Moving Pets to Australia: Quarantine, Requirements & Costs

Why Australia Has Strict Pet Import Rules

Australia is one of the few rabies-free countries in the world, and the government is determined to keep it that way. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) oversees all animal imports through strict biosecurity protocols governed by the Biosecurity Act 2015. The introduction of rabies could devastate Australia's native wildlife-which lack evolutionary defenses against many placental mammal diseases-and cause catastrophic losses to the livestock industry.

The good news? With proper planning and patience, you can bring your beloved pet to Australia safely.

Understanding Country Categories

Australia categorises countries into three groups based on rabies risk. Your country of origin determines your timeline and requirements:

Group	Risk Level	Quarantine	Timeline	Example Countries
Group 1	Rabies-free territories	No quarantine	2-4 weeks	New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Cocos Islands
Group 2	Rabies-free countries	10 days minimum	2-3 months	Japan, Singapore, Hawaii, Fiji, Papua New Guinea
Group 3	Rabies controlled	10-30 days	6-7+ months	USA, UK, Canada, Taiwan, most of Europe, Hong Kong

Important: Countries not listed in any group (including China, Thailand, Indonesia, and most of Southeast Asia) are considered non-approved. Pets from these countries must first relocate to a Group 2 or 3 country and reside there for at least 180 days before they can enter Australia. This effectively doubles the relocation timeline and cost.

The Complete Pet Import Timeline

For Group 3 Countries (Including Taiwan, USA, UK)

The process takes at least 6-7 months and follows this critical sequence:

Timeframe Before Travel	Action Required
7-8 months	Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
7-8 months	Administer rabies vaccination (after microchipping)
6.5 months	Identity Verification by government-approved vet (CRITICAL)
6-7 months	Blood test for RNATT (must be AFTER identity check)
6 months	Begin 180-day waiting period (from lab receipt date)
3-5 months	Apply for import permit via BICON
3 months	Book quarantine space at Mickleham
45 days	Additional disease testing (Leptospira, Leishmania, Brucella)
14 days	First parasite treatment
5 days	Second parasite treatment and final health certificate
Travel day	Government veterinarian issues endorsed health certificate

Critical: The 180-Day Waiting Period

For pets from Group 3 countries, the most important timeline to understand is the 180-day waiting period:

⚠️ Important Clarification: The 180-day countdown begins on the date the blood sample is received by the laboratory, NOT when blood is drawn. If your vet draws blood on January 1st but the sample arrives at the lab on January 5th, your 180 days starts on January 5th.

Your pet can stay with you during this period-it's not quarantine, it's a "residency" requirement
The RNATT result is valid for 12 months from the blood sample date
This creates a 6-month travel window: you cannot travel before Day 180, and cannot travel after Day 365

The Identity Verification Bottleneck (10-Day vs 30-Day Quarantine)

This is the most misunderstood requirement and the key to avoiding extended quarantine:

If Identity Verified...	Result
✅ Before or same day as RNATT blood draw	10-day quarantine
❌ After the blood draw	30-day quarantine (default)

The Process:

A government-approved veterinarian scans the microchip
They take digital photos of your pet and the scanner displaying the chip number
This "Identity Declaration" is submitted to the Competent Authority (e.g., USDA in the USA, DEFRA in UK)
Only AFTER this verification can the RNATT blood be drawn for the 10-day pathway

Warning: This step cannot be done retroactively. Blood drawn before identity verification = automatic 30-day quarantine.

The Mickleham Quarantine Facility

All pets requiring quarantine must complete their post-entry quarantine at Australia's only Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria, approximately 30km from Melbourne Airport.

Key facts about Mickleham:

All pets must travel as manifest cargo and arrive on international flights into Melbourne (MEL) only
No cabin travel or checked baggage permitted-regardless of animal size or "emotional support" status
Minimum stay is 10 days (or 30 days if identity verification was missed)
No visits to pets are permitted during quarantine (strict biosecurity bubble)
Bookings are made through the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS) after your import permit is granted
Intake hours are limited (typically 05:00-14:30); late/weekend arrivals incur surcharges
Full payment is required before release

Zero Tolerance on Ticks: If even a single tick is found on your pet during intake inspection, quarantine may be extended and remedial treatment applied at your expense.

