Moving to Australia Before Christmas? When You Need to Book Your Move

If you’re planning to move from New Zealand to Australia before Christmas, now is the time to get organised.

The end of the year is a popular time for Kiwis to make the move across the Tasman. With school holidays, summer breaks and new jobs starting in January, it’s a convenient time for families and individuals to relocate.

But it’s also one of the busiest periods for international moving companies, with increased demand for packing services, freight bookings and shipping space.

If you’re hoping to settle into your new Australian home before Christmas or early in the New Year, here’s what you need to know about booking your move and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Why Is Summer Such a Popular Time to Move to Australia?

December and January are popular months for moving to Australia from New Zealand, particularly for families with school-aged children.

The long summer break provides an opportunity to relocate without disrupting the school year, while many people also use the Christmas holidays to make the transition before starting a new job.

There are several reasons why moving over summer makes sense:

• School holidays: Families have time to settle in before the Australian school year begins in late January or early February.

• New job opportunities: January and February are common times to begin new roles.

• Holiday flexibility: Taking time off over Christmas can make packing, travelling and settling in easier.

• A fresh start: Moving at the beginning of a new year is an appealing option for many Kiwis.

The downside? Plenty of other people are thinking the same thing.

As demand increases towards the end of the year, booking your preferred moving dates and arranging freight can become more challenging.

How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Move?

Ideally, you should start organising your move to Australia around 8–12 weeks before your intended arrival date, or earlier if you’re planning to relocate during the busy Christmas period.

This gives you time to request quotes, confirm your moving arrangements, organise packing and allow for international shipping.

The time required will depend on how much you’re moving, your destination and which freight option you choose.

As a general guide, Ausmove’s published door-to-door shipping estimates are:

• Sole-use container: Approximately 5–10 weeks.

• Shared container (groupage): Approximately 6–14 weeks.

• Air freight: A faster option for smaller shipments and essential belongings.

These are estimates rather than guaranteed delivery times, and actual timings can vary depending on shipping schedules, customs and quarantine inspections, and other delays.

If you’re planning a move in December or January, getting in touch during October gives you a better opportunity to plan around your preferred dates.

Moving Before Christmas? Don’t Leave Your Freight Until December

One of the most important things to understand about moving internationally is that your belongings don’t necessarily arrive at the same time you do.

Unlike a local move, relocating to Australia involves packing, transportation, international freight, customs clearance and delivery to your new home.

During the Christmas and New Year period, public holidays, shipping schedules and seasonal demand can all affect how long this takes.

If you’re moving in December and want your furniture and household belongings to arrive as close as possible to your arrival date, it’s important to work backwards from when you’ll need them.

For example, if you’re planning to arrive in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth in mid-December, leaving your first freight enquiry until late November may significantly limit your options.

The earlier you start planning, the more flexibility you’ll have.

What If You’re Moving in January?

January is another popular time to relocate, particularly for families wanting to get settled before the Australian school year begins.

If you’re planning a January move, October is a sensible time to begin arranging your freight.

Starting early means you can organise your moving quote, discuss shipping options and plan your packing dates before the Christmas holiday period.

It’s also worth thinking about what you’ll need immediately when you arrive.

If your furniture is travelling by sea, you may need temporary accommodation or a few essential household items while you wait for your shipment.

Ausmove can help you understand the different shipping options and plan your move around your circumstances.

Three Things to Organise Before Your Move

Moving countries involves plenty of moving parts, but getting a few important things sorted early can make the process much easier.

• Confirm your moving dates

Even if you haven’t booked your flights or secured your new home, having an approximate moving date is a good starting point.

Your moving company can help you understand which shipping options may suit your timeline.

• Decide what you’re taking

Are you moving an entire household, a few pieces of furniture or just your personal belongings?

The volume of goods you’re shipping will influence which freight service is most suitable.

It’s also worth checking Australia’s biosecurity requirements before packing items such as outdoor furniture, gardening equipment and wooden goods.

• Get your moving quote organised

Requesting a quote early gives you time to understand the cost of your move, compare your shipping options and organise the logistics.

Ausmove offers professional packing, international shipping and door-to-door moving services, helping take care of the details involved in relocating across the Tasman.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is October too early to book a December move to Australia?

Not at all. October is a good time to organise your move, particularly if you’re hoping to relocate before Christmas. Booking early provides more time to coordinate packing, shipping and delivery arrangements.

Can I move to Australia over Christmas?

Yes, but availability and shipping schedules may be affected by public holidays and seasonal demand. It’s best to discuss your preferred dates with Ausmove as early as possible.

Will my furniture arrive in Australia before Christmas?

That depends on when your belongings are packed, your destination and the freight service you choose. International shipping times can vary, so delivery before Christmas shouldn’t be assumed without confirming the arrangements.

What if I need to move before my furniture arrives?

This is common with international relocations. You can travel ahead of your belongings and arrange temporary accommodation or essential items until your shipment is delivered. Air freight may also be an option for smaller quantities of belongings you need sooner.

What if my Australian home isn’t ready when my belongings arrive?

Ausmove offers flexible storage options that can help if your moving dates and accommodation arrangements don’t line up perfectly.

Planning a Move to Australia This Summer?

If you’re hoping to spend Christmas in Australia or start the New Year in your new home, now is the time to get your moving plans underway.

At Ausmove, we specialise in helping Kiwis relocate across the Tasman, with professional packing, international shipping and door-to-door moving services throughout Australia.

Whether you’re moving to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or somewhere in between, our experienced team can help you understand your options and plan a move that works for you.

Moving in December or January? Get in touch with Ausmove today for a free, no-obligation moving quote and get your summer relocation underway.