A Tasker preparing to move a fridge in a customer's residence

How much does it cost to move a fridge in Australia?

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Price per hour

$80 - $120

low

$80

median

$100

high

$120

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

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Ana K.

Written by Ana K.

Contributor

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Key Takeaways

  • Fridge moving services in Australia typically cost an average of $100 per hour.

  • Some ways to reduce costs are to move during non-peak season, handle the packing yourself, and compare price quotes before settling on a service provider.

  • Moving costs are affected by distance, the number of movers, and your fridge’s dimensions and weight.


Moving a fridge is a task best left to the experts; they have the right skills, equipment, and experience to ensure a safe journey for your hefty appliance.

However, the cost to move a fridge can be quite high, especially when certain factors come into play. Thankfully, this guide can show you not just the average cost of the service but also some ways to make it more affordable.

What is the average cost of moving a fridge in Australia?

Disclaimer: Airtasker’s cost estimates come from thorough research on industry and third-party rates. Please only use the listed prices as a benchmark when setting your budget.

The table below shows the average cost to move a refrigerator in various cities across the country: 

City
Average Cost to Move a Fridge (per hour)

Sydney

$120

Melbourne

$116

Brisbane

$104

Perth

$109

Adelaide

$109

Gold Coast

$111

Canberra

$113

What factors affect the costs of moving a fridge?

The cost of fridge removalists is dictated not just by one’s location, but also by other factors. These include the moving distance, the amount of manpower needed, and the appliance weight and type.

Distance of the move

Professional fridge movers have to consider the distance involved when giving price quotes. This is because the cost of fridge transport is influenced by the time it takes to complete the job and the fuel spent during the operation. Hence, a long-distance move will definitely be pricier than a local relocation.

This is why moving a fridge within London (e.g., from Hackney to Clapham) will be considerably cheaper than relocating the item from Birmingham to Bristol or from Manchester to Edinburgh.

Move Type
Distance Range
Labour Hours
Estimated Cost
Example

Local or regional move

0 to 50 km

2 to 4 hours

$80 to $800


Moving a fridge within Sydney or from Melbourne to Geelong

Interstate move

50 to 200+ km

4 to 8+ hours

$800 - $3,000


Relocating a fridge from Melbourne to Sydney or from Brisbane to Sydney

Number of removalists needed

The number of movers it takes to safely transfer the appliance to a new location is another factor that affects fridge moving costs; having more people involved in the process translates to a higher labour cost.

Type, weight, and condition of the fridge

cost to move fridge - Interior of a refrigerator filled with food containers, jars, and fresh produceA fully stocked fridge may affect fridge moving cost due to added weight and care needed.

How much does it cost to move a refrigerator when you have to take the fridge type into account? Generally, it’s trickier to handle heavier and wider models (such as commercial and French door fridges), which means it’s costlier to relocate them from one place to another.

Those with fragile components, such as smart refrigerators, also require extra careful moving.

Fridge Type
Weight Range
Moving Complexity

Bar fridge/mini fridge

18 to 23 kg

40 to 50 lb

Light, compact, easy to carry; minimal risk

Single-door fridge

23 to 68 kg

50 to 150 lb

Slim profile; straightforward to move

Top-mount fridge (freezer on top)

90 to 158 kg

200 to 350 lb

Manageable weight; awkward if tall/narrow

Bottom-mount fridge (freezer at base)

113 to 226 kg

250 to 500 lb

Heavier; requires careful tilting for balance

Side-by-side fridge

136 to 272 kg

300 to 600 lb

Wide and bulky; tricky through narrow doors

French door fridge

158 to 362 kg

350 to 800 lb

Very heavy; may need to remove doors for access

Smart fridge

97 to 335+ kg

44 to 738 lb

High-value; requires protective wrapping and careful handling

Access and logistics

cost to move fridge - Technician checking refrigerator dimensions before movingFridge dimensions are a key factor in determining moving costs and logistics.

The cost to move a fridge upstairs or downstairs, via lifts, or through windows can increase the moving cost since more effort and resources are involved in these kinds of operations. Moreover, the amount of fuel expended by the moving truck, as well as any toll- and permit-related expenses, adds to the total cost of the service.

Timing of the move

Peak times, like the summer period, command a higher fridge transportation cost. This is because droves of people are typically moving during this time to take advantage of the pleasant outdoor conditions and their less-busy schedules.

