When it comes to moving house, there are some things you don’t want to leave behind. Like the cat, or your favourite t-shirt. The kids?

But there’s one thing you definitely should leave behind – and that’s the nbn box.

Why? Because the nbn box is only linked to one home (not you) – there’s no point taking it with you as it won’t work in your new home. (Plus, the next occupant will need it to easily connect their internet service.)

That means, if we all do the right thing when we move, the correct nbn box should be waiting inside your new place so you can quicky get reconnected.

So, here are our top tips to make moving – and getting nbn connected – a breeze.

1. Leave the nbn box behind

Think of the nbn box a bit like a hot water service.

When you move house, you don’t take it with you. It stays there so the next resident can soon be enjoying hot showers to wash away the stress of the move.

The same applies with the nbn box – leaving it there makes it easy for the new occupant to connect (or reconnect) their internet service. And who doesn’t want to get back online as quickly as they can to unwind with some streaming and scrolling?

Here’s what the nbn box – which you’ll find inside the home – will look like (it usually says ‘Property of nbn’ on it and asks you to leave it behind):

When you see any devices bearing the nbn symbol, please make sure you leave them behind.

2. Take your modem or router with you

While you don’t take the hot water service with you to your new place, you do take the things that help make that shower or bath work for you – say, your favourite shampoo or bath salts.

So, what you should take with you is equipment not supplied by nbn – like your modem, router or Wi-Fi boosters.

If in doubt, check if the equipment you’re planning to take with you matches any of the images above. If it does, leave it behind. If not, add it to that seemingly endless wall of packing boxes!

3. Reconnect with ease

If we all remember to leave the nbn box behind, then moving into your new place should be a smooth experience.

You can check your new address before moving to see if nbn has already been connected there.

If it has, and the previous occupant has earned good moving karma by leaving the nbn box behind, it should be as easy as organising to reconnect with your preferred phone and internet provider.

There’s no nbn box at my new place

If there’s no nbn box at your new place, it can mean a few things:

1. The previous resident mistakenly took it with them.
2. nbn has never been connected – but is available.
3. Unfortunately, nbn isn’t available there.

You can check your new address to see if an nbn internet service is available.

If it is, simply contact your preferred phone and internet provider to organise to reconnect – and let them know the nbn box is missing.

If you’ve already arranged to reconnect and have discovered the nbn box isn’t there, please let your phone and internet provider know and they’ll arrange for us to get one installed or for a replacement to be sent out to you as soon as possible.

Oops… I should have read your article before moving

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

If you’ve accidentally taken the nbn box with you, we’ll gladly receive it back – it will help us connect other customers and also save valuable equipment (that can’t be used for any other reason) from going into landfill.

It’s easy to return to us – Australia Post can provide you with a label online so you can send it back to us at no cost to you. (Please accept a big thank you for helping us and the environment!)