Pet Transportation to australia

Arriving in Australia

Pets will touchdown directly into Melbourne International Airport, and must travel as manifested cargo.

As India has not eradicated Rabies yet, animals from India are not eligible for direct import to Australia. There are two options available to exporters based out of non-approved countries.

1. Move your dog/cat to a Group 3 country, and follow the standard Group 3 guidelines for dogs/cats.

2. Move your dog/cat to a Group 2 country, stay there for at least six (6) months, and follow the standard Group 2 guidelines for dogs/cats.

Group 2 countries are described as approved, rabies-free countries, and animals from these countries require an import permit to be eligible for import to Australia: (American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga (Kingdom of), Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna).

Group 3 countries are described as approved countries and territories in which rabies is absent or well-controlled, and animals from these countries require an import permit to be eligible for import to Australia: (Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia (Republic of), Cyprus (Republic of), Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands , Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa (Republic of), South Korea (Republic of), Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (United States of America).

Preparation Process

• Once the initial RNAT laboratory report is available, you may apply and pay for the import permit.
• First, you have to move your dog/cat to an approved group 2 or 3 country. The preparations may take longer than 6-8 weeks, so bear that in mind              while planning your move.
• A repeat rabies vaccination & confirmation RNAT test is to be done in an approved country before the date of export.
• Booking tentative post entry quarantine accommodation: in Australia, pets must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine                facility.
• The pet must arrive direct into Melbourne International Airport and should travel as manifested cargo. On arrival in Australia, Departmental staff will       collect your pet on arrival for transport directly to the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility.
• Other vaccinations should be valid at the time of export (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, Leptospira          interrogans serovar Canicola)
• Internal & External parasite treatments is to be completed within the appropriate timeframe.
• An official, government veterinarian from an approved country must complete, sign and stamp all pages of the Australian veterinary health                       certificate.

Pet Microchip 

Pets must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

Vaccination Record

The vaccination record of your pet must be complete and up-to-date, with the following details mentioned: Pet’s date of birth, microchip number, date of installation of microchip, location of the microchip on pet’s body, vaccination date, vaccine manufacturer, product name with sticker, vaccine batch number, date of manufacturing of the vaccination & duration of validity, vet’s signature, contact details of the owners.

• For Cats: Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Rabies, Feline Leukemia. 
• For Dogs: Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola),                                      vaccinations must be up-to-date.

Testing for Ehrlichia canis, Brucella canis, leptospirosis and other applicable diseases must be done (DOGS ONLY).

Internal and external parasite treatment is mandatory, as per the prescribed timeframe.

An official government veterinarian from an approved country must sign, stamp, and complete every page of the Australian veterinary health certificate.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate & Titer Test

You must wait 4 weeks between the rabies vaccination and blood sample collection for the RNAT test.

The sample must be tested at: Australia Govt approved OIE rabies reference laboratories (A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. A result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable and, in this circumstance, you must re-vaccinate and repeat the testing process).

The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of blood sampling. If the RNAT test is more than 24 months old at the time of export it is not valid and you cannot export your pet to Australia, and you must have your pet re-tested.

Import Documentation 

To enter Australia with a pet, you must acquire an Import permit for the same, and have your pet’s health & vaccination records in order; duly stamped, signed, and completed. 

Country Specific Rules 

In accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are generally not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to Savannah cat, Safari cat, Chausie, Bengal cat.

Domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids (e.g., wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to: Czechoslovakian wolfdog, Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano, Kunming wolfdog.

In accordance with the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, dogs of the following pure breeds cannot be imported to Australia: dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

Miscellaneous requirements/Notices

Failure to comply with the conditions for pet travel to Australia may result in the pet being (at the owner’s expense): be held longer in post-entry quarantine, be subject to additional testing, be exported, or be euthanized.