Most people figure out what cannot be transported on a removalist truck on moving day itself. The truck crew is loading and someone points at the gas bottle in the garage. That is not a good time to figure it out.
There are certain items that are not legally permitted to be transported on removalist trucks in Australia. Other items are not transported because of how the provider’s liability is handled in practice. Still other items can be transported, but only by a provider who is equipped to handle that particular item. Many people assume all of these categories are the same. In reality, each is very different from the others, and understanding the difference before moving day saves everyone a significant amount of time and stress.
Restricted items may also change at a removalist’s discretion. The provider reserves the right to accept or decline transport for any reason.
Understanding Restrictions on Items
There are a handful of straightforward reasons for most restrictions on items, and knowing these makes the restricted items list easier to work with.
The law. The Australian Dangerous Goods Code governs the transportation of dangerous goods. Most removalist trucks are not equipped to transport goods that are classified as dangerous. So if an item falls under that classification, it cannot be transported. There is no flexibility here regardless of which provider is booked.
Insurance. Transit insurance excludes claims for damage caused by undisclosed hazardous goods. If hazardous goods are transported and cause damage, a provider may lose a claim and be required to pay out of pocket. Refusing the restricted item is the provider protecting your claim as much as their own.
Understanding the restrictions makes the removal process considerably easier. There are conditions in Australia that make transporting household goods by road particularly challenging. Aside from extremes of climate that make moisture control within sealed vehicles difficult, goods are frequently transported over long distances on roads that produce significant vibration and movement. Goods that are flammable, perishable or that have the potential to spoil are therefore inappropriate for transport by road. An entire load can be spoiled by the release of chlorine from a single cracked bottle.
Hazardous Materials: Legally Restricted from the Truck
The following applies to the house removalists on the Urgent Pro network as well as all other removalists in Australia.
Empty and full LPG bottles are prohibited. Empty bottles still contain some residual gas and are treated as full for the purposes of the transport of dangerous goods.
Paint: dried and set paint is still considered a dangerous good. Paint thinners and turpentine are also prohibited.
Pool and spa chemicals are strictly prohibited.
Aerosols: while the exact quantity varies, large quantities of aerosols are generally restricted. A moving truck can reach very high temperatures inside during an Australian summer, creating conditions where pressurised cans present a real burst risk. Deodorant, insect repellent, hairspray and spray paint are a few examples of aerosols. In small quantities, a few personal items may be acceptable, but confirm with the provider first.
Corrosives: products like battery acid, rust remover, drain cleaner and oven cleaner are corrosive and restricted. Fumes produced by these items can also damage other belongings in transit and are refused on sight.
Batteries: lead-acid car batteries are restricted, as are other batteries where the casing is damaged or leakage is likely, such as old and swollen lithium batteries from power tools or laptops. Small household batteries are generally accepted.
Fire extinguishers: these are classified as dangerous goods and cannot be transported with personal effects.
Cigarette lighters and matches: small personal items, but restricted in large quantities as they are flammable.
Asbestos-containing materials: if you suspect any material in your property may contain asbestos, do not pack it. Contact a licensed asbestos abatement company instead.
National regulation of the transport of dangerous goods on Australian roads is the responsibility of The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. State and territory transport authorities implement and enforce the regulations locally.
What to do with these items: LPG cylinders can be returned at most service stations and hardware stores. Household chemicals, batteries and paint can be taken to household chemical waste collection events, which most capital city councils run quarterly. Check your local council website for the next collection date and accepted categories.
Items Excluded for Liability Reasons
Perishable items should be consumed or given away before the move. They should not be transported on the truck. Removalist trucks have no refrigeration and can reach high temperatures inside, causing previously frozen items to spoil. Meat, dairy and anything that requires refrigeration should be transported in a cooler in your own vehicle, or consumed before moving day. Sealed dry pantry items are generally fine on the truck.
Personal items that are irreplaceable should also not be transported. This includes passports, birth certificates, wills, property documents, tax records and insurance schedules. These are either irreplaceable or extremely difficult to replace. They should travel with you. It is sensible to make digital copies of important documents before the move, although copies do not substitute for originals when they are formally required.
Items of personal or sentimental value, including family photographs not digitally backed up, heirlooms and handmade items, should also travel with you. Jewellery, watches and cash should travel with you rather than going on the truck regardless of how carefully they are packed.
Specialty Items: Can Be Moved, But Not on a Standard Booking
There are items that can be transported but require the provider to be notified and, in many cases, specifically equipped for the job. Items in this category require declaration at the time of booking, not on moving day. Arriving with an undisclosed specialty item typically results in either a Variation to the price or the provider declining to move it without the right equipment. Whether a provider is equipped for these items is part of what to check when hiring removalists.
Upright piano: a defined surcharge applies. The provider must have the appropriate equipment to move a piano, including a specialist moving board, straps and trained crew. A provider who is not piano-equipped is required to decline the booking for the piano rather than attempt it without the right gear. All providers operating to AFRA-aligned operational standards should be able to confirm at the time of quoting whether they carry piano equipment.
