Shipping, Live Animal Delivery, Returns & Refunds
Little Lotl’s Australia ships live axolotls, aquarium plants, aquarium supplies and other eligible products throughout Australia.
Our priority is always the health, welfare and safe transport of our live animals. Because axolotls are living animals, additional conditions apply to their purchase, holding, cancellation and delivery.
Live Axolotl Shipping
All live axolotls are shipped using Team Global Express under our approved live-animal business arrangements.
Every live axolotl shipment is carefully prepared using an airline-approved insulated poly box, medical-grade oxygen, secure live-animal bags, protective packing materials and temperature-appropriate insulation suitable for the expected journey.
Live axolotls are not shipped through Australia Post.
Shipping availability depends on your postcode, expected transit time, weather conditions and available Team Global Express services.
Animal welfare always comes first. If we do not consider conditions suitable for safe transport, dispatch will be postponed until the axolotl can travel safely.
Live Axolotl Shipping Rates
VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD & SA – Metro & Major Regional
1–3 axolotls: $50
4 or more axolotls: $100
Our lower-cost delivery area includes metropolitan locations and selected major regional centres, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Benalla, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Albury, Newcastle, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
Other eligible locations may also qualify.
Your postcode determines the applicable shipping rate at checkout.
VIC, NSW, QLD & SA – Regional
1–3 axolotls: $75
4 or more axolotls: $150
These rates apply to eligible regional destinations outside our Metro & Major Regional delivery areas.
Australian Capital Territory
Live axolotl shipping may be available to eligible ACT addresses; however, ACT licensing and import requirements may apply.
Customers are responsible for ensuring they meet all current ACT requirements before purchasing or arranging transport of an axolotl.
This may include holding an appropriate licence to keep an axolotl and obtaining any approval required to bring the animal into the ACT.
Little Lotl’s may request evidence of any required licence or approval before dispatch.
Eligible ACT delivery postcodes within our lower-cost delivery area are:
1–3 axolotls: $50
4 or more axolotls: $100
Government application, licence or regulatory fees are separate from Little Lotl’s shipping charges and remain the customer's responsibility.
Please allow sufficient time to obtain any required approvals before arranging dispatch.
Western Australia
Live axolotl shipping is available to eligible Western Australian destinations, subject to current WA biosecurity and import requirements.
Western Australia maintains strict controls over the movement of live animals into the state. Customers are responsible for checking the current status of Ambystoma mexicanum and ensuring they meet all applicable keeping, import, quarantine and biosecurity requirements before ordering.
Customers may be required to obtain permits or approvals, provide documentation before dispatch, declare the animal to Quarantine WA or comply with inspection requirements.
Perth Metro
1–3 axolotls: $70
4 or more axolotls: $140
Regional Western Australia
1–3 axolotls: $120
4 or more axolotls: $240
Any permit, inspection, quarantine, biosecurity or other government charges are not included in Little Lotl’s shipping rates and remain the customer's responsibility.
Because government requirements can change, WA customers should check current Western Australian Government requirements before ordering.
Northern Territory
We do not currently offer standard live axolotl shipping to the Northern Territory.
Please contact us before ordering if you are located in the NT.
Tasmania
Standard live pet axolotl shipping is not currently offered to Tasmania due to state restrictions and requirements.
Please contact us before placing a live-animal order if you are located in Tasmania.
Dispatch of Live Axolotls
Live axolotls are normally dispatched on Mondays only, helping reduce the risk of animals being held within freight networks over weekends.
Before dispatch, each axolotl is securely packed in an airline-approved insulated poly box with medical-grade oxygen and protective packing appropriate for the expected journey.
We will only dispatch when we are satisfied that weather conditions, expected transit times and freight services are appropriate for safe transport.
Dispatch may be postponed because of extreme temperatures, severe weather, public holidays, freight disruptions or other circumstances that may create an unnecessary risk to the animal.
A welfare-related delay in dispatch does not mean that the order has been cancelled.
Receiving Your Axolotl
Customers must provide an accurate delivery address, postcode and contact number when ordering.
Where possible, someone should be available to receive the delivery.
Please unpack your axolotl promptly after arrival and follow the acclimation and care information supplied with your order.
If a delivery cannot be completed because of incorrect information, customer unavailability or another customer-related delivery issue, a $35 redelivery fee may apply.
Holding Your Axolotl
We understand that customers sometimes need additional time before receiving their axolotl.
Where agreed with Little Lotl’s, an axolotl may be held beyond the agreed dispatch or collection period for $5 per week.
Holding arrangements must be agreed with us in advance.
An axolotl being held for a customer remains allocated to that customer. A later decision not to proceed with the purchase is considered a change-of-mind cancellation and is subject to the cancellation terms below.
Multiple Axolotls
Our standard freight rates cover up to three axolotls travelling together.
Orders containing four or more axolotls require additional shipping capacity and are charged at the higher rates shown above.
Aquarium Plants & General Orders
Aquarium plants, aquarium supplies and other non-live-animal products may be shipped using Team Global Express or Australia Post depending on which service is most appropriate for the order.
Where aquarium products are ordered together with axolotls, they may be included with the live-animal shipment where safe and practical.
Local Pickup
Local pickup is available from Cranbourne East, Victoria, by arrangement.
Please wait until your order has been confirmed as ready before attending for collection.
Shipping Delays
Courier transit times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Delays can occur because of courier network disruptions, severe weather, natural disasters, road closures, public holidays, incorrect delivery information or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
For live animals, we monitor expected transport conditions and may deliberately postpone dispatch where we believe a delay or other transport condition could create an unnecessary welfare risk.
