Emigrating to Australia? Use our departure checklist to help plan your move to Australia. Our consultants are here to assist you throughout the complete migration process. We welcome you to contact us if you require any specific information in relation to emigrating to Australia. Please note that this list is intended as a guide. When planning your departure you should allow for your own particular circumstances.

8 weeks to departure

• Get price estimates from professional moving companies and make your decision regarding which professional mover service you will use. In general, the contents from a typical 3 bedroom home should fit into a 20 foot container. If you have more then you may be better to opt for a 40 foot container. Please contact us for a list of GICS International approved freight forwarding companies in your country of residence.
• Set the date for your move.
• Get in touch with a travel agent & obtain a quotation for your tickets. Its advisable to book your tickets early. Also, inquire on your baggage allowance and foreign exchange allowance from the agent. Please contact us for a list of GICS International approved travel agents in your country of residence.
• If you have pets, now is the time to start considering your options for transporting. It is often a good idea to ask your vet to recommend companies who specialise in the safe transport of pets. We can also advise you of companies who provide pet transportation services.
• Contact your Insurance company and ensure that your life insurance policies and other insurance policies are up to date. Please contact us for a list of GICS International approved Insurance Agents.
• Talk to our consultants about the transfer of your bank accounts and funds to your new home country. Make sure that you have investigated options for opening an Australian bank account to accommodate the transfer of your funds from your home country. If required we can open the relevant accounts for your locally and also advise on the methods in transferring funds to your country of migration.
• Start preparing a list of all the people who will need to learn of your new address. This should include friends, relatives, banks, and any subscriptions or catalogues.

6 weeks to departure

• Discuss all details of the move with your mover and confirm all costs and insurance cover. When you are satisfied, book the mover for the day of the move and collect as many packing boxes as you can from the moving company.
• Prepare an inventory of your possessions. This can help to organise your move and can also serve as a record of your assets for insurance purposes.
• Start notifying people, businesses and organisations of your upcoming change in address.
• Fill in a mail redirection form at the post office. We suggest that mail is redirected to a close friend or family member who can either forward it on a regular basis (a cheaper option) or in some cases advise you of the content of redirected mail.
• Begin using up food from your freezer and other consumables.
• Start getting rid of any clutter around your home. Perhaps hold a garage sale or donate items to charity.

4 weeks to departure

• Check that all passports are valid and that they have all of the necessary stamps, including your visa.
• Notify schools of forthcoming move and collect all relevant school certificates and transcripts. It is likely that these will be needed when enrolling children into their new school.
• Collect all medical certificates and records (including dental records) for your family. These will be useful when registering with a local doctor in your destination country.
• Locate all marriage and birth certificates.
• Organise storage (if required).
• Start organising how you will pack your possessions. Use your inventory list to help you determine how many boxes you will need and which items should be packed last and unpacked first.
• Organise final readings for gas, water and electricity to be carried out immediately prior to your move.
• Arrange for your landline telephone, cable TV to be disconnected just prior to your move and terminate any outstanding mobile phone contracts.
• If you require temporary accommodation upon arrival, arrange the necessary bookings. Contact GICS International for a GICS International Approved real estate agent.

3 weeks to departure

• Collect all packing materials you require, (such as packing tape, bubble wrap, old newspapers, utility knife, packing string, labels, marker pens, etc.) and begin packing the items that will not be needed over the next few weeks.

Note: when packing, any items that you pack yourself are unlikely to be covered by insurance in the event of breakage. There we suggest that you leave the packaging of any fragile or particularly valuable items up to your chosen professional moving company.

2 weeks to departure

• Transfer all your bank accounts to new branch locations. Make sure you have a valid credit card as this makes booking & paying for accommodation, rental cars and so on much easier when you first arrive in your new country.
• Cancel all deliveries, e.g. newspaper, milk.
• Ensure your possessions will be fully insured during the move. If not, arrange for extra insurance cover.
• Ensure that you have up to date prescriptions and sufficient medicine to last at least your first month in your new country.
• Make sure you have insurance cover for medical and personal effects that will cover you until new insurance arrangements are in place in your new country.

1 week to departure

• Return all library books/rental DVDs and collect any dry-cleaning etc.
• Defrost your refrigerator and freezer.
• Finish all packing, number each box and make a note of their contents.
• Mark any fragile items that should be handled with care.
• Pack bags of clothing and toiletries to take with you rather than send with the mover.
• Buy travelers cheque and some AUD (cash) for your first few days - around AUD$2,000 should be sufficient. Please note GICS International can support this activity in selected countries.

Moving day

• Remove all remaining food from your refrigerator and freezer.
• Clean out cupboards and sweep floors.
• Double check rooms, cupboards, drawers, shelves, outdoor areas and the garage to make sure you've taken everything.
• Turn off all services, including the electricity mains switch and taps.
• Lock all windows and doors securely.
• Disconnect the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher.
• Check to see if all the services are on and appliances are working in your new home.
• Check off each box as it comes off the truck.
• Remember to give the house keys either to the estate agents or family / friends.

N.B. Personal documents

All personal documentation and valuable items should be carried as hand luggage and not as part of a shipment.