Bringing pets to Australia: A step-by-step import guide to move your pet overseas with ease

Overview

Depending on the country you want to move your pet from to Australia, the budget, timeline and procedures vary greatly. Australia divides countries into three groups and will impose more or less strict import requirements for the different groups. In addition to those three group there is also a large number of countries that are not approved for direct import to Australia. If your pet is currently living in one of these countries, it will need to transit through an approved country in group 2 or group 3 and meet the import requirement of that country before entering Australia.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind, if you don’t have time to read through our full article:

1. Which group does your departure country belong to. If it’s a non-approved country, which country should your pet transit through?

2. Get in touch with a professional pet mover to get advice and have them walk you through your different options.

3. Set up a savings fund, this type of move can easily cost several thousands of US dollars.

4. Find an approved veterinarian, and get in touch with the Government veterinarian in the departure (and transit) country.

5. Set aside some time to read through our comprehensive guide on how to get your pet to Australia 😉.

 

Everything you need to know before bringing pets to Australia

Bringing pets to Australia can be a challenge, especially when you are unfamiliar with the process. Before diving deeper into our step-by-step guide, here are some important things to keep in mind.

 

Timeframe

Depending on which country you are departing from, the full process can take 7 months or more to complete. This is the case for exports of cats and dogs from a country that is not approved by the Australian government for direct importation. We will go over what it means when you are from an unlisted, or unapproved country further down in this article.

 

Different requirements and preparations

Australia divides all countries into four groups when it comes to the import of cats and dogs. The departure country plays a pivotal role in determining the time frame and the total relocation cost of your dog or cat going to Australia. Each group will be subject to different import requirements and procedures. We will develop this more in detail for each country group below.

 

Travel method

All cats and dogs flying to Australia need to travel in the cargo hold, not as excess luggage together with their owner, but by themselves on a separate airway bill.

This means that you will need to book the flight with the airline cargo department, not with the commercial reservations team as you would usually do when traveling.

Depending on your departure airport and airline, you might need to hire a professional pet shipper, or freight forwarding company to book your pet onboard.

Traveling a pet as cargo isn’t like the type of travel most people are used to. It is similar to shipping your household goods when relocating your home for example.

You may ask for special approval from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to travel with your service dog in the cabin.

 

Arrival port in Australia

Most pets, depending on where they come from, are subject to mandatory post-entry quarantine upon arrival to Australia. If this is the case for your pet, it must fly directly to Melbourne International Airport. It will not be allowed to enter Australia through any other airport.

 

Consider hiring a pet transport agent

Although you may be able to handle the moving of your pet to Australia on your own, or parts of it, the DAFF encourages pet owners to hire a professional pet transporter, also known as pet shipper or pet mover, to make sure the process is as easy and effective as possible.

 

Post-entry quarantine (PEQ)

The majority of cats and dogs traveling to Australia are demanded to spend a minimum of 10 days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival.

There is only one quarantine facility for cats and dogs in Australia. It is located in Mickleham and it takes about 30 minutes to get there from Melbourne International Airport.

 

Budget

Due to the many steps that go into bringing a pet to Australia, the cost of reuniting with your pet may cost a small fortune, especially when your cat or dog is from a country that’s not authorized for direct import into Australia.

Depending on where your pet is from, extensive clinical preparations; vaccinations and blood tests, long-term boarding, costs related to export, import and re-export of your pet in several countries are some of the things you need to take into account when moving your pet to Australia, aside from the airfreight and quarantine boarding.

It might all sound a bit overwhelming laid out this way, but don’t worry. If you keep reading, you’ll understand what bringing your pet to Australia will look like and how you can prepare yourself in the best way possible. In our experience, reuniting with your pet in Australia is a moment of great joy!

 

Introduction to Australia: A pet-friendly nation

As one of the largest countries on Earth, Australia is known for its famous biodiversity and a collection of plants and animals found nowhere else. You have probably heard that the world’s largest island is the home to kangaroos and platypuses, but did you know that the country is also the top destination for pet lovers? It’s estimated that 69% of Australian households own a pet, with plenty of pet-friendly infrastructure and facilities.

When in Australia, it’s easy for pet owners to take their pets for a walk in public parks and green spaces nestled in big cities across Australia. From the South to the North of Australia, pets and their owners are offered a wide range of fantastic activities and experiences.

For example, you can have your dogs roam free at Melbourne’s off-leash beaches like Brighton Beach or have a leashed walk in nature at the Dandenong Ranges. If you move close to Western Australia, get ready for one or more adventures as King’s Park in Perth provides walking trails overseeing the city.

Other pet-friendly locations and attractions in each state of Australia include the following:

• New South Wales: The Big Banana, Balmoral Beach, Callala Beach, Port Stephens, Byron Bay, Batemans Bay, Coffs Harbour.
• Victoria: Ballarat Botanical Garden, Chelsea Beach, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Echuca, Walhalla, Melbourne.
• Queensland: North Stradbroke Island, Eat Street Markets, Mt Coot-tha, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Atherton Tablelands, Great Keppel Island, Stanthorpe.
• Western Australia: Safety Bay, Peasholm Dog Beach, Monkey Mia Resort, Esperance.
• South Australia: McLaren Vale Vineyard, River Torrens Linear Park, Fleurieu Peninsula, Coober Pedy.
• Australian Capital Territory: Australian War Memorial, George Harcourt Inn
• Northern Territory: Darwin Waterfront, Lee Point Beach.
• Tasmania: Tasman Peninsula.

