Moving house is a big job for anyone. Doing it as a single mum, while still handling school runs, work, meals and bedtime, can feel like a lot. The good news is that a solid plan, a realistic budget and a willingness to accept help make an enormous difference.

Here's a practical, week-by-week approach, plus tips on keeping costs down and looking after your kids' feelings along the way.

Six weeks out: set the foundations

Lock in your dates. Confirm your move date, lease end or settlement date, and any overlap between properties. If you can, avoid moving in the same week as school exams, a big work deadline or the kids' birthdays.

Set a budget. Write down every cost you can think of: removalists or truck hire, bond and rent in advance, cleaning, connection fees, boxes, time off work and takeaway meals in the final days. Add a buffer for surprises. Seeing the full picture early helps you decide where to spend and where to save.

Check what support is available. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for government or community assistance with moving or housing costs. Services Australia and your state housing authority are good places to start, and local community organisations can sometimes help with bond loans or essentials. It's worth asking rather than assuming you won't qualify.

Tell the kids. Children cope better with change when they hear about it early and from you. Keep it simple and positive, and give them space to ask questions.

Five weeks out: declutter and get quotes

Clear out first, pack second. The less you own, the less you pay to move and the less you have to unpack. Sell outgrown toys, clothes and baby gear online, donate what's still usable and recycle the rest.

Involve the kids. Give each child a box for things they're ready to pass on. Letting them choose a charity or decide which toys go to a younger cousin gives them a sense of control.

Get written quotes. If you're using professional movers, get at least two or three written quotes and ask what's included. Check whether they're accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA), how insurance works and whether they charge extra for stairs, long carries or packing. If you're heading interstate or a long way up the coast, ask about backloading or shared loads, which can sometimes work out cheaper if your dates are flexible.

Four weeks out: sort the paperwork

Start redirecting your life. Make a list of everyone who needs your new address: school, childcare, doctor, bank, Medicare, Centrelink, your employer, insurers and the electoral roll. Consider setting up mail redirection with Australia Post for the first few months.

Arrange utilities. Book electricity, gas and internet connections at the new place and disconnections at the old one. Ask about connection fees, as they vary between providers.

Enrol the kids. If they're changing schools or childcare, contact the new school early. Ask about uniforms, orientation days and whether your child can visit before their first day.

Three weeks out: start packing (the smart way)

Pack the rarely used stuff first. Books, seasonal clothes, decorations and spare linen can all go now.

Label everything. Write the room and a short description on the side of each box, not just the top. Colour-coding by room is a lifesaver when you're unloading on your own.

Find free boxes. Supermarkets, bottle shops and local buy-swap-sell groups are good sources. Ask friends who've recently moved, too.

Say yes to help. If friends or family offer, give them specific jobs: packing the kitchen, minding the kids for an afternoon or dropping off a meal. People are usually happy to help when they know exactly what's needed.

Two weeks out: the kids' corner

Let them pack a box. Each child can pack a "first night" box with favourite toys, books, a nightlight and their own bedding. It goes in the car with you, not on the truck.

Talk about the new place. Look at photos of the new home, find the nearest park or library and talk about what their room might look like. For younger kids, picture books about moving can help.

Plan the goodbyes. Leaving friends is often the hardest part. Organise a small farewell playdate, swap contact details with other parents and promise video calls if you're moving far away.

Moving week: keep it simple

Book the kids' care. If you can, arrange for a friend, family member or their other parent to have the children on moving day. You'll get more done and they'll avoid the stress of watching their home being packed into a truck.

Pack an essentials kit. Include medications, chargers, toilet paper, snacks, a kettle, mugs, basic cleaning supplies, important documents and a change of clothes for everyone.

Use up food. Plan simple meals from the freezer and pantry, and give yourself permission to rely on easy dinners for a few days.

Confirm the details. Double-check times, access and parking with your movers, and confirm key handover arrangements.

After the move: settle in gently

Set up beds first. Getting the kids' rooms ready on the first night, with familiar bedding and their first-night box, helps them feel at home faster.

Keep routines going. Regular mealtimes, bath time and bedtime stories give children something familiar when everything else is new.

Expect some wobbles. It's normal for kids to feel unsettled, clingy or teary after a move, even if they were excited about it. Acknowledge their feelings, reassure them and give them time. If worries persist, have a chat with their teacher, school counsellor or GP.

Look after yourself, too. You've just done a huge job, mostly on your own. Rest when you can, accept offers of help and don't expect to have every box unpacked in the first week.

A long-distance move? A few extra tips

Moving a long way, such as leaving Brisbane for a fresh start in Far North Queensland to be closer to family, adds a few extra considerations. Allow more time for your belongings to arrive and pack a bigger essentials kit to tide you over.

If you're comparing removalists Brisbane families have used for long-distance moves, ask whether they run the route regularly and how they handle delivery timing. At the other end, removalists Cairns locals recommend can be a good source of local advice, from parking and access at your new address to planning around the tropical wet season.

You've got this

Moving as a single mum is challenging, but it's also a chance for a fresh start for you and your kids. Break the job into small weekly steps, ask for help when you need it and give everyone, including yourself, a little grace. Before long, the boxes will be gone and the new place will simply feel like home.

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Written by the team at R2G Transport & Storage, an AFRA-accredited removalist with depots in Brisbane and Cairns.