When the date is not yours to choose
An emergency move is one where the date is set for you: a lease ending, a notice to vacate, a settlement brought forward or delayed, a relationship ending or a job starting somewhere else. Tell us when you need to move. We'll try to find a removalist who can help at short notice. Choose Emergency in the form if you need to move today or tomorrow, or Last-minute for this week or within two weeks. Emergency requests are passed on first.
This is a guide to the official rules, not legal advice. Notice periods depend on your agreement and your reason, so read the official page for your state or territory.
A renter's notice to leave, state by state
| State or territory | Renter's notice (official page) |
|---|---|
New South Wales | At least 14 days at the end of a fixed term; 21 days on a periodic agreement. NSW Government |
Victoria | 28 days to leave at the end of a rental agreement. Consumer Affairs Victoria |
Queensland | At least 14 days without grounds (Form 13). RTA Queensland |
Western Australia | At least 30 days on a fixed term; 21 days on a periodic agreement. Consumer Protection WA |
South Australia | 28 days at the end of a fixed term; 21 days on a periodic tenancy. Law Handbook (SA) |
Tasmania | At least 14 days for an agreement with no fixed period. Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Tas) |
Australian Capital Territory | At least 3 weeks' written notice. ACT Government |
Northern Territory | At least 14 days before the end of a fixed term; 14 days periodic. Residential Tenancies Act 1999 (NT) |
If your landlord has given notice
Landlords' notice periods are longer and depend on the reason. In NSW most grounds need 90 days (NSW Government); in Victoria most reasons need 90 days (Consumer Affairs Victoria); in Queensland ending a fixed term at its end needs at least 2 months (RTA Queensland); and Western Australia still allows a no-grounds notice of 60 days on a periodic agreement (Consumer Protection WA). If a notice seems wrong, ask your state's tenancy body before you book a truck.
When a settlement date moves
In Victoria the settlement date is set in the contract, usually 30 to 90 days, and the buyer gets the keys once settlement is complete (Consumer Affairs Victoria). In Western Australia a seller who lived in the home may stay until noon on the day after settlement, and buyers sometimes agree to move in earlier, on terms both sides should get advice about (Consumer Protection WA). In Queensland a buyer's lawyer can ask for settlement to be delayed if the property is not in good condition at the pre-settlement inspection (Queensland Government), and the transfer duty due date does not move (Queensland Revenue Office). Ask your conveyancer for the new date in writing, then tell the removalist straight away. See also last-minute removals. Then request a quote.
Emergency move questions
My lease ends sooner than I expected. Where do I check the rules?
With your state or territory's tenancy body, linked in the table above. We do not give legal advice.
My settlement was brought forward. What first?
Get the new date in writing from your conveyancer, then request a quote and choose the urgency that fits. Urgent requests are passed on first.
Can I store my things if the new place is not ready?
Ask the removalist. Queensland's guidance suggests asking about storage costs if moving day is delayed.