 

General eligibility

No matter what country your pet is from, they need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for import to Australia.

 

Age limit

Pets need to be at least 8 weeks old at the time they leave for Australia.

While there is no upper age limit for bringing a cat or a dog to Australia, consult your veterinarian if you’re uncertain about your pet’s ability to travel and undergo quarantine.

 

Residency in an approved country

The pet must have lived at least 180 consecutive days in an approved country before being exported to Australia.

There are two exceptions to this rule; the pet was born and never left the approved country before export to Australia, or it was exported from Australia to its current approved host country and only lived there until re-export to Australia.

 

Quarantine restrictions in the departure country

If your pet faces quarantine restrictions right at the departure date, the import permit will be rejected.

You will need to wait until it is no longer under such restrictions before bringing your pet to Australia.

 

Pregnancy and post-pregnancy

Pets that are 30 days pregnant or more, or still breastfeeding are not allowed to enter Australia.

 

Banned and restricted breeds

In Australia, it’s not allowed to import cats and dogs that are a mix of domestic and non-domestic breeds.

 

Cats

• Savannah cat: a mix of domestic and serval cat
• Chausie: a mix of domestic and Jungle cat
• Safari cat: a mix of domestic and Geoffroy cat
• Bengal cat: a mix of domestic and Asian leopard cat

 

Dogs:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Vlcak
• Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
• Saarloos wolfdog or wolfhound
• Kunming wolfdog or dog

 

Additionally, these five other dog breeds are also banned, including any mixes with them, as follows:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

 

Microchip

When bringing cats and dogs to Australia, they must have a microchip for identification. This is the only approved form of identification, which is essential for your pet’s pet travel preparation.

A microchip allows your veterinarian to identify your pet by scanning the microchip with an ISO compatible microchip reader. The veterinarian must scan the microchip before every vaccination and blood test.

Approved microchips are either 10 or 15 digits long, and they do NOT start with 999.

If the microchip cannot be read or found, or if there is any inconsistency in the import documentation regarding the microchip number, your pet may be sent back.

 

Import requirements depending on export countries

Australia divides countries into groups and applies different import requirements and conditions for each group.

There are three groups of countries that are approved for direct import of dogs and cats to Australia.

All countries that are not listed in either of these three groups are considered non-approved for direct import to Australia.

Should you be moving from a non-approved country, you will be required to first move your pet to an approved country in either group 2 or group 3, and start the full process to meet the pet import requirements of Australia.

Your pet will need to stay in the approved country of your choice for at least 180 days before entering Australia, not leaving the approved country until departure for Melbourne.

If you are considering moving your pet to Australia, checking the classification of your country of departure is the starting point.

 

What does it mean when you are from unlisted countries?

If you don’t find your country listed above, it means you are coming from a non-approved country and your pet will need to first move to a country in Group 2 or in Group 3. We will call them “transit countries” moving forward.

How do you decide which country to bring your pet to to get them ready for their import to Australia?

Purrfect Pilots has many experiences in moving pets from Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, which are all non-approved for direct import to Australia. We have noticed a number of common concerns and worries that pet owners often share:

 

Save money when you can

Moving your pet to Australia will cost you a lot of money. Therefore, making savings when possible is important.

There are many steps and costs involved in moving a pet from a non-approved country to Australia, such as:

• Export from the origin country
• Import to the transit country
• Long-term boarding
• Medical treatments, exams, vaccinations and blood tests to get your pet eligible to travel to Australia
• Pet transportation to and from the airport and for all medical and government appointments
• Overall daily expenses for food, litter, grooming, etc.
• Re-export from the transit country to Australia
• Import and quarantine in Australia
• Domestic forwarding from the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility to your new home

 

Choosing your transit country carefully following extensive research can have quite an impact on the bottom line. Although we recommend hiring a professional pet transporter to coordinate the full move door-to-door, there are some of the items in the list above that we like to discuss with pawrents to help them make savings where possible.

 

Time constraints

Working with a flexible schedule is ideal, but that is not always the case. Life happens, and sometimes quicker than expected.

One example is Covid-19, when many people and pets got either locked down for months, or had to pack up and leave the country abruptly.

However, leaving your home country or current host country for various reasons, whether Covid related or not, is common.

And when time becomes a constraint, choosing the right transit country is critical, so your pet can match your schedule and doesn’t have to stay behind for too long. In addition to other factors, it is recommended to take the import requirements of the transit country into account early on.

 

Regular visits during the journey

A rule of thumb that many pet transporters follow is to always choose the shortest and quickest route, allowing the pets to reach their destination as soon as possible.