Grand piano: a bespoke quote is required and the move is typically carried out by a specialist subcontractor.
Pool table: a defined surcharge applies and the playing surface must be removed and transported separately.
Large aquarium: a surcharge applies. The provider will not move an aquarium if water is still present. The customer must remove all water and living creatures before the move.
Marble and stone furniture: a surcharge applies and the item must be transported horizontally.
Safe (over 50kg): a bespoke quote is required. Specialist equipment is needed.
Large mirrors (over 1.5 metres): a surcharge applies and the mirror must be secured in the correct position for transport.
The essential rule across all of these is the same: if special equipment, extra crew or specific skills are required to move an item, the provider must be informed and the arrangement confirmed before the move begins. It is not acceptable to raise this part way through loading.
Items People Think Are Restricted But Are Not
There are several common items that people regularly ask about. The answer is usually yes, with conditions.
Washing machine: yes, but it must be disconnected from the water and electrical supply at least 24 hours before the move. Secure the drum with transit bolts if you have them. If not, tell the provider at the time of booking so they can handle it accordingly.
Fridge or freezer: yes, but it must be completely defrosted and drained at least 24 hours before the move.
Gym equipment: yes, though all weights must be fully removed from equipment before loading. Declare treadmills and other large gym items at the time of booking.
Flat-screen TV: yes, but it must be transported in an upright position, not lying flat. The manufacturer’s packaging is the best option if still available.
Pot plants: this varies by provider and is not a legal restriction within the same state. Most removalists will decline plants due to spill risk and, for interstate moves, biosecurity rules around soil and pests. For a short local move, some providers may accept them. Call ahead and confirm.
Alcohol: sealed bottles are generally accepted. Pack them carefully, let the provider know you have them, and they will take reasonable care in transit. Open bottles with a broken seal are not accepted.
If Items Are Flagged During a Move
Usually the item will be set aside by the crew, or an alternative solution found. This slows down loading but rarely stops the rest of the move.
For genuinely dangerous items such as gas bottles or flammable liquids, providers are within their rights to decline to proceed until the issue is resolved. They carry legal responsibility for what is on the truck.
If items are found to be illegal, the provider may have reporting obligations they cannot ignore.
Going through your home two weeks before the move to find items that cannot be transported by removalists is the simplest way to avoid this situation. This includes anything flammable, corrosive, or with a damaged battery. It gives enough time to deal with each category properly before moving day rather than on it.
If items cannot be transported, check with your local council for the most appropriate safe disposal options. Most councils provide quarterly hazardous waste collection events and some offer free household chemical pickup services. You can also check local retailers for battery and chemical take-back programs.
Arrange rubbish removal for large bulky items that are not going to the new property. Booking this in the week before the move clears the property before the crew arrives and means nothing needs to be worked around during loading.
Items which require special care should be discussed at the time of booking to ensure the provider can assist with their removal. Do not leave this conversation until moving day.
Rental property tenants should read what agents check at the final property inspection before moving day, particularly regarding items that should not be left behind.
The complete moving house checklist for Australia provides a comprehensive guide covering what to arrange at eight weeks, four weeks and two weeks before moving day, including the removal of restricted items.
The rules governing removalists and the packing of household goods for transport are explained in how to pack each room properly for the move, which covers safe and efficient packing prior to removal.
FAQs
Do removalists transport pianos?
Some removalists are equipped to move pianos and others are not. An upright piano requires a specific moving board and straps, and a surcharge applies. A grand piano requires a bespoke quote and is typically subcontracted to a specialist. If the removalist discovers a piano was not disclosed at the time of booking, they have the right to decline to move it on the day.
Can removalists move plants?
This varies from provider to provider. Most will decline to move plants due to the risk of soil spills and the possibility that the plant may carry pests. If you are moving interstate, plants will generally not be accepted due to biosecurity rules. For strictly local moves, some providers may accept a small number of plants. Notify the provider at the time of booking if plants are included.
What happens if I did not tell the removalists about restricted items?
The crew will ask you to set the item aside or arrange alternative transport. For dangerous items such as gas bottles or flammable liquids, the provider can delay or decline to proceed until the issue is resolved. A walkthrough of your garage, shed and laundry a week or two before the move date prevents the need to deal with these items on moving day.
Do the same rules apply to interstate removals?
Yes, and interstate moves carry additional constraints on the movement of certain plants and produce because of the various states’ quarantine and biosecurity laws. Interstate providers are generally informed of the current restrictions on movement of garden items and produce across state lines. Always check the conditions for your destination state before the move.
Are there constraints on moving a refrigerator?
Yes. The fridge cannot be moved if it contains food. It must be fully defrosted and drained at least 24 hours before the move. Food should be consumed beforehand or transported in an esky to keep it cold during the move.