What removalists won’t move

Behind every successful move is a long packing, transporting, and reassembling process. With the number of things you need to do, hiring a removalist will help you reduce the stress of the whole endeavour. But before getting into it, it’s wise to list what movers won’t pack or move.

Hazardous items, explosives, and perishables are just a few examples of what movers won’t move. These items are prohibited for safety, local regulations, and other reasons. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, we’ve created a quick guide to help you plan better and make the necessary arrangements for your things.

What won’t movers move?

Whether you’re moving somewhere near or far, here’s a list of items not allowed by removalists.

1. Dangerous goods

Removal companies won’t move dangerous goods. These items could leak and cause a fire inside the moving truck. Due to the nature of these items, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to keep or dispose of them. Here are some examples of dangerous goods:

• Explosives (firearms, ammunition)

• Toxic substances (pesticides, cyanides)

• Flammable liquids and solids (acetone, petrol)

• Oxidising substances (benzoyl peroxide)

• Corrosive substances (hydrochloric acid)

• Other items (dry ice)

For more information on handling these, refer to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

2. Cleaning supplies

Once you arrive in your new home, you’ll need supplies to ensure the place is clean and tidy. However, it is recommended to buy new materials, as movers won’t move cleaning supplies. Alcohol, bleach, and other cleaning supplies are flammable and could cause damage inside the truck. You can bring these with you as you travel or consult your local agency on how to discard them safely.

3. Furry friends

Moving companies are not allowed to transport pets in Australia for various reasons. First, the conditions inside a moving truck also aren’t ideal for animals due to the extreme temperature. Second, pets need to be checked by a veterinarian, get certifications, and be microchipped to manage biosecurity risks. In some states, they might also need to be quarantined.

Whether you’re moving nearby or overseas, hiring a professional pet transport service will help keep you and your pets at ease as you move to your new home. For more information on moving pets in Australia, refer to this guide.

4. Living plants

Do moving companies move plants? They usually don’t. Plants could carry unseen pests or parasites that could infest your new home. Local councils have different regulations for moving plants. It is also highly likely that your plants won’t survive the trip due to the extreme conditions at the back of the truck. 

Before your big move, you could gift your plants to your neighbours as a keepsake or donate them to public gardens. If you’re only moving a few blocks away and your plants are small, you can also transport them in your car.

5. Perishable food items

You’d least expect food to be included in a list of non-allowables. But it does make sense. Your soup, leftover pizza, or bread could spill and cause rot and mould in your belongings, moving equipment, or even the truck. It also attracts pests and can lead to an infestation. To prevent these from happening, finish your meals before the move or donate excess food to your local shelter.

6. High-value items

Movers will not transport valuables like jewellery, cash, electronics, and collectable art. Sentimental and essential items, like family heirlooms, medical records, and home or car keys, are also excluded. This protects your movers from liability in case of loss or damage to the items.

Tips before your big move

With the multiple things you need to plan and do before your big move, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are some tips to help you stay calm:

• Review your items and decide which ones should be donated, disposed of, or kept. Remember to dispose of things responsibly.

• Create a schedule for each task and include a point of contact.

• If moving interstate, contact your current and future local councils to ensure you abide by local regulations, especially in moving hazardous items, animals, and live plants.

• Wear comfortable clothing and safety gear, especially when handling hazardous items like bleach or gasoline.

• Lastly, it helps to ask for an extra hand from a trusted friend to lessen the load.

Move your belongings safely with Airtasker

You might be tempted to skip to the good part and pack all items like you usually do. After all, accidents rarely happen, right? Don’t give in! Damaging your property and risking movers’ safety is costlier than spending time to plan for a responsible move. If you lack time, you can hire specialists to do it all for you. From planning and packing to actually moving, get all the help you need by hiring a trusted removalist on Airtasker.