Changing Address Checklist: Everything You Need to Update When You Move
Moving to a new flat is exciting. Chasing missed mail, lapsed insurance, and incorrect tax records six months later is not. Tick this off once and you're done.
Most people remember to tell their bank and their mum. Fewer remember to update their driver's licence, their electoral enrolment, their insurance policies, and their IRD or ATO records — until something goes wrong months later and they trace it back to a missed address update.
This checklist is split into three parts: what to do before moving day, what to sort in the first week after, and how to get your new bills set up correctly from the start. Work through it once and you won't need to think about it again.
Before moving day
These are the updates that need your new address confirmed first — start them in the week leading up to your move.
Confirm your new address in writing with your landlord
essentialGet the exact street address, suburb, city, and postcode in writing before moving day. You'll need it on every form you fill in.
Notify your employer or payroll department
essentialUpdate your work records so tax documents, payslips, and any correspondence go to the right place.
Update your bank and financial institutions
essentialBanks, credit card providers, and investment platforms all need your current address for statements and security alerts.
Update your NZ or AU driver's licence
essentialIn NZ, notify NZTA within a reasonable time. In AU, update your state or territory road authority. Fines can be issued to your registered address.
Update your vehicle registration
essentialRegistration renewal notices and infringement notices go to your registered address. Update it with NZTA (NZ) or your state roads authority (AU).
Notify IRD (NZ) or the ATO (AU)
essentialTax refunds and correspondence are sent to your address on file. Update it via MyIR (NZ) or myGov (AU) before the end of tax year.
Update electoral roll
essentialYou must be enrolled at your current address to vote. Update online — it takes two minutes and is legally required in AU.
Redirect your mail
recommendedSet up a mail redirection through NZ Post or Australia Post for 3–6 months to catch anything you've missed.
Notify your health insurer
recommendedHealth fund coverage and hospital network access can vary by region. Make sure your insurer has your current address.
Update your GP and any medical providers
recommendedPatient files and referral letters are tied to your registered address. Update your GP, dentist, and any specialists.
Mail redirection through NZ Post or Australia Post is worth setting up even if you've been thorough — there's always one organisation you forgot. A 3-month redirection catches stragglers and costs less than the inconvenience of missing something important.
After you move in — first week
Online accounts and subscriptions are easy to forget. Work through this list in your first week so nothing gets delivered to the wrong address.
Update all online shopping accounts
essentialAmazon, eBay, The Iconic, Trade Me — anywhere you have a saved delivery address. Update default address before your next order.
Notify your insurance providers
essentialContents insurance, car insurance, and life insurance all need your current address. Some policies are voided if address details are out of date.
Update subscriptions and delivery services
essentialMeal kits, magazines, parcels, pet supplies — anything delivered to your home needs a new default address.
Notify friends and family
recommendedUpdate your contact details with people who send physical cards, gifts, or documents.
Update professional registrations
recommendedIf you hold a professional licence (medical, legal, trade, nursing), your registered address may need to be current with the regulatory body.
Update loyalty and rewards programs
optionalFlybuys, Airpoints, supermarket rewards — physical vouchers and bonus offers are mailed to your registered address.
Update your resume or CV
optionalKeep your address current on your CV, LinkedIn, and any job platforms where you're registered.
Check any pending legal or court matters
recommendedIf you have any active legal proceedings, update your address with the relevant court or legal body immediately.
Setting up utilities at your new place
Before you move in, confirm with your landlord exactly which utilities are included in rent and which you'll manage yourself. Then set up each one in advance — don't wait until you're standing in a dark flat with no internet.
Confirm which bills you're responsible for
In shared flats, some bills are included in rent. Get clarity in writing on exactly what you pay for separately before move-in.
Set up power if it's in your name
Contact Genesis, Contact Energy, Mercury (NZ) or your state provider (AU). Give them your new address, move-in date, and meter number if known.
Arrange internet connection
Broadband takes 3–10 business days to connect in most cases. Book it before move-in to avoid gaps. Check what providers cover your new address.
Set up or transfer water account (AU)
In some Australian states, tenants pay water usage directly. Contact the relevant utility and have billing transferred to your name.
Update direct debits to your current account
If any bills are on direct debit, make sure the billing address matches your new address to avoid failed or mismatched payments.
Government IDs — don't skip these
Government records are the ones most people put off and most regret skipping. An outdated address on your driver's licence means infringement notices go to the wrong place and can accumulate without your knowledge. An outdated IRD or ATO address means your tax refund might never arrive.
New Zealand
- •Driver's licence → NZTA (nzta.govt.nz)
- •Vehicle registration → NZTA
- •Tax records → IRD via MyIR (ird.govt.nz)
- •Electoral roll → vote.nz
- •Passport → DPMC (next renewal)
Australia
- •Driver's licence → state roads authority
- •Vehicle registration → state roads authority
- •Tax records → ATO via myGov (my.gov.au)
- •Electoral roll → aec.gov.au (legally required)
- •Medicare card → myGov
The 10-minute address update routine
Most address updates take under two minutes each. Block out an hour on your first full weekend in the new place and work through the list. Here's the most efficient order:
Bank and credit cards
Log in to internet banking → profile settings → update address. Do all financial accounts in one session.
Government (IRD/ATO + Electoral)
Log in to MyIR or myGov. Update tax and Medicare at the same time. Then update the electoral roll.
Driver's licence and vehicle
NZTA or your state roads authority website. Update licence and registration together — same login.
Insurance
Call or update online for contents insurance, car insurance, and health insurance. Takes 5–10 minutes per provider.
Online shopping accounts
Open each app or site you use regularly, go to account settings, and update the default delivery address.
Subscriptions and delivery services
Update any recurring deliveries — meal kits, supplements, pet food, streaming (if they mail anything).
Keep a note of your new address in your phone — you'll type it more times in your first week than you'd expect. Having it copied and ready to paste saves time when going through multiple account updates back-to-back.
Before address updates come agreement basics
Address updates assume you've already moved in safely. Before you get to that point, make sure you have a written rental agreement with your landlord — one that confirms the rent amount, bond conditions, notice period, and what bills are included.
Without a written agreement, address updates and bond receipts mean less — because you're relying on verbal understandings that are harder to prove if a dispute arises.
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