Moving to a new home marks an exciting fresh chapter — but it also comes with a long to‑do list, and one of the most important items is updating your address across both government services and utilities. Overlooking this task can lead to missed bills, lost mail, or even fines, making it a priority for anyone relocating in 2026.
This guide provides a clear, step‑by‑step checklist to help ensure nothing slips through the cracks. It covers how to update key services like Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), and utilities such as electricity, water, internet — and offers smart timing and strategy tips so readers can avoid common pitfalls during a move.
Why Updating Your Address Matters
Changing address isn’t just a matter of convenience — it’s often a legal or administrative requirement. For instance, if you receive payments via Services Australia you must inform the agency within 14 days of your move.
Similarly, updating your address with the ATO ensures tax notices reach you and avoids issues with your tax file number (TFN) registration.
In short: skipping this task can lead to missed correspondence, billing errors, and in some situations, breaches of your obligations (for example, voter enrolment). The good news: by working through a checklist and timing updates sensibly, the process becomes manageable.
1. Government Services to Update First
Key Federal services
myGov account: Update your address in your myGov profile and choose which linked services (like Medicare, ATO, Child Support) should receive the new info.
ATO: Use the “Update your personal contact details” section online to change address, via myGov or directly through ATO services.
AEC (Electoral roll): If you’ve moved to a new electorate or changed your residential address, update with the AEC so you remain correctly enrolled.
Services Australia / Medicare / Centrelink: If you receive payments or Medicare services, inform within the required timeframe (often 14 days).
State & local services
Driver’s licence / vehicle registration: Each state has a process. For example, in NSW you can use your MyServiceNSW account to change licence and registration address in one go.
Local council: Update your address for rates notices, waste services or pet registration.
Immigration / Visa holders: If you hold a visa, you may need to update your address with Department of Home Affairs via ImmiAccount.
When to do it
Ideally, update as soon as you have your new address settled — or within two weeks of moving, especially for payments and government correspondence. Waiting too long increases risk of mis‑directed mail or missed notifications.
2. Utility, Service & Products Update Checklist
Once government services are handled, the next large group is your utilities, subscriptions and services. Skipping these can lead to delays, double‑billing or missing important notifications. Below are the key categories.
Utilities & home services
Electricity provider
Gas supply
Water & sewer services
Internet, phone (mobile & landline)
TV services (cable, satellite, streaming subscriptions)
Home security, alarm systems
Mail‑redirection via Australia Post — a good safety net if some providers are missed.
Financial & insurance services
Banks, credit unions
Credit cards, store cards, frequent‑flyer accounts
Home & contents insurance, car insurance, life & health coverage
Superannuation fund contact details
Subscription services (magazines, streaming, gym membership)
Health, education & lifestyle
GP, dentist, optometrist, vet (if you have pets)
Schools, childcare, tertiary institutions
Clubs, sporting memberships, loyalty programs
Pro‑tip: Use a master checklist
Comprehensive resources like the “The Essential Address Update Checklist: 100+ Places to Notify” show how many places may need updating. Having a printed or digital checklist is extremely helpful.
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3. Step‑by‑Step Guide: How to Change Your Address Efficiently
Step 1: Prepare your details
Before making any changes: ensure you have your new address details confirmed (including unit number, street, suburb, postcode), and your move‑in date (or the date you will start using the new address). Also pull together login details for your major accounts (myGov, utilities, bank).
Step 2: Government updates
Start with your myGov account and linked services:
Sign in and go to My Account > Profile > Contact details.
Tick which services you want updated (ATO, Medicare, Centrelink)
In your state, update your driver’s licence, vehicle registration etc. via the relevant government portal.
Update the AEC if required.
Step 3: Utilities & home services
Schedule updates for utilities close to your move date — ideally one to two weeks beforehand, so the new address is set before the first bill arrives:
Contact your electricity, gas, and water providers to register the move‑out (old address) and move‑in (new address) reads.
Check internet/phone availability at the new property and arrange connection or transfer.
Set up mail redirection through Australia Post just in case.
Step 4: Financial, insurance & lifestyle services
Once government and utilities are underway:
Log into your bank, insurance and subscription accounts, update your address.
Contact insurers and discuss if your premium changes due to the new postcode or dwelling type.
Notify lifestyle providers (gym, clubs), update subscriptions and loyalty programmes.
Step 5: Final check & confirmation
After moving in:
Monitor your next few bills to ensure they arrive at the correct address.
Keep proof of your address change (screenshots, confirmation emails) in case you need to show you notified a service in time.
Tick off your checklist and mark “complete” for each organisation.
4. Timing & Priority Tips — What to Do First
Highest priority: myGov/government address update, driver’s licence/vehicle registration, ATO, payments agencies (eg. Centrelink)
Next priority: utilities and internet/phone (to avoid service lapses)
Then: insurance & financial services (since costs and premiums might vary by location)
Finally: lifestyle memberships & subscriptions
Starting early (ideally 3‑4 weeks before move day) gives you breathing room. Some bills only issue quarterly so earlier notice avoids last‑minute rush. On moving day be sure to take meter readings for utilities at both old and new homes.
5. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Billing errors: If utility providers haven’t been updated, you might be billed at the old address and miss out on meter readings.
Missed government notices: Late updating of your address with the AEC, ATO or government payments can lead to lost mail or non‑compliance.
Insurance premium surprises: Moving into a higher‑risk postcode (flood‑zone, bushfire risk) without informing your insurer may leave you under‑covered or facing higher premiums.
Subscriptions & deliveries: When major purchases or subscriptions still ship to your old address, items may go missing.
Embedded network/Electronic service mismatch: In apartments or strata buildings, mail redirection or utility transfers might be more complex — check whether you have a separate meter or connected billing.
Avoid these by using a comprehensive checklist, setting aside time for address changes and doing a final audit after the move. The printable PDF checklists available online are especially handy.
6. Special Considerations for Renters, Apartments & Interstate Moves
Renters & Shared Housing
If you’re a tenant or in shared accommodation:
Notify both your previous and new landlord or real‑estate agent when you leave/arrive.
Confirm whether utilities are in your name or included in rent, as activation or transfer may be required.
Apartments / Strata / Embedded Networks
In some apartment buildings the electricity is part of an embedded network — this can complicate address or meter‑transfer processes. Check with your body corporate or building manager. This is particularly relevant in NSW/QLD.
Interstate Moves
Moving states adds extra tasks:
Update driver’s license and car registration in the new state (usually within a few months).
Notify the AEC of your new electorate.
Check whether utility connection/transfer fees differ for interstate moves.
Call to Action
Take action today: pull together your new address details, pick a slot in the next 24–48 hours to update the most critical services (myGov, ATO, driver’s license).
Download or print a master change‑of‑address checklist, tick off each organization as you update it and share this article with friends or family who are moving soon — they’ll thank you for it!
Have a moving story or tip of your own? Leave a comment below and share how you approached your address updates — it might help someone else avoid a missed service or lost bill.
Conclusion
Changing address in Australia involves more than just telling friends and updating your mailbox — it’s about ensuring all your government services, utilities and subscriptions are aligned with your new home. By prioritising key systems like myGov, the ATO and your driver’s licence, working through a structured utility and services checklist, and staying ahead of deadlines, the transition can be smoother and less stressful.
With this guide in hand and a systematic approach, moving homes in 2026 doesn’t have to result in chaos. Give yourself that extra peace of mind by doing the address updates early — and enjoy your new space knowing everything important will arrive in the right place.
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