Quick answer: Airtasker’s cost guide, updated June 2026, puts the standard package of two removalists and a truck at $111 to $200 an hour in Australia, from $103 to $172 in Brisbane up to $120 to $200 in Sydney. A three-bedroom house with three movers and a truck costs $1,430 to $2,210, and a four-bedroom house $1,950 to $2,730. Interstate moves run $2,500 to $9,500 or more. Weekends, public holidays, end-of-month and summer moves cost 20% to 30% more. All prices are in Australian dollars and were checked in September 2026.
Removalist cost checker
Pick the move that matches yours to see the typical Australian price range and where it comes from.
Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteMost local moves in Australia are charged by the hour, usually for two removalists and a truck, with a minimum booking, a fuel levy and extras on top. Interstate moves are priced by volume and distance. We found no government price survey for household removals, so the figures below come from Airtasker’s published cost guides, which it says are based on research into industry and third-party rates. Every figure names its source and was checked in September 2026.
Hourly rates by city
| City | Two removalists and a truck, per hour | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $120 to $200 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Melbourne | $114 to $190 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Brisbane | $103 to $172 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Perth | $133 to $178 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Adelaide | $133 to $178 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| National range | $111 to $200 (median $116) | Airtasker (June 2026) |
Airtasker notes that some removalists bill in half-hour or 15-minute increments rather than whole hours, which can make a real difference if a job runs a few minutes over. Ask each firm how it rounds time and when the clock starts and stops.
Costs by move type and home size
| Move | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Local move (within 50 km) | $80 to $160 an hour for two removalists and a truck, plus a fuel levy of about 5% (under 20 km) to 10–15% (over 40 km) | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Regional move (50 to 300 km) | $140 to $170 an hour plus travel time; fuel levy up to about 20% over 80 km; tolls $15 to $50 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Interstate move (300 km or more) | $2,500 to $9,500 or more | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| 3-bedroom house (three movers and a truck) | $1,430 to $2,210 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| 4-bedroom house (three movers and a truck) | $1,950 to $2,730 | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Extra removalist beyond the standard crew | About $175 to $300 an hour | Airtasker (June 2026) |
Airtasker’s headline hourly range and its local-move range overlap but are not identical, which is a reminder to use these as a sense-check for quotes rather than a price list.
Timing surcharges
| When you move | Typical effect on price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | Base rate; discounts most likely | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Friday to Sunday | +20% to 30% | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Public holidays | +20% to 30% | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| End of month (when many leases end) | +20% to 30% | Airtasker (June 2026) |
| Peak season (November to January) | +20% to 30% | Airtasker (June 2026) |
Pianos and storage
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Piano, local move (0 to 70 km) | $150 to $650 (average piano move about $400) | Airtasker piano guide (June 2026) |
| Piano, regional or interstate (70 km or more) | $500 to $2,000 | Airtasker piano guide (June 2026) |
| Self-storage, small to medium unit | $140 to $500 a month (medium unit median about $280) | Airtasker storage guide |
Council parking costs on moving day
Reserving kerb space for the truck is a council matter and the rules differ widely. These are the official figures we found for our city guides:
| City council | What it covers | Fee or rule | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Sydney | Residential visitor permit, which a removalist’s truck can use | $30 for 10 single-day permits | City of Sydney |
| City of Melbourne | Reserved parking permit for removalists (5+ clear business days’ notice) | $206 first bay, $103 each extra bay, per day; 50% off for residents | City of Melbourne |
| Brisbane City Council | Commercial loading zone without a permit | Up to 20 minutes while loading or unloading | Brisbane City Council |
| City of Perth | Street bay reservation for removalists (weekends only) | $77 per bay per day; $38.50 half day or Sunday | City of Perth |
| City of Adelaide | Temporary Parking Control alteration (5 working days’ notice) | $30.60 per space per day | City of Adelaide |
Rules that affect what you pay
| Rule | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer guarantees | Services must be provided with due care and skill, be fit for any stated purpose and be delivered within a reasonable time; remedies can include a refund, cancellation or compensation | ACCC |
| Insurance | Removalists are not required by law to insure your goods; most only insure their own vehicles | NSW Government |
| Payment | Don’t pay upfront or midway; pay in full at the end of the job | Consumer Protection WA |
Moving interstate? Read about moving between Australian states: restrictions on plants, food and garden equipment. Coming from overseas? See shipping household goods to Australia: biosecurity checks before packing.
Local guides
Getting a fair price
Get at least three written, itemised quotes based on an inventory of your home, and check the hourly rate, minimum hours, billing increments, fuel levy and extras on each. Read how to compare quotes without missing extra charges and whether a packing service is worth it, then ask for removalist quotes or browse our removal and moving options.
Compare House Movers is a comparison and referral service, not a removal company. We do not carry out moves, and a listing here is not a recommendation.
Common questions
How much do removalists cost per hour in Australia?
Airtasker puts the standard two removalists and a truck at $111 to $200 an hour, with a median of $116 (updated June 2026).
How much does it cost to move a three-bedroom house?
Airtasker gives $1,430 to $2,210 for three movers and a truck, and $1,950 to $2,730 for a four-bedroom house.
How much does an interstate move cost?
Airtasker puts interstate moves at $2,500 to $9,500 or more, with a fuel levy of 10% to 20% usually built in.
Is it cheaper to move midweek?
Yes. Airtasker says weekends, public holidays, the end of the month and November to January typically cost 20% to 30% more than the Monday to Thursday base rate.
Do I pay the council to park the removalist truck?
Sometimes. The City of Melbourne charges $206 a day for the first reserved bay, the City of Perth $77 a bay (weekends only for removalists) and the City of Adelaide $30.60 a space. Rules differ by council.
Sources
- How Much Do Removalists Cost in Australia? [2026 Data], updated 26 June 2026 (airtasker.com)
- How Much Does It Cost to Move a Piano in Australia? [2026], updated 25 June 2026 (airtasker.com)
- Self-storage Cost Guide (airtasker.com)
- Visitor parking permits in Sydney, City of Sydney (cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au)
- Reserved parking permits, City of Melbourne (melbourne.vic.gov.au)
- Commercial vehicles, trucks and motorcycle parking, Brisbane City Council (brisbane.qld.gov.au)
- Reserve or Pay for a Street Parking Bay, City of Perth (perth.wa.gov.au)
- Parking control alterations, City of Adelaide (cityofadelaide.com.au)
- Consumer rights and guarantees, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (accc.gov.au)
- Choosing a removalist, NSW Government (nsw.gov.au)
- Choose your removalist wisely as rogue operators attract complaints, Consumer Protection WA (consumerprotection.wa.gov.au)
- About AFRA, Australian Furniture Removers Association (afra.com.au)
Last checked: September 2026. Council fees and state rules change, so confirm the current position with the council or your state consumer regulator before you rely on it.