What Chess Moving does

Chess Moving is a wholly Australian owned and operated removalist and relocation services company headquartered in Kings Cross with administrative headquarters in Ulladulla, NSW. Established in 1887, the company has operated for over 137 years and currently serves customers through 12+ local branches spanning every Australian capital city — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Canberra — as well as regional centres including Hobart, Launceston, Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, and Darwin. The branch network is structured through eight affiliated regional entities (Perth Moving Group Pty Ltd, Intermove Australia Pty Ltd, Hanleys Removals Pty Ltd, Durrant Enterprises Pty Ltd, Taylors Removals Pty Ltd, AT Move Pty Ltd, Greater Northern Removals Pty Ltd, and Rymass Pty Ltd), each operating under the Chess Moving brand in its respective geography.

The company delivers a comprehensive service portfolio across four pillars: household moving (local, interstate, international, furniture removals, pet transport via Jet Pets, and insurance), business and commercial relocations (office moves, hotel fit-outs, hospital relocations, library relocations using a proprietary trolley system, FF&E project management, and crate hire), corporate/enterprise relocations (staff relocation management, HR support, and international currency transfers via Send Payments), and storage facilities (short-, medium-, and long-term storage in government-approved, customs-licensed facilities). Internationally, Chess Moving is a shareholder member of the Harmony Relocation Network and a partner of UniGroup, providing access to 1,500+ global destinations.

The core technology asset is ARMS (Asset Relocation Management System), a proprietary asset relocation management platform that provides barcode tracking, online visual management (up to eight photos per item), detailed part and asset number descriptions, multi-client branch allocation, cost-centre allocation, and exportable inventory lists to Excel. The company also pioneered a library trolley system in Australia for specialized library relocations. Revenue is generated primarily on a per-job, quote-based model across moving services, with recurring-style revenue from storage subscriptions, crate hire subscriptions, and managed insurance services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is delivered through on-site consultations, online inventory upload, video chat surveys, phone consultation, or the national hotline (13 14 69). The customer base is distributed across residential households, SMBs, and corporate/enterprise accounts, with the company holding FIDI/FAIM, ISO 9001, IAM, BAR, AFRA, and AIMIA accreditations.

Name

Chess Moving

Legal name

Chess Moving

Website

https://www.chessmoving.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chess Moving is a wholly Australian owned and operated removalist company, founded 1887, delivering local, interstate, and international household, commercial, and corporate relocations across 12+ Australian branches and 1,500+ global destinations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Relocation and Moving Services

NAICS

Used Household and Office Goods Moving (48421)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Interstate Full-Service Door-to-Door Moving (Pack/Load/Transport/Unload) (HSAKABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Door-to-Door Household Goods International Moving (HSAKACAA), Move Management (Office Relocations) (BPABAFAC), Pet Relocation & Moving Transport (HSANAIAH), Local Storage-to-Home / Home-to-Storage Moves (HSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Residential moving services
• Commercial relocation services
• International moving services
• Storage facilities
• Pet transport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kings Cross

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Household Moving Services: Core revenue stream from residential moves including local, interstate, and international household relocations. Services include packing, transportation, unloading, and unpacking. Revenue generated on a per-job basis with quotes based on volume, distance, and services required.
2. Business and Commercial Relocations: Office relocations, hotel fit-outs, hospital relocations, library relocations, and FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) project management services. Provides comprehensive project management, asset disposal, and installation services.
3. Pet Transport Services: Pet relocation services for domestic, interstate, and international moves through partnership with Jet Pets. Services include door-to-door, depot-to-depot, or airport-to-airport options.
4. Moving Insurance: Transit and storage insurance services arranged through insurance broker. Offers Premium Cover and Full Cover options with valuation based on volume method (A$2,500/m³ domestic, A$3,500/m³ international) or specified items method.
5. Storage Facilities: Short-term, medium-term, and long-term storage services in government-approved facilities. Revenue based on storage volume and duration. Includes inventory management and delivery services.
6. Crate Hire Services: Rental of reusable plastic crates for office and commercial relocations. Cost-effective alternative to cardboard boxes with OHS-compliant handling systems.
7. International Currency Transfers: Money transfer service for international relocations powered by Send (Send Payments), offering transfers in 37 currencies with competitive exchange rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chess Moving is a relocations and removals company providing local, interstate, and international household and commercial moving services. Core offerings include packing, transportation, storage, moving insurance, fit-outs, library relocations, pet transport, and corporate staff relocation management, supplemented by ARMS (Asset Relocation Management System) technology for tracking and managing asset moves.

Product overview

Chess Moving is a wholly Australian owned and operated removalist company offering a comprehensive suite of relocation services since 1887. The company's core offerings include Local, Interstate, and International Removalist Services as the primary moving solutions, supported by specialized services such as Furniture Removals, Pet Transport, and Moving Insurance. For commercial clients, Chess Moving provides Business Relocations encompassing Office Fit Outs, Hotel Fit Outs, Library Relocations, and Crate Hire Services. The company also operates an Asset Relocation Management System (ARMS) - a proprietary digital platform for asset tracking. Storage solutions include flexible short-term, long-term, and furniture storage across government-approved facilities. Corporate relocation services extend to Staff Relocation Management and HR Support, while international currency transfers are offered through partnership with Send. The portfolio operates as an integrated service model where moving services connect with storage, insurance, and corporate relocation offerings under a single provider umbrella.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARMS (Asset Relocation Management System): Comprehensive asset relocation management system for managing non-active stored assets for Facilities and Property Managers, providing online visual management, barcode tracking, and multi-location management.

