A New Naval Home in Perth — And What It Means for Your Pets

The U.S. military's footprint in Australia just got significantly larger. On May 30, the U.S. Navy officially established Naval Support Activity (NSA) Stirling in Perth, Western Australia — a landmark development under AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The new installation supports Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-West) and marks one of the most consequential expansions of American and British military presence in the Indo-Pacific in decades. Read the official announcement from the U.S. Navy here.

For the service members, DoD civilians, and contractors receiving orders to Perth — and for their families — that means one pressing question almost immediately rises to the top of the to-do list: What happens to our pets?

The answer is that getting a dog or cat into Australia is absolutely doable. But it requires careful planning, precise timing, and a partner who knows the process inside and out. That's where Starwood Pet Travel comes in.

Australia Has Some of the World's Strictest Pet Import Rules — Here's What You Need to Know

Australia is an island nation with a unique ecosystem, and its biosecurity requirements for incoming animals reflect that. Unlike moves to most other countries, relocating a pet to Australia isn't something you can arrange a few weeks before departure. The process typically takes a minimum of 180 days from start to finish when coming from the United States, and involves multiple sequential steps that cannot be rushed or reordered.

Here's a simplified overview of what's involved for a U.S.-based pet owner:

• Microchipping — Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip.
• Rabies vaccinations — A current rabies vaccine is required, and timing relative to other steps matters.
• Rabies titer (blood) test — This test, which must be conducted at an approved laboratory, confirms your pet's immune response to rabies. After the test, there is a mandatory waiting period before your pet can travel.
• Treatment protocols — Specific parasite treatments must be administered within precise windows before departure.
• An Approved Arrangement — Australia requires that pets enter through an approved quarantine facility. Upon arrival, pets undergo a mandatory government-supervised quarantine period (currently 10 days for dogs and cats arriving from the U.S. or UK under standard pathways).
• USDA-endorsed health certificate — A federally accredited veterinarian must examine your pet and issue a health certificate, which then must be endorsed by the USDA APHIS.

Missing a step, getting the timing wrong, or using an unapproved lab can mean your pet is denied entry or faces extended quarantine. That's why working with experienced professionals isn't just helpful — it's essential.

Moving from the UK to Australia? The Process Is Different — But Just as Detailed

With British personnel also heading to NSA Stirling as part of the AUKUS arrangement, it's worth noting that Australia's import pathway for pets coming from the United Kingdom differs from the U.S. pathway in several important ways. The UK is recognized as a "Group 2" country by Australian biosecurity authorities, which changes some of the testing and waiting period requirements.

Starwood Pet Travel handles both pipelines — U.S. to Australia and UK to Australia — and can walk you through exactly what applies to your situation, your pet's species and breed, and your timeline.

PCSing to Perth? Starwood Specializes in Military Pet Moves

Military families face a unique set of challenges when it comes to pet relocation. Orders can come with short notice. Timelines are driven by the military, not by the optimal pet import schedule. And the financial and logistical stakes of getting it wrong are especially high when you're already managing a full PCS.

Starwood Pet Travel has deep experience working with military families navigating permanent change of station moves with pets — including to overseas assignments like Australia. Our military pet relocation services are designed to work within the realities of PCS life: we help you understand your timeline from the moment orders arrive, coordinate with your veterinarian, manage the required government paperwork, and arrange transport and quarantine logistics on the receiving end.

"The opening of NSA Stirling is a significant moment — not just strategically, but for the hundreds of families who will be making Perth their home in the coming years," said Ross Scheintaub, Partner and Sales Representative at Starwood Pet Travel, who oversees the company's Australia relocation pipeline. "Australia is one of the most complex pet import destinations in the world, and the timeline requirements catch a lot of families off guard. Our job is to make sure that from the day orders drop, your pet is on a path to arrive safely — and on schedule — right alongside you."

Start Early. Seriously.

If there's one thing every family moving to Australia needs to hear, it's this: start the process as soon as you know you're going.

The 180-day minimum timeline for U.S. pets is unforgiving. The rabies titer test waiting period alone can consume several months. If you receive orders and wait until the usual PCS scramble is over to think about your pet, you may find yourself facing an impossible gap between your report date and when your dog or cat can legally enter the country.

The earlier you contact Starwood, the more options you have — and the less stressful the process will be for you and your pet.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you're a Navy family headed to Perth, a British service member preparing for a rotation, or a DoD civilian receiving orders to Australia, Starwood Pet Travel is here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today to speak with a relocation specialist, or visit our military services page to learn more about how we support PCS moves with pets.

Your family isn't complete without your pets — and neither is your move.