Australia Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Laos pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Laos will include import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test, other tests and treatments, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO AUSTRALIA below.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Australia

There will be quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Australia, even if the following import regulations are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country or euthanized. All costs will be borne by the importer.

All steps should be followed in order and be completed in the origination country prior to travel.

Step 1: Country Classifications

Australia does not recognize any countries as rabies free. Dogs and cats from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. Australia classifies countries as either:

To import a dog or cat to Australia, one of the following conditions must apply:

  • Your dog or cat was born and continuously resided in an approved country or
  • Your dog or cat resided in an approved country a minimum of six months prior to import.

If your dog or cat does not reside in an approved country, it will need to relocate to an approved country six months prior to import. All tests and treatments must be done in the approved country starting with step 2.

The requirements to import a dog, cat or ferret to Australia will depend on the classification of the origination country.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their origination country before reviewing import regulations for Australia.

Step 2: Pet Microchip

All dogs and cats imported to Australia must be identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785 compliant pet microchip. This is the first step in the process. Your pet must be scanned for its microchip by your veterinarian prior to any of the procedures outlined here. Your pet’s microchip number must be present on all documentation required to enter Australia.

If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

The administering veterinarian should issue a declaration (microchip certificate) stating that your pet is microchipped, the type and location of the microchip, and that they have scanned the microchip.

Crates, carriers, passports, microchips and more at PetTravelStore.com

Step 3: Vaccinations

Rabies vaccinations are not required for pets residing in and entering from Group 1 and Group 2 Countries. This vaccination is required for pets entering Australia from Category 3 Countries.

All dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies with an inactivated vaccine approved for use in your country. The vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before the rabies titer test (step 3) is administered. If your pet is currently vaccinated for rabies, the wait does not apply; however, the older the vaccination is, the fewer antibodies will be in your pet’s blood. To optimize chances for an acceptable result, it is best to revaccinate your pet and wait for 21 days before getting your pet a rabies titer test in this case. Note that the day of the veterinary visit does not count in the wait time.

Australia does accept the 3-year rabies vaccination if it is current when entering the country.

Other Vaccinations

It is recommended that cats receive a vaccination that protects against feline enteritis (also known as feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. The vaccination should be valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period.

It is recommended that your dog receives vaccinations that protects against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica and the vaccinations are valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period.

Dogs entering Australia from Canada, the United States and Korea must be vaccinated against canine influenza prior to travel. It is advised that dogs entering from other countries also receive the vaccination if it is available.

Dogs must be treated against Brucellosis, Ehrlicia canis, Leishmaniosis and Leptospirosis. A treatment for Babesia canis is required for all dogs entering Australia who have visited Africa.

More pet import requirements for Australia

Step 4: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

Unless your dog and/or cat has proof of at least 6 months residency or birth in a Group 1 or Group 2 country,
your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) administered by a licensed veterinarian in an approved country between 180 days and 12 months of entry.

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It is administered by a licensed veterinarian and the blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for processing.

To have your pet’s quarantine period reduced from 30 days to 10 days, a Microchip Identity Verification process must be followed. Not all countries have negotiated this process, so pet owners should check with a government veterinarian to see if there is an approved process in place.

Your pet can enter Australia no sooner than 180 days after date that the lab receives the blood sample. The titer test is valid for 12 months after the date the blood was drawn for the titer test. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to the titer test.)

Note that this test is not required for pets entering Australia from Group 1 or Group 2 countries. Importers must have proof of continuous residency for a minimum of 6 months or birth in that country immediately proceeding import to Australia.

Rabies titer test results will not be accepted as a substitute for proof of current rabies vaccination.

Dogs and cats who reside in Australia prior to export and will be returning to Australia within 12 months of export can have the rabies titer test done prior to leaving Australia to start the 180 day requirement. They must have proof of export from Australia and conform to all import regulations.

Step 5: Import Permit

Importers can file an import permit after the rabies titer test is done and no sooner than 42 days before import. It is valid for 12 months after issue date. (Not required for pets entering Australia from New Zealand or Norfolk Island.)