Meanwhile, relocating during non-peak times, such as weekdays and winter, is usually more affordable due to the lack of demand and the non-ideal weather.

Timing
Cost Difference
Notes
Discount/Promo Availability

Weekdays (Monday to Thursday)

Typically the most affordable option

Likely: Many offer discounts to fill slots

Weekdays (Monday to Thursday)

Weekends (Friday to Sunday)

Usually more expensive due to higher demand

Low: Discounts are infrequent due to demand

Weekends (Friday to Sunday)

Public holidays

Has high demand and cost

Rare: Premium rates usually apply

Public holidays

Beginning and end of the month

Popular time for leases to start or end

Low: High demand limits discounts

Beginning and end of the month

Peak season (summer)

Has high demand, especially due to school holidays

Rare: Demand outweighs promo offers

Peak season (summer)

Insurance and liability

cost to move fridge - Moving truck with hand truck and dolly prepared for appliance transportTools for safe fridge transport are often included in insured moving services.

Disclaimer: The insurance policies stated below serve as a general overview for customers to know their options when hiring removalists in Australia. They don’t necessarily apply to Airtasker and its Taskers. It’s best to check with your chosen removalist or insurer, as they have their own set of insurance policies.

While basic insurance is typically free during moving operations, fridge removal service prices can go up once you upgrade the policy or purchase add-ons. Nevertheless, having enhanced insurance coverage is wise, especially when moving a high-value item like a fridge.

Insurance Type
Insurance Coverage
Removalist’s Liability
Notes

Basic coverage or released value protection (automatically included)

Covers damage caused by the removalist

Depends on the fridge’s weight

Limited to a specific amount

Full value protection

Covers full refrigerator repair/replacement costs

100%

Higher cost but offers complete peace of mind

Third-party insurance

Covers additional risks (e.g., transit accidents) and has higher limits

100%

Purchased separately; ideal for interstate moves

No insurance

No coverage provided

0%

Customer assumes full responsibility

Additional services

What is the cost of moving a fridge once you add extra services?

Expect your expenses to go up when you avail yourself of a moving company’s other services, such as appliance disconnection and reconnection, expedited delivery, or storage.

What are some ways to save on fridge moving?

Some ways to save on moving your fridge include:

  • Packing the fridge yourself using bubble wrap, packing tape, moving blankets, and other forms of protection;

  • Comparing quotes from different movers to see which one is the most economical;

  • Asking for available promos or discounts;

  • Moving during a non-peak period; and

  • Ensuring you have insurance to protect yourself against unforeseen moving-related expenses.

What should you look for in fridge removalists?

When searching the market for a moving company to hire, here are some questions that you should be asking:

  • Does the company have ample experience in moving a fridge safely?

  • Does it have an adequate number of movers? And do they use the correct technique (e.g., always keeping the fridge upright) during the operation?

  • Does it have the right equipment and tools (e.g., dollies or trolleys) for the job?

  • Does it offer different types of moving insurance coverages?

  • Does it provide additional services?

Move your fridge safely with Airtasker

Need assistance with fridge relocation? Why not hire experienced professional movers so you can sit back and relax during the entire moving process?

Sign up on the Airtasker platform to start finding appliance removalists for the job. Don’t forget to indicate all the relevant details—from the origin and target location to the fridge weight and dimensions. If you’re worried about costs, you can also set a budget range and negotiate prices afterwards.

Once your task is created, pros will start reaching out to you; choose the best one based on the client feedback and ratings available on their profiles.

Learn more about our contributors

Ana K.

Written by Ana K.

Contributor

Ana always puts a premium on accuracy, clarity, and style when writing—a practice that her English degree has instilled in her. She excels at covering topics related to pet care, home and interior design, and food, which count among her varied interests. She also enjoys nature and street photography, as well as travelling. Overall, Ana uses her love for research to engage Airtasker readers with fun, practical content.

FAQs on fridge moving costs

The simple answer is yes. The transport costs for a fridge do not just cover the labour and professional expertise involved; they also pay for your peace of mind and the lack of move-related stress.

The cost of moving with a fridge typically includes the use of appliance dollies, which most moving companies provide.

It depends. Not all movers will allow you to help lift your fridge for a cheaper service cost. Hence, it’s best to ask first before hiring someone to ensure they can accommodate your request and budget.

Yes, there may be additional charges. This is because bad weather can make transportation more difficult and require the use of additional items, such as a protective cover for your fridge.

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