When moving your pet to Australia, the geographical distance is particularly important for pawrents who want to come and visit their pet while in transit.

Separation from your pet for 180 days can be upsetting. Therefore, moving your pet to a nearby country gives you the possibility to check in and visit your fur baby more frequently. It is a good solution to let them know they were not forgotten or abandoned.

 

Keep mandatory quarantine to a minimum

The word “quarantine” may be off-putting to many, but it can be necessary to keep your pet and other pets safe. Although there are several high-quality quarantine facilities available, keep in mind that the standards can vary in terms of physical facilities, level of care, rules regarding visitations and special care, playtime, grooming, etc.

When looking at the import requirements of group 2 and group 3 countries, you may notice that they can be quite strict, with several countries imposing a mandatory post-entry quarantine period on your pet.

Those measures and regulations help keep the country free of diseases, such as rabies, or as close to rabies free as possible. That is why Australia only allows direct import of cats and dogs from selected countries.

Putting your pet into additional quarantine is not only unsafe or uncomfortable, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Again, it is important to pick the right transit country. This will positively impact your overall experience and your pet’s journey to Australia.

When moving a dog or a cat from Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia to Australia, Purrfect Pilots will accommodate and assist with your special preferences – perhaps you have friends or family who can take care of your fur baby in an approved country and want to look into what transit in that country would look like? We also carefully listen to your concerns and pain points, so we can find the best solutions to bring your pet safely to Australia. Obviously, your pet’s wellbeing is important for us all!

 

Introduction and breakdown of a transit package

When moving a pet from a non-approved country like Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia to Australia, there is a rule that your pet has to stay at least 180 days in a country approved by the Australian authorities for direct import.

Your pet will need to undergo a number of medical and regulatory preparations in that country to become eligible for direct import to Australia. We call this process a “Transit package.”

It is a good idea to get help from a professional pet shipper to manage some parts of the package. Here’s a general list of steps that you should plan for in advance:

 

ID verification

Upon entering the transit country, your pet should get an ID check. The ID verification serves to shorten your pet’s post-entry quarantine time from 30 days to 10 days upon arrival to Melbourne International Airport.

It is an intra-government arrangement, and not every country has implemented this ID verification yet. Ask your pet mover to check beforehand if the country you want your pet to transit in can do this verification.

 

Medical preparations

The medical preparations that your pet needs to become eligible for import to Australia varies depending on the country they transit in.

We will go over in detail what the requirements are for each country group below.

 

Rabies vaccination & rabies neutralizing antibody titre test (RNATT)

When traveling through a Group 3 country, your pet needs to have a RNATT as part of their medical preparations.

Keep in mind that even though your pet has already passed this test  in the departure country, it only applies to enter the transit country, and it has to be renewed once they arrive in the approved country to account for entry to Australia. The reason is because Australia doesn’t recognize any medical preparation done in a non-approved country for direct import of pets.

Once your pet has passed the RNATT, the government veterinarian in the transit country will issue a rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration.

Check with your pet mover if they can help you get this declaration, or send you the official declaration form needed by the DAFF.

 

Apply and pay for an import permit to Australia

You can apply for an import permit online through the BICON system yourself, or ask your pet moving agent to do it for you. Please be aware that there are differences if you are applying for a cat or a dog. The import permit application will vary depending on your pet’s species.

If the application is incorrect or missing any information or documentation, the approval to import your pet may be delayed or rejected.

 

Book post-entry quarantine and arrange travel

With the import permit in hand, you can book a space for your pet at the Mickleham Post-Entry Quarantine facility (PEQ).

There is only one PEQ in Australia, the Mickleham PEQ. It’s located near Melbourne International Airport.

Recently, the PEQ is experiencing high demand, so expect that your pet will have to stay longer than the mandatory 180 days in the transit country. Your pet will need to receive a confirmed boarding space at the PEQ before it is allowed to travel to Australia.

Once you have received both the import permit and PEQ boarding confirmation for your pet. You can go ahead and make travel arrangements.

All cats and dogs, except assistance dogs with special approvals, have to travel to Australia in the cargo hold.

This means that you book their flight with the airline cargo department, not with the commercial department that you would regularly deal with when booking for yourself.

Many airlines can only confirm your pet’s “ticket” or travel arrangement 14 days before the flight.

And oftentimes, you will not be allowed to book cargo space for your pet by yourself. Instead, the airline will ask you to connect with a pet transporter or freight forwarder with experience in handling live animals to make the booking for you.

 

Complete all health checks, treatments and vaccinations

When exporting your pet to Australia from the transit country, be aware of health checks, treatments and vaccinations required. Make sure to follow the mandatory timeline outlined by the DAFF.

A professional pet transporter is familiar with these requirements and the timeframe. They can advise or help you coordinate with a licensed veterinarian in the transit country to avoid any unnecessary delays in getting your pet to Australia.

 

Pre-export clinical examination

Before your pet leaves the transit country, a licensed veterinarian will conduct a pre-export check as the last step of the process.

They will support you to complete the veterinary health certificate of the Appendix 1 of your import permit. This certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian.