Step 6: Health Certificate

All pets must be inspected within five days of travel by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country. A veterinarian will issue a health certificate. The certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian who is a representative of the agency responsible for the import and export of animals. This agency is generally the Department or Department or Ministry of Agriculture.

Step 7: Parasite Treatments

Before your dog or cat can enter Australia, it must be treated against internal parasites twice with the second treatment administered within five days of transport.

Two treatments against external parasites must be administered to your cat. Dogs must start treatments 21 days prior to Ehrlichia blood sampling.

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Quarantine

All pets entering Australia, except those from New Zealand or Norfolk Island are subject to 10 – 30 days of quarantine at the Mickleham Quarantine Facility at Melbourne depending on whether the Microchip Validity Identification process was followed (see above). It is advisable to make quarantine reservations for your pet as soon as you receive your pet’s import
permit.

When entering Australia from another country through New Zealand, pets must remain on the island for 180 days after quarantine prior to entering Australia. (new requirement)

Further quarantine may be required for additional verification of tests or treatments.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Australia

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Australia until fully conforming to import regulations listed here. The import requirements include microchipping and rabies vaccination no sooner than 3 months of age. The minimum age of import would be 10 months of age. These tests do not apply to puppies and kittens entering Australia from the Keeling Islands, New Zealand or Norfolk Island. Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks of age when entering from these countries.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by Australia

The following dog breeds are not permitted to enter Australia:

  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brazileiro
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Pit Bull
  • Perro de Presa Canario
  • Presa Canario

The American Staffordshire Terrier is not included in Australian legislation. The regulations only apply to pure bred dogs and does not apply to cross breeds or mixes.

Wolf and dog crosses are not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to: Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound, Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog, Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are generally not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:
Savannah cat, derived from crossbreeding domestic cat (Felis catus) with Serval cat (Felis serval) Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus) Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Airline pet policies

Entering Australia with a Pet

Pets entering Australia must enter as air cargo via Melbourne Airport. Your pet must arrive between the days of Monday – Friday between the hours of 04:30 – 16:30. If this is not possible, special arrangements must be made for inspection at additional expense.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Importers should plan to avoid importing their pets to Australia during the months of December through February. The temperatures can be too high during that time to fly a pet in the cargo hold.

If there are no direct flights from a pet’s originating country, then all transits or layovers must be through approved countries.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

The rules and regulations to import a pet to Australia are complex. We recommend that you enlist the services of a licensed pet transport agent to assist you in making the arrangements to transport your pet to Australia.

From most counties, it is a very long flight to Australia. Importers should consider the health and well being of a pet including asking the advice of a veterinarian. Taking a pet to Australia for a holiday is not practical.

Exporting Resident Pets

Pet owners planning to export their pets from Australia must apply for an Export Permit and supply a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian. All requirements for the country your pet is traveling to must have been met.

Pets returning to Australia can start the process early by having a rabies titer test done in Australia before leaving. All other requirements listed here must be met.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Australia

Chinchillas, fish, fetters, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, mice, snakes, spiders, pigs and turtles are not permitted to enter Australia from any country. Live pigeons are permitted from any country; however, household birds are only permitted if they are entering from New Zealand. Import standards are being compiled for the import of parrots.

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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat. It is very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Need more detailed pet import requirements for Australia?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Australia at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Here’s what is included in the Australia pet passport package:

  • Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Australia from any country available in six languages
  • Required Vaccinations and Intervals
  • ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
  • Microchip Validation
  • Import Permit Application and Instructions
  • Rabies Titer Test Instructions
  • Approved Laboratories
  • Other Blood Tests
  • Parasite Treatments
  • Quarantine Procedures
  • Entering Australia by Sea
  • IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
  • Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
  • Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
  • FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

  • Veterinary Health Certificate for Australia
  • Inoculation Record
  • Microchip Certificate
  • Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing a Pet to Australia?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Australia? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:

  • make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
  • return your pet to the country of origin, or
  • euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Australia pet import requirements.

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