​​​​​​Travelling with  a guide, hearing or assistance animal​​​

​​​​​​On this page you’ll find information about travelling with guide, hearing or assistance dogs or assistance animals, including definitions, criteria, conditions of carriage and how to book.​

​Are animals permitted on our services and at our stations?​​​​​​

For the safety and comfort of all customers, animals are not permitted on any Gulflander service or station except for:

  • Guide, hearing and assistance dogs that are trained and certified in accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) with an identity card issued in accordance with that Act. This includes a guide, hearing and assistance dog under training. 

or​​

  • ​​​​​Animals that meet the assistance animal requirements as outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (“assistance animal”), being animals that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place, with an approved assistance animal pass.​

A booking is required for all assistance animals, and they will be carried free of charge on Gulflander​ services. Please see below for information on how to make a booking.

For terms and definitions please refer to Guide, hearing and assistance dogs | People with disability | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) (opens in new tab).​

Animal identification and other documents required

​We have a list of pre-approved training organisations and assistance animal passes that we accept. If you hold an assistance animal pass issued by one of these organisations or as listed below, that is all you need to provide to travel with your assistance animal.

Gulflander​ will accept documentation and passes for assistance animals that are issued by any of the below:

  1. ​​Approved trainers and training institutions | People with disability | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) (opens in new tab).
  2. Translink (see note below) (opens in new tab)
  3. Transport for NSW (opens in new tab)
  4. Victorian Public Transport (opens in new tab)
  5. Government of WA (opens in new tab)
  6. Young Diggers (opens in new tab)
  7. Revolutionary Assistance Dogs Inc (opens in new tab)​
  8. mindDog Australia (opens in new tab)

Gulflander will also accept passes for assistance animals issued by organisations accredited or recognised by any of the below: 

  1. Assistance Dogs International (opens in new tab)
  2. ACT Government Domestic Animals Act 2000 (opens in new tab)
  3. South Australian Dog and Cat Management Board (opens in new tab)
  4. Western Australian Government Dog Act 1976 (opens in new tab)​

Note: To obtain a Translink Assistance Animal Pass, in addition to a health professional declaration and a veterinary declaration, an applicant may provide a training declaration from a professional training organisation/individual, or an applicant may provide a training declaration if the animal is trained by the applicant or another individual. The Translink application form states to allow up to 15 working days for the application to be processed, this time period should be considered when planning your travel with us.

Gulflander will consider passes issued by other organisations that deliver appropriate training but are not on the above lists and links. To enable us to confirm training, we may require documentation, or request information about your training organisation. Please let us know at the time of booking if you do not hold a pass from an approved trainer or training institution as listed above.

In the absence of evidence or identification, travel with the assistance animal may not be approved. If you are unable to provide sufficient evidence that the assistance animal has been trained, please discuss with us in advance of travel.

​Sample Images of Identification for Handlers/Trainers

The following images of cards issued by the Queensland Government for handlers and trainers of guide, hearing and assistance dogs will be accepted by Gulflander.


Translink Assistance Animal Pass dog (front)​​

Translink Assistance Animal Pass dog (front)​

Translink Assi​stance Animal Pass dog (back)

Translink Assi​stance Animal Pass dog (back)

Translink Assistance Animal Pass cat (front)​​

Translink Assistance Animal Pass cat (front)​

Translink Assi​stance Animal Pass cat (back)

Translink Assi​stance Animal Pass cat (back)


Primary Handler Identification


Puppy Carer Identification


Primary Handler Identification (requires alternate handler)


Alternate Handler Identification


Approved Trainer Identification


Employee Trainer Identification


Identification back of card


Images of identification for animals
​

A Guide Dog walking with a harness

A Guide Dog walking with a harness

​

A Lions Hearing Dog - wearing an identifying coat and lead

A Lions Hearing Dog wearing an identifying coat and lead

​​


Handler/Trainer responsibilities while travelling with us

Handler/Accompanying Trainer Responsibilities:

​To carry sufficient evidence that the assistance animal has been trained, including handler or trainer identification. This may include a Translink Assistance Animal pass.

  • Trainers and handlers must display their identity card on request.
  • Ensure your assistance animal wears their identification badge/medallion, coat, vest or harness if:
    • ​an identification badge/medallion, coat, vest or harness has been issued to your assistance animal as part their training; or 
    • an identification badge/medallion, coat, vest or harness is required by a law of a State or Territory that provides for the accreditation of assistance animals (for example, dogs certified under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) are required to wear an identifying coat).
  • To ensure the assistance animal is under the direct control of the handler or a trainer at all times, this includes taking the assistance animal off the train for comfort stops.
  • For their safety, the assistance animal must be seated on the floor in the space allocated by Gulflander and not on an adjacent seat or in the lap of the handler/trainer or impeding the aisle way.​
  • To ensure the good behaviour and hygiene of the assistance animal.
  • It is recommended that you supply absorbent bedding or a mat suitable for your assistance animal that is clean and in good condition.
  • If a carrier is being used for the assistance animal, this must also be clean and in good condition.​​
  • Customers must account for any damage to Gulflander property by the assistance animal.
  • Discuss with the onboard team regarding your dining options and any aspects of your journey.​
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