 

Travel to Australia

If you have completed all the steps required, your pet should be able pass all checks, board the flight, and get cleared in Australian customs before being transported to the Mickleham PEQ.

The above steps cover most of the process of flying your pet to Australia, with a large focus on the medical preparations. What else do you need to consider to complete your transit package?

If your pet will not be staying with you, your family or  friends, or a caregiver you know directly, here are a few more things to consider and prepare for before moving your pet to an approved country:

 

Boarding

Your pet will spend at least 180 days in the transit country, most likely more. What kind of environment and caretaker do you wish for your pet?

There are several options to choose from, depending on the country of your choice, the species and breed of your pet, and their character.

You can look into choices such as:

• Standard pet hotel, cattery or kennel
• Premium pet hotel, cattery or kennel
• Homestay shared with other pets
• Private homestay where the host only cares for your pet
• Countryside boarding

 

Transportation

During your pet’s stay in the transit country, they will be transported multiple times for airport trips, clinical visits, government visits, and maybe even grooming or emergencies.

Make sure you have a reliable person or pet transport company to handle those rides and care for your pet.

 

Food and special requirements

Six months in transit is a long time, and many pawrents don’t have the possibility to visit their pet while in boarding. How can you make sure your pet’s nutritional and other special needs are taken care of?

If the boarding facility or host can’t cater to your pet’s needs, can you arrange to have supplies delivered to them, or can you work on changing your pet’s diet?

These are some important things that need to be considered and planned in advance before your pet starts their journey to Australia.

Depending on the pet moving agent you’re working with, they should be able to ensure your pet’s needs are met overseas. Address your concern and have a discussion to find out what they can do, and what countries they have most experience in working with for the transit period to make sure your pet’s transit period is as comfortable as possible before moving to Australia.

As explained earlier in this post, the DAFF requirements will be different depending on which country the pet is being exported from to Australia.

In the following parts, we will explain more in detail about each country group. Scroll down to the country that applies to you, or if your country is not on the approved list, check both Group 2 and Group 3 below for comparison before you decide where to transit your pet.

 

Bring a pet from a Group 1 country to Australia

Moving from Cocos (Keeling) Islands to Australia

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category1-cocos

The DAFF only provides guidelines for moving a cat from Cocos (Keeling) Islands to Australia. However, there are no specific rules for bringing dogs from this region.

First of all, you will need to get an import permit before bringing your cat to Australia. Upon arrival, your cat is not subject to mandatory post-entry quarantine.

Here’s how to bring your cat from Cocos (Keeling) Island to Australia:

1. Eligibility check: Make sure your cat is eligible for import to Australia. Find the general requirements here.
2. Microchip verification: Check if your cat’s microchip is accepted in Australia. If your cat doesn’t have a microchip yet, or if the current one is not accepted, get a new one implanted.
3. Import permit application: Apply for an import permit through the BICON system online. The import permit will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
4. Veterinary visit: Within 5 days before your cat’s departure, you must take your cat to a registered veterinarian to:
   • Receive treatment for internal and external parasites. Read more about the accepted treatments on the DAFF website, or show it to your veterinarian to check before the treatment administration.
   • Ensure your cat is free from ticks and fleas, or any signs of infectious or contagious disease.
   • Complete the animal health certificate (annex 1 of your import permit).
5. Travel arrangement: When traveling to Australia by air, your cat has to enter Australia as manifested cargo in a crate that complies with IATA regulations. The import permit and completed animal health certificate have to accompany your cat. It’s recommended to include any other relevant documentation alongside the import permit and animal health certificate.
6. Notification to regional office: Three days before the departure, notify the regional office in the state/territory in which the cat will first arrive in Australia via email. See a list of offices here. In your email, include the date and estimated time of arrival, the flight number, the air waybill number, a short description of the cat, a contact phone number, the address at which the cat will stay in Australia, and a copy of the import permit.
7. Biosecurity inspection: Upon arrival in Australia, a biosecurity officer will check your cat and accompanying documentation. If accepted, your cat will be released within one hour of arrival. If not, you can be asked to provide additional documentation, and your cat may face treatment, export or euthanasia.

 

Moving from New Zealand to Australia

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-1-new-zealand#step-4-health-certificate-requirements

Cats and dogs coming from New Zealand to Australia do not need an import permit and are not subject to mandatory post-entry quarantine upon arrival into Australia.

Before you start, it is best to check with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to see if there are any requirements aside from those outlined by the DAFF.

