Moving to Brisbane? Your Essential First-Week Checklist

You have arrived, the furniture is inside and the boxes are everywhere. Now comes the quieter part of relocating to Brisbane: connecting services, updating records and learning how your new suburb works.

Use this checklist in order. Where possible, arrange electricity and internet before moving day.

Day 1: Make the home functional

Confirm electricity, gas and water

South East Queensland electricity customers can choose a retailer. Confirm that power is connected and that your old service has a suitable final date.

Water arrangements depend on whether you rent or own and on the local council area. Renters should check the tenancy agreement and first bill rather than assuming how usage is charged.

Find:

• the electrical switchboard
• the water shut-off valve
• the hot-water system
• smoke alarms and test buttons
• emergency contacts for the property

Check the entry condition

If you are renting, complete the entry condition report carefully and return it by the required deadline. Photograph marks, chips, stains, fittings and meter readings. Keep the images and a copy of the submitted report.

Check smoke alarms

Queensland rental properties must meet current smoke-alarm requirements. From 1 January 2027, the interconnected photoelectric requirements extend to all existing private homes. If you rent and have concerns, raise them with the property manager in writing.

Days 2-3: Internet, address changes and insurance

Get connected

Check the NBN connection type and available providers at the exact address. If service is not already active, keep a mobile-data backup for work and essential tasks.

Update your address

Work through:

• bank and credit providers
• employer and payroll
• Medicare and private health
• Australian Taxation Office
• superannuation fund
• electoral roll
• insurers
• subscriptions and deliveries
• schools, childcare and healthcare providers

Australia Post mail redirection can catch organisations you forget.

Review contents and flood cover

Brisbane weather makes insurance wording worth reading carefully. Check what the policy means by flood, stormwater and water damage. Confirm when cover starts and whether items are covered while still packed or in temporary storage.

Days 3-5: Transport and parking

Learn Brisbane public transport

Queensland currently has a flat 50-cent fare across Translink services, including Brisbane buses, trains and ferries, excluding Airtrain. You can use a go card and, on supported services, contactless payment.

The CityCat is useful transport as well as one of the best introductions to the city.

Transfer interstate licence and registration

If you have relocated from another state, check the current Queensland requirements for transferring your driver licence and vehicle registration. Queensland Government guidance states that an interstate licence must generally be transferred within three months of taking up residence.

Do not confuse that with the 14-day requirement for an existing Queensland licence holder to update their address.

Check parking rules

Inner suburbs such as New Farm, West End, Paddington, Teneriffe and parts of the CBD can have regulated parking. Check whether your address sits inside a permit area and how visitor parking works.

Days 5-7: Settle into the suburb

Find your bin day

Use your local council’s collection calendar. In Brisbane City Council areas, general waste, recycling and green waste may have different schedules.

Update pet details

If you have a dog, update registration and microchip details. Brisbane City Council requires dog owners to update their address within 14 days of moving.

Register with local services

Locate and save:

• a GP accepting new patients
• the closest after-hours pharmacy
• an emergency vet if you have pets
• the nearest hospital emergency department
• your local mechanic
• a supermarket and hardware store

Parents should confirm school catchment and enrolment requirements with the school or Queensland education catchment tool.

Prepare for Brisbane weather

Summer storms can arrive quickly. Know where outdoor furniture will go, clear drains, keep a torch charged and follow official warnings during severe weather.

The ultraviolet index can be high even on cloudy days. Make sunscreen, shade and water part of the routine early.

Then enjoy the move

Once the practical list is done, take a CityCat, walk South Bank, visit Mount Coot-tha or try a local weekend market. Brisbane starts feeling like home when the admin is finished and your new suburb becomes familiar.

Still planning your move to Brisbane?

SwiftMove helps with house, apartment, furniture and interstate relocations across Brisbane and surrounding areas.