Does my Pet need a Microchip entering Australia from Canada?
Yes. All pets entering Australia need a complaint Microchip for entry before any vaccinations or treatments are administered. It is always a good idea to ensure that you have this number listed on all tests and procedures as part of the import process included on your records.
Does my Pet require parasite treatments when coming to Australia?
Yes. There are specific external parasite treatments to animals being prepared for export that are required, It is important that these are complaint with the Australian Government regulations.
Will my Pet need a Rabies Vaccination when moving from Canada to Australia?
Yes. All Pets coming to Australia from Canada will require a rabies vaccination. They will also have to undergo Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). This test is important as it needs to be conducted at least 180 days before export by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, otherwise it may not be valid.
Will my Pet need a Health Certificate to travel to Australia?
Yes. Pets need to have a finale veterinary examination within 5 days of departure. The USDA-accredited veterinarian must complete and endorse the veterinary health certificate.
Australia has some of the strictest rules in the world for bringing in dogs and cats. Canada is considered a Group 3 country, so specific requirements apply. To avoid delays and complications it is important that you carefully follow all the steps listed on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website in Australia.
What are some of the processes involved moving my pet from Canada?
When looking to move your pet from Canada to Australia you must pay close attention to every part of the process as outlined by the Australian Government. Some of these include regulations will include:
- Timelines and deadlines
- Payment of Fees
- Vaccinations and health tests
- Official paperwork (certification)
What happens if my documentation is incorrect?
Where documentation is incomplete or incorrect this will delay the time for your pet and officials may:
- Require extra disease testing
- Extend your pet’s stay in quarantine
- Refuse entry for your pet
Do I need an Import Permit to enter Australia?
Yes. Before traveling, you must apply for and receive an import permit from Australia.
Is there Quarantine on arrival?
No, after a quick inspection on arrival you pet will clear customs and be released the same day
Can I enter in any Australian international arrival port?
Yes, and Jetpets can also transport your pet form these ports to other more regional locations as required.
What Happens Upon Arrival in Australia?
When your pet arrives into Australia they will be inspected by an Australian Department of Agriculture upon arrival to ensure all the necessary paperwork is in place for clearance purposes. These checks will need to be booked in advance, so speak to one of our team on how this works.
Are there any Banned Pet Breeds from NZ to Australia?
Yes. There are certain breeds of dogs are not allowed to be imported to Australia just like New Zealand. These breeds include the American pit bull terrier, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario.
Importing My Pet From New Zealand
Bringing your Pet from New Zealand is relatively straight forward compared to other countries. The Australian Government classify New Zealand as a category 1 country and as both countries have stringent Bio-security laws in place there is no need for any quarantine upon arrival as long as your pets meet the specified criteria from both countries. There are, however, laws and regulations in place to ensure a smooth transition across the ditch.
What is the process to import my Pet from NZ?
There are several steps to ensure that importation process in which both Australian and New Zealand authorities must approve. All Pets must have an ISO complaint microchip, health certificates must be in place and vaccinations must be up to date.
What are some of the rules in place for gaining entry into Australia for my Pet?
To be eligible for import to Australia, your cat or dog must have either:
- only lived in New Zealand since birth, or
- only lived in New Zealand since being imported from Australia, or
- only lived in New Zealand for at least 180 days immediately before the date of export (if the cat or dog has ever lived in a country other than Australia or New Zealand).
What airlines are used for Pet Transport from NZ?
Air New Zealand is the national carrier and is widely used by Jetpets across Australia and New Zealand. We do also use Qantas for Trans Tasman flights and this will depend on what destination in Australia you are moving to. Speak with our team for options that are available.
Are there regulations with My Pet Travel Crate?
Yes. New Zealand authorities will require you to use an IATA approved travel crate for your pets move to Australia. Pets must be able to comfortably lie down, turn around and stand in their crate and have adequate ventilation for their journey. It is important to ensure your pet transport provider provides Airline complaint crates as failure to do so will result in rejection for travel from the authorities.
Will My Pet Require Vaccinations when entering Australia from New Zealand?
