Transporting a car to or from Western Australia requires extra preparation. Along with the usual vehicle transport checklist, customers need to think carefully about personal belongings, vehicle cleanliness and WA biosecurity requirements.
This guide explains what to remove from the vehicle, why cleanliness matters and how to prepare before booking car transport to Perth or another Western Australian location.
Autocare provides vehicle transport services across Australia using road, rail and sea for passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial vehicles across local and interstate movements.
Can I Leave Belongings in My Car When Transporting It to WA?
No. Autocare states that vehicles must be free of personal goods if they are being transported to or from Western Australia.
This means you should remove bags, boxes, tools, clothes, food, sporting equipment, camping gear, work gear and loose personal items before collection or depot drop-off.
Why Vehicle Transport to Western Australia Needs Extra Preparation
Western Australia has strict biosecurity controls designed to help reduce the risk of pests, diseases and weeds entering the state. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says Quarantine WA enforces strict biosecurity laws, and Australian states and territories have interstate quarantine regulations to control the movement of goods that could carry pests and diseases.
For vehicle transport customers, the practical message is simple: do not use your vehicle as a moving box when transporting it to or from WA.
WA Biosecurity and Vehicle Cleanliness
DPIRD says quarantine risk material must be declared to a Quarantine Inspector on arrival into Western Australia where regulated entry conditions apply. It also says interstate freight arriving by rail and sea is assessed and checked by quarantine inspection staff, with surveillance including checks that vehicles are clean of soil and plant material.
Before transport, clean away:
- Soil
- Mud
- Grass
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Plant material
- Food scraps
- Camping debris
- Garden residue
- Pet bedding material
Pay extra attention to tyres, wheel arches, floor mats, the boot, trays, roof storage areas and underbody areas where soil and organic material can collect.
What Should Be Removed Before WA Vehicle Transport?
For an Autocare movement to or from Western Australia, remove all personal goods.
This includes:
- Suitcases
- Boxes
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Tools
- Spare parts
- Food and drinks
- Chargers and cables
- Portable batteries
- Toll tags
- Garage remotes
- Camping gear
- Sports gear
- Child seats, unless specifically approved
- Pet items
- Work equipment
- Garden items
- Loose accessories
- Items under seats
- Items in door pockets
- Items in the glove box
- Items in the centre console
- Items in roof pods, ute trays or storage compartments
Autocare's general FAQ says personal belongings may be transported in a vehicle only if booked with the transport service and securely packed into boxes or suitcases in the boot. That does not apply to WA movements, because vehicles transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods.
Why You Should Not Move Household Goods Inside the Car
If you are relocating to WA, it may be tempting to fill the vehicle with household goods. For Autocare WA vehicle transport, this should not be done.
Personal belongings can create extra transport, inspection and biosecurity complications. They may also contain soil, seeds, food residue, plant material, insects or other quarantine risk material.
If you are moving household goods into WA, handle them through an appropriate removals process and check current WA import requirements. DPIRD states that quarantine entry requirements can change depending on recent pest and disease outbreaks.
How to Clean Your Vehicle Before Transport to WA
Use this practical cleaning checklist before collection or depot drop-off.
1. Wash the Outside
Clean the body, wheels, tyres, wheel arches and underbody areas as thoroughly as practical.
2. Vacuum the Inside
Vacuum the cabin, boot and mats to remove dirt, crumbs, plant material and seeds.
3. Empty All Storage Areas
Check the glove box, centre console, boot compartments, seat pockets, door pockets, roof pods and ute trays.
4. Remove Organic Material
Remove leaves, soil, grass clippings, food, pet hair and any items that could carry seeds or plant matter.
5. Remove Camping, Sporting and Garden Equipment
Camping gear, fishing equipment, sports gear, gardening tools and outdoor work equipment can carry soil, plant material or insects. Remove them before transport.
6. Check Tyres, Wheel Arches and Mats Again
These areas can hold mud, seeds and plant material. They are worth checking twice before a WA movement.
7. Keep the Vehicle Accessible
The vehicle still needs to be inspected, loaded and moved safely. Do not block access to the driver's seat, pedals, boot or keys.
Perth Vehicle Transport and Depot Planning
Autocare lists a Perth Autocare depot at 925 Rowley Road, Doobarda WA 6112, with weekday operating hours shown on its Depot Locations page. Customers should check current depot details before travelling.
