Flying a cat from the United States to Australia
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Scope and research limits
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.
This guide covers the journey and pathways stated here. Residence, travel history and connections may change which requirements apply. Confirm these before using the countdown.
Quarantine: at least 30 days
A cat must travel as manifest cargo directly to Melbourne to enter Australia from the United States, with quarantine of at least 30 days.
To meet the entry rules
- rabies vaccination at least 84 days after birth
- an RNATT still valid on arrival within 365 days before arrival
- the mandatory wait from laboratory receipt at least 180 days before departure
- tick treatment at least 21 days before departure
- first internal parasite treatment within 45 days before departure
- clinical examination within 5 days before departure
- an endorsed export health certificate, within 5 days before departure
- second internal parasite treatment at least 14 days after the first internal parasite treatment
- an import permit and confirmed quarantine booking
If a requirement is missed: Failure to meet permit conditions may lead to extended quarantine, additional testing, export or euthanasia at the owner’s expense.
Full answer
A cat must travel as manifest cargo directly to Melbourne to enter Australia from the United States, with quarantine of at least 30 days. It needs rabies vaccination at least 84 days after birth; an RNATT still valid on arrival within 365 days before arrival; the mandatory wait from laboratory receipt at least 180 days before departure; tick treatment at least 21 days before departure; first internal parasite treatment within 45 days before departure; clinical examination within 5 days before departure; an endorsed export health certificate, within 5 days before departure; second internal parasite treatment at least 14 days after the first internal parasite treatment; and an import permit and confirmed quarantine booking. Last verified 22 October 2026.
- 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.
- Quarantine
- At least 30 daysa mandatory quarantine stay
- Rabies titer
- Required
- Lead time
- 209 days
Your deadlines, counted back from arrival
8 of these steps are hard deadlines. Each step says how long before arrival it falls. Pick an arrival date and your browser works out the calendar dates; it fetches nothing.
Lead time: 209 days
Pick an arrival date to see the calendar date of each step.
Birth
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. Timing: on or before the rabies vaccination.
Fails if: 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. Timing: at least 84 days after birth.
Fails if: 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. Timing: at least 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination.
For this plan: Use the longer end of the stated three-to-four-week interval for primary vaccination.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
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. Timing: within 365 days before arrival.
Fails if: 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. Timing: at least 180 days before departure.
Fails if: 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. Timing: at least 21 days before departure.
Fails if: 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. Timing: within 45 days before departure.
Fails if: 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. Timing: within 5 days before departure.
Fails if: 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. Timing: within 5 days before departure.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
Have a USDA-accredited veterinarian complete the US-specific Australian health certificate and submit it for USDA endorsement within five days before export. Carry the endorsed health certificate, RNATT declaration and laboratory reports. USDA permits electronic issue and digital endorsement through VEHCS for this US route. Timing: within 5 days before departure.
Fails if: Done more than 5 days before departure.
Second internal parasite treatment
Space the internal parasite treatments at least 14 days apart. Timing: at least 14 days after the first internal parasite treatment.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
Give the second internal parasite treatment within 5 days before export. Complete it before health-certificate endorsement. Timing: within 5 days before departure.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
Complete the second internal parasite treatment before endorsement of the health certificate; the same day is allowed. Timing: on or before the certificate's issue or endorsement.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
Arrival day
Requirements without a countdown
These conditions still apply. Choosing an arrival date does not check them.
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.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
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.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
The RNATT result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. An insufficient result requires retesting and a restarted wait.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
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.
Fails if: The animal does not meet this import condition.
Most import permits are issued in 20–40 business days, but some take up to 123 business days. These are processing estimates, not a guaranteed booking deadline.
A minimum 10-day quarantine stay may be available after the optional verified-identity process, completed before the RNATT. This page uses the standard 30-day pathway. USDA requires separate accredited vets at different clinics and final USDA endorsement; DAFF says not to combine the identity check and blood draw at the same visit. Follow the stricter separate-visit sequence and obtain confirmation from USDA and DAFF before relying on the reduction.
This route covers domestic cats only. Hybrid-cat restrictions, including the Bengal prohibition, must be checked before starting preparation.
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.
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian in the state where each preparation is performed, including microchip checks, blood sampling and laboratory submissions.
Fails if: Preparation was performed by a veterinarian without the required accreditation.
This plan assumes one air journey, with every step done before you leave. Unless you give a departure date, it assumes you leave the day before arrival or on arrival day. Times are local to Australia (Australia/Melbourne).
Which airlines carry cats on this route
The only airline in our sources gives no plain Yes for cats on this route.
This is what airlines offer. An airline can offer less than the rules allow.
Hold means checked baggage. Manifest cargo is a separate booking, even when the animal travels in the same aircraft hold.
| Airline | Cabin | Hold (checked baggage) | Manifest cargo | Fee from | Snub-nosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Freight | (Australia rule) | (Australia rule) | Quoted on request |
- Qantas Freight: Qantas refuses international puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks and animals that appear sedated, unwell, injured, heavily pregnant or aggressive. Pets older than 12 years need a veterinary fitness certificate.
- Qantas Freight: Qantas Freight will not carry animals when temperatures are expected above 35°C or below 5°C. Confirm conditions at every station.
- Qantas Freight: Check current station embargoes with the specialist. The public international page still displays dated New York and Dallas restrictions; their current status needs direct confirmation.
No rule changes recorded since
We have recorded no change to the rules on this page since , when our log began. See every recorded change.
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-catsArrive directly at Melbourne International Airport as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved…; Microchip; Rabies vaccination; Blood sample; and 15 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-dogsArrive 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; Rabies vaccination; and 13 more
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-australiaThe RNATT must meet the antibody threshold and produce an English laboratory report with…; Health certificate issued or endorsed; A minimum 10-day quarantine stay may be available after the optional verified-identity…; Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian in the state where each preparation is performed…; First-time domestic dog and cat imports from the US mainland using the standard…
- Qantas Freightfreight.qantas.com/en-au/pets/pets-international-travelQantas Freight: route, cabin, hold (checked baggage), manifest cargo; Qantas refuses international puppies and kittens younger than 12 weeks and animals that…; Check current station embargoes with the specialist
- Qantas Freightfreight.qantas.com/en-au/pets/pet-travel-faqsQantas Freight: cabin, hold (checked baggage), fee from, snub-nosed; Qantas Freight will not carry animals when temperatures are expected above 35°C or below…
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.
Related pages
See everything that applies in Australia, or what changed across the site.