When you’re moving to Melbourne, one early decision is whether to use a relocation service or handle the rental search yourself. The relocation service vs doing it yourself choice comes up for almost everyone — both are valid, but they suit different situations, budgets and stress tolerances. Here’s an honest comparison of using a relocation service versus going it alone when moving to Melbourne.
The short answer
Doing it yourself is cheaper and works well if you’re already in Melbourne or can travel for inspections. A relocation service costs more but solves the one problem DIY can’t when you’re relocating from a distance: attending inspections to get the code Melbourne agents require. The right choice comes down to whether you can physically be at open homes.
Relocation service vs doing it yourself: the DIY route
The upside
- No service cost — you only pay your own rent, bond and moving expenses
- Full control over which properties you pursue
- Works well if you’re already in Melbourne or can travel for a block of inspections
The downside
- The dealbreaker for remote movers: you can’t attend Melbourne inspections from another city or country, and without attendance you can’t get the inspection code to apply
- Time-consuming — tracking listings, booking inspections, attending across a fast-moving market
- No local knowledge if you don’t know Melbourne’s suburbs
- Risk of signing a lease on a property that’s not as the listing suggests
Relocation service vs doing it yourself: using a service
The upside
- Solves the inspection-attendance problem — someone attends on your behalf and gets your inspection code
- Honest, independent assessment of each property before you commit
- Local suburb knowledge so you choose the right area
- Lets you secure a home before you arrive, avoiding temporary-accommodation costs
- Saves significant time and stress during an already busy move
The downside
- A cost on top of your moving expenses (though far less than full corporate relocation firms)
- You’re relying on someone else’s assessment — so choose a service that reports honestly
The real cost comparison
DIY’s only direct cost is your time and any travel to attend inspections — but if you’re flying interstate repeatedly to view properties, that adds up fast, often exceeding the cost of a service. A focused Melbourne relocation service ranges from $89 for a one-off inspection to relocation packages from $1,199 — a fraction of the $5,000–$20,000 charged by full corporate relocation firms, and often less than repeated interstate flights.
How to choose
If you can attend inspections yourself, DIY is perfectly viable — save your money. If you can’t be at open homes because you’re relocating from a distance, a relocation service isn’t really optional, because DIY can’t clear the attendance hurdle. Be honest about your situation: it’s less about budget and more about whether you can physically be there. See our pricing to weigh it up, or our moving to Melbourne guide for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Is a relocation service worth it when moving to Melbourne?
For movers who can’t attend inspections in person, yes — it solves the attendance requirement that otherwise blocks applications, and often costs less than repeated interstate travel to view properties.
Can I move to Melbourne without a relocation service?
Yes, if you’re already in Melbourne or can travel for inspections. If you can’t attend open homes, you’ll need at least someone to attend on your behalf to get the inspection code.
How much does a Melbourne relocation service cost?
One-off inspections start at $89 and relocation packages from $1,199 — far below the $5,000–$20,000 charged by full-service corporate relocation firms.
What can a relocation service do that I can’t do myself remotely?
Attend inspections in person to obtain the inspection code agents require, and give you an honest first-hand assessment of the property — the two things you can’t do yourself from another city or country.