks.
• Dried flower arrangements including for example, potpourri.
• Plants, soil and seeds.
• Skins, hides, ivory and feathers.
• Bones, horns and tusks.

Restricted items or items likely to be inspected by DAFF:

• Shoes, wellingtons, golf clubs, other sports equipment, camping equipment, bikes, garden tools and furniture.
• Alcohol and tobacco will attract tax and duties at a high level.
• Untreated wood items, cane, wicker, bamboo, sea grass and rope.
• Firearms and other forms of weaponry – restricted and may require Police authorisation or prior approval from the Federal Attorney General.
• Water Hyacinth – used to make some furniture items.

Electrical Items

All electrical items should generally work on the Australia system, though you may wish to check with the manufacturer.

Televisions

Most modern UK televisions will work in Australia as the broadcast systems in the UK and Australia are both PAL based. However, as there are different versions, UK TV’s will need to be connected to the Australian equivalent of a UK digital satellite cable receiver.

Pets

Pets are permitted entry into Australia but will be subject to such things as: Rabies injections, RNATT (Rabies Antibody Titre Test), quarantine, Import Permit and DEFRA Export Health Certificate.  As part of our overseas removal services, we also offer pet transportation services as part of your move to Australia.

Motor Vehicles

All vehicles being imported to Australia are subject to Australian design regulations and will require a Vehicle Import Approval in advance of shipping. All motorised vehicles are potentially included cars, motorbikes, ride-on mowers, children’s motorised scooters, farm equipment and battery-operated push bikes.

The following link gives the 4 Steps for importing vehicles into Australia if you wish to include them in your removals.

www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports

Living in Australia

Living in Australia offers a high quality of life with diverse cultural experiences, stunning natural landscapes, and a strong sense of community. The country is known for its excellent healthcare system, robust educational institutions, and generally low crime rates. Major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are vibrant and multicultural, offering a wide range of amenities and opportunities for residents.

The cost of living in Australia can vary significantly depending on the city and state. Urban areas tend to be more expensive, particularly in terms of housing. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in central Sydney or Melbourne can be quite costly, while smaller cities and regional towns offer more affordable options. Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs are generally moderate, although they can add up in major metropolitan areas.

Australia’s climate is another consideration, with hot summers and mild winters in most parts of the country. The northern regions experience a tropical climate, while the southern regions have a more temperate climate. The country is well-equipped to handle varying weather conditions, and most homes and public spaces are designed to be comfortable year-round.

Employment opportunities in Australia are plentiful, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and natural resources. The country also has a strong social safety net, including benefits like unemployment insurance and public pensions.

Overall, living in Australia provides a balance of economic stability, natural beauty, and a welcoming environment, making it an attractive option for many people.

Moving to Australia – Our Complete Coverage: