Bringing a pet into Australia
First-time domestic dog and cat imports from the US mainland using the standard preparation and minimum quarantine pathway. The dog countdown uses leptospirosis vaccination. Returning-pet concessions, assisted import exemptions, breeding or pregnant animals, hybrid cats, Hawaii and Guam preparation are outside this planner. Departures to the US mainland are also covered; check state and local rules separately.
Last verified Applies to dogs and cats4 primary sourcesSite-wide weekly check due
Quarantine: at least 30 days
To meet the entry rules
- Prepare the microchip, rabies vaccination and RNATT well ahead of travel. Wait at least 180 days from laboratory receipt before export, and obtain an import permit and quarantine booking.
- Arrive as manifest cargo directly in Melbourne. This standard pathway requires a minimum 30-day stay at Mickleham; the separate identity-verification concession needs advance preparation.
Full answer
Prepare the microchip, rabies vaccination and RNATT well ahead of travel. Wait at least 180 days from laboratory receipt before export, and obtain an import permit and quarantine booking. Arrive as manifest cargo directly in Melbourne. This standard pathway requires a minimum 30-day stay at Mickleham; the separate identity-verification concession needs advance preparation.
- Quarantine
- At least 30 daysa mandatory quarantine stay
- Titer required
- RequiredAt least 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination
- Rules allow in cabin
- Not allowedArrive directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved crate. Domestic transfers within Australia are not permitted.
- Banned breeds
- 11 breedsIncluding dogo Argentino
Requirements, in the order they must happen
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | A working ISO-compliant microchip must identify the pet before preparation starts. The vet scans it at every visit and records it consistently on all samples and documents; microchips starting with 999 are not accepted. | on or before the rabies vaccination | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Rabies vaccination | Use an approved rabies vaccine given when the animal is at least 84 days old. Maintain continuous vaccination validity from the RNATT through export; a lapse requires vaccination, a new RNATT and a restarted waiting period. | at least 84 days after birth | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Blood sample | For first-time preparation, allow four weeks after the primary rabies vaccination before the RNATT blood draw. A USDA-accredited vet must collect the sample, verify the microchip and use an approved laboratory. | at least 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Blood sample | The import permit and RNATT must remain valid on arrival in Australia. RNATT validity runs from blood collection, so laboratory delivery time does not extend it. | within 365 days before arrival | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Lab receives the sample | Wait at least 180 days from the date the RNATT sample arrives at the laboratory until export. Blood collection alone does not start this wait. | at least 180 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Tick treatment | Start an accepted contact-killing tick and flea treatment at least 30 days before export. Maintain effective protection through departure, repeat as directed and have the vet check at each visit. If parasites are found, remove them and restart treatment.Dogs only | at least 30 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Tick treatment | Start an accepted contact-killing tick and flea treatment at least 21 days before export. Maintain effective protection through departure, repeat as directed and have the vet check at each visit. If parasites are found, remove them and restart treatment.Cats only | at least 21 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Canine influenza vaccination completed | Dogs from the US must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza. Complete the primary course at least 14 days before export, using an approved vaccine effective against local strains, and maintain validity under the manufacturer’s directions. Booster timing must also meet the permit.Dogs only | at least 14 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Leptospirosis vaccination completed | This countdown uses the vaccination option for Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola: complete the primary course or booster at least 14 days before export and maintain validity under the manufacturer’s directions. Record the required vaccination history. The alternative negative MAT test within 45 days is outside this vaccination countdown.Dogs only | at least 14 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Leptospirosis vaccination completed | The final primary-course dose or booster must meet the permit’s vaccination window as well as the manufacturer’s continuing-validity instructions.Dogs only | within 12 months before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| First internal parasite treatment | Have the vet treat nematodes and cestodes twice within 45 days before export, using accepted products. | within 45 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Leishmania test | Have an approved lab test for Leishmania infantum within 45 days before export, with a negative result. Only standard quantitative IFAT or ELISA is accepted; rapid or snap tests are not acceptable.Dogs only | within 45 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Brucella test | If not desexed, obtain a negative Brucella canis test within 45 days before export using standard RSAT, TAT or IFAT. Do not mate or inseminate the dog within 21 days before sampling or between sampling and export. Pregnant or breeding-animal preparation needs a separate plan with DAFF.Dogs only | within 45 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Clinical examination | Within 5 days before export, have the approved vet examine the pet for external parasites and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease. | within 5 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Health certificate issued or endorsed | Within 5 days before export and after the final examination and parasite treatment, obtain the competent authority’s endorsement of the health certificate and supporting documents. Use the US-specific certificate and documentation procedure described by USDA. | within 5 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Second internal parasite treatment | Space the internal parasite treatments at least 14 days apart. | at least 14 days after the first internal parasite treatment | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Second internal parasite treatment | Give the second internal parasite treatment within 5 days before export. Complete it before health-certificate endorsement. | within 5 days before departure | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Second internal parasite treatment | Complete the second internal parasite treatment before endorsement of the health certificate; the same day is allowed. | on or before the certificate's issue or endorsement | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Requirement | Remain in an approved country for at least 180 days before export, counted from laboratory receipt of the RNATT sample. This residency period is separate from quarantine after arrival. | — | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Requirement | The RNATT must meet the antibody threshold and produce an English laboratory report with the correct microchip, sampling details, test type and result. Obtain the USDA-endorsed RNATT declaration before applying for the import permit. | — | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Requirement | The RNATT result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. An insufficient result requires retesting and a restarted wait. | — | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Requirement | Apply through BICON after obtaining the endorsed RNATT declaration and laboratory report. Read every condition on the issued permit before arranging export; then book and pay for Mickleham quarantine. Allow substantial processing and booking time. | — | The animal does not meet this import condition. |
| Note | For dogs with a regular canine influenza vaccination history, the booster must be given between 12 months and 14 days before export. Maintain validity under the manufacturer's directions. The primary-course completion date appears in the countdown; check the separate booster window with the vet if it applies.Dogs only | — | — |
| Banned breeds | Australia prohibits the named breeds and wolfdog hybrids. Check the competent agencies if the animal’s breed or ancestry is uncertain.Dogs only | — | — |
| Note | For a stop without changing aircraft, the pet must stay on the plane on the international side. Changing aircraft is permitted only in an approved country, under the competent authority’s supervision, without leaving the international side or contacting other animals. Confirm permission, facilities and connection time with the transit authority. | — | — |
Routes into Australia
Leaving Australia with a pet
To the United States
| Step | Requirement | Timing rule | Fails if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Submit the Notice of Intention and supporting documents to the DAFF regional office at least 10 working days before departure or the start of isolation. Ask the office about holidays and allow more time; this business-day deadline is stated here but is not converted into calendar dates. | — | The Australian export procedure has not been completed. |
| Clinical examination | Have a registered veterinarian perform the final health and welfare examination within 72 hours before departure and complete the signed declaration. Present the crate to that vet for inspection and confirmation that it is suitable. | within 72 hours before departure | The Australian export procedure has not been completed. |
| Export permit issued | Attend the DAFF appointment with the required documentation and obtain the export permit and health certificate. Export within 72 hours after the permit is issued. | within 72 hours before departure | The Australian export procedure has not been completed. |
Routes out of Australia
Where every rule above came from
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-dogsFerret imports to Australia are not covered by this release; Arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved…; Remain in an approved country for at least 180 days before export, counted from…; Microchip; and 21 more
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-catsArrive directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved…; Microchip; Rabies vaccination; Blood sample; and 15 more
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-australiaFirst-time domestic dog and cat imports from the US mainland using the standard…; The RNATT must meet the antibody threshold and produce an English laboratory report with…; A minimum 10-day quarantine stay may be available after the optional verified-identity…
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia)agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/companionSubmit the Notice of Intention and supporting documents to the DAFF regional office at…; Clinical examination; Export permit issued
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.