Yes. Many of our clients begin their rental search while they are still overseas. We attend inspections, provide detailed videos and feedback, help prepare your application and liaise with Melbourne property managers on your behalf.

Because you can't inspect homes from overseas, and in a tight market the first strong application usually wins. Rental vacancy rates across Australia have been below 2%, so good homes attract many applicants within days of listing. A relocation agent inspects properties in person, knows which suburbs suit your family, and submits complete applications quickly, so you are not competing from another time zone.

Homeward Australia's full rental relocation service starts from $2,370 including GST. We also offer lighter-touch options if you mainly need advice or property inspections. See our current packages for full details.

You can absolutely manage a rental search yourself. Families generally use us because they want someone on the ground attending inspections, dealing with agents and helping them secure a home before they arrive. This can also reduce the amount of time you need to spend in temporary accommodation after landing.

It can make the process more challenging, but overseas renters secure Melbourne rentals every day.

Your application may instead rely on documents such as your overseas rental history, employment contract, proof of income, savings, references and visa documentation.

We help you prepare for this before you begin applying.

Not necessarily.

If you can't attend because you're overseas or interstate, we can inspect suitable properties on your behalf.

We provide detailed videos and feedback so you can make a more informed decision than you could from the listing photos alone.

Start planning two to three months before you move, and begin the active search four to six weeks before you arrive. Most rentals are advertised only a few weeks before they become available so searching too early can mean nothing suitable is listed yet. In the first planning stage, we help you choose suburbs, set a budget and prepare your application documents, so you are ready the moment the right home appears.

Our full rental-search service includes unlimited property inspections during the agreed search period, subject to the terms of your package.

We don't want you choosing the wrong home simply because you've reached an arbitrary viewing limit.

Yes. Our founder, Suja, is a registered land agent in South Australia (licence RLA347495). She also holds real estate qualifications for Victoria, where she is based. You can verify her registration at the Consumer and Business Services website.

You only pay our relocation fee if we secure a rental for you. If we can't find you a home, you don't pay for the search. Half our fee is due when you sign our contract and is fully refunded if we can't secure you a rental. The remaining half is due when we secure your lease.

No.

We also help families relocating interstate or between Australian cities, or anyone that needs help securing a rental.

Yes.

Suburb matching is an important part of our relocation service.

We consider your workplace, schools, rental budget, transport, lifestyle, family requirements, pets and property preferences before narrowing down suitable areas.

We can help you understand the school options associated with the areas you're considering and factor school access into your property search.

We also offer school or childcare tours subject to availability.

Parents should ultimately confirm enrolment eligibility and requirements directly with the relevant school or education authority.

It depends on your priorities.

If a particular school is essential, we may begin with the school and build your rental search around suitable locations.

If you're flexible on schooling but need to be near a workplace or transport line, we may start with suburbs and then look at the schools available in those areas.

The important thing is to consider the two together.

Yes.

We regularly assist families relocating with dogs and cats.

Tell us about your pet at the beginning of the search so we can factor suitable properties and pet requirements into the process.

Yes. Depending on the move-in support you choose, we can assist with key collection, utilities, deliveries, condition reporting, furniture set-up and other practical tasks before you arrive.