Travel Information
Assistance animals are always welcome
Geelong Airport Connect fully complies with Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic) commercial passenger vehicle (CPV) requirements and the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 for passengers travelling with assistance animals.
Assistance animals are working animals trained to help a person alleviate the effects of a disability. They are not pets. Under Victorian CPV rules, drivers must accept an assistance animal for carriage when it accompanies a passenger. Refusal is not permitted.
Our accredited drivers understand this obligation and will carry you and your assistance animal in the passenger area of the vehicle for airport transfers to and from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Avalon Airport.
Safe Transport Victoria CPV rules
What the regulations require
- Must accept CPV drivers must accept an assistance animal travelling with a passenger (Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Regulations 2018, regulation 26).
- Passenger area The animal travels in the passenger cabin with its handler — not as cargo.
- Identification Some assistance animals wear jackets or tags; others do not. Training to alleviate a disability is what matters, not a badge.
- Handler decides seating Where practical, the passenger chooses where the animal sits for comfort and safety.
- No refusal Refusing a passenger because of an assistance animal is unlawful and may attract ST Vic enforcement action.
- Full compliance Geelong Airport Connect and our drivers operate in full compliance with these CPV requirements.
How bookings work
Travel with confidence
Please mention an assistance animal when you book so the driver is prepared and can allocate suitable space. There is no extra charge for a genuine assistance animal.
Pets that are not assistance animals are a separate category and must be discussed and approved in advance — vehicle suitability and other bookings on the day may affect whether a pet trip can proceed. That distinction does not limit your right to travel with a trained assistance animal.
If you ever feel you have been refused unlawfully by a commercial passenger vehicle service in Victoria, you can also raise the matter with Safe Transport Victoria. We aim never to put you in that position with us.
Broader booking conditions, including events outside our control, are set out in our Booking Terms.
Assistance animals FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to pre-book for an assistance animal?
Please tell us when booking so we are ready — your right to travel with an assistance animal does not depend on fancy paperwork.
Is there a fare surcharge?
No. Assistance animals travel at no extra charge.
Does this cover Melbourne and Avalon?
Yes — the same policy applies on all Geelong Airport Connect CPV airport transfers.
Where can I read the broader booking terms?
See our Booking Terms for industry-standard conditions on matters outside our control.
Assistance animals
Book your airport transfer with confidence
Note your assistance animal at booking so we meet you prepared at Melbourne or Avalon.
ST Vic CPV compliant · No surcharge · Melbourne & Avalon