Your move to Australia made easy

Australia has some of the world’s most detailed and strict customs procedures. If you are shipping household goods or personal items, you must comply with all documentation and inspection requirements.

If you are travelling by sea, you will also need to submit an Incoming Passenger Card to customs officers upon arrival.

These minimums apply specifically to shipments entering Australia.

Understanding Australia’s import tax rules can help you avoid surprises during customs clearance. Here’s what you need to know:

To qualify, you must:

1. Contact the ABF’s ACT Regional Office

2. Request a Customs Identification Number

3. Provide supporting documents to claim the exemption

This status may apply to embassy staff, foreign aid workers, or volunteers under specific missions.

Shipping goods across borders always comes with some risk. That’s why cargo insurance is strongly recommended when sending valuable items to Australia.

Always review the terms with your insurance broker before finalising.

If you are planning to relocate to Australia, you’ll need to hold a valid visa. There are many visa types available, and the names can often be confusing. The best way to choose the right one is to check the official requirements and see which options you are eligible for.

Swift Cargo operates through all major international ports across Australia. Whether you’re relocating or shipping goods, we provide both sea freight and air freight options to the destinations below:

Swift Cargo offers a full door-to-door moving service to Australia. From packing your goods to unpacking them in your new home, we take care of every step of the process.

1. Packing and Loading.

Full Packing Service: Don’t want to pack yourself? No problem. Our team can pack all types of goods, including furniture and oversized items. Just fill out the contact form, and one of our consultants will get in touch to organise your packing needs.

2. Pickup

Our agents collect the packed goods from your location or warehouse. All movements are tracked and documented, ensuring your shipment is handled securely.

3. Customs Clearance

We manage the customs process for Australia. See the Customs section above for required documents and inspection details.

4. Delivery and Unloading

Once your shipment arrives in Australia, we deliver it directly to your home. Our team unloads all boxes at your doorstep.

5. Unpacking and Setup

We also offer unpacking services. Our team places your goods where you want them, so you can settle in without stress.

Bringing a car into Australia is possible but requires approval and strict compliance with local rules.

Extra fees may apply for inspection, cleaning, or modifications.

We Can Help - Swift Cargo handles the process from start to finish: paperwork, transport, and customs.

Australia has very strict biosecurity rules to protect its environment, agriculture, and native wildlife. Only pets meeting exact health, vaccination, and import conditions are allowed.

We Can Help - From paperwork and vet checks to booking flights and quarantine. We make sure your pet arrives safely and legally.

Shipping Activity in Australia

Australia is one of the most active shipping hubs in the Southern Hemisphere, with high volumes of sea and air freight moving in and out of the country every day.

National Freight Volume (All Operators):

Relocating to Australia usually comes with a noticeable increase in living expenses, especially if you’re coming from a country with a lower cost of living. On average, everyday costs in Australia are significantly higher than in many parts of Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe. Rent is often the biggest adjustment. In major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, the average weekly rent is around AUD 570 (approximately USD 350), which is much higher than what many expats may be used to. In some countries, equivalent housing can cost 50% to 70% less.

Utilities and internet are also more expensive. A standard home internet plan costs about AUD 80 per month, and electricity, water, and gas bills can quickly add up. Groceries are another major factor, basic food items and household goods can cost 40% to 60% more than in lower-cost countries. Eating out is also significantly more expensive. A meal at a local Australian restaurant can cost three to four times more than a similar meal in cities across Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, or South America.

Transportation is not exempt from the price increase. Public transit fares, taxis, and fuel prices are all generally higher than the global average. In cities like Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, transport costs can take up a notable part of your monthly budget.

The upside is that Australian salaries are among the highest in the world. On average, a full-time income can cover around 1.7 months of basic expenses, helping to offset the cost difference. However, how far your salary goes depends heavily on your profession, visa conditions, and the city or suburb you live in.

TOverall, moving to Australia may double or even triple your monthly expenses compared to what you’re used to, especially in terms of housing, food, transport, and basic services. To make the transition smoother, it’s important to plan your budget carefully, compare cities based on affordability, and prepare for one-time relocation expenses like deposits, insurance, and registration. With good preparation, Australia offers a high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and long-term financial stability.

Australia offers a robust infrastructure of public facilities, though availability and quality vary by state and region. In education, as of 2024, 4,132,006 students are enrolled across 9,653 schools, with an average student‑teacher ratio of 12.9 students per teacher in government and non‑government schools combined. The school system encompasses 13 years of compulsory education, starting typically at age 5 and continuing through secondary school to age 17 or 18.

In healthcare, Australia maintains both public and private hospital systems. In 2023–24, 672 public hospitals provided admitted patient care services nationwide. Across all hospitals, daily operations cost about AUD 263 million (public + private) on average. Public hospitals recorded ~2.8 million hospitalisations in principal referral hospitals alone, and patient days numbered ~8.7 million in those hospitals.

Public services (government administration, emergency services, social welfare) are generally well distributed, but rural and remote regions may experience less frequent access or longer travel times to major facilities. Australia also funds public hospital care through a mix of federal and state funding, private health insurance, and out-of-pocket contributions.

For someone coming from Thailand, Australia’s facilities tend to offer higher standards of infrastructure, well‑trained staff, and greater specialization (e.g. teaching hospitals, advanced diagnostics). However, metropolitan regions will provide the richest options; in remote or regional areas, expect some limitations in specialty services or waiting times. Careful choice of city or suburb will affect your day‑to‑day access to schools, hospitals, and public services.