Products and services

• Local Removalist Services Local household and small business removalist services including packing, transport, and short-distance relocation priced through an instant online quote wizard. Intended for residential and small commercial customers relocating within the same region.
• Furniture Removalists (Interstate) Interstate furniture and household removals providing long-distance transport of household goods between Australian states for residential customers relocating across state borders.
• International Removalists International household and personal effects removal services with door-to-door delivery, supported by the Harmony Relocation Network and UniGroup Van Lines partnerships, for households moving abroad or to Australia.
• Business Relocations Relocation services for businesses and organisations, including office moves, asset relocation, and project-managed commercial moves using the ARMS tracking platform. Intended for commercial and institutional clients.
• Corporate Relocations End-to-end corporate relocation programmes for enterprise clients managing employee moves, covering international relocations, staff relocation management, and HR support services.
• Moving Insurance Insurance coverage options for household and commercial goods during transit, available as an add-on for residential and business customers arranging moves.
• Storage Facilities Self-managed storage facilities for short- and long-term storage of household goods, business records, and asset stock, operated under the records management division.
• Crate Hire Services Rental of reusable moving crates and packing containers for household and commercial moves, supplying reusable packaging for relocations.
• Pet Transport Services Door-to-door pet transport services that relocate domestic pets in coordination with household moves, for customers relocating locally, interstate, or internationally.
• Packing Materials & Equipment Retail supply of packing materials, boxes, padding, and moving equipment available for purchase by customers undertaking their own or assisted packing.
• Office Fit Outs Office fit-out and refurbishment services integrated with office relocation services, for businesses reconfiguring workspace during or after a move.
• Hotel Fit Outs Hotel-specific fit-out and refurbishment services delivered alongside hotel relocations, for hospitality operators refurbishing or relocating properties.
• Library Relocations Specialist library and book collection relocation service using a custom trolley system designed to move library collections with minimal handling risk, targeted at public, academic, and special libraries.
• International Currency Transfers International currency transfer service offered to corporate and individual clients arranging international relocations, to handle funds transfer needs tied to moving expenses and property transactions abroad.
• Staff Relocation Management Managed relocation programmes for corporate clients relocating employees, providing coordination of logistics, services, and third-party providers around employee moves.
• HR Support Services HR-oriented support services for relocating employees, including policy and documentation assistance delivered as part of corporate staff relocation programmes.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• Jet PetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJet Pets is Chess Moving's trusted partner for pet transport services across Australia and internationally. As one of Australia's largest animal transport companies, Jet Pets provides safe and seamless pet relocation including domestic, interstate, and overseas pet transport with dedicated animal care teams.
• Harmony Relocation NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerChess Moving is a shareholder member of Harmony Relocation Network, the largest removalist network in the world. This partnership provides access to 1,500+ global destinations with reciprocal service arrangements and professional resources combined with global reach for international relocations.
• UniGroup Relocation NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChess Moving partners with UniGroup Relocation Network for overseas business relocations. The partnership enables management of international corporate moves at both origin and destination, including customs documentation, visa information, freight handling, and special insurance packages.
• Send (Send Payments)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSend (powered by Send Payments) is Chess Moving's partner for international currency transfer services. The partnership enables customers to manage cross-border payments and remittances as part of their relocation process, offering real-time transfers in 37 currencies with competitive exchange rates and dedicated account management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grace Removals Group: Australia's largest privately-owned removalist, offering local, interstate, international, storage, and corporate relocation services — virtually identical service menu to Chess Moving across the same geographies.
• Crown Worldwide Group: Global mobility and relocation company with strong Australian presence offering household goods moving, storage, and corporate relocation services — directly comparable international-moving competitor leveraging its own worldwide partner network.
• Santa Fe Relocation: Global relocation and moving services company offering international household goods moves, storage, and corporate mobility in Australia and overseas — comparable international-mover peer with overlapping FIDI/FAIM-credentialed service model.
• AGS Worldwide Movers: International household goods mover with FIDI accreditation and a global partner network covering 90+ countries — comparable international-removals competitor that overlaps with Chess Moving's Harmony-network international offering.
• John Mason International: International removalist with strong UK base offering worldwide household moving, storage, and corporate relocation — comparable international door-to-door removal peer, particularly relevant to Chess Moving's UK and EU-corridor moves.
• WridgWays: Long-established Australian national removalist with local, interstate, and international household and office moving, plus storage and asset management — competes head-to-head with Chess Moving's core residential and commercial offerings.
• Pickfords: UK-headquartered heritage removalist with international household and office moving plus storage — directly comparable in service mix and accent on British Association of Removers (BAR) credentials, similar to Chess Moving's BAR membership.
• Allied International (part of Sirva): One of the world's largest moving brands with Australian operations providing household, office, and international removals plus storage — competes directly with Chess Moving on full-service domestic and international household moves.

Emerging players

• Muval: Australian on-demand moving aggregator/platform that price-compares multiple removalists for household moves — emerging digital competitor that pressures Chess Moving's traditional quote-driven local-removals economics.

Broad incumbents

• Sirva Worldwide Relocation: Global mobility giant and parent of Allied, providing a broader portfolio of corporate relocation, destination services, and moving — comparable to Chess Moving but at materially larger scope, including owned assets and policy-managed cross-border services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chessmoving
• Facebookfacebook.com/chessmoving
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chessmoving

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chess Moving