Moving to the USA from Australia
Australia to the U.S. is one of the longest household moves there is, so belongings travel by sea container across the Pacific and timing matters. The visa side has a bright spot: Australians have the E-3, a fast, renewable work visa available to no other nationality. This guide covers your U.S. visa options, realistic shipping costs, transit times and U.S. customs.
Estimate your move cost
An instant, route-specific range for Australia. Adjust the details for a closer figure, then get matched with movers for exact quotes.
Estimated shipping cost
$8,500 – $12,650
Indicative only — based on typical 2 bedrooms moves. Get real quotes below.
Your U.S. visa options from Australia
Australians have route options most nationalities don't — above all the E-3 work visa. The right path depends on whether you're taking a job, investing, transferring with an employer, or have extraordinary ability.
E-3 visa (Australia only)
Fast, renewable specialty-occupation work visa unique to Australian citizens.
E-2 Treaty Investor visa
For Australians investing substantial capital in a U.S. business — we help you prepare the full application.
L-1 intracompany transfer
Move with your current employer to a U.S. office.
O-1 extraordinary ability
For those with national/international acclaim in their field.
EB-2 NIW green card
Self-petition permanent residence in the national interest.
Typical moving costs
Indicative ranges by home size for moving to the usa from australia. Reviewed 2026-06-15.
Studio
$3,420–$5,400
1 bedroom
$5,220–$8,100
2 bedrooms
$7,020–$11,250
3 bedrooms
$10,350–$16,200
20ft container
$4,675–$7,150
40ft container
$8,075–$12,350
What drives the cost
- Shared vs full container (volume)
- Origin coast & port pair
- Door-to-door vs port-to-port
- Packing, insurance & customs handling
- Season — summer is peak
Transit times
Shipping methods
- Sea freight, shared container / LCL (cheapest for partial loads)
- Sea freight, full container / FCL (20ft or 40ft for whole-home moves)
- Air freight (fast but expensive — for essentials only)
Moving companies for this route
Compare what each mover offers, then request quotes to see exact pricing for your move.
| Mover | Best for | Door-to-door | Packing | Storage | Vehicles | Pets | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Relocations | Premium, Corporate relocation | Get quote | |||||
| Allied International | Families, Storage options | Get quote | |||||
| Seven Seas Worldwide | Budget, Small moves & students | Get quote | |||||
| International Van Lines | Best overall, Full-service moves | Get quote | |||||
| John Mason International | Established carrier, Sole-use containers | Get quote | |||||
| Sirelo (compare multiple movers) | Compare several quotes at once | Get quote |
Movers serving the Australia route. Links go to each company's own quote page; we may be compensated for referrals. We don't publish third-party star ratings — request quotes to compare directly.
Customs & import rules
- Goods clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on arrival.
- Used personal/household effects owned and used 1+ year are generally duty-free when relocating.
- File CBP Form 3299 (free entry of unaccompanied articles) with a detailed inventory.
- Restricted items (certain foods, plants, firearms) need separate clearance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from Australia to the USA?
A shared-container move runs roughly $3,400–$11,000 depending on volume and service; a full 40ft container can exceed $9,500. Use the estimator above for a route-specific range.
How long does shipping from Australia to the USA take?
Sea freight across the Pacific is typically 28–55 days in transit depending on ports, plus packing, customs and delivery.
What visa lets Australians move to the US?
Australians have the E-3 (unique to Australian citizens), plus E-2, L-1, O-1 and EB-2 NIW routes. Check your eligibility to find the best fit.
Can I bring my belongings duty-free?
Used household goods owned and used for 1+ year are generally duty-free when you relocate; file CBP Form 3299 with an inventory.
Estimates and timelines are indicative; mover and route details last reviewed 2026-06-15. We may be compensated when you request a quote through links on this page.