Student Moves: Relocating to Uni in Melbourne or Sydney Cost Guide

Student Moving Van: Your Complete Uni Relocation Guide for Melbourne & Sydney

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Key takeaways

• Decide early between DIY van hire and professional uni movers based on budget, distance, and load size.
• Furnished student housing can cut moving costs; unfurnished setups often require a van or small truck.
• Create a simple budget that includes bond, utilities, transport, packing supplies, and first-week essentials.
• Melbourne driving means hook turns and tram awareness; Sydney moving needs toll planning and off-peak timing.
• Book vehicles or movers 2–8 weeks ahead of semester start to avoid peak surcharges and sell-outs.
• Label boxes clearly and pack a “first night” box to keep moving day smooth and stress-free.

First Steps: Planning Your University Relocation

Moving to university for the first time is a thrilling milestone, filled with the promise of new friends, independence, and late-night study sessions. Before the orientation week festivities can begin, there’s the practical matter of moving your belongings. From years of helping students make this transition, we know this part can feel stressful, especially with a tight budget and the logistics of relocating to a major city like Melbourne or Sydney.

The good news is, you’re in the right place. This practical, step-by-step guide walks you through everything from planning and budgeting to choosing the right transport. You’ll learn when to hire a student moving van for a DIY move versus when to call professional uni movers, plus city-specific tips for Melbourne and Sydney. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to save time, money, and stress.

Choosing Your Student Accommodation: Melbourne vs. Sydney

Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, and your choice will directly impact the scale of your move. The biggest factor is whether your new place comes furnished or unfurnished—always confirm the details, as “partially furnished” can mean different things to different providers.

• On-campus housing (Colleges/Halls of Residence): Often fully or partially furnished, requiring a smaller move of personal items.
• Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA): Modern complexes usually provide furnished rooms and communal spaces.
• Share Houses: Popular for second and third-year students; can be a mix of furnished and unfurnished. Clarify with the landlord or tenants.
• Homestays: Living with a local family, which is almost always fully furnished.

Expert Tip: If you land a spot in a furnished dorm or apartment, you might only need to move personal items and can get by with a car. If you’re heading into an unfurnished share house, you’ll likely need to transport a bed, desk, and other furniture, making a moving van or small truck essential.

Creating a Realistic Student Moving Budget

Moving costs can add up quickly, and hidden expenses are a student budget’s worst enemy. Create a simple budget spreadsheet to track your spending and avoid nasty surprises.

Include these potential costs:

• Upfront Housing Costs: Bond (usually four weeks’ rent) and your first month’s rent in advance. Check official guidance through Consumer Affairs Victoria or NSW Fair Trading.
• Utility Connections: Fees for setting up electricity, gas, and internet. Look for student-specific deals.
• Transport Costs: The price of van hire or the fee for professional removalists.
• Packing Materials: Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers.
• Furniture & Appliances: For unfurnished places, budget for essentials from retailers or second-hand marketplaces.
• Initial Grocery Run: Stock your new fridge and pantry for the first week.

Your Moving Options: DIY Student Moving Van vs. Professional Uni Movers

Once you know what you’re moving and your budget, decide how you’re going to move it. For most students, the choice is between a hands-on DIY approach or hiring a full-service team.

The DIY Approach: When to Hire a Student Moving Van

For many students, hiring a vehicle and doing it yourself is the smartest way to move. This option gives you full control over your relocation without breaking the bank.

Benefits of a DIY Move:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Consistently the most budget-friendly option and the best way to find cheap truck hire for students. You pay for the vehicle and fuel, not labour.
• Flexibility: Move on your own timeline. Pick up the van when it suits you without being locked into a strict schedule.
• Control: You pack and handle your belongings, ensuring fragile items are treated with care.

In our experience, this is the perfect choice if:

• You’re moving out of your family home and only taking bedroom furniture and boxes.
• You’re moving locally within Melbourne, Sydney, or surrounding suburbs.
• You or a parent has a valid driver’s licence (many standard vans and 2-tonne trucks are OK on a car licence—confirm with the provider).
• You can enlist friends or family to help with heavy lifting in exchange for pizza.

Services designed for students offer simple online booking, a range of vehicle sizes—from a 1-tonne van for boxes and a mattress to a 2-tonne truck for a room’s worth of furniture—and hire locations near major university hubs for a hassle-free DIY move.

The Full-Service Route: When to Hire Student Removalists

If your budget is more flexible or your move is complex, professional uni movers can take the entire burden off your shoulders.

Benefits of Hiring Professionals:

• Convenience: A dedicated team handles the heavy lifting, loading, transport, and unloading.
• Expertise & Insurance: Movers are trained to protect items in transit, and services typically include transit insurance.

