Travelling to Australia with your pet

The microchip must be readable and recorded identically on the permit, lab reports and certificates: every test and treatment must happen after implantation, with the chip scanned.

Before the titre test you can have your pet's identity verified by the official veterinary authority, with a chip scan. It is optional but reduces the minimum quarantine from 30 to 10 days. The check and the blood draw for the titre test cannot take place at the same visit.

Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination and a rabies antibody test (RNATT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, done by a laboratory recognised by Australia.

• The sample must be taken between 12 months and 180 days before export.
• After the sample reaches the laboratory you must wait at least 180 days, with no exceptions.
• The test is valid for 12 months: if the vaccination lapses, you must revaccinate, repeat the test and restart the wait.

The report must be endorsed by the official vet. Details on DAFF.

Before travelling you must obtain an import permit from the Australian Department of Agriculture, applying online through the BICON system.

• With the application you attach the titre test report and the related declaration endorsed by the official vet.
• Issue usually takes 20-40 business days, sometimes much longer.
• The permit lists every condition for your pet (tests, treatments, timing): follow it to the letter.
• You must state your dog's breed and declare it is not a banned one.

In the 45 days before export your dog must have, at an approved vet and with the chip scanned:

• a Leishmania infantum test (quantitative IFAT or ELISA, no rapid tests);
• a Brucella canis test, if not desexed;
• a leptospirosis test or vaccination (Leptospira Canicola);
• two internal parasite treatments, at least 14 days apart, the last within 5 days before export.

Other treatments may be listed on the permit. Details on DAFF.

Dogs and cats must travel with a country-specific veterinary health certificate agreed between Australia and the country of departure.

• Before departure a vet examines the pet and completes the certificate with the test and treatment reports.
• The certificate and reports must be endorsed by an official government vet of the competent authority.
• Originals are needed, together with the import permit.

Without an agreed certificate for the country of departure, export from that country is not possible. Check the form with DAFF.

All dogs and cats from Group 3 countries spend a period of quarantine at the government facility in Mickleham, Melbourne: it is the only facility for cats and dogs, so arrival is in Melbourne.

• At least 10 days with the official identity check before the titre test, otherwise 30 days; up to 180 if problems arise.
• You must book the quarantine place in advance.
• Costs are paid by you: for one pet with 10 days of quarantine the Department estimates about AUD 3,114 in total.

Australia does not allow the import of purebred Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier and Perro de Presa Canario dogs. Mixed breeds of these are not restricted, if they meet all other conditions.

Dog-wolf hybrids and their crosses are also banned, including the Lupo Italiano, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfdog and Kunming dog. Note that the Lupo Italiano is an Italian breed and cannot enter Australia. Details in the DAFF FAQ.