12 questions to ask a relocation agent in Australia before you hire them

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Moving from the UK to Australia is a huge step and the relocation process is often more complicated than people expect.

Once the visa side of things is underway, the next challenge is usually the most stressful. Finding a rental, understanding where to live, getting your kids into school and working out how everything actually works in a very different system. There is so much admin to do, and so many moving parts to the whole thing, not to mention all of the emotional side of the move as well.

For many UK families, this is the point where a relocation agent becomes part of the plan.

But not all relocation agents are the same, so it’s important that you choose the right agent. One you can rely on, who you feel comfortable with and who can help you feel more organised and supported.

Before you hire anyone, we’ve put together a list of the best questions to ask relocation agents to help you choose the best fit.

Ready to search for a relocation agent now? Check out a selection of relocation agents in our Move to Australia Directory!

What does a relocation agent actually do?

A relocation agent, sometimes called a relocation specialist or relocation consultant, helps people settle into life in Australia. For most UK families, this starts with securing a rental property, but the role can extend much further.

They may help with suburb research, attending inspections, shortlisting properties, guiding rental applications and connecting you with schools, utilities and local services. They may welcome you at the airport, and they may even set up your house for you with beds, kettles and basic arrival goods. It all depends on how much support you need – they usually offer different levels of packages for you to choose from.

They are not the same as a migration agent, who handles visas, or a buyer’s agent, who helps you purchase property.

Think of a relocation agent as your on the ground support in Australia, especially useful if you’re still in the UK while trying to organise everything remotely.

What are the benefits of using a relocation agent?

One of the biggest advantages of working with a relocation agent is what it saves you: money, time and stress. Instead of booking an expensive short-term rental while you search for something longer term, a relocation agent can help you find and secure a long-term rental before you’ve even landed. That means no double moving costs, no short-term rental premiums and no living out of suitcases while you figure out where to live.

It also frees up your time. Rather than spending your first precious weeks in Australia trawling rental listings, inspecting properties and trying to work out which suburbs suit your family, a relocation agent does that legwork for you before you get here. They can help you choose the right area based on your budget, lifestyle and school preferences, and help sort school choices too, so you settle into your new home and community straight away rather than having to move again a few weeks or months down the line.

For families relocating to Australia from overseas, this kind of support takes a huge amount of pressure off your shoulders. Someone else is handling the logistics of finding a home and settling in, leaving you free to focus on the bigger adjustment: starting your new life in a new country.

In short, a relocation agent can help you:

Save money by avoiding costly short-term rentals
Free up your time during those crucial first weeks
Settle right away with no extra moves once you arrive
Choose the right area and schools with local knowledge and support
Helping your kids put down roots in one place straight away, so less upheaval
Take the pressure off, so you can focus on the move itself rather than the logistics
Free up your headspace so you can concentrate on spending time with the people you care about and saying goodbye to those you love instead of stressing about where you’re going to live.

Questions to ask a relocation agent

Let’s get down to the questions you should ask a relocation agent when scoping out which one to use. As with all services, it’s a good idea to speak to a few to find the right fit for you.

Do you specialise in helping people move from the UK or overseas?

This matters because the Australian rental market works very differently from the UK. Application processes, lease terms, inspections and tenant expectations are not the same. Many families moving from the UK underestimate how competitive and fast-moving rentals are in Australia. An agent who regularly works with UK clients will already understand the gaps in knowledge and where families tend to get caught out, so they’ll know what areas they might need to give you more information.

Ask for examples of similar relocations they’ve handled. Some relocation agents may focus more on interstate relocations rather than international markets, so it’s worth understanding if they’ve got experience with clients like yourself.

How will we communicate throughout the process?

As you’ll be in different time zones, will you communicate via WhatsApp, email or scheduled Zoom calls? What will the process look like? It’s helpful to understand how often you’ll receive updates and how quickly you’ll hear back about properties they’ve viewed on your behalf.

Which areas do you cover and how well do you know them?

Some relocation agents advertise wide coverage but only have deep local knowledge in certain suburbs or cities.

If you are moving from the UK, it can be difficult to narrow down suburbs if you don’t know the areas personally. Where you choose to live affects commute times, school access, lifestyle and budget in ways that are not always obvious from overseas, so it’s important to get this right.

