You can’t always choose when you move. A lease ends, a settlement date is fixed, or a new job starts on a set day. But if you have some flexibility, picking the right time can make your move noticeably smoother, quicker and cheaper.
This guide looks at each part of the decision in turn: the season, the time of the month, the day of the week, the time of day, and the Melbourne events worth planning around.
The short answer
If you have complete freedom, aim for a weekday in the middle of the month, in autumn or spring, with an early start. That combination avoids the busiest periods, the highest rates and the worst of Melbourne’s weather.
| Choice | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Autumn or spring | Milder weather, fewer extreme days |
| Time of month | Mid-month | Avoids the end-of-month lease rush |
| Day of the week | Monday to Friday | Lower rates than Saturday, quieter roads |
| Time of day | Early morning | More daylight, cooler temperatures |
| Events | Avoid big-event days | Less traffic and easier parking |
Moving in each season
Melbourne’s weather is famously changeable, and it can throw four seasons at you in a single day. Still, each time of year has its own pattern, and it’s worth knowing what to expect.
| Season | What to expect | Plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Dec–Feb) | Long days, but some very hot days, and it’s holiday season | Early starts, water, keeping heat-sensitive items out of the sun |
| Autumn (Mar–May) | Often settled and mild | A popular time, so book ahead |
| Winter (Jun–Aug) | Cooler, shorter days and more frequent rain | Floor protection, covers for furniture, early finishes |
| Spring (Sep–Nov) | Warming up, but changeable with gusty days | A backup plan for rain, and checking the forecast the day before |
Summer has the most daylight, which helps with big moves. The catch is the heat. On a hot day, carrying furniture is hard work for everyone, and some belongings, such as candles, electronics and anything that can melt, shouldn’t sit in a hot car. Start as early as you can and keep the essentials box out of the sun.
Winter is often a little quieter for removalists, but the days are short and the weather is wetter. Good removalists protect floors and wrap furniture as standard, but it’s worth having old towels and doormats ready at both ends.
The best time of the month to move
The end of the month is the busiest time for removalists in Melbourne, because that’s when most residential leases finish. It’s also when many settlements happen. If your dates are flexible, moving in the middle of the month usually means more choice of days and times.
If you’re renting, check whether your lease dates give you any overlap between the old and new place. Even a day or two of overlap takes a lot of pressure off, because you can move without racing to hand back the keys.
The best day of the week
Weekdays are almost always the better value. Many removalists charge more on weekends, and roads, loading zones and lifts are usually quieter during the week. Here’s how our own rates compare:
| Day | Small setup (up to 20 m³) | Large setup (up to 40 m³) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | $180 an hour | $195 an hour |
| Saturday | $210 an hour | $230 an hour |
| Sunday | Closed | |
Saturdays are understandably popular, because most people don’t have to take time off work. If a Saturday is the only option, book as early as you can, especially at the end of the month. Our Saturday removals page has more detail.
The best time of day
An early start is almost always the right call. It gives you the most daylight for the move and the unpacking, and in summer it means the heaviest lifting happens before the hottest part of the day.
Traffic matters too. Melbourne’s morning and afternoon peaks can add real time to a move, especially on freeways like the Monash, the West Gate and the Eastern. Your removalist plans the day, but it’s worth knowing that driving time is part of the bill when you pay by the hour. If you’re moving a long way across the city, a start that avoids the peak in at least one direction can help.
If you’re moving into an apartment, your building may only allow moves in set time slots. Book the lift and loading dock first, then plan the rest of the day around it. Our guide to moving into a CBD apartment explains how.
Melbourne events to plan around
Melbourne hosts some of the country’s biggest events, and they affect traffic, parking and road closures in parts of the city. If your move falls near one of them, it’s worth checking the dates.
| Event | When | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | January | Traffic and parking around Melbourne Park and the city |
| Australian Grand Prix | Usually March | Road closures around Albert Park in the lead-up and race week |
| AFL Grand Final | Late September | City traffic, plus the public holiday on the Friday before |
| Melbourne Cup | First Tuesday in November | A public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne and traffic around Flemington |
| Christmas and New Year | Late December | Busy roads, holidays and peak demand |
If you live near one of these venues, such as Albert Park during the Grand Prix or Flemington around Cup Day, check road closure dates before you book.
School holidays and university terms
Families with school-age children often prefer to move during school holidays, so the children don’t miss school and have time to settle in. That makes holiday periods busier, especially the long summer break. If you’re planning a holiday move, book early.
The start of university semesters, usually around February and July, brings a wave of student moves around suburbs close to the campuses, like Carlton and Parkville. Smaller moves like these suit our mini movers service.
Is there a cheapest time to move?
Because most Melbourne removalists charge by the hour, the cheapest move is usually the quickest one. Choosing a weekday saves on the hourly rate, but preparation saves even more:
- Everything packed and sealed before the crew arrives
- Lifts, loading docks and parking booked at both ends
- Furniture emptied, and anything you’re not taking set aside
- A clear path from each room to the truck
Our guide to what removalists cost in Melbourne goes through every part of the price, and our room-by-room packing guide helps you get ready.
Moving around public holidays
Victoria has several public holidays that are specific to Melbourne or Victoria, such as the Friday before the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup Day. Public holidays affect traffic, opening hours for things like key collection, and availability. If your preferred date falls on or near a public holiday, check with your removalist and with anyone else you need on the day, such as your agent or building manager.
When settlement and lease dates don’t line up
It’s common for the end of a lease and the start of a new one, or a sale and a purchase, to fall on different days. If you have a gap, you may need somewhere to stay and somewhere to keep your belongings for a few days. If you have an overlap, you have the luxury of moving at a more relaxed pace.
Where you can, try to arrange at least a day of overlap. It takes the pressure off moving day, gives you time to clean the old place, and means you’re not handing back keys while the truck is still being loaded.
Spring and the property market
Spring is traditionally Melbourne’s busiest season for buying and selling homes, which means more settlements and more moves in late spring and early summer. If you’re buying or selling at that time of year, book your removalist as soon as your settlement date is confirmed.
When you can’t choose your moving date
Sometimes the date is fixed by a settlement, a lease or a job. That’s fine, because good planning matters far more than the date itself. Book your removalist as soon as you know the date, book lifts and parking straight away, and start packing early. If your move falls on a busy end-of-month Saturday, ask about start times when you book.
Need to move at short notice? Our same-day removals page explains how to check availability.
Planning your move date
Once you’ve settled on a date, work backwards. Book the removalist first, then lifts and parking, then utilities, then start packing about four weeks out. Our free moving checklist breaks everything down week by week.
When you’re ready for a price, our instant quote asks for your moving date and uses the right rate for the day, including Saturday rates.
