Changing Your Address in Australia — A Guide to Notifying Each Organisation
How to check the conditions for sending your address to linked services through myGov, and the separate update processes for your driver licence, vehicle registration, electoral roll, visa, bank, telco and insurance after moving in Australia.
What is changing your address when you move?
When you move in Australia, you need to tell your new address to the various government, financial and everyday-service organisations you deal with. Changing it in one place does not update it everywhere; in many cases each organisation must be updated separately. If you don't update your address, you may miss important mail such as tax, medical, visa or fine notices and be disadvantaged as a result. For some linked services, you can choose to send your new address through myGov when the sending conditions are met. Use a checklist to confirm each service’s update status and the other organisations’ separate processes.
Sending through myGov and updating separately
For supported services linked to myGov, such as Medicare, Centrelink and the ATO, you can choose which services receive your new address when the sending conditions are met. Linking alone does not automatically update them all, so check the update status with each service. Check each organisation's separate address update process for your driver licence, vehicle registration, electoral roll, visa, bank, telco, insurance and utilities. Distinguishing 'sending through myGov' from 'individual updates' helps you miss fewer places.
Send your new address to linked services through myGov
After changing your address in myGov, choose which linked services to send it to. You can send the update if you have linked the ATO, Centrelink or Medicare, your home and postal addresses are both Australian addresses, and the date of your update is today or in the past. The changes may not appear straight away, so check the update status with each service. If the sending conditions are not met or a service is not listed, follow that organisation's address update guidance. Private services such as banks and telcos can usually be updated in the 'My details' menu of their app or website.
Check what to prepare before you start
Prepare the information needed for identity verification and account linking, and check the conditions for sending your address.
- Your myGov login details and a check of your linked agencies (if not linked, have your CRN and linking code ready)
- Your new residential address, postal address, and move-in (moving) date
Who needs to notify, and by when
Address update obligations and deadlines depend on the organisation and your circumstances. For your driver licence, vehicle registration and electoral roll, check the relevant organisation’s official guidance. For your visa, check Home Affairs guidance and your own visa conditions. Prioritise items with deadlines that apply to you.
- Driver licence and vehicle registration: many states require notification within about 14 days (check your state road authority for the exact deadline)
- Visa holders: check Home Affairs contact details guidance and your own visa conditions for notification obligations and deadlines
- Electoral roll: citizens who are eligible to vote are obliged to update their details with the AEC when they move
The 4 places you must tell your address
Out of the many organisations, we've singled out the 4 key places that are both easy to overlook and important. Taking care of just these four prevents most serious problems.
Supported linked services such as Medicare, Centrelink and the ATO. Check the sending conditions in myGov and choose which services to send your new address to. Check the update status with each service too.
Notify your state's road authority separately (Service NSW in NSW, VicRoads in VIC, etc.). There is a legal deadline (usually 14 days).
Citizens who are eligible to vote are obliged to update their enrolled address with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
Check the Department of Home Affairs' contact details guidance and your own visa conditions for the notification process and any applicable deadlines.
Post-move action checklist
Ticking off the following in order helps you miss fewer places. It's easiest to go government → road/electoral/visa → private → mail redirection.
- Choose supported linked services in myGov to receive your new address and check the update status
- Change your driver licence and vehicle registration address with your state road authority (within the legal deadline)
- If applicable, update the AEC electoral roll; visa holders notify Home Affairs
Cautions and practical tips
Here are tips for getting your address changes done smoothly. Pay particular attention to items with legal deadlines and to keeping evidence.
- Check each organisation’s guidance and your own visa conditions, then prioritise items with deadlines that apply to you.
- If your residential address and postal address differ, enter them separately and accurately.
- Capturing and keeping the completion screen and confirmation email is useful later if there's a dispute.
Official links
- myGov(opens in a new window)
myGov — the government portal where you can choose linked services to receive your new address when the sending conditions are met.
- Services Australia (Medicare·Centrelink)(opens in a new window)
Services Australia — explains how to change your Medicare and Centrelink address online or by phone.
- Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)(opens in a new window)
AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) — handles electoral roll enrolment and address updates for citizens.