Table of Contents
Overview
A new home address in Australia affects more than deliveries—it impacts tax, Medicare, licences, rego, banking, and utilities. This guide breaks down the complete change of address Australia checklist in the smartest sequence.
First, activate redirect mail Australia Post to catch anything you forget. Then update MyGov change address and share your new details with linked services.
From there, update address ATO so tax notices, returns, and business records (if relevant) stay accurate, and change address Medicare to keep healthcare correspondence current.
Next, update your state/territory transport details: update licence address and update car rego address (requirements vary by jurisdiction).
The final section covers the “life admin” list—banks, credit cards, insurers, super, utilities, internet, school/childcare, memberships, and online shopping accounts—so renewals, cards, bills, and deliveries arrive at the right place.
Moving is already stressful, and forgetting to update your address can make it worse (think about bills that don’t get paid, refunds that take too long, and important letters that go to the wrong place). Use this checklist for changing your address in Australia to quickly and correctly update everything.
Do this first (it hurts the least)
Send mail to the wrong address with Australia Post
Set up redirect mail with Australia Post so that letters and packages follow you while you tell everyone else. You can choose between 1, 3, 6, or 12 months, and you can even include more than one name on the same application.
Change the address on MyGov (then share it)
To change your address in myGov, go to My account → Profile → Contact details → Edit. Then, choose which linked services you want to share the new address with.
Government (the “don’t delay” list)
1) ATO (Tax)
For most people, the fastest way to change their address with the ATO is through myGov (ATO online services).
If you own a business, the ATO says you must let them know when your business information (like your address) changes. They say you have 28 days to do this.
2) Medicare (Services Australia)
To change your Medicare address, log in to your Medicare account on myGov, click on Medicare, then “My details,” and update your address.
Important: Services Australia says that your postal address is linked to your Medicare card. If you change it online, everyone on that card will see the change. You might need a different card if the new postal address doesn’t work for everyone.
3) AEC electoral roll
Don’t forget how to vote. The AEC has a way for you to “Update my details” (usually after you’ve lived at your new address for at least a month).
As part of “moving home,” myGov also sends out updates about elections.
License and car registration (state or territory)
The process for changing your license address and your car registration address depends on where you live. The moving-home page on myGov links to the transportation authority for each state.
For example:
NSW: You can change the address on your driver’s license and vehicle registrations through your Service NSW account.
VicRoads says to let them know within 14 days and update through the myVicRoads/myVicRoads app.
QLD: TMR says you have to tell them within 14 days; changing your address can affect your license and vehicle registration.
Banks, insurance companies, retirement plans, and subscriptions
After you’ve set up mail forwarding and myGov, move on to the “money accounts”:
- Banks and credit cards (statements, new cards)
- Life, health, home, contents, car, and health insurance
- Superannuation (so you get annual statements and messages from your beneficiaries)
- PayPal, Afterpay, and buy now, pay later are all options.
- Streaming, memberships, Amazon/eBay, and food delivery apps (make sure to update your saved addresses so you don’t get the wrong delivery)
Tip: Start with the accounts that send you cards or renewal notices in the mail.
Home services and utilities
Update or move these early so you don’t run out of important things:
- Electricity, gas, and water (last meter reading at old place, new connection)
- Internet and NBN plans, cell phones, and pay TV
- If you own a property, you may have to pay council rates, strata fees, or body corporate fees.
- Schools and daycare, a doctor or dentist, and a pet microchip registry (if needed)
A quick “done in 30 minutes” mini-checklist
✅ Redirecting mail (Australia Post)
✅ myGov address and share with linked services
✅ Confirmation of Medicare address
✅ License and registration (for your state or territory)
✅ Banks, insurance companies, and utilities