Interstate pet transport by road

Families relocating within Australia, people buying or rehoming pets from interstate, breeders, rescue groups and sellers sending animals to new owners.

A price per journey based on distance, number of pets and crate size. You can fill return legs with other bookings to share the cost of the trip.

• Comfortable handling many types of animals
• Long-distance driving and route planning
• Clear communication and updates with owners
• Organised record keeping

• State and territory animal welfare and transport rules, including any codes of practice, which differ, so check each one
• Some states have rules on moving animals across borders, so check each one before you travel
• Insurance that covers animals in transit, your vehicle used commercially and your own injury
• Heat, breakdowns and long hours, so build in a contingency plan and your own rest breaks
• Fuel, maintenance and tolls can eat into margins, so price each route carefully
• Workers compensation insurance once you employ a driver or helper

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your van or ute, ventilated crates and insurance. Fuel, maintenance and tolls can eat into margins, so price each route carefully.

Things to check: state and territory animal welfare and transport rules, including codes of practice, which differ, and any rules on moving animals across borders. Also check insurance covering animals in transit, commercial use of your vehicle, your own injury and workers compensation if you employ a driver.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on routes, pricing and how many trips you complete. Estimates also suggest at least around 30 hours a week, including long drives, so plan rest breaks and a contingency for breakdowns.