Ask them what areas they would recommend for a family in your situation. It’s also useful to understand whether their knowledge is broad or confined to a particular pocket of a city. Some relocation agents have a team working across the area, so they may have team members working across different parts of the city. Ask lots of questions so you understand how they work.

How do you stay ahead in a competitive rental market?

In a competitive rental market, timing matters. Some relocation agents have strong relationships with local property managers and may hear about suitable properties very early, sometimes through property manager networks, before they are widely promoted on major portals. Others are just very quick to identify new listings and act on them.

Ask how they source properties, whether they have established relationships with local agencies and how quickly they can act when suitable rentals become available.

What is included in your service and what isn’t?

Relocation services vary across providers.

Some include:

Suburb research

Property shortlisting

Inspection attendance

Video walkthroughs

Rental application support

School guidance

Utilities setup

Settling in support

Meet and greet at the airport

Setting up your new home with the essentials

Others charge extra for many of these or don’t offer them at all.

Clarity here is essential before you commit.

Also, ask what happens if you don’t secure a property before you arrive in Australia. Be clear on what is included in your package.

How do you support rental applications for UK arrivals?

This is often the biggest challenge for families moving from the UK.

You may not have an Australian rental history, local references or established employment, all of which can affect your application.

Ask how they position overseas applicants and what they do to improve your chances in a competitive pool.

Can you attend inspections while we are still in the UK?

If you are trying to secure a rental before arriving, this is essential.

Ask whether they attend inspections in person, provide detailed video walkthroughs and give honest feedback. How many homes are they willing to view on your behalf?

You want someone who is acting in your best interests, not just trying to secure a lease quickly.

What is your success rate and typical timeframe?

Be cautious of anyone promising fast results without context.

Ask how long it typically takes their clients to secure a property and what happens if early applications are not successful.

You are looking for realism, not reassurance.

How do you charge and when is payment due?

Relocation fees vary widely.

Common models include:

Fixed upfront fee

Payment on successful placement

Day rates or staged payments

Ask what happens if the process takes longer than expected and whether any part of the fee is refundable.

Make sure everything is clearly documented and that you understand how the payment process is going to work.

Can you provide testimonials from other UK families?

Reviews are helpful, but direct feedback from similar clients is more valuable.

Ideally, you want to hear from families who moved from the UK and went through the same process you are about to go through.

Ask for both written testimonials and, if possible, whether you can speak to a previous client.

What support do you offer after we secure a property?

Some agents finish once the lease is signed.

Others offer settling-in support once you arrive, including local orientation, suburb guidance and help with practical setup.

If that matters to you, ask what happens after placement is complete.

Can you help us understand school options and catchment zones?

For families moving from the UK, schooling is often one of the most stressful parts of the move. Australia works differently, particularly when it comes to catchment zones and how they determine eligibility for public schools.

A good relocation agent should factor this into your housing search from the beginning. Some agents may be willing to attend a school tour on your behalf, while others have extensive local knowledge and can give you a good overview of schools in the area before you arrive.

Extra questions for UK families moving to Australia

If you are relocating from the UK, these questions are worth adding to your list to ask your relocation agent:

Can you explain the difference between state and private schools in Australia?
What are the key differences in renting compared to the UK?
How quickly do we need to make decisions on properties?
Can you help us stay within specific school catchment zones (and how important are school catchment zones in this particular area)?

The biggest adjustment for most families moving from the UK is how fast the Australian rental market moves. Decisions are often made within hours, not days.

Red flags to watch for when choosing a relocation agent

They cannot speak confidently about suburbs
Fees are unclear
There is a lack of transparency around agency relationships
Promises of unrealistic timeframes
No verifiable reviews or client references

How to find a reputable relocation agent in Australia

The best way to find a reliable relocation agent to help you:

Word of mouth from other UK families is still one of the most reliable starting points.

Expat groups and Facebook communities can help, but always do your own due diligence. You can ask in the Move to Australia Facebook community.

The Move to Australia Directory includes relocation specialists who regularly work with families moving from overseas and understand the realities of relocating to Australia. You can listen to many of these relocation agents on the New Life in Australia podcast to hear their tips and advice as well and get to know them.

Moving to Australia is not just about finding a home. It is about building a life in a completely new system. The right support can make that transition significantly easier. A relocation agent is a really helpful way of making the move smoother, easier and far less stressful. Hopefully this list of questions to ask a relocation agent has been helpful to get you started with the process of selecting the best relocation agent to support you through your move.