Depot planning can be useful when:
- Door access is limited
- You are close to the depot
- A carrier cannot safely access your street
- You need a clearer handover point
- You are coordinating collection with another person
- You are collecting a vehicle after interstate transport
Autocare's Depot Locations page also notes that customers should arrive 30 minutes before depot closing time at several locations to allow enough time for vehicle collection.
What If Direct Pickup or Delivery Is Not Suitable?
Large car carriers need safe and practical access for loading and unloading. If direct pickup or delivery is not suitable, Autocare may use a depot, agent location or call-to-meet point.
Autocare explains that where it does not have a depot, it may use reputable companies to take possession of a vehicle. In some cases, an agent location or call-to-meet point may be arranged, and drivers contact customers on approach to advise where they will be located.
A call-to-meet point may be useful when:
- The street is too narrow
- There are low trees or overhead obstructions
- Local parking is restricted
- The property is difficult for a large carrier to access
- A safer loading or unloading point is nearby
How Long Does Car Transport to WA Take?
Autocare advises that local moves can take up to 1 week and interstate moves can take up to 3 weeks, subject to location and volume at the time of booking. Transit times are indicative only and can be affected by weather, high movement volumes and specialised services.
Because WA movements can involve long distances and extra preparation requirements, build flexibility into your plans. Avoid scheduling flights, holidays, work commitments or vehicle handovers around an exact delivery date unless timing has been confirmed.
Booking Checklist for Car Transport to or from WA
Before starting an enquiry, confirm:
- The vehicle is empty
- The vehicle is clean inside
- The vehicle is clean outside
- The vehicle is free from soil and plant material
- The vehicle is free from food and garden items
- The vehicle is free from camping debris
- The vehicle is drivable
- The steering, foot brake and hand brake work
- The vehicle has no broken windows
- The vehicle has at least 15cm clearance
- Modifications are disclosed
- External accessories are disclosed
- Pickup and delivery contacts are available
- The route is clearly marked as to or from Western Australia
Autocare states that non-drivable vehicles are not currently supported for standard transport, and vehicles must be drivable with operable steering, foot brake and hand brake.
Collection and Delivery Handover
Autocare advises that someone should be present when the vehicle is collected or delivered. Drivers conduct a vehicle survey at collection and delivery, and the customer is asked to sign and agree with it. Autocare says this process can take 15 to 30 minutes.
Before handover:
- Have the keys ready
- Make sure the vehicle is accessible
- Keep your phone available
- Allow enough time for inspection
- Review the vehicle survey before signing
- Confirm the vehicle is empty for WA transport
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes when transporting a vehicle to or from Western Australia:
- Leaving boxes in the boot
- Leaving tools behind the seats
- Forgetting items in the glove box or centre console
- Forgetting roof pods, ute trays or storage compartments
- Leaving camping gear in the vehicle
- Leaving food, garden items or pet equipment inside
- Not cleaning mud from tyres or wheel arches
- Assuming normal belongings rules apply to WA
- Booking too close to a fixed travel date
- Not checking depot opening times before collection
Why This Matters for a Smoother Transport Experience
A clean, empty and prepared vehicle is easier to inspect, load, move and hand over. It also reduces the risk of avoidable issues during WA transport.
The safest approach is to prepare early, remove all personal goods, clean the vehicle thoroughly and check current WA biosecurity requirements before transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave personal items in my car when transporting it to WA?
No. Autocare states that vehicles being transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods.
Why does my vehicle need to be clean before going to WA?
Western Australia has strict biosecurity controls. DPIRD says interstate freight arriving by rail and sea is checked by quarantine inspection staff, including checks that vehicles are clean of soil and plant material.
Does Autocare have a Perth depot?
Yes. Autocare lists a Perth Autocare depot at 925 Rowley Road, Doobarda WA 6112. Customers should check current depot details before travelling.
How long does car transport to WA take?
Autocare advises that interstate vehicle moves can take up to 3 weeks, subject to location and volume at the time of booking. Transit times are indicative only and can be affected by weather, high movement volumes and specialised services.
Can I move household goods inside the car to WA?
No. For Autocare WA vehicle transport, vehicles transported to or from Western Australia must be free of personal goods. Household items should be handled separately and checked against current WA biosecurity requirements.
What should I clean before transporting a car to WA?
Clean the tyres, wheel arches, underbody areas, boot, mats, cabin, trays and storage compartments. Remove soil, mud, leaves, seeds, food, camping debris, garden residue and loose personal goods.
Planning Car Transport to or from Western Australia? Start a vehicle transport enquiry with Autocare and make sure your vehicle is clean, empty and ready before collection or depot drop-off.
