Your pet’s safe trip

Need to bring your pet to Australia? Learn about costs, airline rules, cargo vs cabin travel, and how to safely transport your dog or cat from the US with Starwood Pet Travel.

Shipping a pet to Australia requires careful planning due to the country's strict biosecurity laws designed to protect its unique ecosystem. The process involves multiple steps including microchipping, vaccinations, health testing, obtaining import permits, and arranging appropriate transportation for your furry family member. The entire pet relocation process to Australia can cost between $5,000 to over $10,000 and may take up to six months of preparation time, particularly due to mandatory testing requirements.

All pets entering Australia must complete a mandatory quarantine period at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine facility in Melbourne. Dogs and cats from most countries, including the United States, must stay for a minimum of 10 days, with possible extensions for pets requiring additional health checks. This quarantine requirement cannot be bypassed except for pets arriving from New Zealand.

Working with a professional pet relocation service can simplify this complex process significantly. These specialists handle everything from veterinary preparation to flight arrangements and quarantine coordination, ensuring all Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requirements are met properly and on schedule.

Dogs and cats are the most commonly imported pets to Australia, though certain restrictions apply. Not all breeds are permitted entry - specifically, pure dingo breeds are prohibited. Cat breeds such as Savannah, Bengal (F1-F4), or Chausie cats face similar restrictions unless they have documented proof of being fifth generation or further removed from their wild ancestors.

Australia also allows birds from approved countries, though parrots and other avian species face additional testing requirements. Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas may be imported from New Zealand only.

Certain dog breeds face import bans under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations, including:

• Pit Bull Terrier breeds
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Presa Canario

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) oversees all pet imports into Australia. Pet owners must obtain an import permit through the DAFF's BICON system before making travel arrangements. This permit costs AUD $1,265 and remains valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

All pets must enter Australia as manifest cargo through Melbourne International Airport. Personal importation (bringing pets as excess baggage or in-cabin) is not permitted under any circumstances.

The import process varies based on your departure country's classification:

• Group 1: New Zealand (simplified process)
• Group 2: Approved rabies-free countries/territories
• Group 3: Countries with well-controlled rabies (includes USA, Canada, UK)

Documentation requirements include microchip records, vaccination histories, lab test results, and official veterinary certificates.

All incoming animals (except those from New Zealand) must complete mandatory quarantine at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. The standard quarantine period is 10 days for pets from Group 2 countries, with costs starting at AUD $520.

Pets from Group 3 countries may face longer quarantine periods if health concerns arise during inspection. Owners cannot visit their pets during quarantine, though facility staff provide daily care and veterinary monitoring.

Exemptions to quarantine are extremely limited. Only assistance dogs traveling with their disabled handlers may qualify for alternative arrangements, though they still undergo thorough health screening and must meet specific training certification requirements.

The quarantine process includes:

• Health examination upon arrival
• Verification of documentation
• Additional testing if required
• Daily monitoring by veterinary staff
• Treatment for any conditions detected

Pets failing to meet import requirements may face extended quarantine, treatment at owner's expense, or in extreme cases, return to the country of origin.

The journey to Australia begins with comprehensive health assessments by an accredited veterinarian. Your pet must be examined and certified as being in good health and free from diseases of concern to Australia. This examination should occur within 5 days of travel.

A government-endorsed veterinary certificate must be completed, confirming your pet meets all of Australia's import requirements. This document details your pet's health status, treatments, and compliance with biosecurity measures.

Some pets may require additional laboratory testing based on their country of origin. For example, dogs from certain countries need testing for Ehrlichia canis and Brucella canis.

Your veterinarian should be familiar with Australia's requirements or be willing to work with a pet relocation specialist who understands these regulations in detail.

The cost to fly a pet to Australia varies depending on your pet's size, breed, departure location, and airline fees. In addition to airfare, you should factor in costs for veterinary services, government health certificates, import permits (AUD $1265), quarantine fees (starting at AUD $520 for 10 days), and any special services needed. On average, international pet relocation services for Australia can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.

Sending your dog to Australia involves careful planning to meet the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requirements. Your dog must be microchipped, vaccinated (including rabies, if applicable), undergo health testing, receive parasite treatments, and have an import permit. They must travel as manifest cargo into Melbourne International Airport and complete a quarantine stay at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine facility. 

Working with a professional pet relocation service can simplify this complex process significantly. These specialists handle everything from veterinary preparation to flight arrangements and quarantine coordination, ensuring all Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requirements are met properly and on schedule.

Currently, quarantine is mandatory for pets arriving in Australia from Group 2 and 3 countries. Only pets traveling from New Zealand (Group 1) may avoid quarantine. There is no way to bypass quarantine for pets coming from the United States.

Most pets from Group 2 countries, like the United States, are required to stay in quarantine for a minimum of 10 days. In certain cases, pets from Group 3 countries or pets needing further health checks may have extended stays up to 30 days.

The preparation timeline for shipping a dog to Australia can take six months or longer, primarily due to the 180-day waiting period after a successful Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) for pets from Group 3 countries. Advance planning is essential to meet all biosecurity regulations.