If you are moving to Australia and plan to bring your pet with you, there are many rules and conditions you need to abide by. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as simply bringing your pet on the plane with you. Your animal will need to spend at least 10 days in quarantine and is required to undergo many tests and vaccinations prior to departure.
Different rules apply to your pet depending on their country of origin. Each country is put into Category 1, 2, 3 or Non-Approved countries. Please see below a step by step guide on how to bring your pets into Australia and refer to this website for further information: Bringing cats and dogs to Australia
Bringing your pet to Australia
STEP 1: General Eligibility.
Make sure your animal is from an approved country, that the breed is acceptable and that it passes pregnancy restrictions.
STEP 2: Microchip your animal.
Animals must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader. This must be inserted by a Government approved vet.
STEP 3: Check for Rabies. Animals coming from Category 3 Countries need a rabies vaccination, rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNAT) administered and an RNAT test declaration 180 days to 24 months before departure.
STEP 4: Apply and pay for a permit. You can submit and pay for your permit online, fax or via mail. The permit is valid for up to 6 months. Please allow at least 20 days for the application to be considered.
- Email to animalimports@daff.gov.au
- Fax to +61 2 6272 3110; or
- Post to Animal Import Operations: GPO Box 858, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
STEP 5: Book Post-Arrival Quarantine Accommodation For Your Pet. Due to high demand, your desired quarantine facility may not be available to book in advance. You will need a valid import number before booking and your pet will have to stay at least 10 days.
STEP 6: Make Your Pets Travel Arrangements. Animals coming into Australia can only arrive at certain airports and they will complete their quarantine in that city. When possible, the flight should arrive between 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. Your animal will be picked up by quarantine on arrival and does not need to be accompanied by yourself
STEP 7: General Vaccinations. Make sure that your animal has had all vaccinations needed for quarantine and that they are valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period.
STEP 8: Tests. Dogs will need testing for Brucella canis (Brucellosis) and Leishmania infantum (Leishmaniosis) at least 45 days before departure and testing or treatment against Leptospira canicola (Leptospirosis) before departure. If your dog has been or is from in Africa it will need a vaccination for Babesia Canis Treatment.
STEP 9: Internal Parasite Treatment: A Government Approved Veterinarian must treat the animal twice with an internal parasite treatment effective against internal parasites. The two treatments must be administered at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within 5 days before export.
STEP 10: External Parasite Treatment. The animal must be treated with an External Parasite treatment for Tics and Ehrlichia canis before departure.
STEP 11: Pre-Export Examination. The animal must be examined by a Government Approved Veterinarian or and found to be free from ticks and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease within 5 days before export. You must take the animal and all documentation to this examination.
STEP12: Completion of Veterinary Health Certificate. The Veterinary Health Certificate is located in your valid import permit. It must be completed by the Official Government Veterinarian. The Official Veterinarian must also issue you a seal to be placed on the animal’s crate at the time of export. The seal number is to be recorded on the Health Certificate.
STEP 13: Travel to Australia. On the day of departure, seal the animal into the crate, using the seal supplied by the Official Government Veterinarian. The container must meet the standard required in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulation Container Requirement 1.
STEP 14: Animal Collection. Departmental staff will collect your animal on arrival for transport directly to the Quarantine Facility.
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Melanie loves pets and enjoys sharing her passion online. Having worked several years in the dog supplies department at realsmart.com.au, Melanie has an extensive knowledge of pet products and common issues. When she is not blogging, Melanie enjoys spending time with her 2 cats.
