The vessel was the last ship to depart Simpson Harbour in January 1942, escaping as a Japanese invasion force landed. "Matafele" was able to escape undetected to Australia, and was placed under the control of the Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board in March. Initially assigned to transport military stores around northern Australia, the ship was later tasked to operate out of Port Moresby. Duties were again the transportation of military cargo, this time along the New Guinea coast. "Matafele" was the first Allied supply vessel to land stores at Milne Bay following the Japanese landing there.