Packing cost guide
How Much Do Professional Packing Services Cost?
The short answer
Professional packers in Australia usually charge $50 to $80 per packer per hour, with boxes often charged on top. At UNN Movers packing starts from $49 per packer per hour, and the boxes and packing materials are included.
A 1 bedroom unit takes two packers about 2 to 5 hours. A 3 bedroom house takes most of a day, so the size of your home and how much you hand over set the price.
How much do professional packers cost?
Packing is charged per packer, per hour. Two packers working four hours is eight packer hours.
| Market | UNN Movers | |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $50 to $80 per packer | From $49 per packer |
| Boxes and materials | Often charged separately | Included |
| Unpacking | Usually same hourly rate | Same hourly rate |
UNN prices include GST. Market range is for 2026 and varies by city.
You can book a full pack or just part of the house. A part pack costs less because the packers finish sooner.
How long does packing take for each home size?
The more rooms and the fuller the cupboards, the longer it takes. Kitchens take the longest because every glass and plate gets wrapped on its own.
Swipe to see the full table
| Home size | Packers | Typical hours | UNN estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 2 | 2 to 5 | $196 to $490 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2 | 4 to 6 | $392 to $588 |
| 3 bedrooms | 2 | 8 to 12 | $784 to $1,176 |
| 4+ bedrooms | 3 to 4 | Most of a day | Written price |
Typical hours from Airtasker and Sydney packing guides. Estimates use $49 per packer hour.
What does a packing service include?
Packing is more than putting things in boxes. It is how the box is packed that stops things breaking.
- Boxes, paper, bubble wrap and tape, all supplied
- Wardrobe boxes so clothes travel on the hanger
- Plates packed on edge and gaps filled so nothing shifts
- Every box labelled by room
- Mattress and couch covers
- Packers on our own payroll
Can you pack only the kitchen or fragile items?
Yes. Many people pack the books and clothes themselves and hand over the kitchen, glassware, art and screens.
That is often the best value. You save the hours on easy rooms and leave the breakable rooms to people who pack them every day.
How much do packing materials cost?
With UNN, nothing extra. Boxes and materials are part of the packing price.
If you pack yourself, a full house needs a lot of boxes, plus paper, tape and wardrobe boxes. That adds up fast at the hardware store, and free boxes from the bottle shop tend to collapse when stacked.
How much does unpacking cost?
Unpacking is charged at the same hourly rate as packing. The packers take things out of the boxes and put them into cupboards, not onto the floor.
You can book all of it or just the rooms that matter on night one, like the kitchen and the beds. The empty boxes go with us.
Is it cheaper to pack yourself?
It costs less in dollars, but it costs a weekend or two. It can also cost more on moving day if it is not finished.
Movers who arrive to an unpacked house end up packing at the moving rate. At UNN that is $120 an hour for two movers, against $98 for two packers. Booking packers the day before is the cheaper way to buy the same work.
Why book packing with UNN?
From $49 an hour
Per packer, GST included, below the usual market rate.
Materials included
Boxes, paper, wrap and tape are in the price.
One booking
Pack, move and unpack with one coordinator.
Our own staff
Packers are on our payroll, not strangers off an app.
Insured
$20M public liability plus goods in transit cover on what we pack.
Where can you book packing with UNN?
UNN packers work in four cities. Each city page has local details and suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
How much do professional packers charge per hour?
Most charge $50 to $80 per packer per hour. UNN starts from $49 per packer per hour, GST included.
How long does it take to pack a 3 bedroom house?
Two packers usually take 8 to 12 hours. A third or fourth packer gets it done in one day.
Are boxes included in the packing price?
At UNN, yes. Boxes, paper, bubble wrap and tape are all included.
Can you pack just the kitchen?
Yes. You can book a full pack, the kitchen only, or just the fragile items.
Will you unpack on the same day as the move?
Yes, if you book it. Most people have the kitchen and beds unpacked on the day and the rest done later.
How do you get a written price?
Tell us the size of your home and how much you want packed. You get a written price within two hours, 6am to 10pm, seven days.
Moving as well? See what home removals cost, plus furniture assembly and managed storage costs.
- $120 an hour, GST included
- No extra fees
- $20M public liability
- 6am to 10pm, seven days