Pets must be treated for parasites within 5 days of travel. These are designed to ensure no fleas or ticks are present prior to departure. Common vaccinations such as F3 for Cats and C5 for dogs must be up to date for entry into Australia. Please also note that if your pet has previously lived outside of Australia or New Zealand, additional blood tests or treatments may be required so speak to our team well in advance of your move.
When Must My Pet Be Examined When Moving To Australia From NZ?
Your pet must be examined within 72 hours of export. Jetpets have their very own veterinarian partners who will ensure that the regulations are met for the authorities. These include:
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- Check overall health and fitness for travel.
- Verify microchip.
- Ensure no signs of disease.
- Complete and sign the export certificate (ACVM-approved).
How do I arrange the required Health checks for my Pet?
Jetpets are able to manage this on your behalf that will ensure we follow the New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) guidelines. The Health Check must be booked in advance and be completed by authorised veterinarians to ensure export permission is granted
Does My Pet Have to Enter Quarantine?
Yes. All pets entering Australia must undergo a mandatory post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. The standard quarantine period varies depending on the pet’s compliance with Australian import conditions.
How long Does my Pet need to be in Australian Quarantine when arriving from the UK?
The standard quarantine stay is 30 days, unless your pet is returning to Australia, in which case the stay may be reduced to 10 days. It is important to speak to one of our team as each case can vary, depending on the medical history.
Entry into Australia and Quarantine
All pets must enter Australia via Melbourne Airport (MEL), regardless of whether your new home will be in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or anywhere else in the country. They will spend their quarantine period, currently 30-days (unless the Dog/ Cat is returning to Australia where it is reduced to 10-days) in the Government run post-entry quarantine facility at Mickleham, close to Melbourne airport. After their 30-day period in the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility is finished, an appointment is made for you to collect your pet. If you are not able to collect the animal yourself, we can arrange, through one of our partner pet transport agents in Melbourne, the collection and onward ground or air transport to your new home.
Microchip Your Pet
Pets must be microchipped as this is a mandatory identification requirement by the Australian authorities and must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards. The microchip must be implanted prior to any vaccinations or testing to be valid for import.
Rabies Vaccination
To begin the importation process, your pet must first receive a rabies vaccination. Approximately one month later, they’ll need to undergo a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). This test must be completed at least 180 days before your pet’s departure to Australia. The 180 day period is part of the process and mandatory by the Australian Government to protect Australia’s natural environment.
Import Permit
An import permit from Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is required to legally bring your pet into the country. This application includes submission of your pet’s health records, test results, and treatment history. Processing can take several weeks, so early application is recommended. Speak to our team about how we can assist with this process for you. This can be started whilst you are waiting the mandatory 180 day period for Rabies clearance process. The Import permit is required before requesting a booking for the Mickleham Quarantine Facility in Melbourne.
Veterinary Health Certificate
A health certificate must be issued confirming that your pet is fit for travel and free from contagious diseases. This must be completed within 10 days of travel from the UK. This Certificate is essential for customs clearance and quarantine processing.
Treatments When Travelling to Australia
When entering Australia form the UK all pets must have parasite treatments in order to confirm with the strict rules in place. These rules are in place to protect local animals from pests and parasites. Pets must be treated for:
- Ticks – Treatment must be administered within 48 hours of departure.
- Tapeworms – Treatment must be completed within 5 days of departure.
All treatments must be documented by a licensed veterinarian.
Why Happens if Documentation Does Not Comply with Australian Regulations?
The protocols in place are designed to maintain Australia’s strict biosecurity standards. Incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to:
- Delayed pet release
- Extended quarantine periods
- Increased costs
- Refusal of entry
It is critical that you plan well in advance for your pet relocation to Australia and contact one of our Pet Travel Consultants to guide you through the process.
Yes, you can bring your dog or cat from the UK to Australia, but you’ll need to meet a range of strict import requirements as Australia’s rigorous biosecurity regulations are some of the strictest laws in the world. These guidelines are all listed on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAAF) website and has a step-by-step guides that outlines what is involved.
Australia enforces some of the world’s strictest animal import regulations, designed to safeguard its unique wildlife and agricultural industries from foreign diseases and parasites. If you’re planning to relocate from the UK with your pet, it’s essential to plan well in advance and follow the strict processes that are required to gain approval to import your pets.
