Australia Pet Import Requirements

Group 1: Rabies vaccination optional

Group 2: Rabies vaccination optional

Group 3: Your pet must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine that:

 

was given in an approved country when the pet was at least 84 days old

is continuously valid, in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, from the date of vaccination prior to blood collection for the Rabies neutralizing antibody titre (RNAT) test up to and including the time of export is approved for use in dogs by the competent authority of the country of export

Rabies vaccinations with a three (3) year validity are acceptable if given in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. [extracted from DAFF website]

Dogs

Group 1: No tests required if the pet has lived only in a Group 1 country since birth or import from Australia. If not, a negative test result for and Leishmania infantum is required. When importing a pet to Australia from New Zealand that has originated from another country, the pet must reside 180 days PLUS the quarantine import period before being accepted to export.

Group 2:

• Brucella canis – For dogs that are not desexed within 45 days before export
• Leishmania infantum – An IFAT or ELISA test within 45 days before export
• Leptospira canicola – For dogs not vaccinated against Leptospirosis within 45 days before export

Group 3:

• Rabies neutralizing antibody titre test – 3-4 weeks after rabies vaccination with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, (The 3-4 week waiting period is a recommendation, not a requirement. It is expected that dogs and cats may reach their “peak” levels of antibodies around 3-4 weeks post vaccination, some pets that are vaccinated regularly may not need to wait exactly 3-4 weeks),  the dog or cat is only eligible for export to Australia at least 180 days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory for the RNATT, FOR THE US -The blood sample for the RNATT must be collected by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian. The RNATT declaration must be completed and endorsed by USDA. We strongly recommend that the pet’s USDA Accredited Veterinarian use VEHCS to request the RNATT Declaration.
• You MUST retain a copy of the endorsed RNATT Declaration to attach to the export health certificate that must accompany the pet during travel to Australia.
• Brucella canis – Only for dogs that are not desexed within 45 days before export. An RSAT, TAT or IFAT test with a negative result. Dog must not be mated or artificially inseminated 14 days before sampling till export.
• Leishmania infantum – An IFAT or ELISA test within 45 days of export with a negative result
• Leptospira canicola – For dogs not vaccinated against Leptospirosis. An MAT test within 45 days before export with a negative result.

*****Important clarifications regarding export of dogs and cats from the United States to Australia:

Brucella canis:

1. Australia requires intact dogs to be tested for Brucella canis, using one of the following test types (listed on the export health certificate):
   1. RSAT
   2. TAT
   3. IFAT
2. Only the standard versions of the tests listed above will be accepted.
3. The following tests are NOT approved:
   1. 2ME-RSAT
   2. 2ME-TAT
   3. AGID/AGID II
   4. Canine Brucella Multiplex Assay
   5. Brucella Slide Agglutination/AGID II combination test

Identity Declaration:

1. Reminder regarding Part 1 and Part 2: The two accredited veterinarians should work at different clinics.
2. New: Part 3 MUST be endorsed within 3 months of the date of the first microchip scanning. Please submit requests to USDA in a timely manner.
3. Identity declarations are valid for as long as the animal:
   1. Can be identified by the verified microchip on the declaration, and
   2. For U.S. States (except Hawaii and Guam): Resides in an approved country; For Hawaii and Guam: Resides in a Group 1 or Group 2 approved country

Cats

Group 1: No tests required
Group 2: No tests required
Group 3: Rabies antibody neutralizing test (RNAT) – Sample for test to be collected 3-4 weeks after rabies vaccination. Testing must be done using FAVN or RFFIT methods with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml

PEQ are currently booked up to end of January and counting, this time of year is quite demanding especially as permits come back quicker, spaces fill quicker. PEQ will be open over Christmas Period. PEQ will soon be opening over the weekends for a standard fee (roughly $170 per pet.)

Group 1: No mandatory quarantine (Unless special conditions apply)

Group 2:  Pet dogs and cats must spend mandatory 10 days quarantine at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. Pets must arrive directly at Melbourne, no domestic transfers allowed. Identity Verification is still required and must be completed at least 180 days prior to the intended export date.

Group 3: Pet dogs and cats must spend a mandatory 10 days quarantine at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. Pets must arrive directly at Melbourne, no domestic transfers allowed. This option is only permitted if:

    The pets had the ID verification by the exporting authority prior to the RNATT sample collection
    The pet has travelled from Australia previously and export documentation from this journey can be supplied at permit application.

If either of these items cannot be fulfilled, then 30 days quarantine applies on entry to Melbourne.

Post entry quarantine facility and bookings

Find out more about the post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria.
 

Pets importing from Group 2 or 3 countries must enter direct to Melbourne airport

Pets may not enter direct from a non-approved country

Dogs and cats must not be under quarantine restrictions.

Cats and dogs must not be more than 40 days pregnant or suckling their young.

Australia prohibits the entry of the following breeds:

Dogs

Domestic/non domestic hybrids (e.g. dog-wolf crosses) are also prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

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

The following pure breeds cannot be imported into Australia under the legislation of the Department of Home Affairs :

• dogo Argentino
• fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

Note: The import of mixed breed dogs, including mixes involving the breeds above, is not restricted.

 Cats

Domestic/non domestic hybrids cannot be imported to Australia in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

• Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed 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). [extracted from DAFF website] Bengal cats were allowed into Australia based on their lineage previously, however since February 2025 ALL Bengal cats, regardless of their lineage will be banned to enter Australia. 

Group 1: Customs clearance required. All original documentation must be presented at the first port of arrival in Australia. The department must be notified at least three days before arriving. Pets and documents are inspected upon arrival at each port by a DAFF Inspector/Veterinarian
Group 2 and 3: Pets will be collected by department staff and transported directly to quarantine center.