AFRA

Here’s the shortlist I’d use if I were booking a move in Australia in 2026. The big warning: removalists are very “crew and branch” dependent, so always check recent reviews for your exact pickup/delivery cities, not just the national brand.

Best moving companies / services in Australia

My practical ranking

If you want the safest shortlist, I’d get quotes from:

1. Grace Removals — best first call for full-service interstate/national moves.
2. Holloway Removals & Storage — strong review profile where they operate.
3. Kent Removals & Storage — worth quoting for large interstate/storage moves, but check branch-level reviews.
4. Allied Moving Services — worth quoting for international, corporate, or complex logistics.
5. TAXIBOX — best “product” alternative if you can pack yourself and want storage flexibility.
6. Muval or Find a Mover — best for comparing prices/backloading, but vet the actual removalist assigned.

What I’d avoid doing

Don’t just pick the cheapest two-men-and-a-truck quote. In Australia, removalists should be checked for recent independent reviews, AFRA accreditation, a written quote, itemised charges, contract terms and insurance. NSW Fair Trading specifically recommends comparing services, checking reviews/accreditation, getting a written itemised quote, reading the contract, and arranging your own insurance because removalists are not legally required to insure your property during the move. (nsw.gov.au)

Also check whether the company is an AFRA member. AFRA says it has 250+ members operating in hundreds of locations across Australia, sets standards, and provides a no-cost dispute resolution process. (afra.com.au)

Bottom line: for a normal Australian house move, I’d start with Grace + Holloway + Kent, then compare against Muval/Find a Mover pricing. If storage is involved, add TAXIBOX. If moving overseas, add Crown and Allied.

Here's a practical breakdown of moving companies (removalists) that Australians commonly use, based on service type since "best" really depends on what kind of move you're doing.

Key thing to check first: AFRA accreditation

Before picking anyone, look for AFRA accreditation (Australian Furniture Removers Association). Reputable movers are trained to industry standard in careful packing and moving of furniture, and this is one of the main things comparison guides use to separate legitimate operators from fly-by-night ones.

Well-known national brands

For interstate or larger moves, established names with their own fleets and depots across states tend to be the safer bet. Allied is frequently cited as a strong fit for this — customers comparing long-distance operators are often advised to verify licensing, seek multiple estimates, and look for dedicated fleets and crews rather than vague handoffs between providers, with specialised handling and consistent transit updates being strong indicators of quality in interstate work, and Allied fits that style of move well.

Grace Removals is another long-standing national/international brand people use, though experiences can vary — reviews are genuinely mixed, ranging from praise for "very impressed with the removal team for their professional, prompt and friendly service, and when they delivered and unpacked my household goods with such care" to serious complaints about interstate/international jobs, so it's worth getting a specific quote and reading recent reviews for your route rather than trusting the brand name alone.

By move type

• Full-service local moves (packing, wrapping, reassembly): Boutique/premium local operators that handle everything are popular for stress-free moves, especially with first-home buyers.
• Budget/DIY-hybrid moves: Container-based options (like PODS) and labour-only marketplaces (Airtasker, Muval) let you do your own packing/driving and just pay for muscle or storage. Affordable removalists span four main categories: local movers, budget interstate movers, container-based companies, and labour-only services.
• Interstate moves: Look for companies with their own trucks/crews on your specific route (e.g., Melbourne–Sydney, Sydney–Brisbane) rather than subcontracted "broker" services, since consistency of who's handling