Moving a pet to Australia
Rabies-free or near rabies-free nations with multi-month lead times, titer testing and government quarantine.
Destination requirements apply to every origin. Document steps below reference USDA APHIS/VEHCS because they are the most common departure route; if you are moving from another country, the equivalent filing is handled by your national veterinary authority.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 6–7 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | Yes — FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL |
| Import permit | Yes (DAFF via BICON) |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 10 days at Mickleham PEQ, Melbourne |
| Microchip mandate | ISO 15-digit, implanted before all testing |
| Primary failure point | Miscalculating the 180-day RNATT window, or a microchip scanner photo that does not match the declaration. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
Entry rules depend on both your departure country and your destination. The endorsement steps below are written for the US-departure route (USDA APHIS via VEHCS); from any other origin, the equivalent step is an export health certificate endorsed by your national government veterinary authority.
- 1
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip before any vaccination or blood draw.
- 2
A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes a formal Identity Declaration with colour photographs of the pet alongside the scanner showing the unedited microchip number.
- 3
Have the Identity Declaration endorsed by USDA APHIS through VEHCS — skipping this before titer testing extends quarantine from 10 to 30 days.
- 4
Rabies vaccination, then a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNATT/FAVN) at an approved laboratory achieving ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.
- 5
Observe the mandatory 180-day wait between the date the laboratory receives the blood sample and the earliest eligible landing date. This wait is served in your country of departure, not in quarantine.
- 6
Apply for the DAFF import permit through the BICON system.
- 7
Dogs: test within 45 days of export for Leishmania infantum, Brucella canis and Leptospira interrogans (if unvaccinated), plus complete Canine Influenza Virus vaccinations.
- 8
Fly as manifest air cargo into Melbourne International Airport (MEL) only, then complete 10 days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine facility.
- 9
Australia requires physical paper certificates with wet-ink signatures and embossed USDA seals.
Breed & airline warnings
Fighting-breed imports (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario) are prohibited.
Brachycephalic breeds are embargoed from cargo holds by most carriers — charter or in-cabin routing is usually required.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your Australia timeline
Build my pet's relocation plan
Your plan appears here
Tell us where your pet is travelling from and to, and we'll build a route-specific plan: the earliest realistic travel date, the steps that actually determine it, every deadline, and any quarantine on arrival.
- • Rules resolved per corridor — never a generic US or EU timeline.
- • Counts what your pet has already had done.
- • Tells you plainly when a corridor still needs verification.