Where and When Defence Needs Mobility, Toll Delivers

We catch up with Michael Cahill, BDM for Managed Services at Toll Government and Defence regarding Toll’s enduring and long-time support behind ADF readiness.

For more than 20 years, Toll has been supporting Defence where it matters most - in the safe and secure relocation and delivery of its members and their families. But did you know that support also includes the movement of vital commodities.

Michael Cahill is the Business Development Manager for Managed Services at Toll Government and Defence and a serving Australian Army reservist, with more than 20 years’ military service across full-time and reserve roles. His career has included operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, along with extensive logistics and planning experience in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific.

Throughout his military service, Michael developed deep expertise in logistics and strategic planning, built through managing complex logistics operations on overseas deployments, domestically, and during major multinational exercises. So, he understands all too well and from both sides of the relationship, the services that Toll provides and its impact upon ADF members and their families

“Toll through our Government and Defence business is one of the Australian Defence Force’s largest logistics partners. In Australia, our strength or brand legacy has been around the connection to big green trucks, but we are so much more.”

“We have 3 core services in our business that cater for Defence customers, being Aviation Services, Theatre Supply Chain and Managed Services”.

“Within Managed Services, we operate as a prime contractor, partnering with our clients and industry to deliver integrated, end to end services across Government, Defence and selected corporate sectors. Our service portfolio spans relocation management services for both Corporate and Defence customers, end-to-end 4PL supply chain management for Defence commodities - including procurement, supplier coordination, fulfilment and transport - and humanitarian case management services.”

DEFENCE RELOCATIONS

A longstanding partner in Defence member mobility over the last 25 years, Toll has deep expertise in managing high-volume, multi-touch relocations on behalf of Defence. This longevity and continuity of service is something that Michael and the 180+ Defence Relocations team are extremely proud of.

“Our largest program is the Defence Relocations and Removals contract with the Australian Defence Force. We manage approximately 23,000 relocations per annum, making this one of the largest and most complex workforce mobility programs in Australia. The program operates across Australia and is supported by experienced teams that deliver the necessary scale, surge capability and operational control required.

Remarkably, Toll successfully conducted 51% of these moves occurring during the peak posting cycle between November 2025 and January 2026. By supporting Defence mobility, Toll is assisting the ADF in sustaining capability.

Their strong partnership with the Directorate of Relocation and Housing (DRH) and DHA has enabled them to develop deep expertise in Defence policies and benefits, ensuring that Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families receive their allowances and entitlements. By actively managing and reducing third-party costs on behalf of the Commonwealth, Toll has been able to consistently deliver measurable value while maintaining high service standards.

Michael adds that the recognition that this team and contract receive is gratifying and continues in 2026. “For the sixth consecutive year our Defence Relocations team within Toll Government and Defence has been recognised as a finalist at the 2026 Australian Defence Industry Awards. This continued acknowledgment reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the Australian Defence Force through dependable, customer-focused service.”

PROCUREMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF COMMODITIES FOR DEFENCE

As a prime example of longstanding support for Defence mobility and supply, Toll has managed 4th Party logistics services through Defence’s Commodity Reform Program since 2019. Through our new Supply Marketplace, we combine advanced technology and capabilities to deliver end-to-end supply chain management and continuous improvement for Defence Commodities.

“Through Defence’s Commodity Reform Program, Toll has strengthened its enterprise-wide 4PL capability since 2019, supporting Defence with an integrated model for commodity sourcing, supplier engagement, ordering, fulfillment and transport” says Michael.

As a strategic integrator, Toll operates within a centrally governed marketplace that currently manages more than 12,000 product lines and facilitates the delivery of more than 6,000 consignments annually across Australia.

HUMANITARIAN CASE MANAGEMENT

Michael adds that Toll’s Managed Services capability also extends beyond Defence.

Since late 2023, Toll has partnered with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, to deliver Assisted Passage services for Australia's Humanitarian Visa. These include medical and travel support for refugee and humanitarian entrants resettling Australia.

“We have taken our case management expertise all over the globe to assist 40,000 refugee and humanitarian clients across 50 countries. At Toll, we are now the world's largest Refugee Resettlement service provider by client size, which is a responsibility we don’t take lightly”, says Michael.

Michael believes that the breadth of services, capabilities and expertise within Toll place them in a unique position to be able to cater for and service the needs of Defence and government agencies both now and into the future.

“Our Managed Services capabilities combine logistics, case management, assurance, and stakeholder coordination in sensitive, policy-driven environments. Importantly, we are already delivering these services at scale. We have the framework, expertise, resources and readiness to respond with agility and meet the challenges our clients need solved.”.

“We deliver on our commitments to clients and customers, ensuring each program operates with integrity and meticulous care. This dedication to excellence underpins everything we do across our varied portfolio. Anywhere. Anytime.”

Learn more about Toll, their Managed Services business, their Defence Relocations and 4PL services and capabilities, as well as other ways in which they work with and support defence forces globally at the below link:

https://www.tollgroup.com/solutions/industries/government-defence/managed-services