Here’s how to bring your pet from New Zealand to Australia:

1. Eligibility check: Make sure your pet is eligible for import to Australia. You find the general requirements here.
2. Microchip verification: Check if your cat’s microchip is accepted in Australia. If your cat doesn’t have a microchip yet, or if the current one is not accepted, get a new one implanted.
3. Statutory declaration: Sign a Statutory Declaration (download a template from MPI here) to confirm:
   • Your pet’s identity by breed, sex, age and microchip number
   • Your pet has been living in New Zealand since birth, or at least 180 consecutive days immediately before export to Australia
   • Your pet is not a domestic/non-domestic hybrid nor prohibited breed (check here for our list for general eligibility)
   • Your pet is not pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of departure for Australia.
   • Whether your pet has ever been to mainland Africa.
4. For dogs that have entered New Zealand after birth: get a negative test result (IFAT or ELISA) for Leishmania infantum at least 21 days after import to New Zealand.
5. For dogs who have been to mainland Africa: Treatment by a government approved veterinarian for Babesia canis using imidocarb dipropionate or have a New Zealand government endorsed certificate of treatment.
6. Travel arrangement: When traveling to Australia by air, your pet has to enter Australia as manifested cargo in a crate that complies with IATA regulations.
7. Notification to regional office: Three days before the departure, notify the regional office in the state/territory in which the pet will first arrive in Australia via email. See a list of offices here. In your email, include the date and estimated time of arrival, the flight number, the air waybill number, a short description of the pet, a contact phone number, the address at which the pet will stay in Australia, and whether your dog is an assistance dog.
8. Travel requirement: Your pet must travel with the health certificate and relevant documentation to Australia.
9. Biosecurity inspection: Upon arrival in Australia, a biosecurity officer will check your pet and accompanying documentation. If accepted, your pet will be released within one hour of arrival. If your pet is not accepted, they will ask you to provide additional documentation. Otherwise, your pet may face treatment, export or euthanasia.

 

Moving from Norfolk Island to Australia

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category1-norfolk-island

Cats and dogs moving from Norfolk Island to Australia do not need an import permit and are not subject to mandatory post-entry quarantine upon arrival into Australia.

Before you start the process, you may want to check with the Norfolk Island Regional Council which veterinarians are approved to prepare your cat or dog for export.

1. Eligibility check: Make sure your pet is eligible for import to Australia. Find the general requirements here.
2. Microchip verification: Check that your pet’s microchip is accepted. If your pet doesn’t have a microchip yet, or if the current one is not accepted, implant a new microchip.
3. Veterinary visit: Take your pet to a registered veterinarian for a pre-export health check. The veterinarian will conduct an examination and administer a topical external parasite treatment which kills ticks and fleas on contact, and another internal parasite treatment that eliminates nematodes and cestodes within five (5) days before the date of export. Check here for the list of treatments accepted by the DAFF.
4. Document preparation: Documents to prepare include:
   • Import certification: completed and signed by the owner, a registered veterinarian, and endorsed by a government officer of Norfolk Island.
   • Owner declaration: completed and signed by the owner (1st part on the health certificate).
   • Veterinary health certificate: completed and signed by a registered veterinarian of Norfolk Island
   • Government endorsement: completed and signed by a registered government officer of Norfolk Island (last part on the health certificate).
5. Travel arrangement: When traveling to Australia by air, your pet has to enter Australia as manifested cargo in a crate that complies with IATA regulations.
6. Notification to regional office: Three days before the departure, notify the regional office in the state/territory in which the pet will first arrive in Australia via email. See a list of offices here. In your email, include the date and estimated time of arrival, the flight number, the air waybill number, a short description of the pet, a contact phone number, the address at which the pet will stay in Australia, and whether your dog is an assistance dog.
7. Travel requirement: Your pet must travel with the health certificate and relevant documentation to Australia.
8. Biosecurity inspection: Upon arrival in Australia, a biosecurity officer will check your pet and accompanying documentation. If accepted, your pet will be released within one hour of arrival. If your pet is not accepted, they will ask you to provide additional documentation. Otherwise, your pet may face treatment, export or euthanasia.

 

Bring a pet from a Group 2 country to Australia

Below is a list of steps you need to take if your pet is leaving from or moving through a Group 2 country to Australia.

 

Check general eligibility

Before moving your pet from or through a Group 2 country, make sure your pet meets the general conditions to be eligible for import to Australia. Read through our section on general eligibility to find out more.

 

Gather information about the export country

If you want to handle the preparations for exporting your pet to Australia by yourself, you must find out what veterinarians and laboratories are approved by the export country’s government before sending your pet to one.

Only veterinary procedures done by government-approved veterinarians are accepted when applying for an import permit for Australia.

 

Microchip and ID verification

All pets must have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted, that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

Microchips with 9 digits or those starting with 999 are not acceptable.

A government-approved veterinarian must scan the microchip at every veterinary visit and check that the scanned microchip number matches all documentation for your pet’s entry to Australia.

Ideally 7 months before the departure, contact the authority in your export country to have your pet’s identity verified for importing to Australia. The competent authority will send the confirmation of the verification directly to the DAFF.

Although the DAFF is working with overseas authorities to have this step widely implemented following the policy on 12 January, please note that not every country has this ID verification in place yet. If that’s the case of your country, your pet will have to spend at least 30 days in quarantine at the Mickleham PEQ instead of only 10 days.

 

Apply and pay for the import permit

Once the ID verification is complete (if available), you can start applying for the import permit, and it should be handled as soon as possible.

While most permits are issued anywhere between 20 and 40 business days, it can take up to 123 business days to get your import permit.

