Resource Hub Taxonomy: Importing Your Pet into Australia

Depending on your country or origin, we will be able to work on a tailored time, sensitive veterinary schedule based on this arrival date. Jetpets will request some vet history to review to see exactly what vet work your pets will need to meet the Australian entry requirements.

Vet work for pets commences roughly 8 weeks prior to departure for dogs and roughly 4 weeks prior to departure for cats.

The following vet work may be included in your dogs vet schedule:

• DHPP Annual Vaccination
• Bordetella Bronchiectasis Vaccination
• Leptospirosis Vaccinations
• CIV Vaccinations (Singapore only)
• Leishmania blood testing
• Brucella Canis Blood Test (if your pet is not neutered)
• Babesia Canis treatment (Only if your dog has ever been to Africa)
• Internal & External Parasite treatments
• Domestic health certificate

The following vet work may be included in your cats vet schedule:

• F3/RCP Annual Vaccination
• Internal Parasite treatments
• External Parasite treatments
• Domestic health certificate

Does my Pet need a Rabies Vaccination?

If travelling form a Group 2 or Group 3 location then your Dog or Cats must have an up to date Rabies vaccine in an approved country once they are at least 84 days old. They have to be valid for the entire quarantine period when entering to Australia.

How long is the quarantine for pets in Australia?

If your pet is returning to Australia (Travelled internationally from Australia), they will be eligible for a 10 day stay at Quarantine provided you can supply your pets export documentation. This must be supplied prior to applying for the Australian import permit.

If your Pet is returning to Australia, where can I find my original export documentation?

If you used Jetpets for your export from Australia, rest assured as we will have the documentation on file and will be able to provide the Australian Department of Agriculture with the documentation when we lodge your import permit.  If you did not engage Jetpets for your export move, you will need to contact the provider who completed the export and request a copy of these. If the export documentation cannot be provided, your pets may still be eligible for the 10 day quarantine stay pending the competent authorities completing the ID Verification Check.

What is the Quarantine facility like in Australia?

Below is a link to the Australian Government website that shares a behind the scenes video of the Post Entry Quarantine Facility and process facility along with some additional frequently asked questions.

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/quarantine-facilities-and-fees/our-facility

Australian Quarantine Facility Background Information

As part of the pet importation process all international pets subject to quarantine enter through this location. If you’re relocating your cat or dog to Australia from a Group 2 or Group 3 country (including the UK and the US), your pet will be required to complete a minimum 10-day stay at the Mickleham Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility.

Pets arriving from Group 1 countries (such as New Zealand) are exempt from quarantine and may go home immediately following their health inspection on arrival.

About the Mickleham PEQ Facility

Located around 20 to 30 minutes from our Melbourne Transit Lounge the facility delivers excellent accommodation facilities for your pets.  Jetpets work closely with the Department of Agriculture to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and biosecurity compliance.

Features of the facility:

• Clean, secure, and climate-controlled environment
• Daily health checks by qualified veterinary staff
• Strict hygiene and monitoring protocols
• Separate areas for dogs and cats to reduce stress

What Happens when my pets enter Quarantine?

Throughout their stay, every pet that enters the Melbourne quarantine facility is treated with the utmost care, compassion, and respect. Each dog and cat enjoys their very own private, climate-controlled room complete with heating, air conditioning, and access to a covered outdoor run.

For dogs and cats needing a bit more room to move, they also have a spacious, grassy exercise area where they can stretch their legs and enjoy the outdoors. Every room includes a cozy bed and a window with a view of the exercise yard, offering natural light and visual stimulation.

To ensure a peaceful environment, the quarantine facility is equipped with internal acoustic panels that help reduce noise, allowing all animals to relax and rest comfortably.

There is currently only one facility for Australia and this is located in Melbourne. ALL pets must first travel to Melbourne for their mandatory quarantine stay before being able to be transported to their new homes across Australia. As Jetpets has Australia wide coverage, we are able to arrange the on-forwarding flights from Melbourne or any longer pet accommodation that you may require where you may not have found your final residence upon quarantine release.

Australia does not allow the import of domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids.

Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

• • Savannah cat – domestic cat (Felis catus) + Serval cat (Felis serval)
  • Safari cat – domestic cat + Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
  • Chausie – domestic cat + Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
  • Bengal cat – domestic cat + Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

In some cases, Australia may permit the import of Bengal cats if they are five generations or more removed and proper documentation is provided.

The following dog hybrids and pure breeds cannot be imported to Australia:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog / Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog / Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano / Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog / Kunming dog
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasiliero
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canario

Australia WILL allow the import of mixed-breed dogs as long as the import conditions are met.

Depending on your country of origin, it is good to start planning 7 to 12 months in advance. As Australia has strict rules and regulations in place, it is important that you prepare and research prior to relocating your pet to Australia.

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAAF) has stringent processes in place for importing dogs and cats into Australia. They do have a step-by-step guide that outlines many of the steps involved. Here is a summary below:

• Check if your pet is eligible to be imported to Australia
• Apply for an import permit from DAFF
• Meet all import conditions prior to travelling
• Book quarantine dates
• Arrange the travel for your pet and have documentation in place for entry to Australia
• On arrival in Australia, dogs and cats will need to stay in quarantine for a minimum of 10 days

It’s important to note that the process and requirements will vary depending on your country or origin.

This is dependent on your animals size, breed, location and service requirements. For one small pet, we request customers anticipate to spend approximately AUD $8,000 to $10,000.  It is important to note that as Australia has strict Bio-Security laws to protect its environment, it requires extensive planning for importing pets to Australia. Quarantine, Documentation and Veterinarian fees are all required when moving your pet to Australia.