Defence Member Pet Transport & Relocation - ADF Posting Specialists
Serving the people who serve our country - and making sure their pets make it home too.
Posting season is stressful enough. Between Toll Transitions paperwork, DHA housing timelines and everything else on your plate, your pet's relocation shouldn't be another thing to worry about.
At Departure Pets, we're PACMAN-compliant, Toll Transitions ready, and we handle everything from your first enquiry to the moment your pet arrives at your new posting location.
Get a Free Defence Member Pet Transport Quote or call us on 03 8080 9219.
What you need to know at a glance:
- PACMAN-compliant: we provide itemised invoices that meet ADF reimbursement requirements
- Toll Transitions ready: our invoices are formatted for seamless Toll Transitions claim lodgement
- Defence member discount: ADF members receive a discount per Airway Bill (AWB)
- Flexible around your posting: we understand last-minute changes, delayed housing and shifting timelines
- Australia-wide domestic coverage: we move pets to posting locations across Australia, including regional and remote destinations
- One point of contact: your dedicated Pet Travel Consultant handles everything, start to finish
- No hidden surprises: transparent, personalised quotes based on your exact posting details
- Genuine care, always: your pet is never just cargo to us. They're family.
We Know What a Posting Season Really Looks Like
Posting orders arrive. The timeline shifts. DHA comes back with different options. Toll sends another form. Sound familiar?
At Departure Pets, we've helped countless Defence families navigate the chaos of posting season, and we know that pet relocation is one of the pieces that can quickly become overwhelming if you don't have the right people in your corner.
That's why we've built a service that bends around your posting, not the other way around. Whether your dates are locked in or still a moving target, we're here, we're flexible, and we genuinely love what we do.
Your pet is part of your family. They deserve to be treated that way.
Ready to Plan Your Pet's Move?
Request A Defence Pet Transport Quote
Everything Taken Care Of, From Start to Finish
When you book with Departure Pets for your Defence relocation, here's what you get.
A dedicated Defence Pet Travel Consultant: You'll have one person to call or email throughout the entire process. No call centres, no unnecessary transfers. Just a real person who knows your pet's name, your posting details and your timeline.
PACMAN-compliant, itemised invoicing: We know exactly what Toll Transitions needs to process your reimbursement claim. Your invoice will be itemised, formatted correctly and ready to lodge.
Door-to-door collection and delivery: Collection and delivery options are available to and from major airports and selected regional locations. Services may vary depending on your location, pet size, crate dimensions and flight schedules - your consultant will confirm what's available for your specific move.
- Airline-approved travel crates: All pets travel in properly sized, airline-approved travel crates. Not sure what size your pet needs? We'll help you work that out before booking.
Flight booking and coordination: We coordinate directly with Qantas and Virgin Australia to book the most direct route available for your pet. Connecting flights, regional destinations, remote postings - we've done it all.
- Pet travel updates: Where Departure Pets staff are handling your pet's journey through our Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane facilities, we'll keep you updated at key milestones. For airport-to-airport bookings or services handled by regional agents, updates may be more limited - your consultant will set clear expectations for your specific booking.
Flexible rescheduling: Posting dates changed overnight? It happens, and we get it. We'll do everything we can to adjust your booking without fuss.
Short-term boarding: Short-term boarding is available at our Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane facilities for up to 2 days. For longer boarding requirements, we can arrange placement at an approved third-party facility near your posting location.
How to Claim Your Pet Relocation Costs
As an ADF member, you may be entitled to claim the cost of relocating your pets under the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN). Here's a simple breakdown of how it works and how we make the process easy for you.
- Who is eligible? ADF members posted to a new location within Australia may be able to claim reasonable costs for transporting and boarding their household pets. Reservists on continuous full-time service are also eligible.
- What costs can be claimed? Under PACMAN, claimable costs typically include commercial transportation of your pet to your new posting location, and pet boarding costs while you're in receipt of Temporary Accommodation Allowance at your previous location. Note that costs such as purchasing travel crates are generally not claimable. Your Departure Pets consultant can help you understand what to include in your claim.
- What does Departure Pets need to qualify as a provider? PACMAN requires that pet relocation providers hold an Australian Business Number, operate as a commercial business in the transportation or boarding of household pets, and be registered under relevant State or Territory law. Departure Pets meets all of these requirements.
- How does the claim work? You can either claim in advance by submitting your Departure Pets quote to Toll Transitions before your move for pre-approval, or claim after the move by submitting your itemised Departure Pets invoice to Toll Transitions once your pet has been transported.
We'll guide you through whichever option suits your situation and provide all the documentation you need.
Expert Tip: book as early as you can once you receive your posting order. Early bookings give us more flexibility around flights and timing, which means a smoother claim process too.
How Much Does Defence Member Pet Transport Cost?
Every Defence relocation is different, and so is every quote. The cost of transporting your pet depends on a range of factors including the distance between your current and new posting location, your pet's size, breed and weight, whether travel is domestic or international, the time of year, and collection and delivery requirements.
ADF members also receive a discount per Airway Bill (AWB). Because of this, we don't list fixed prices - and honestly, any company that does probably isn't accounting for your actual situation.
What we do promise is a transparent, personalised quote based on your exact needs, with no hidden fees.
Your quote will be itemised in a way that clearly supports your PACMAN claim, so you know exactly what you're paying and what you can claim back.
Get a Free Defence Member Pet Transport Quote or call us on 03 8080 9219.
Wherever Your Posting Takes You, We'll Get Your Pet There
Interstate postings across Australia Whether you're heading from Darwin to Canberra, Townsville to Perth, or Puckapunyal to Nowra, we cover every posting location across Australia. We work with Qantas and Virgin Australia to find the most direct, comfortable route for your pet, including regional and remote destinations that other providers find difficult.
Overseas postings While the majority of Defence postings are domestic relocations, we can assist with international pet transport where required. Import regulations, airline requirements, health certificates and quarantine protocols vary widely by country.
Our team has experience in international pet transport and will manage every requirement on your behalf. Give us a call on 03 8080 9219 and we'll walk you through what's involved for your specific destination.
Why Defence Families Choose Departure Pets
- We treat your pet like family, not freight. When your pet travels with Departure Pets, they are never just cargo. They're a cherished family member, cared for with genuine warmth every step of the way. Our handlers are trained in animal behaviour and low-stress handling techniques, so your pet feels safe even in unfamiliar surroundings.
- Personalised service, consistent care. You'll have a dedicated Defence Pet Transport Consultant managing your booking from start to finish. They're your single point of contact by phone or email, with continuity of care throughout your relocation.
- We know how Defence moves work. Posting timelines shift. DHA properties aren't always ready. Toll paperwork has its own rhythm. We've seen it all, and we build flexibility into everything we do for Defence members and their families.
- We make the PACMAN claim easy. Our invoices are designed specifically to support your reimbursement claim. We separate costs where needed, provide documentation promptly and guide you through the lodgement process.
- Trusted by Australian families for years. Don't just take our word for it. Read what our customers say. We're proud of our reviews and the relationships we build with every family we help.
Defence Pet Transport FAQs
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