 

Book post-entry quarantine

All pets immigrated from a Group 2 country to Australia must undergo the minimum post-entry quarantine period specified on their import permit at the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility near Melbourne International Airport.

Get a sneak peak into what the facilities look like here.

Once you have obtained your import permit, you can go ahead and book space for your pet online through the Post Entry Biosecurity System. Reservation submissions are being assessed within 7 days of receipt.

Due to high demand for quarantine boarding at Mickleham PEQ, your pet might need to wait for another 2-3 months in addition to the mandatory 180-day waiting period before a space is available.

 

Complete all necessary blood tests and vaccinations

To get started, check with your country’s official government veterinarian to confirm any specific vaccinations and blood tests required when traveling to Australia aside from the mandatory requirement.

In general, cats and dogs from Group 2 countries need to be vaccinated against rabies after microchip implantation.

 

Specific for cats

Cats need vaccines for Feline Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus that are valid for their entire stay in the quarantine facility.

 

Specific for dogs

Leptospirosis vaccination is mandatory for dogs coming to Australia from a Group 2 country. This vaccine is usually given in two doses, administered 2-4 weeks apart, and the last shot at least 14 days before departure to Australia.

Dogs are also recommended to be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica. All these vaccinations must be valid for the entire stay at the quarantine facility.

Dogs flying from Singapore will need a vaccine for Canine Influenza Virus (CIV), given within 12 months and at least 14 days before export.

 

Blood tests for dogs

All dogs coming to Australia from a Group 2 country must show a negative Leishmania infantum test result.

​​If your dog is not vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola, it must test negative for Leptospira canicola (leptospirosis).

If your dog is not spayed or neutered, it must test negative for Brucella canis (brucellosis).

 

Internal and external parasites treatment for cats and dogs

Only approved veterinarians can administer parasite treatments. The types of treatment and timing can vary between cats and dogs. Visit DAFF website for more information regarding acceptable treatments.

 

Internal parasites

The treatment for internal parasites must be effective against nematodes and cestodes.

Your pet must receive two treatments, at least two weeks (14 days) apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment is given within 5 days before departure date.

 

External parasites

The treatment for external parasites should be a topical product that eliminates ticks and fleas on contact. Dogs should begin their treatment 30 days before the date of export, whereas cats should begin their treatment 21 days prior to their departure.

You should follow up with the treatment until the departure day, following the manufacturer’s instructions for reapplication.

At every visit, the veterinarian should examine the cat for external parasites. If your pet still has fleas and ticks, remove them and restart the treatment.

 

Book a pre-export clinical examination & obtain a Government endorsed Veterinary Health Certificate

This examination should be conducted at least 5 days before the departure date. Don’t forget to bring all documentation along with your pet.

During the examination, the veterinarian will carry out various tests to make sure your pet is free from external parasites and any clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease before signing and stamping the health certificate.

 

Travel to Australia

When flying to Australia, your pet must be transported as manifested cargo in a travel crate that is compliant with IATA regulations and arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport before the import permit expires.

All relevant documentation, including the import permit and health certificate have to travel together with the pet, attached to the travel crate.

 

Upon arrival to Australia

Since your pet will be placed in mandatory quarantine, upon arrival at Melbourne International Airport the DAFF staff will collect and bring your pet directly to the Mickleham PEQ.

 

Bring a pet from a Group 3 country to Australia

Check if the country you are leaving from, or moving your pet through, is part of the Group 3 list.

Below is a list of steps you need to take if your pet is leaving from or moving through a Group 3 country to Australia.

 

Check general eligibility

Before moving your pet from or through a Group 3 country, make sure your pet meets the general conditions to be eligible for import to Australia. Read through our section on general eligibility to find out.

 

Gather information about the export country

If you want to handle the preparations for exporting your pet to Australia by yourself, you must find out what veterinarians and laboratories are approved by the export country’s government before sending your pet to one.

Only veterinary procedures done by government-approved veterinarians are accepted when applying for an import permit for Australia.

 

Microchip and ID verification

All pets must have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted, that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

Microchips with 9 digits or those starting with 999 are not acceptable.

A government-approved veterinarian must scan the microchip at every veterinary visit and check that the scanned microchip number matches all documentation for your pet’s entry to Australia.

Ideally 7 months before the departure, contact the authority in your export country to have your pet’s identity verified for importing to Australia. The competent authority will send the confirmation of the verification directly to the DAFF.

Although the DAFF is working with overseas authorities to have this step widely implemented following the policy on 12 January, please note that not every country has this ID verification in place yet. If that’s the case of your country, your pet will have to spend at least 30 days in quarantine at the Mickleham PEQ instead of only 10 days.

Rabies vaccination and Rabies Neutralising Antibody titre test (RNATT)

Your pet needs to be vaccinated against rabies with an approved vaccine. At the time of inoculation, your pet should be at least 84 days old.

The vaccination cannot expire before the time of export. Rabies vaccines with a three-year validity are accepted.

3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination, an approved veterinarian can draw the blood for the RNAT test.

