An international move is an incredible adventure—but let’s be honest, it’s also a logistical slog. With so many moving parts, the key to success is starting early and staying organized. This six-month timeline will help you break down the process into manageable steps, so you can transition smoothly into your new life abroad.
Six Months Before the Move: Get the Big Things Rolling
- Start Pet Quarantine Processes (If Applicable)
If you’re moving to Australia and have a furry friend, begin the quarantine process now. Australia requires a minimum of six months to prepare pets for entry. This includes vaccinations, blood tests, and permits. Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for detailed requirements and timelines. We’ll go into more detail about this in our “Navigating the Australian Quarantine Process” post coming soon. - Consider the Timing of Your Move
Think about seasonality, school calendars, and work obligations. Moving in the middle of a school year can add stress, so consider the school calendars for both the school you’re moving from and then school you’re moving to. In Australia, for example, the terms are quite different than the US, so we decided to keep our kids out of school for a couple of extra months to acclimate to the culture and enable the girls to start fresh in a new school year. Only you will know what’s right for your family and unique circumstance. Similarly, consider weather—do you really want to arrive during peak summer heat or winter rains? - If You’re Selling a House, Call Your Realtor
Selling a home is a process in itself. Reach out to a trusted realtor as soon as possible to start planning. They can advise on prepping your home for sale, staging, and timelines. For a deeper dive, check out our upcoming post on Preparing Your House for Sale.
Five Months Before the Move: Start Decluttering
- Begin Purging
Decluttering can be a major undertaking, so chip away at it gradually. Instead of going room by room, try a thematic approach: tackle all the books, then all the clothes, then linens, etc. This method helps you focus and keeps the process from becoming overwhelming. You never need as much as you think you do, so pay close attention to the things that you use on the regular, vs the items that are collecting dust.- Consider donation pickup services like Just Porch It, which make it easy to give away items without leaving your home.
- Sort Through Sentimental Items
This is a good time to assess keepsakes and decide what you’ll bring, store, or let go. Giving yourself time to process these decisions prevents a last-minute scramble. We’ll dive deeper into what to bring, store, or let go in this post (coming soon!)
Four Months Before the Move: Tackle Health and Documentation
- Schedule Medical Appointments
Many medical appointments book out months in advance, so lock these in now.- Get your teeth cleaned, eyes checked, and prescriptions refilled.
- Schedule mammograms, annual exams, or any specialty visits.
- Ask your providers if you can get a few months’ supply of any necessary medications.
- Gather Medical and School Records
Request copies of your family’s medical records at these appointments—it’s much easier to arrive prepared than to contact providers after the move. For children, ask schools for transcripts and any additional records you might need for enrollment abroad. - Renew Passports and Credit Cards
If your passport is due to expire within two years, renew it now. The same goes for any credit cards you plan to use internationally—some countries require cards to have long expiration dates to process transactions.
Three Months Before the Move: Finalize Plans and Logistics
- Book Flights and Accommodations
Secure tickets for your family and pet, and consider temporary housing arrangements if your new home won’t be move-in ready upon arrival. - Research Shipping and Storage Options
Decide what you’ll ship, what you’ll store, and what you’ll donate or sell. Contact international movers for quotes and timelines. - Organize Finances
Notify your bank of your upcoming move and explore international banking options. Look into setting up an account in your new country to make the transition smoother. If you don’t already use a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction feeds, consider getting one. It can make a big difference to know you aren’t being dinged for every purchase as you get yourself setup.
Two Months Before the Move: Tying Up Loose Ends
- Sell or Donate Remaining Items
By this point, you should be nearing the end of your decluttering journey. Hold a garage sale or list items online to clear out remaining things you won’t bring. Local Buy Nothing Groups can be miraculous. I posted photos after our garage sale of everything that didn’t sell, and my Buy Nothing community came and took the vast majority of what was left. - Plan Farewells
Schedule time to say goodbye to family and friends. It’s an emotional step, so give yourself space to process. Everyone will want to see you, and you will only have so much time. Be gentle with yourself if you aren’t able to say “yes” to all of the last minute invites that will surely roll in.
One Month Before the Move: Final Preparations
- Confirm All Arrangements
Double-check flights, housing, shipping, and pet transport details. Make sure all your paperwork is in order. - Pack Smart
Start packing essentials and creating a master list of what’s going in each box. Keep a separate suitcase for the items you’ll need immediately upon arrival, such as toiletries, clothes, and documents. If you don’t already have digital versions of important documents, scan and assemble into a clear filing system. Google Drive can work well for this, so that you can access from anywhere.
Conclusion
An international move is no small feat, but with a solid plan in place, it’s manageable—and even exciting! By starting early, staying organized, and tackling each step methodically, you’ll set your family up for a smoother transition. As with any massive undertaking, break it into chunks, and just keep putting one foot in front of the next. Before you know it, you’ll be waking up in your new home.
What’s your top tip for preparing for an overseas move? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your insights!
Mom to Mum 