How to Start a Removalist Business in Australia

Starting a removalist business is one of the more accessible trades to get into. The barriers to entry are low, demand is steady, and you can start small with one truck and grow from there. But "accessible" doesn't mean "easy." Here's what you actually need to do.

Register your business

First, get your paperwork sorted:

• ABN (Australian Business Number) — register for free at abr.gov.au. You'll need this for invoicing and tax.
• Business name — register through ASIC if you're trading under a name other than your own.
• GST registration — required once your annual turnover exceeds $75,000. Register early if you expect to hit that quickly.
• Business structure — most start as a sole trader. Consider a Pty Ltd company as you grow and take on employees.

Get the right insurance

Insurance isn't optional in this industry. One damaged antique or an injury on the job can wipe out a year's profit.

At minimum, you need:

• Public liability insurance — covers damage to customers' property and injuries to third parties. Most customers will ask for proof before booking you.
• Goods in transit insurance — covers the items you're moving while they're on your truck. This is what protects you if you drop a $5,000 fridge.
• Workers compensation — legally required in every state once you employ staff. Even if it's just one casual worker.
• Motor vehicle insurance — comprehensive cover for your trucks, including third-party property damage.

Expect to pay $3,000–$8,000 per year for a basic insurance package depending on your fleet size and turnover.

Licensing requirements

Licensing varies by state:

• NSW, VIC, QLD — no specific removalist licence required, but you need the right truck licence class (LR or MR for larger vehicles)
• SA — second-hand dealers licence if you're also selling furniture
• All states — if your trucks exceed 4.5 tonnes GVM, drivers need a Light Rigid (LR) or Medium Rigid (MR) licence

Check your state's transport authority for the latest requirements. Rules change, and getting caught without the right licence means fines and lost time.

Buy or lease your first truck

Your truck is your biggest expense. A decent used removalist truck (pantech body, 35–45 cubic metres) costs $30,000–$60,000 to buy outright. Leasing runs $800–$1,500 per month.

Buying makes sense if you have the capital — no ongoing payments and you own the asset. Leasing keeps your upfront costs low and lets you upgrade as you grow. Many operators lease their first truck, then buy their second once cash flow is predictable.

Don't forget ongoing costs: fuel, registration, servicing, and tolls. Budget $1,500–$3,000 per month per truck for running costs.

Build your team

You can start solo for small jobs, but most residential moves need at least two people. Your options:

• Casual workers — flexible, lower commitment, but less reliable
• Part-time employees — more consistent, better for regular work
• Subcontractors — experienced movers who bring their own labour. Be careful with contractor vs employee rules.

Hire for attitude and physical fitness. Moving is hard work, and a bad crew member will cost you customers through careless handling and poor communication.

Set your pricing

Research what other removalists charge in your area. In most Australian cities, hourly rates range from $120–$180 per hour for a two-person crew with one truck. Regional areas are typically 10–20% lower.

Start at or slightly below market rate to build your reputation, then increase as you get reviews and repeat customers. Don't be the cheapest — customers who choose purely on price are the hardest to please and the first to leave bad reviews.

Get your first customers

The first 20 jobs are the hardest. Here's where to start:

• Google Business Profile — set it up immediately. Most people search "removalists near me" on Google.
• Oneflare, Hipages, Airtasker — lead generation platforms where customers post jobs. You'll pay per lead, but it's fast.
• Facebook Marketplace and local groups — post your services in local community groups.
• Vehicle signage — your truck is a mobile billboard. Get it wrapped or at least add magnetics with your name and number.
• Word of mouth — do every early job brilliantly. One happy customer tells five friends.

Choose the right software

Spreadsheets and paper dockets work when you're doing three jobs a week. They fall apart fast once you're doing three a day. Invest in moving company software early — it saves hours on scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and customer communication.

---

Starting a removalist business takes more planning than most people expect, but the fundamentals are straightforward. Get your registration and insurance sorted, buy a reliable truck, hire good people, price your jobs properly, and hustle for those first customers. The ones who treat it as a real business from day one are the ones still around in five years.