Good move: leave the nbn box behind

4 min read
May 28, 2024
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From our Connectivity Partner, nbn

To make it easy for everyone to connect to the nbn^® network, make sure you leave the nbn box behind when you’re moving house.

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):

nbn-box-white-background - 1 — Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) nbn box

nbn-connection-box-white-background - 1 — Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) nbn box

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

Can’t find one? Don’t panic.

If you’re connected to the nbn network but can’t spy one of the above boxes at home, then you’re probably connected via our Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fibre to the Basement (FTTB) technology. These technology types don’t use an nbn box – so there’s nothing to worry about accidentally taking (or leaving behind!)

Look up your address to check which technology is used at your current home.

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:

The previous resident mistakenly took it with them.
nbn has never been connected – but is available.
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!)

TL: DR (Too long, didn’t read)

Leave the nbn box behind – it’s linked to the house, not you.
Take your own equipment with you – like your modem, router and Wi-Fi boosters.
Receive good moving karma – by letting others connect easily, you’ll show them how it’s done (and potentially help your future moving self!)

Your guide to unpacking: how to settle in to your new home

3 min read
May 28, 2024
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From our Moving Partner, Muval

Moving into your new home is exciting… until you realise all the unpacking you have to get done. Here’s how to tackle the task without losing your mind.

Your Guide to Unpacking: How to settle in to your new home

Congratulations, you’ve moved house! You made it through the planning, organising, sorting, packing, lifting, and everything else you have to put up with when you move. We’ve already helped you out with packing tips, so how about a guide to unpacking? Let’s go!

1. Clean the space

If you haven’t already kicked things off with a clean, it’s a great thing to get out of the way before all your stuff is in its place. Start at one end of the house and go room by room, top to bottom. Ceiling fans, walls, windows, benches, skirting boards, floors… anything that needs a wipe down.

2. Get the furniture in place

Don’t mess with the boxes just yet! Before you get to that part, make sure every piece of furniture is in its new spot. Taking the time to set the room exactly how you want it will make the actual unpacking so much easier.

3. Start with the essentials

Packing an essentials box saves a LOT of trouble, and gives you the perfect place to begin your unpacking. Room-by-room is a great rule when you’re moving, and when you’re unpacking you should start with the most-used items and areas. Do the bathrooms first, because chances are you’re gonna want to use those pretty soon. Then, the bedrooms… you don’t want to get to bedtime and realise you still have to put sheets on the bed.

4. Look after the whole family

If someone in the household is more anxious about the move, get them settled in first. Pitching in to ensure their room is set up and they’re comfy in their new home will make the whole process a lot easier on everyone.

5. Get the kids involved (or not)

Depending on their age and willingness to participate, there are some great ways to get the kids involved in the unpacking process. They’ll settle in quicker if they get to help set up their new space, and a lot of fun can be had from collapsing cardboard boxes. If you think the whole thing might be easier if they’re not super involved, set aside some activities to keep them busy while you get stuck into the hard work.

How to beat the unpacking procrastination

We get it, unpacking does not spark joy. Moving house is an incredibly hectic time, and it’s common to get started and lose momentum halfway through. Open heart surgery would look a lot like murder if you judged it halfway through. So here’s how to avoid those feelings!

1. Give yourself a deadline

Create that urgency to keep yourself on track. Pick a date that’s reasonable for you, mark it on the calendar, and stick to it! You could even plan to have friends over to see the new place and have everything in order by then.

2. Start small

You don’t have to have the entire house in order on day one! Break up the overwhelming items on the to-do list into smaller, more manageable tasks. You can write each one on a Post-It note and stick them to a wall, and pull each one off as you complete it. Feels good!

3. Remove distractions

It might be keeping the kids busy to let you work, it might mean playing music instead of turning on the TV, and it may be as simple as leaving your phone in the other room. Check out our favourite songs to help you unpack.

4. Tidy as you go

It’s easy to get carried away, and before you know it you’re left with a tornado of packing peanuts and cardboard spread across the entire house. Remember how we suggested going room-by-room? That goes for cleaning too. Unpack your bedroom, pop everything in its place, remove the rubbish, then onto the next room. You and your sanity will thank us later.

Be realistic, make a plan, and don’t beat yourself up if it takes a little longer than expected. Once you’re all done, it’s time to sit back and enjoy your new home!