According to recent national data from Yellow Pages, Airtasker, and hipages, the average cost of a local removalist in Australia (including Melbourne) is between $110 and $200 per hour for a standard team of two movers and a truck. The total cost of a normal move can range from $300 to $3,500, depending on the size of the home, how easy it is to get to, and any extra services you add.
Are you moving to Melbourne in 2026 and trying to figure out how much it will cost? You’re not the only one. Most people only move a few times in their lives, so it can be hard to understand removalist prices until you see them laid out clearly.
We want those numbers to be predictable, not scary, at Big Stuff Movers. That way, you can find the right truck, crew, and move plan that fits your budget.
How Much Will it Cost to Move to Melbourne in 2026?
Every move is different, but based on typical prices in 2025 and projected prices in 2026, here’s a realistic average cost of movers for local moves within Melbourne:
The estimates for all of Melbourne are not fixed prices. Depending on the following, your final moving house cost in Melbourne will go up or down:
- How long the move really takes
- How easy (or hard) it is to get to and park
- You can add packing, unpacking, or storage.
- How many heavy things are there (like a piano, pool table, gym equipment, or big fridge)?
Price Guide for Each Room, by Size of Home
Instead of just thinking of “rooms” as bedrooms, try thinking of them as zones and volume:
- living room,
- kitchen,
- bedrooms,
- garage, and
- outdoor items.
This is how that usually works out in terms of time and money
| Home Size/Type | Estimated Cost (AUD | Movers & Truck | Estimated Time | Notes |
| Studio or 1-Bedroom Apartment | $400 – $800 | 2 movers + 1 truck | 2 – 4 hours (+ travel) | Suitable for light furniture and fewer boxes |
| 2-Bedroom Unit or Small House | $660 – $1,200 | 2 movers + 1 truck | 4 – 6 hours | More furniture and packing involved |
| 3-Bedroom House | $800 – $1,500+ | 2–3 movers + truck | 5 – 8 hours | Includes heavy items and longer carry distances |
| Family Home (4+ Bedrooms) | $1,500 – $3,000+ | 3+ movers + large truck | Full day or more | Cost depends on stairs, access, packing help, and distance |
1. Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment
What it usually has:
- 1 bed and mattress,
- a small sofa,
- a TV, and
- a TV unit
- 1 to 2 drawers or wardrobes
- 10 to 25 boxes and a few appliances
Estimated Costs for a Local Move in Melbourne:
- Time: 2 to 4 hours with two movers and a truck
- Cost: about $400 to $800, which includes travel and a call-out.The most expensive things are booking lifts and long walks from the lift to the truck. There are time limits for parking on busy streets in the city.
2. A Small House or Unit with Two Bedrooms
- The usual things inside are
- two beds,
- one or two sofas,
- a dining table and
- chairs.
- White goods, like a fridge, washer, and maybe a dryer
- 25 to 40 boxes, a small outdoor space, or a BBQ
Estimated costs:
- Time: 2 movers and a truck take about 4 to 6 hours.
- Cost: about $660 to $1,200.
Cost tips: Make sure the crew can work in a straight line by clearing driveways and entries.
Take apart simple furniture like beds and basic shelving the night before to save time.
3. Family Home with Three Bedrooms
What you usually find inside:
- three beds,
- a bigger lounge suite, and an
- entertainment unit.
- 40 to 60 boxes and a full kitchen
- Things in the garage include tools, bikes, a lawnmower, and outdoor furniture.
Time: 5 to 8 hours with 2 to 3 movers and a truck
The cost will be between $900 and $1,500, depending on how far away the stairs are and how packed and ready everything is.
Cost-saving tips: Put boxes in groups by room and label them clearly. This will save you time when you unload.
To keep things simple and safe, move very small, delicate things like jewellery and important papers yourself.
4. Move with 4 or More Bedrooms or a “Full Family”
Common features include:
- 4 or more bedrooms and
- several living areas
- Heavy furniture,
- big appliances,
- and outdoor settings
- 60 to 100 boxes,
- plus things in the shed or garage.
Estimated costs:
- Time: 8+ hours, usually with a bigger crew or a second truck.
- Cost: $1,500 to $3,000 or more for a full-day move, which may be split between two trips.
Planning and getting in are the most important things here. Long driveways, narrow streets, or a lot of stairs can add hundreds of dollars to the cost just by making the process take longer.
What Really Affects the Cost of Your Removalist in Melbourne?
In addition to the size of the home, a few other things have a big effect on the cost of removalists in Melbourne:
- Stairs and Lifts
- More stairs, no lift, or small lifts mean more trips and more time.
- If you don’t plan ahead, high-rise rules like booking lifts, loading docks, and time windows can make the day longer.
2. Distance to the Front Door and Parking
- If the truck has to park 30 to 50 meters away because of clearways or no-standing zones, it takes longer to move everything.
3. How pack and ready you are
- Packing professionally saves you time, but it costs more. If you do it poorly, it can also slow down the team.
- Loading and unloading take longer when boxes aren’t labelled or are too full.
4. Items that are special or heavy
- When moving pianos, pool tables, big fridges, gym equipment, or glass cabinets, you may need more tools, more people, or more time.
5. The day of the week and the season
- Weekends and busy times, like the end of the month and school holidays, usually have higher hourly rates across the board.
How Big Stuff Movers Makes Sure Your Costs Stay Low
Big Stuff Movers is based on clear communication and truck-plus-crew pricing, so you always know where your money is going. The homepage already says that local moves cost an hourly rate with simple half-hour blocks and no confusing depot fees.
This is how we help you keep your moving house cost in Melbourne under control:
- Instead of just sending “whatever’s available,” we match the size of the truck and crew to the number of bedrooms in your home (1, 2, 3, or 4+).
- To make sure the quote matches the final bill, our team asks about stairs, lifts, parking, and problems that are specific to the suburb up front.
- If you’d rather pay for speed and convenience than spend weeks packing by yourself, you can add packing and unpacking services.
If you want to know exactly how much your move will cost in 2026, the best thing to do next is to ask for a personalised quote based on the size of your home.