Moving from United States to Australia
Americans relocating to Australia find a familiar culture with unique differences. From tech professionals to retirees, the USA-Australia corridor is one of our busiest routes with excellent shipping connections from both coasts.
6-10 weeks
2-3 weeks
Popular routes from United States
Transit times vary by origin city and shipping method. All times are estimates and subject to shipping schedules.
| From | To | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Sydney | 35-45 days | 14-18 days |
| New York | Melbourne | 45-55 days | 14-21 days |
| San Francisco | Brisbane | 35-45 days | 14-18 days |
| Houston | Perth | 40-50 days | 14-21 days |
Complete removal services for American expats
- 20ft & 40ft containers
- Shared container options
- Transit cover arranged
- 2-3 week delivery
- Ideal for essentials
- Door-to-door tracking
- Quarantine assistance
- Vet documentation
- IATA approved crates
- RORO & container shipping
- Compliance modifications
- Registration support
Important for US Movers
- US appliances (110V) will not work in Australia (240V) - consider selling before departure
- Vehicles require extensive modifications and Vehicle Import Approval before shipping
- E-3 visa holders should ensure visa is valid before shipping begins
Shipping a household from the United States to Australia takes roughly 6–10 weeks by sea, or 2–3 weeks by air. The two decisions that shape a US move more than any other are what to do about 120-volt appliances, which will not work in Australia, and whether to ship from the west or east coast — a west coast departure crosses the Pacific directly, while an east coast one routes considerably further.
What's different about moving from United States
Australian import rules are the same wherever your shipment starts. These are the things that genuinely change with your origin country.
Your appliances will not work
The United States runs on 120V/60Hz; Australia runs on 230V/50Hz with a Type I plug. This is not a plug-adapter problem. Motor-driven and heating appliances — vacuum cleaners, kitchen mixers, hairdryers, power tools — will either fail or run at the wrong speed on a transformer. Modern electronics with universal switch-mode supplies (laptops, phone chargers, most TVs' external supplies) are usually fine with a plug adapter. Shipping large US white goods to Australia is almost never economic.
Vehicles are impractical
Australia drives on the left and most US vehicles are left-hand drive. Beyond the import approval, duty and GST that apply to any vehicle, a left-hand-drive car is a long-term inconvenience and can be harder to insure and resell. For the overwhelming majority of US moves, selling the car is the right call.
You are quoted in cubic feet, we ship in cubic metres
US movers quote in cubic feet; Australian and European movers quote in cubic metres. One cubic metre is about 35.3 cubic feet. A 1,500 cu ft estimate is roughly 42 m³ — a typical three-bedroom house. Converting before you compare quotes prevents an expensive misunderstanding.
Departure coast changes transit time
A shipment leaving the US west coast crosses the Pacific to Australia directly. One leaving the east coast or Gulf travels substantially further and takes longer. If you are inland, the cost of trucking to the nearer port is usually less than the cost of the longer ocean leg.
What to ship and what to sell
The voltage difference makes this decision unusually clear-cut for American movers. Furniture, beds, soft furnishings, artwork, books, kitchenware, tools without motors and anything with sentimental value all ship well and are expensive to replace. Large appliances, corded power tools and small motorised kitchen appliances generally do not justify the freight.
Electronics are the grey area. Devices with an external power brick that reads '100–240V' will work with a plug adapter. Anything hard-wired for 120V will not, and running it permanently through a step-down transformer is an ongoing nuisance rather than a solution.
Documentation on the US side
Personal effects leaving the United States are straightforward — there is no export licence for household goods — but the shipment still requires correct export filing, which your mover handles as part of the booking. What you are responsible for is an accurate inventory: Australian customs and biosecurity assess what you declare, and a vague inventory is the most common cause of delay on arrival.
Australian-side requirements are the same for every origin: an Unaccompanied Personal Effects statement, and a biosecurity inspection that may be triggered by anything that has been outdoors. Our customs guide covers both in detail.
Australian customs and biosecurity requirements apply identically to every shipment regardless of origin. Rather than repeat them here, they are covered in full in our guide to Australian customs and quarantine and the B534 unaccompanied personal effects statement. Before packing, check what you can't ship to Australia. For what the move costs and how volume drives the price, see what it costs to move to Australia.
Moving from United States: common questions
How long does shipping from the USA to Australia take?
Typically 6–10 weeks door to door by sea, depending on departure coast, whether you have a dedicated or shared container, and how quickly biosecurity inspection is scheduled on arrival. Air freight runs 2–3 weeks and costs several times more.
Can I bring my American appliances to Australia?
Generally no. Australia runs on 230V/50Hz against the US 120V/60Hz, so motor-driven and heating appliances will not work correctly even with a transformer, and the frequency difference affects anything with a motor. Devices whose power supply states 100–240V — most laptops, phone chargers and many TV power bricks — work with a plug adapter.
Should I ship my car from the US to Australia?
Rarely. Australian vehicle imports require prior approval and attract duty and GST, and most US vehicles are left-hand drive in a country that drives on the left. Unless the vehicle is unusual, valuable or has personal significance, selling before you go is almost always the better economics.
How do I convert a US mover's cubic feet quote?
Divide by 35.3 to get cubic metres. 1,000 cu ft is about 28 m³, and 1,500 cu ft is about 42 m³. Comparing a US estimate in cubic feet against an Australian quote in cubic metres without converting is a common and costly error.
Important considerations for American movers
Moving from United States to Australia involves unique considerations. Here's what you need to know before your move.
US appliances (110V) won't work in Australia (240V)
American vehicles require significant modifications
US health insurance doesn't transfer - arrange Australian coverage
Social Security benefits can be paid in Australia
The E-3 visa is exclusively for American professionals
Trusted by American families for over a decade
Local Expertise
Our United States team understands local regulations and handles all export documentation
Transit Cover
Cover for your belongings door to door, with the terms set out before you book
End-to-End Service
From packing in United States to unpacking in Australia, we handle everything
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