Moving to Brisbane: Your Practical First-30-days Checklist

Moving to Brisbane brings a long list of small jobs. Somewhere between collecting the keys and finding the kettle, you also need to work out the bins.

Start with somewhere to sleep and a realistic housing budget, then work through this checklist in stages. The dates are a guide: if you’re still inspecting rentals in week 3, move the tenancy jobs to key day. Start school or childcare enquiries before arrival if your household needs them.

Choose temporary accommodation that lets you inspect homes and test your likely commute. Compare the total stay price, cancellation terms, laundry facilities and cooking options. Ask about parking if you need it, and check whether a late flight will leave you outside a locked reception.

Keep enough flexibility to extend your stay. A cheap first booking becomes expensive if you have to move twice with all your bags.

Set aside money for accommodation, removalists, utility connections and basic household purchases. For a new standard house or unit tenancy, Queensland’s maximum rental bond is 4 weeks’ rent. Rent in advance is separate: the starting limits are 2 weeks for a periodic agreement and 1 month for a fixed-term agreement. Read the RTA’s current rental rules before paying.

Prepare identity documents, proof of income and references for rental applications. Ask the agent what’s required and use a verified application channel. Keep sensitive documents out of casual messages to strangers.

Build your shortlist around the places you’ll visit most often. Working in Chermside calls for a different commute check from studying in St Lucia. Add regular family visits or other commitments before deciding how far out to look.

Use the Translink journey planner for the actual arrival time you need. Include the walk to the stop, transfers and the trip home after an evening shift. If you drive, budget for parking and test peak-hour travel.

Check the exact property on Council’s Flood Awareness Map. Investigate access roads and parking as well as the dwelling; a raised living room won’t keep a car dry. Use current warnings for immediate conditions.

Confirm which council covers the address. Brisbane City Council’s bins, libraries and local programmes don’t cover every home advertised as Greater Brisbane. Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redland have their own services.

Visit shortlisted properties yourself, or arrange a trusted representative. Check the agent or owner’s identity independently before transferring money.

Stand in the bedroom and listen for traffic through the open window. Look for damp smells, mould, afternoon sun and working ventilation. Ask which rooms have air conditioning, inspect insect screens and check phone reception.

Measure spaces for your furniture and confirm included appliances. For units, ask about lift bookings, moving access, parking rules and body corporate by-laws. Get pet arrangements recorded if relevant.

Read the proposed agreement and costs carefully. The RTA’s bond guidance explains payment and lodgement. If you pay the agent or owner, keep the receipt and check for the RTA acknowledgement.

Once the address and start date are confirmed, arrange electricity and gas if used. Compare available plans through the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy. Ask about connection timing and fees, and confirm whether the building has an embedded electricity network.

Check internet availability and installation timing at the exact address. Ask which water charges the tenancy agreement assigns to you. Record accessible meter readings when you arrive.

Before boxes hide the skirting boards, photograph existing marks and test the fittings. Report faults in writing.

Complete the entry condition report and keep a copy with your photos. The RTA’s current deadline is 7 days after the later of the day you occupy the property or the day you receive the report. Put that date in your calendar.

Do a practice journey before your first time-critical trip. Find the correct platform or bus stop and check service updates, especially before weekend travel.

Translink fares are currently 50 cents per journey across its network, with Airtrain excluded. Eligible contactless payments work on South East Queensland buses, trains, ferries and trams; go cards remain an option.

Tap on and off with the same card or device. A phone wallet and the physical card linked to it count as different payment methods.

At home, confirm collection day and where the bins belong. Within Brisbane City Council, the Brisbane Bin and Recycling app provides schedules and reminders. In an apartment, ask the manager about shared bins and moving-box disposal.

Work through your employer, bank, insurers and regular subscriptions. Arrange mail redirection if needed. The myGov moving-house checklist covers government records, electoral details and vehicle paperwork. Check which linked services receive an address update.

If you receive Centrelink payments, Services Australia says to report your move within 14 days.

Drivers arriving from interstate or overseas should check Queensland licence-transfer requirements now. The 3-month rule depends on citizenship and residency circumstances. If you bring an interstate-registered vehicle to keep at a Queensland address, Queensland registration is required within 14 days. Start that process in your first week.

Find a nearby GP and pharmacy, and ask about fees and new-patient appointments. Overseas arrivals should confirm Medicare eligibility or insurance cover. If you have children, contact schools or childcare providers early about enrolment and availability.

Brisbane’s humidity can make unpacking feel like a second workout. Plan heavy jobs for cooler hours, keep drinking water handy and build shade into walking routes.

Check cooling before you need it. Learn how to ventilate the home, keep an eye on damp areas and report leaks promptly.

Use Get Ready Queensland’s warnings guide to set up reliable weather information and a household emergency plan. Know where to get current warnings before a storm interrupts your internet. Do this in your first week if severe weather is forecast.

Keep essential supplies accessible. Plan a backup way home when severe weather interrupts your usual route. Never drive or walk through floodwater.

Choose one regular activity close enough that you’ll actually return. A class or volunteer shift gives you a reason to see familiar faces each week.

Browse Council library events for something that fits your interests. Brisbane City Council residents can join its library service free; ask staff which identification to bring.

Council’s Move Well Brisbane programme offers free and low-cost activities. Check each listing for location, suitability and bookings. Nearby councils have their own calendars.

Leave an afternoon free to explore your local shops and find a comfortable place to sit. By day 30, knowing where to buy dinner and recognising someone on your street counts as progress.

For more useful local guides, subscribe to Brisbane InFocus. Share this checklist with someone packing for the move.

Official guidance checked on 27 October 2026. Recheck fares and requirements before acting.