Home › Pet travel › Australia
Taking a Dog or Cat to Australia
Australia only accepts dogs and cats from approved countries. From most of them you need a microchip, a current rabies vaccine, a rabies antibody test (RNATT) at an approved lab, a 180-day wait, an import permit from BICON, parasite treatments and a government-endorsed certificate, then at least 10 days of post-entry quarantine in Mickleham, Victoria.
Requirements at a glance
| Eligible countries | Approved countries only; rules depend on the country group |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO, implanted before the rabies vaccine |
| Rabies vaccine | Current vaccine given after the microchip |
| Antibody test | RNATT at an approved lab, then a 180-day wait |
| Import permit | Apply through BICON after the test result |
| Quarantine | At least 10 days at Mickleham post-entry quarantine |
| Plan ahead | At least 7 months |
Step-by-step timeline
- 7+ months beforeMicrochip, then rabies vaccine. Check your country's group on the Department of Agriculture site.
- After vaccinationBlood sample for the rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT). The 180-day wait runs from the sample date.
- Once the result is inApply for the import permit in BICON and book post-entry quarantine at Mickleham. Spaces fill up, so book early.
- Weeks beforeDogs need blood tests for diseases such as Ehrlichia canis and Brucella canis, plus internal and external parasite treatments on set days.
- Days beforeGovernment-endorsed veterinary health certificate. Pets must fly into Melbourne.
- ArrivalTransfer to Mickleham for at least 10 days of quarantine.
Dogs vs cats
Dogs need more pre-export blood tests than cats. Some dog breeds (including the Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa) and some hybrids, such as wolf hybrids and early-generation cat hybrids, cannot be imported.
Common mistakes
- Underestimating the time. Seven months is the minimum; many owners start a year ahead.
- Booking flights before the quarantine space. Pets can only arrive on dates with a confirmed Mickleham booking.
- Getting the parasite treatments on the wrong days. Each has its own window before export.
Official source: Australian Department of Agriculture: cats and dogs
Other destinations
🇪🇺 EU🇬🇧 UK🇺🇸 US🇨🇦 Canada🇯🇵 Japan
Frequently asked questions
How long is pet quarantine in Australia?
At least 10 days at the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility in Victoria for pets from most approved countries. Longer if anything is missing.
How long does it take to import a dog to Australia?
At least 7 months, mostly because of the 180-day wait after the rabies antibody test. Planning a year ahead is safer.
Can any country export a pet to Australia?
No. Only approved countries can, and the steps depend on the country's group. Pets from non-approved countries must first live in an approved country.
Sources
Rules change. Always confirm with the official source above and your vet before you travel or change a vaccine plan.