This is the better choice if:

• You’re moving interstate and don’t want to do a long-distance drive yourself.
• You’re moving a large amount of furniture into a multi-bedroom or unfurnished apartment.
• You don’t have anyone to help with heavy items like a fridge or solid desk.
• Your primary goal is to minimize stress and you have a larger budget.

Australia has many reputable companies specialising in student moves. It’s wise to gather quotes from a few providers and compare inclusions.

Decision Time: Which Moving Option is Right for You?

A Tale of Two Cities: A Guide to Moving in Melbourne vs. Sydney

Every city has its quirks, and knowing what to expect can make your move smoother. Here’s what to keep in mind for Australia’s two biggest student hubs.

Moving to Melbourne: Uni Suburbs, Transport & Logistics

• Key Universities & Suburbs: University of Melbourne in Parkville/Carlton, RMIT in the CBD, and Monash in Clayton and Caulfield.
• Transport Logistics: The grid layout is easy to navigate, but the extensive tram network demands awareness. Driving a larger van requires care around tram lines, stops, and overhead wires. Public transport uses the Myki card.
• Local Pro-Tip: The CBD’s “hook turns” can surprise new drivers. Watch a quick tutorial before entering the city centre. Beware of clearway zones on major roads like Punt Road and Hoddle Street to avoid fines and towing.

Moving to Sydney: Uni Hubs, Transport & Logistics

• Key Universities & Suburbs: University of Sydney in Camperdown/Newtown, UNSW in Kensington, UTS in Ultimo, and Macquarie University further north.
• Transport Logistics: Expect challenging traffic, numerous toll roads (e.g., M4, M5, Harbour Tunnel), and narrow streets in older suburbs. Parking a van can be tough. Public transport runs on the Opal card.
• Local Pro-Tip: Timing is everything. Avoid peak-hour moves—what takes 20 minutes on a Sunday can take over an hour on a weekday. Book your van for a weekend or mid-morning slot.

The Ultimate Uni Movers Checklist

Stay organised and on track with this simple, field-tested timeline.

6-8 Weeks Before Your Move

• Confirm your accommodation and sign your lease.
• Decide on your moving method and book your student moving van or removalist. Popular dates around semester start book out fast.
• Start decluttering—donate, sell, or bin what you don’t need. Less stuff means a smaller van and easier move.

2-4 Weeks Before Your Move

• Arrange utility connections (electricity, gas, internet) effective from move-in day.
• Purchase packing supplies. Pro tip: Check local groups for free boxes.
• Start packing non-essentials: books, seasonal clothes, décor.
• Measure large furniture and the doorways/stairwells of your new place to avoid surprises.

The Week of the Move

• Confirm booking times and pickup location with your hire company or movers.
• Pack a “first night” essentials box: toiletries, clothes, charger, medication, basic cutlery, snacks. Keep it with you.
• Finish packing and label each box with contents and destination room (e.g., “KITCHEN – Cutlery”).

Moving Day

• Do a final clean of your old room or residence.
• Pick up your hire van or be ready to meet your movers on time.
• Keep important documents, wallet, keys, and phone in a separate bag—never in a packed box.

Conclusion: Welcome to University Life!

Moving to university is the start of an incredible new chapter. By planning ahead, creating a realistic budget, and choosing the right moving option for your needs, you can keep the process exciting instead of overwhelming. We’ve seen countless students navigate this transition successfully—the key is preparation.

Weigh the pros and cons of DIY van hire versus professional movers and prepare for the unique challenges of your new city, whether it’s Melbourne’s trams or Sydney’s traffic. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this—the adventure is just beginning.

Ready to take control of your move? Get a free, easy quote for a student moving van from Go With The Gecko and make your uni relocation simple and affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions about Student Moves (FAQ)

Is it cheaper to hire a van or a mover for a student?

For local moves, hiring a van is almost always cheaper. You’ll pay for vehicle rental and fuel, while professional movers charge for a truck plus hourly labour for two or more people.

What size van do I need for a student move?

Most single-bedroom moves fit in a 1-tonne van or a 2-tonne truck. A 1-tonne van usually accommodates a queen mattress, small desk, chair, and 10–15 boxes. If you have bulkier furniture, a 2-tonne truck offers more room.

How do I move to university from interstate?

A one-way van hire is a great DIY option for interstate moves, letting you drive your belongings yourself. If you prefer a hands-off approach, book a professional interstate removalist. Your budget and the amount you’re moving will decide the best fit.

Can you move to university without a car?

Absolutely. Many students skip owning a car in Melbourne or Sydney due to strong public transport and parking costs. Hire a student moving van for the moving day, then rely on trains, trams, and buses for daily travel.