The move is done. The furniture’s in. The boxes need unpacking. And somewhere on the list of things to do is the one task most people procrastinate on longest — updating their address with every government agency, utility, institution, and service that has your old one on file.
It’s not glamorous. But it matters. An Australian driver’s licence with the wrong address is technically a traffic offence in WA. Missed mail can delay financial documents, government correspondence, and anything time-sensitive. And a missed utility notification can mean an unexpected debt at your old address.
Here’s the complete Western Australian address change guide — organised so you can work through it systematically rather than trying to remember everything at once.
Do This Within the First Week
Driver’s Licence — WA Legal Requirement
In Western Australia, you are legally required to update your driver’s licence address within 5 days of changing your residential address. This is a Road Traffic Administration Act requirement — not just good practice.
How to update:
- Online via the Department of Transport WA website (the fastest method)
- In person at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) centre — locations in Osborne Park, Cannington, Joondalup, and others across Perth
- A new licence card is issued with your updated address
Cost: Free to update your address online. A replacement card fee applies if you want a new physical card.
Vehicle Registration
While you’re on the Department of Transport WA website — update your vehicle registration address at the same time. Both driver’s licence and vehicle registration records can be updated in the same session.
Australia Post Mail Redirect
Before any other changes process, set up an Australia Post mail redirect from your old address to your new one. This catches any mail sent to the old address during the changeover period.
- Available online at auspost.com.au
- Costs from $33 for 3 months (personal redirect)
- Keeps you covered while other updates process
Government and Official — Complete Within 2 Weeks
myGov-Connected Services
myGov (my.gov.au) is the central hub for updating most Australian government records. Log in and update your address once — it flows through to linked services:
- Medicare — linked to myGov, update via your account
- Centrelink / Services Australia — update via myGov if you receive any benefits
- ATO (Australian Taxation Office) — update your address in myGov to ensure tax correspondence, tax returns, and TFN records are current
- My Health Record — update if you use it
Electoral Roll
The Australian Electoral Commission allows you to update your address online at aec.gov.au. You have 8 weeks after moving to update your enrolment. Failure to update your electoral enrolment before an election can mean you’re enrolled to vote in the wrong electorate.
Passport
Your passport doesn’t need to be formally updated for an address change — but note your new address in writing and update it if you apply for a renewal.
Department of Home Affairs
If you hold any visas or have pending citizenship applications, update your address with Department of Home Affairs via ImmiAccount.
Utilities — WA Specific
Electricity: Synergy or Horizon Power
In metropolitan Perth, electricity is supplied by Synergy. In regional WA, it’s Horizon Power.
You need to:
- Disconnect service at the old address (set an end date)
- Connect service at the new address (set a start date)
Do this online at synergy.net.au or by phone. Give at least 3 business days’ notice. If there’s any gap in connection, you may be without power or liable for the previous occupant’s usage.
Gas: ATCO Gas WA
ATCO Gas (formerly Alinta Gas Distribution) manages the gas network in most of metropolitan Perth. If your new home has gas:
- Contact your gas retailer (Kleenheat, Alinta Energy, Origin, AGL, etc.) — not the network operator
- Arrange connection at the new address and disconnection at the old
- If the new property hasn’t had gas previously, a new connection request may take several business days
Water: Water Corporation
Water Corporation manages water and wastewater services across most of WA. Water rates are tied to the property, not the occupant — but you need to:
- Register as the new occupant for billing purposes
- Update your account details if you’re moving within an existing service area
Do this online at watercorporation.com.au.
Internet and NBN
Internet and NBN connections are one of the most complex utility changes because the new property may:
- Already have an active NBN connection (fastest to transfer)
- Need a new NBN connection provisioned (can take 10–20 business days)
- Be in a different NBN tier zone than your current address
Contact your internet provider before moving day — not after — to understand what’s required at the new address and whether there will be a gap in service.
If NBN isn’t available at the new property, discuss alternatives (Starlink, fixed wireless, 5G home internet) with your provider well in advance.
Financial Services
Banks and Credit Cards
Log in to each bank account and update your mailing address. If you have multiple accounts at different institutions, do them all.
Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB, and most other major banks allow address changes through internet banking or their apps. For credit cards with other institutions, update separately.
Home Loan / Mortgage
Contact your mortgage lender directly. If you’re selling one property and buying another, the settlement process usually handles some of this — but confirm your contact address is updated with the lender.
Superannuation
Log in to your super fund’s member portal and update your address. If you’re unsure which fund(s) you have, check myGov — super fund information is accessible through the linked ATO account.
Health Insurance
Contact your health insurer (Medibank, HBF, NIB, Bupa, etc.) to update your address. HBF in particular is very WA-centric and many Perth households have cover through them — update online at hbf.com.au.
Life Insurance and Income Protection
Contact each insurance provider separately — these are often separate from your health insurance.
Personal and Household
Children’s School or Childcare
If your children are remaining at the same school, update the contact address and emergency details with the school office. If they’re changing schools, this involves both enrolment paperwork and a transfer of school records.
GP, Dentist, and Specialist Practices
Update contact details with each practice directly. Important not to miss: if you’re mid-course with a specialist, medication repeats and referrals are sent to the address on file.
Employer
Update your address with HR or payroll. Your payslips and PAYG payment summaries go to the address on your employment record.
Subscriptions and Deliveries
Don’t forget ongoing subscriptions and services with your address attached:
- Amazon / online shopping accounts
- Meal kit or delivery services
- Magazines and regular deliveries
- Club memberships and loyalty programs
- Streaming services (some use billing address for geo-verification)
Printable Checklist Summary
| Service | Method | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Driver’s licence (DVS WA) | Online / in person | Within 5 days |
| Vehicle registration (DVS WA) | Online | Within 5 days |
| Australia Post redirect | auspost.com.au | Day of move |
| Medicare + ATO + Centrelink | myGov | Week 1 |
| Electoral roll | aec.gov.au | Week 2 |
| Synergy (electricity) | synergy.net.au | Before move date |
| ATCO Gas retailer | Via retailer | Before move date |
| Water Corporation | watercorporation.com.au | Week 1 |
| NBN / internet | Contact provider | Before move date |
| Banks and cards | Each provider | Week 1 |
| Superannuation | Each fund portal | Week 2 |
| Health insurance | Each provider | Week 2 |
| Employer / HR | Direct | Week 1 |
| School / childcare | In person or email | Week 1 |
Moving to a New Perth Address?
Local Removal helps Perth households move smoothly — from Osborne Park and across the full metro area. We handle the physical move so you can focus on the hundred other things that come with a new address.