Apex Aquatic Shipping Policy

Thank you for shopping with Apex Aquatic. The following shipping policy outlines how orders are processed, shipped, and delivered across Australia.

Shipping Types

Standard/Express Shipping:
We ship all orders primarily using Team Global Express, one of Australia's leading courier and logistics providers, known for reliable nationwide delivery and efficient tracking services. While Team Global Express is our main carrier for most orders, we reserve the right to use alternative carriers when necessary to ensure timely and efficient delivery.

Customers can choose between standard and express shipping at checkout. Standard shipping typically arrives within 1–4 business days, while express shipping is prioritised for faster delivery, usually within 1–2 business days, depending on your location.

All shipments include tracking where available, allowing you to monitor your delivery from dispatch through to arrival.

Australia Post:
Australia Post is not a standalone shipping option but may be used as an alternative carrier where applicable, for example, if your delivery address is a PO Box. All Australia Post shipments include tracking and offer convenient delivery management options such as redirection, safe drop, or collection from a nearby location.

2 Hour Delivery:
We offer a 2-hour delivery service for select Melbourne metro areas, designed for urgent orders when you need your items fast.

Orders placed before 5:00pm will be prioritised and fulfilled as soon as possible. If your order is placed after 5:00pm, it will be dispatched the following morning once we open.

If you require delivery at a specific time, please include this in your order notes at checkout and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Please allow up to 2 hours for us to process and dispatch your order. Once dispatched, delivery is typically completed within approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic and distance. Availability and pricing may vary based on location, and this option will appear at checkout if eligible.

Live Goods (Fish, Plants & Livestock):
We take extra care when packaging and shipping live goods to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition. All livestock is packed using industry-standard methods, including insulated packaging and oxygenated bags where required.

Please note: Live goods can only be shipped within the Australian Eastern Biodiversity Zone. We are unable to ship live fish, plants, or livestock to Western Australia (WA), the Northern Territory (NT), or Tasmania (TAS), due to biosecurity and quarantine regulations.

If you are located in WA, NT, or TAS and have your own approved quarantine setup, we may be able to accommodate your order, however, we will require written confirmation of your quarantine arrangements before dispatch.

Live goods are shipped with reliable couriers such as Team Global Express, with delivery options selected based on speed and safety. We strongly recommend choosing express shipping for all live goods, as faster transit times significantly reduce stress on fish and plants.

Customers must ensure someone is available to receive the delivery on arrival. We are not responsible for delays caused by courier services or missed deliveries. For the health and safety of livestock, we may delay shipping during extreme weather conditions.

Air Freight:
For customers who require faster interstate delivery, we offer two air freight options to get your order to you as quickly as possible.

Team Global Express (TGE) Airport to Airport:
With TGE Airport to Airport freight, your order will be dispatched and available for collection from your nominated airport by 6:00am the following morning. This is a cost-effective air freight option for time-sensitive orders.

Please indicate your preferred airport in your order notes at checkout. Pricing is approximately $80 per box.

Virgin Freight:
Virgin Freight is a premium air freight service we organise directly with you to ensure the fastest possible transit time with the least amount of handling. This service is heavily dependent on available flights and will be coordinated with you prior to dispatch to find the best option.

Due to the nature of this service, pricing can vary based on flight availability, weight, and destination, ranging from approximately $150 to $250.

Please contact us to arrange Virgin Freight before placing your order so we can confirm availability and provide you with an accurate quote.

Receive Shipping Quote (Large Items):
For larger or bulky products that are not eligible for standard free shipping, please select "Receive Shipping Quote" at checkout to complete your order.

Once your order is placed, we will review the items and provide a shipping quote as quickly as possible. These orders are typically shipped using Team Global Express Business services, allowing us to handle oversized packages that standard carriers may not accept.

If you're not happy with the quoted shipping cost, simply let us know, we can either issue a full refund or work with you to find an alternative solution.

Shipping Costs
Shipping costs range from $8 to $40 for standard deliveries, depending on your location and the size of your order. This cost is only representative of products under certain weight and dimensions.

We offer free shipping on orders over $250.

Heavier tanks and lights may require a shipping quote as they cannot be shipped through standard B2C carriers.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your delivery address and order contents.

Order Processing
Orders are typically processed within 1–3 business days.

Processing times may vary during peak periods, public holidays, or if items are temporarily out of stock. If there are any delays with your order, we will notify you as soon as possible.

Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information where available.

Delivery Timeframes
Estimated delivery times are typically 1–7 business days depending on your location within Australia.

Regional and remote areas may experience longer delivery times.

Please note that delivery timeframes are estimates only and may be affected by factors outside of our control, such as courier delays, weather conditions, or peak shipping periods.

Shipping Coverage
We currently ship Australia-wide for most products. Please note that live goods (fish, plants & livestock) are restricted to the Australian Eastern Biodiversity Zone. Customers in WA, NT, or TAS wishing to order live goods must provide confirmation of an approved quarantine setup prior to dispatch.

Live Fish, Plants & Livestock

Due to the sensitive nature of live aquatic livestock, additional care is taken when packaging and shipping these items to ensure safe transit.

Customers must ensure someone is available to receive deliveries containing live goods. Apex Aquatic is not responsible for delays or issues caused by missed deliveries or courier disruptions.

In the unlikely event that livestock arrives deceased, a clear photo must be taken of the fish inside the sealed, unopened bag upon arrival. This is required for any claims or refunds. Please note that opening the bag before taking a photo will void any claim, as it will be considered that the loss occurred after delivery and not during transit.

Where a valid claim is approved with clear photographic proof of dead on arrival livestock, Apex Aquatic will issue a refund to the value of the affected livestock only. Shipping costs are non-refundable. We do not reship replacement livestock as part of a claim, if you would like to purchase a replacement, please place a new order through our website.

Incorrect Address & Failed Delivery
Please ensure your shipping details are correct at checkout. Apex Aquatic is not responsible for orders delivered to incorrect or incomplete addresses provided by the customer.

Additional shipping charges may apply for redelivery or returned parcels.

Damaged or Lost Items
If your order arrives damaged or is lost in transit, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist in resolving the issue.