If your pet has a regular history of rabies vaccinations, the blood draw for the RNATT test can be done on the same day as the rabies vaccinations, as recommended by an approved veterinarian.

The RNATT result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml to be accepted. If the result is acceptable, there’s a mandatory waiting period of 180 days from the date the blood sample arrives at the lab until the export date to Australia.

 

Obtain a rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration from the official government veterinarian

After receiving the result of the Rabies Neutralizing Antibodies Titre test (RNATT), take your pet to an official government veterinarian who will complete, sign and stamp the RNAT test declaration form (download here).

Important: An official government veterinarian is different from a government approved veterinarian (private veterinarian).

 

Apply and pay for the import permit

Once the rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration have been successfully endorsed by the official government veterinarian, it is time to apply for the import permit.

The following supporting documentation needs to be submitted alongside the application:

• Rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration form.
• RNAT test laboratory report.

 

Remember to indicate whether your pet has undergone an identity verification on the application form.

Most permits typically take 20-40 business days to be issued, but it might take up to 123 business days in some cases.

 

Book post-entry quarantine

All pets immigrated from a Group 3 country to Australia must undergo the minimum post-entry quarantine period specified on their import permit at the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility near Melbourne International Airport.

Get a sneak peak into what the facilities look like here.

Once you have obtained your import permit, you can go ahead and book space for your pet online through the Post Entry Biosecurity System. Reservation submissions are being assessed within 7 days of receipt.

Due to high demand for quarantine boarding at Mickleham PEQ, your pet might need to wait for another 2-3 months in addition to the mandatory 180-day waiting period before a space is available.

 

Complete all necessary blood tests and vaccinations

To get started, check with your country’s official government veterinarian to confirm any specific vaccinations and blood tests required when traveling to Australia aside from the mandatory requirement.

In general, cats and dogs from Group 2 countries need to be vaccinated against rabies after microchip implantation.

 

Specific for cats

Cats need vaccines for Feline Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus that are valid for their entire stay in the quarantine facility.

 

Specific for dogs

Leptospirosis vaccination is mandatory for dogs coming to Australia from a Group 2 country. This vaccine is usually given in two doses, administered 2-4 weeks apart, and the last shot at least 14 days before departure to Australia.

Dogs are also recommended to be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica. All these vaccinations must be valid for the entire stay at the quarantine facility.

Dogs coming from the USA, Canada and South Korea must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV). The vaccination must be given between 12 months and 14 days before export.

 

Blood tests for dogs

All dogs coming to Australia from a Group 3 country must show a negative Leishmania infantum test result.

​​If your dog is not vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola, it must test negative for Leptospira canicola (leptospirosis).

If your dog is not spayed or neutered, it must test negative for Brucella canis (brucellosis).

 

Internal and external parasites treatment for cats and dogs

Only approved veterinarians can administer parasite treatments. The types of treatment and timing can vary between cats and dogs. Visit DAFF website for more information regarding acceptable treatments.

 

Internal parasites

The treatment for internal parasites must be effective against nematodes and cestodes.

Your pet must receive two treatments, at least two weeks (14 days) apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment is given within 5 days before departure date.

 

External parasites

The treatment for external parasites should be a topical product that eliminates ticks and fleas on contact. Dogs should begin their treatment 30 days before the date of export, whereas cats should begin their treatment 21 days prior to their departure.

You should follow up with the treatment until the departure day, following the manufacturer’s instructions for reapplication.

At every visit, the veterinarian should examine the cat for external parasites. If your pet still has fleas and ticks, remove them and restart the treatment.

 

Book a pre-export clinical examination & obtain a Government endorsed Veterinary Health Certificate

This examination should be conducted at least 5 days before the departure date. Don’t forget to bring all documentation along with your pet.

During the examination, the veterinarian will carry out various tests to make sure your pet is free from external parasites and any clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease before signing and stamping the health certificate and every page of the following documents:

• Leishmania infantum laboratory report.
• Brucella canis laboratory report (if not desexed).
• Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola laboratory report (if not vaccinated).
• RNATT declaration
• RNATT laboratory report.

 

Travel to Australia

When flying to Australia, your pet must be transported as manifested cargo in a travel crate that is compliant with IATA regulations and arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport before the import permit expires.

All relevant documentation, including the import permit and health certificate have to travel together with the pet, attached to the travel crate.

 

Upon arrival to Australia

Since your pet will be placed in mandatory quarantine, upon arrival at Melbourne International Airport the DAFF staff will collect and bring your pet directly to the Mickleham PEQ.

 

Post-entry quarantine

As explained earlier in this article, your pet may be subject to mandatory post-entry quarantine upon arrival into Australia. The quarantine period will usually range between 10 and 30 days depending on which country your pet is being exported from, and whether it has undergone an ID verification or not.

The time in quarantine may be extended above 30 days upon the decision by the DAFF.

The Australian government provides quarantine services for dogs and cats in Mickleham, near Melbourne International Airport.

Cats and dogs coming from group 2 and 3 countries to Australia must fly to Melbourne International Airport to undergo post-entry quarantine isolation at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) Facility.