Import Costs Breakdown

Bringing a pet to Australia is a significant financial investment. Here's a detailed breakdown:

DAFF Government Fees (2024/2025)

Fee Type	Cost (AUD)
Import Permit Application	~$480
Reservation Charge (non-refundable)	$269
Importation Charge	$1,078
Daily Husbandry (10 days @ $53/day)	$530
Document Assessment (if extra checking needed)	$80 per 30 mins
Out of Hours Collection	$170-$180
Release Appointment	$170-$350
Total Base Quarantine (10 days)	~$2,100-$2,400
30-Day Husbandry (if applicable)	$1,590

Private Sector Costs

Cost Type	Estimated (AUD)
Veterinary fees (vaccines, blood draws, certificates)	$1,500-$3,000
RNATT laboratory fee	$200-$400
Airfreight (varies enormously by size)	$1,500-$10,000+
Professional pet transport agent fees	$2,000-$5,000
IATA-compliant crate	$200-$800

Total Cost Estimate

For a standard dog import from a Group 3 country:

Small dog or cat: $8,000-$12,000 AUD
Medium dog: $10,000-$15,000 AUD
Large dog (Great Dane, etc.): $15,000-$25,000+ AUD

Required Documentation

Your pet will need the following documentation:

Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785 compliant, implanted BEFORE any rabies vaccination-otherwise vaccination is invalid)
Identity Verification Declaration (endorsed by Competent Authority)
Rabies vaccination certificate (inactivated virus vaccine, given after microchipping)
RNATT test results (≥0.5 IU/mL from an OIE-approved laboratory)
Import permit from DAFF (applied via BICON)
Veterinary health certificate signed by a government-authorised veterinarian
Proof of additional vaccinations for dogs (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza)
Parasite treatment records (two treatments: 14 days before and 5 days before export)

Prohibited Animals

Banned Dog Breeds

The following breeds are strictly prohibited from entering Australia, including crosses:

❌ Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull Terrier
❌ Dogo Argentino
❌ Fila Brasileiro
❌ Japanese Tosa
❌ Perro de Presa Canario
❌ Wolf hybrids (Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Saarloos Wolfdog, Lupo Italiano, Kunming Wolfdog)

Note: The ban on "crosses" is enforced based on physical appearance. If a dog resembles a Pit Bull, biosecurity officers have discretion to flag the animal. DNA testing does not override visual assessment.

Bengal Cat Ban (March 2025)

Major Policy Change: Effective 1 March 2025, Bengal cats are effectively banned from importation into Australia. The previous exemption for 5th-generation (F5) Bengals has been revoked, as reviews found many "F5" cats still retained high wild genetics posing predation risks to native wildlife. A limited transition period applies: cats with exemptions applied before 28 February 2025 must arrive by 28 February 2026.

Savannah cats remain strictly prohibited (all generations).

What Pets Can Enter Australia?

Australia permits the import of:

✅ Dogs (excluding prohibited breeds)
✅ Cats (excluding Bengals from March 2025 and Savannahs)
✅ Rabbits (from New Zealand only)
✅ Horses
✅ Some birds (with strict conditions)

Not permitted:

❌ Ferrets
❌ Hamsters
❌ Guinea pigs (except from New Zealand)
❌ Most reptiles and exotic animals

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Microchipping after vaccination: The microchip MUST be implanted BEFORE any rabies vaccination. If done in wrong order, the vaccination is invalid and you start over.
Missing identity verification: If blood is drawn before the identity check is submitted to the Competent Authority, you get 30-day quarantine instead of 10 days.
Misunderstanding the 180-day start date: The clock starts when the lab RECEIVES the sample, not when blood is drawn. Factor in shipping time.
Missing the travel window: RNATT is valid 12 months from blood draw, but you can't travel until Day 180. This gives you a 6-month window-don't miss it.
Booking flights before permits: Wait until import permit is approved and quarantine is booked.
Attempting cabin travel: All pets must fly as manifest cargo. No exceptions.
Arriving at wrong airport: Pets must arrive at Melbourne (MEL) on international flights. Domestic transfers are not permitted.

How First Migration Can Help

While our expertise is Australian visa and migration services, we understand that bringing your pet is an important part of your relocation journey. The pet import process shares many similarities with visa applications: strict timelines, complex documentation, and government approval processes.

If you're planning to migrate to Australia and wondering how to coordinate your visa application with your pet's import timeline, our registered migration agents can help you plan your move holistically.

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice on your migration journey.