🇦🇺 Moving from the US to Australia: Logistics, Customs & Relocation Guide.
Australia enforces the strictest biosecurity regime of any destination we cover. Every container of personal effects is inspected, and untreated timber or soil residue triggers fumigation at your cost.
Average shipping cost
from $6,000
Door-to-door, 20ft FCL entry point
Transit timeline
8–12 weeks
Ocean freight 6–10 weeks to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Fremantle
Major ports of entry
Sydney
Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Fremantle
Australia customs & Transfer of Residence: step by step
Required registration: B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects statement
- 1
File Form B534 for unaccompanied effects
Duty and GST relief applies to goods you have owned and used for at least 12 months. The statement is lodged before the vessel arrives.
- 2
Meet ISPM-15 on all timber
Wooden furniture, crates and pallets must carry heat-treatment certification or face compulsory fumigation, or destruction.
- 3
Clean everything that touched the outdoors
Soil on garden tools, bicycles, camping gear and hiking boots is the single most common cause of quarantine holds.
- 4
Budget for inspection and quarantine time
DAFF inspection adds 5–15 working days after berthing. Storage and attendance fees are charged to the shipment.
Import VAT avoided with relief
10%
Filed with Australian Border Force + Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) via Form B534 — Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, plus DAFF biosecurity declaration.
Primary visa pathways
- • Skilled Independent 189
- • Skilled Nominated 190
- • Employer Sponsored 482
- • Partner Visa 820/801
English-speaking, high wages, strong quality of life — offset by the longest and priciest freight lane.
Importing a vehicle into Australia
Importing a car requires a Vehicle Import Approval from the Department of Infrastructure before shipping, plus steam cleaning for biosecurity and state compliance work on arrival.
Calculate landed vehicle taxesPopular expat destinations in Australia
| City | Profile | Cost index |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Largest US community, harbour suburbs with difficult truck access | $$$$ |
| Melbourne | Universities and creative sector, well-serviced port | $$$ |
| Brisbane | Fast-growing, larger homes, subtropical packing considerations | $$$ |
| Perth | Resources sector, longest sailing time, Fremantle entry | $$$ |