In case of no direct flights to the Melbourne International Airport from the exporting country, it’s advisable to work with a professional pet shipping agent to arrange an approved flight route.

After customs clearance at the Melbourne International Airport, your pet is directly transported to the Mickleham PEQ facility, and notice is given within 24 hours of arrival informing you about your pet’s well-being and any issues following their arrival.

 

Quarantine guidelines at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine facility

Accommodation

Dogs and cats will be housed in separate facilities, where they are allocated in individual, climate-controlled pens at the time of their booking. If you have multiple pets, the facility will do their best to house your pets of the same species in adjacent pens.

 

Visitations

Under the current import conditions, most animals undergo 10 days in post entry quarantine. In this period, your pets will be provided with the care they need, with the staff managing the administrative and biosecurity requirements to prepare your pets for release from biosecurity control. Visitations are not permitted due to the short quarantine isolation period. Discuss visitation with the facility manager if your pets remain longer in the quarantine facility.

 

Grooming

Your pets will be groomed and bathed during their quarantine isolation period for biosecurity and/or hygiene reasons only. Inform the facility manager if you request specialist grooming for your pets during the quarantine isolation period at an additional fee.

 

 

Medications

The facility can provide basic medications to your pets with stable illnesses during their quarantine period between 8am and 4pm. Consult with your pet’s veterinarian to adjust dosage so the staff can accommodate your pet’s medication needs within these hours. It is best to prepare enough dosages for the entire quarantine period because the facility will not return spare medications due to biosecurity restrictions. Be sure to label the medications with your pet’s name, your name, drug name, dosage, frequency rate, route of administration, expiry date, and other special instructions.

Refrigerated medications are not accepted at the facility, so you must arrange a veterinarian to deliver such medications. Check here for more details about special care for elderly pets and pets with special diets, health conditions, and behavioral considerations.

 

Animal release

Before the release date, you must notify the facility of the person assigned to pick up your pet. A photo identification will be required at the time of collection. The importer can collect your pet between 10am and 12pm on the given release date at 135 Donnybrook Road Mickleham VIC 3064. Note that this person will be responsible for collecting as well as removing your pet from the crate. If you wish for the Mickleham PEQ to dispose of your crate, additional fees apply.

 

How can I best prepare to bring my pet to Australia?

Moving a pet to a new country requires time and effort. We always recommend getting in touch with a professional pet mover to make sure you’re preparing correctly, avoiding any unpleasant surprises or delays.

A professional pet mover can, not only handle your move, partially or fully, but are up-to-date on country import requirements and recent changes in policies regarding the import, export and transit of live animals.

Locate the government veterinarian in your country and verify if your current treating veterinarian is government approved since you will have to work with both to get your pet eligible for travel.

Study up on the import requirements of your destination country and seek advice from a professional pet shipper to make sure the information you have on hand is correct and current. Following the outlined timeline for the mandatory vaccinations, blood tests and treatments is vital.

Since bringing a cat or a dog from a non-approved country to Australia requires important financial investment and time, be sure to budget and set up a generous fund to support your pet’s relocation. We also recommend researching and getting in touch with a reliable pet shipping agent at least a year before your desired date of travel.

You can start working on a list of potential countries where you’d like your pet to transit in by yourself. We would however recommend that you do this after talking to your pet shipper agent to be aware of how they can, or cannot assist you for transit in different countries.

As your pet will spend a lot of time in its travel crate, choosing the correct crate is critical to ensure their comfort and prevent additional stress during their flight. The crate needs to be IATA compliant and correctly matching your pet’s size.

Buy your crate well in advance to crate train your pet. The crate should become a safe place, where your pet would want to withdraw to when feeling stressed or anxious. You can find tips on how to crate train your pet here.

 

How do Purrfect Pilots work and how can we help you

As an experienced pet moving agent specializing in international relocation, we are familiar with the full process of bringing your cat or dog to Australia. Our job is to ensure that your pet has the most comfortable transition possible during their journey and to give you regular updates about your pet throughout the move.

To take off some of the financial burden of bringing your pet to Australia, we can offer tailored payment plans. Ask your Purrfect Pilot about available options.

During our years of operations, we have built a wide network of professional pet care professionals with the same commitment and passion as we have.

Your pet will only be handled by carefully selected partners where our team can not be present. Our partners are professionally trained in handling live animals according to the IATA live animal regulations and meet Purrfect Pilots’ strict partner requirements.

We offer full transparency from pricing to execution of your pet move and we are great at planning perfect moves.

But to be honest, our biggest strength lies in our industry knowledge and ability to “fix things” when needed. Because moving a pet can become quite the adventure and we always work with a B and a C backup plan to get your pet to destination.

Few pet moves are one-size-fits-all, at Purrfect Pilots we want to listen to your expectations and preferences, and support you in the way you need and want us to.

Purrfect Pilots is a dependable pet mover that helps relocate and travel pets to many countries, including those countries with strict import regulations like Australia. Are you looking to move your pet to Australia? We can help you reunite with your pet.