You’re not the only one who has thought, “Surely the movers can take this,” when you were in the middle of the pack. But the things that removalists won’t take are mostly not because they’re inconvenient; they’re because of safety, insurance, and transportation laws about moving dangerous goods.
A lot of things we use every day can catch fire, explode, be poisonous, eat away at things, or leak. The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) has specific safety rules for transporting dangerous goods. Most of the time, removalists don’t move these kinds of things as part of a normal household move.
Here is a useful list of the most common “no-go” items that you shouldn’t bring on moving day: BBQ gas bottles, paint and thinners, fuel, aerosols, and lithium batteries.
Quick “Don’t Pack” List (Most Common)
Most of the time, removalists won’t move:
- LPG/BBQ gas bottles and other tanks that are under pressure
- Solvents, paint, paint thinner, turps
- Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, lawnmower fuel, and oily rags
- Aerosols include deodorants, cleaners, insect sprays, and spray paints.
- Lithium batteries that are loose or broken (for power tools, e-scooters, laptops, vapes, etc.)
1) BBQ Gas Bottles (LPG) – Rules for Moving Gas Bottles
Even “empty” BBQ cylinders can still hold vapors, and valves can leak. It’s very dangerous to have heat and gas trapped in a car. WorkSafe Victoria says that gas cylinders should only be moved in cargo areas that are open to the air, not in closed vehicles.
What to do instead
- Use it up before moving day (plan BBQ meals for the week before).
- If you have to take it, do it yourself in an upright, safe, and well-ventilated way (never in the trunk of a closed sedan).
- After the move, think about switching cylinders (if possible) at your usual store.
2) Paint, thinners, turps, and solvents—moving paint thinner
Most of the time, oil-based paints and solvents are considered flammable liquids and are not allowed to be moved in standard ways.
What to do instead
- Don’t tape the lid and hope for the best. Leaks can damage floors, furniture, and boxes.
- Keep only what you will actually use soon.
- Use a special program for recycling and getting rid of things.Paintback is a drop-off program for unwanted paint and packaging that is run by the industry and is available all over Australia.
3) Gasoline, diesel, and kerosene are all fuels and flammable liquids.
Fuel containers, lawnmower cans, and some garage chemicals are dangerous because they can leak easily, especially when they are moved around.
What to do instead
- Before you move, run your mower and whipper snipper dry.
- Take leftover fuel and chemicals to a nearby household hazardous waste facility (this varies by state and council).
- If you’re not sure, ask your council about “household hazardous waste” options.
4) Aerosols—Aerosols Moving House
When aerosol cans get too hot or are damaged, they can burst because they are under pressure. Removalists often say they are restricted for the same reason they don’t want gas cylinders.
What to do instead
- Use them up or throw them away safely through your local hazardous waste collection.
- Don’t pack aerosols with other household items “to be safe” because they are still pressurized.
5) Lithium Batteries—Transporting Lithium Batteries
If lithium-ion batteries are damaged, stored poorly, or short-circuited, they can get too hot or catch fire. SafeWork NSW says that moving lithium-ion batteries that are at the end of their life or broken needs to be done with care to reduce risks.
Some common examples
- Batteries for power tools, laptops, power banks, and vapes
- Batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters that can be taken out
- Batteries that are kept in drawers “for later”
What to do instead
- Don’t leave batteries in the moving truck; keep them with you.
- Tape terminals on batteries that aren’t connected and store them separately to lower the risk of short circuits (EPA NSW gives useful tips).
- Drop off your batteries at B-cycle drop-off points (Australia’s battery stewardship program) to recycle them.
- If a battery is leaking, swollen, or broken, keep it away from other things and follow your state’s safety rules.
Best Practice: Let Your Removalist Know Early
Don’t guess if you’re not sure about something. A week before the move, send your removalist a short list or some pictures. This will help you decide what to keep, what to throw away, and what to move yourself.