Interstate air freight is the backbone of fast logistics across Australia’s vast geography. The country’s unique distances, remote communities, mining corridors, weather variability, and reliance on major hubs like Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Perth Airport (PER) make aviation cargo a critical mode for businesses operating nationwide. This guide explains how the process works from end to end, the regulations that shape domestic air cargo, and the operational realities behind aircraft loading, screening, and transit times. For readers moving goods specifically between Victoria and Western Australia.
Understanding the Interstate Air Freight Ecosystem
The Australian domestic cargo sector is built around a multi-layered network involving airlines, freight terminals, ground handlers, security regulators, customs (for outbound international legs), and aviation safety authorities. Key entities include:
- Domestic carriers such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, Rex and their cargo divisions
- Freight terminals operating under the Aviation Transport Security Regulations
- Regulators including CASA, the Department of Home Affairs, and the Office of Transport Security
- Airport infrastructure providers at MEL, SYD, BNE, ADL, PER, DRW
- Screening providers accredited for x-ray, ETD, and physical examination
- Freight brokers, logistics companies, and third-party handlers
Interstate air freight sits at the intersection of aviation, security, and commercial logistics, meaning every shipment must pass through both operational and regulatory pipelines before uplift.
1. The Interstate Air Freight Process Step-by-Step
Booking and Cargo Acceptance
The journey begins with a booking, either through an air freight provider, an airline portal, or a freight forwarder. Acceptance rules depend on the type of cargo—general freight, DG (Dangerous Goods), perishables, oversized freight, pharmaceuticals, or time-critical shipments. Airlines apply strict acceptance protocols outlined by CASA, IATA regulations, and airline-specific carrier rules.
Security Screening Requirements
Under Australia’s Aviation Transport Security Act, all cargo must undergo approved screening. Screening points include:
- X-ray screening for general cartons and small to mid-size packages
- Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) for freight that cannot be x-rayed
- Physical inspection for irregular shapes or dense items
- Canine screening units in high-volume terminals
During peak periods or when freight exceeds size thresholds, screening waits can add delays before cargo even reaches the build area.
ULD Build-Up and Handling
Once screened, freight is palletised or containerised into Unit Load Devices (ULDs). The type of ULD varies by aircraft:
- LD3 containers for wide-body A330 aircraft
- Pallet positions for B737 freighters
- Bulk-loading for B737 passenger aircraft
Dimensions, weight distribution, and aircraft structural limits all determine which shipments can be uplifted on each service.
Aircraft Loading and Uplift
Ground handlers load cargo based on airline priority levels—express freight, perishables, pharmaceuticals, and high-yield consignments typically receive priority during congested periods. If a flight reaches its weight limit, some freight may be offloaded and placed on later services.
2. Airlines, Aircraft Types, and Freight Capacity
Australia’s domestic routes use a mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The aircraft type determines uplift capacity, pricing, and maximum freight dimensions. Common aircraft in interstate operations include:
- Boeing 737-800 – Backbone of domestic cargo, bulk-loaded belly space
- Airbus A330 – Provides significant belly capacity when scheduled
- B737F / B737-300F / B737-400F – Dedicated freighters with predictable uplift
- A321P2F – Modern narrow-body freighter conversions
- B767F – Larger freighter used seasonally
Shippers moving large, tall, or palletized freight must pay close attention to aircraft rotation because wide-body aircraft are not guaranteed day-to-day. The route’s uplift consistency directly affects service reliability.
3. Transit Times and Operational Realities
Interstate air freight is fast, but not instant. Airlines operate on cut-off windows, typically 2–4 hours before departure. Screening congestion, flight volume, weather conditions, and capacity constraints affect actual transit times. Most domestic lanes operate on these rough benchmarks:
- Same-day – Possible, but dependent on cut-off compliance and available uplift
- Next Flight – Used for urgent consignments tendered early
- Next-day – Standard for general domestic freight
- 48 hours – When capacity is restricted or freight is offloaded
Clients often assume flight time equals transit time. In reality, screening, build-up, uplift availability, and terminal operations play a larger role than the actual two-to-four-hour flight between cities.
4. Regulatory and Compliance Factors
The interstate air freight sector sits under multiple layers of regulation:
- CASA regulations governing aircraft operations and Dangerous Goods
- Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 for screening protocols
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for DG acceptance
- TGA cold-chain requirements for pharmaceutical freight
- DAFF biosecurity requirements for certain perishables
Compliance affects pricing, handling, and acceptance windows. For example, DG shipments must be lodged earlier due to documentation checks and safety validations.
5. The Role of Third-Party Logistics Providers
Many businesses rely on logistics firms, freight brokers, and independent carriers to manage interstate consignments. These operators coordinate bookings, prepare documentation, arrange DG declarations, handle volumetric checks, and manage final-mile delivery. They bridge the gap between businesses and the operational realities of terminals, allowing companies to ship across states without handling airline requirements directly.
Conclusion
Interstate air freight in Australia is a highly coordinated chain involving regulated screening, capacity management, multiple aircraft types, and airport-specific workflows. While fast, the process is governed by strict timelines and aviation rules that shape what can be uplifted and when. Understanding these mechanics helps businesses plan more accurately—especially on busy corridors like Melbourne to Perth.
To see how this applies specifically to a major interstate lane, visit: Air Freight Melbourne to Perth.