Animal welfare takes priority over dispatch speed.
Live Axolotl Cancellations, Change of Mind & Refunds
Please Choose Carefully Before Purchasing
Purchasing an axolotl is a long-term commitment. Axolotls may live for 10–15 years with appropriate care and require a suitable, fully cycled aquarium, appropriate temperature management and ongoing care.
We encourage customers to contact us with any questions before placing an order.
Change-of-Mind Cancellations
Little Lotl’s Australia does not offer refunds for change-of-mind cancellations of live axolotls.
This includes a customer requesting to cancel an order before the axolotl has been dispatched or collected.
Once an order has been placed and confirmed, the selected axolotl may be removed from availability and allocated specifically to that customer.
Examples of change of mind may include deciding that you no longer want an axolotl, changing your mind about the particular axolotl selected, finding another animal elsewhere, changes in personal circumstances, or otherwise deciding not to proceed where Little Lotl’s remains ready and able to fulfil the order.
Where a change-of-mind cancellation occurs before dispatch and the shipping charge has not already been incurred, the unused shipping amount will be refunded.
The amount paid for the live axolotl is not refundable for a change-of-mind cancellation.
Where Little Lotl’s has already incurred shipping, permit, certificate, veterinary, specialist packaging or other order-specific third-party costs, those amounts may also be non-refundable to the extent permitted by law.
This change-of-mind policy does not affect any rights or remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law.
Customer Unable to Meet Legal or Delivery Requirements
Customers are responsible for checking any state or territory requirements that apply to legally keeping or receiving an axolotl before ordering.
If an order cannot proceed because the customer does not obtain a required licence, permit or approval, provides an ineligible delivery address, or otherwise cannot meet a requirement that was the customer's responsibility, we will assess the circumstances in accordance with this policy and applicable law.
We strongly recommend contacting us before ordering if you are unsure whether live axolotl delivery is available to your location.
Cancellation by Little Lotl’s Australia
There may be circumstances where Little Lotl’s decides that an axolotl should not be dispatched or released.
This may occur because of concerns regarding the animal's health or welfare, an unsuitable proposed aquarium setup, legal or transport restrictions, or another circumstance where proceeding would not be appropriate.
Where Little Lotl’s permanently cancels an order because we are unable or unwilling to supply the axolotl, rather than because of the customer's change of mind or failure to meet an agreed requirement, we will provide an appropriate refund.
Temporary welfare-related shipping delays are not considered cancellations.
Little Lotl’s Live Arrival Guarantee
Every axolotl shipped by Little Lotl’s Australia is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
We carefully prepare every shipment to provide the safest practical transport environment for the animal.
If your axolotl does not arrive alive, please contact Little Lotl’s as soon as possible after delivery so we can assess the circumstances and arrange an appropriate remedy.
Making a Live Arrival Claim
If an axolotl arrives deceased, please contact us promptly and provide your order number, clear photographs of the axolotl in its transport bag where possible, and photographs of the packaging.
An unboxing video is also extremely helpful where available.
Please retain the animal, transport bag and packaging until we have assessed the claim.
We strongly recommend recording a continuous video when opening a live-animal delivery. This can help us determine what may have occurred during transport and process the matter quickly.
What Happens Next?
Once the circumstances have been assessed, an approved Live Arrival Guarantee claim will receive an appropriate remedy.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include a replacement axolotl or refund.
Replacement animals are subject to availability.
Courier Delays
A courier delay does not automatically cancel the Little Lotl’s Live Arrival Guarantee.
Where an unexpected transport delay occurs, any live-arrival issue will be assessed based on the individual circumstances.
After Safe Arrival
The Live Arrival Guarantee relates to the condition of the axolotl when it arrives.
After safe delivery, an axolotl's ongoing health may be affected by circumstances outside Little Lotl’s control, including water quality, aquarium cycling, temperature, acclimation, tank mates, injury and husbandry.
If you have concerns after receiving your axolotl, please contact us promptly. We are always happy to assist with settling-in and husbandry questions.
Damaged, Missing or Incorrect Orders
If a non-live product arrives damaged, incorrect or with items missing, please contact us as soon as possible.
Please provide your order number, a description of the issue and clear photographs of the product and packaging where appropriate.
This helps us assess the issue and provide an appropriate resolution.
Change-of-Mind Returns – Plants, Food & Aquarium Products
We do not offer change-of-mind returns for:
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Live animals
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Aquarium plants
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Frozen foods
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Opened food products
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Other perishable goods
For eligible unused aquarium products, please contact us before returning anything.
Approved change-of-mind returns must generally be unused, unopened, in their original packaging and in resalable condition.
Return postage for an approved change-of-mind return is the customer's responsibility.
These conditions apply only to change-of-mind returns and do not limit your rights where goods fail to meet a consumer guarantee.
Faulty Products
If a product is faulty, damaged or not as described, please contact us with your order details and photographs where appropriate.
We will assess the issue and provide the remedy required by the Australian Consumer Law.
Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the problem, this may include repair, replacement, refund or another remedy available under Australian Consumer Law.
Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Our change-of-mind exclusions apply only where a customer has simply changed their mind and do not remove any rights a customer may have where goods or services fail to comply with a consumer guarantee.
Our goods and services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under Australian consumer protection legislation.
Need Help?
If you are unsure whether we can safely ship an axolotl to your postcode, whether a particular shipping rate applies, or whether additional state or territory requirements may apply, please contact us before ordering.
Little Lotl’s Australia
Cranbourne East, Victoria
Support@LittleLotls.com.au
