In order to help you optimise the cost of transport and shipping, we offer the following information:

1.  COLLECTION

We are happy to prepare your order for collection at our premises, by you or your nominated carrier.  To avoid delays, let us know when you expect to arrive.  Orders for live cultures will usually be available after 10:00am on the nominated collection day.

2.  DELIVERY METHODS

For orders that you are unable to collect, we will arrange the best freight option taking into account cost, security and delivery lead time.

Post

For non-perishable items valued at less than AU$50.00, post is usually the lowest cost delivery option, although this might not be the case for bulky and/or heavy items.  Postal charges depend on the destination and the size and weight of the goods being sent.  Post is available from Monday to Friday.

Same Day Courier

For addresses in metropolitan Melbourne, we can offer a same day (four hour) courier service.  The cost depends on the destination and the size and weight of goods being sent.  The service is available from Monday to Friday.  Goods cannot be left without proper receipt, so please ensure someone is in attendance to receive and sign for the delivery.

Overnight Satchel

Overnight satchels are ideal for small consignments to capital cities and major regional centres throughout Australia.  Weight categories are "Small" (up to 1kg), "Large" (up to 3kg) and "Jumbo" (up to 5kg), but size (dimension) restrictions apply.  Flat rate prices apply to overnight satchels:

Overnight satchels containing refrigerated goods or live cultures can be despatched on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for arrival on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.  Please note, we cannot accept responsibility for the timely arrival of refrigerated goods or live cultures on other days.

Overnight satchels containing non-perishable items can be despatched Monday to Thursday inclusive.

Goods consigned in overnight satchels cannot be left without proper receipt, so please ensure someone is in attendance to receive and sign for the delivery.

Road Freight

Road freight is used for destinations not covered by satchels, and for consignments that are too large and/or heavy to qualify for shipment in an overnight satchel.  Road freight charges depend on the destination and the size and weight of the goods being sent.  Road freight is routinely despatched on Monday to Thursday, and on Friday by special arrangement.  Goods consigned by road freight cannot be left without proper receipt, so please ensure someone is in attendance to receive and sign for the delivery.

Special Animal Transport - within Melbourne

A special "same day" animal transport service is available within metropolitan Melbourne.  The cost depends on the destination and the size of the consignment.  Depending on demand, this service may be restricted to certain specific days, so check with us for further information.

Special Animal Transport - interstate

It is possible to send animals from Melbourne to other state capitals by a same day air service.  At least 7 days prior notice is required and the cost depends on the destination and the size of the consignment.  Call for a quote if you require further information.

3.  PACKAGING

Wherever possible, we use newspaper and shredded paper as ballast and insulation in our packaging, and we pack in clean pre-used cardboard boxes to minimise the environmental impact of waste disposal and to enable us to pass on savings.  Original packaging (eg plastic bubble wrap and mail tubes) is sometimes necessary to guard against damage in transit.

4.  SPECIAL POINTS TO NOTE

Animals

Animals can be shipped by special animal transport to destinations within metropolitan Melbourne or to interstate capitals.  Animal shipment to interstate regional locations is not possible at this time, and there are some restrictions on delivery to Victorian country locations.  Please contact us if you require further information about this.  With prior notice, collection from our premises in Nunawading is available.

Note: Please make sure proper arrangements have been made to care for the animals when they arrive.

Refrigerated Goods

Frozen and cool-stored goods require same day or overnight transport.  Ensure the goods are unpacked immediately on arrival and dealt with appropriately to maximise their longevity.

Live Cultures

Live cultures usually require same day or overnight transport, although most will be suitable for use after two days in transit.  Ensure the goods are unpacked immediately on arrival and dealt with appropriately to maximise their longevity.

Dangerous Goods

Certain chemicals are subject to the shipping restrictions that apply to Dangerous Goods.  Check individual product information for details.  Subject to legislative restrictions, Dangerous Goods may not be sent via the post or by air, and are usually subject to a surcharge imposed by freight companies.

Heavy and Bulky Items

Manual handling guidelines mean that the size of individual parcels is limited to 25kg (the greater of mass or cubic weight equivalent).  Cubic weight is calculated as follows:

and expressed as kilograms.  For example, a package with dimensions of L = 0.5m, W = 0.2m and H = 0.3m has a cubic weight of 7.5kg.

Remote Locations

Freight companies usually impose a surcharge on deliveries to remote locations.  If you have a special arrangement with a freight company that services your remote location, please let us know and we can deliver to their depot for trans-shipment or arrange for them to collect from our premises.

Delivery by post is another possibility for parcels that are eligible for the Educational Remote Area Parcel Service.

(see www.auspost.com.au).

International Orders

International orders can be consigned to your freight forwarder in Australia or shipped directly.  The most economic method will depend on the destination and the size of the parcel.  Please contact us with your specific requirements.  Please note that certain items are subject to quarantine and customs restrictions in some countries.  You should check with the authorities in your location to ensure that the goods may be imported, and if so, whether any special permits are required.

5.  TIPS FOR OPTIMISING YOUR FREIGHT COSTS

Freight costs can be significant so it pays to take steps to minimise the unit freight cost as much as possible.  Consider the following suggestions:

• Coordinate your purchases with other campuses and departments at your school so a single delivery can be made.

• Consider liaising with other schools in your neighbourhood to consolidate orders and share the cost of freight.

• Email or fax your requirements in advance and request a quotation for shipping.

• Be aware that different types of products may have to be shipped separately, and thus increase your freight bill.  For example, an order that included refrigerated goods and flammable chemicals would have to be split into an overnight satchel for the refrigerated goods and a road freight consignment for the chemicals, even if they were small enough to fit together into one small carton.  Wherever possible, order goods that can be shipped together at one time to avoid extra costs.