Moving to Queensland from Melbourne or Sydney

Interstate movers are usually drawn by a warmer climate, outdoor lifestyle, housing that can cost less than comparable areas of Sydney and Melbourne, and more flexible remote work. South East Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, attracts most of these arrivals.

Choose your region first, then book removalists or freight, arrange temporary accommodation, and plan schools, work and utilities. After arriving, update your driver licence and vehicle registration to Queensland within the required timeframes and update your address with the Australian Electoral Commission, Medicare and the ATO.

Yes. If you become a Queensland resident you need to transfer your interstate licence to a Queensland licence within the timeframe set by the Queensland Government, and register your vehicle in Queensland. Check current rules on the Queensland Government transport website before you move.

It depends on the area. Many South East Queensland suburbs cost less than comparable Sydney or Melbourne suburbs, but popular coastal areas such as Noosa have become expensive. Compare costs for the specific suburbs you are considering rather than the state as a whole.

Brisbane suits people who need a capital-city job market. The Gold Coast offers a larger city by the beach. The Sunshine Coast suits people wanting a relaxed coastal lifestyle with growing health, education and professional employment and access to Brisbane about an hour or more south.

Queensland state schools generally enrol by catchment, so the exact address matters. Queensland also has its own year structure and curriculum timing, so check how your child's current year level maps across and contact the school early about enrolment.

South East Queensland is subtropical - warm, humid summers with storms and mild, dry winters. Movers from Melbourne often enjoy the winters but should experience a summer before committing to an area.