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Moving pets to Australia

Australia has some of the strictest pet import rules in the world. From the UK it takes at least 7 months of planning, ends with at least 10 days in government quarantine near Melbourne, and costs thousands of pounds per animal.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026·Information, not advice

In 30 seconds

  • Start at least 7 months before you want your pet to fly. A rabies blood test starts a 180-day wait that has no exceptions
  • Every cat and dog needs an import permit and must fly into Melbourne as cargo, then stay at least 10 days in quarantine at Mickleham
  • Budget roughly £3,500–£6,000 per animal all in. Some dog breeds and cat hybrids can’t come at all
UK categoryGroup 3Rabies present but well controlled
Minimum wait180 daysAfter the rabies blood sample reaches the lab
Quarantine10 days minimumAt Mickleham, Victoria, if the UK identity check was done before the blood test
Permit feeA$603First animal; A$288 each extra animal

How it works from the UK

The UK is a “Group 3” country for Australia: rabies is present but well controlled. That means your cat or dog must have a rabies blood test, wait 180 days, get an import permit, then spend time in the government’s post-entry quarantine centre at Mickleham, near Melbourne. Pets must arrive at Melbourne airport and fly as manifested cargo, not in the cabin, in an IATA-approved crate (IATA is the airline industry body).

Since 4 November 2024 there has been a special UK identity check. Two official vets (OVs) from separate UK practices, both holding the OV66 authorisation, scan the microchip and send the department a declaration with a photo of the microchip number on the scanner and your pet’s identifying features. It must be done before the rabies blood sample is taken. If it is, quarantine drops from a minimum of 30 days to a minimum of 10.

Countdown

WhenWhat to do
7+ months beforeMake sure your pet has an ISO-standard microchip. Have the two-vet UK identity check done. Rabies vaccination
3–4 weeks after the vaccineBlood sample for the RNATT (rabies neutralising antibody titre test). Get the RNATT declaration from an official government vet
After the RNATT resultApply for the import permit online through BICON (the department’s import system). Most take 20–40 business days, some up to 123
Once you have the permitBook a quarantine place at Mickleham and a flight to Melbourne
Within 45 days of flyingDogs: blood tests or vaccination for Leptospira, Leishmania and (if not neutered) Brucella. Cats and dogs: worming twice, at least 14 days apart
Within 30 days (dogs) or 21 days (cats)Start treatment for ticks and fleas
Within 5 days of flyingFinal worming, vet exam, health certificate endorsed by an official government vet
On arrivalCollected at Melbourne airport and taken to Mickleham for at least 10 days

The 180 days start from the day the blood sample reaches the laboratory, and the department says there are no exceptions. The RNATT and permit are valid for 12 months from the blood sample, so you can do the test well before you know your exact flight date.

What it costs

Government fees for one animal, as listed by the department (updated 21 April 2026):

FeeAmount
Import permit (first animal)A$603
Import permit (each extra animal on the same permit)A$288
Quarantine reservationA$269 per animal
Importation chargeA$1,078 per animal
10-day quarantine stayA$530 per animal (30 days: A$1,590)
InspectionA$80 per 30 minutes per animal
Document assessmentA$80 per 30 minutes per animal
Each extra dayA$53

For one animal with a 10-day stay that is about A$2,640 (about £1,390) in Australian government fees alone. On top come UK vet tests and treatments, the official vet checks, a crate, the flight as cargo and, for most people, a pet transport agent. One UK removals firm’s 2026 guide puts the total at £3,500 to £6,000 per cat or dog. Estimate

Pets that can’t come

AnimalNot allowed
DogsDogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, and wolf hybrids such as the Czechoslovakian wolfdog, Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano and Kunming wolfdog
CatsSavannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal cats. Bengal exemptions stopped on 1 March 2025, and Bengals can no longer be imported after 28 February 2026
Other petsRules differ for other animals. Check BICON before you plan

Ask the department or your agent if your dog is a cross of any banned breed.

Cats or dogs: the differences

  • Dogs need more blood tests before travel than cats
  • Flea and tick treatment starts earlier for dogs (30 days) than cats (21 days)
  • Both need the same RNATT, 180-day wait, permit and quarantine
  • Older or anxious animals: talk to your vet about the long flight and quarantine before you commit

After quarantine

You collect your pet from Mickleham, or an agent can fly it on to another city. Check local council registration rules, and whether your rental allows pets: see Renting: bond, leases and bills.

What to do next

  1. Book your vet for a microchip check and the two-vet identity check
  2. Plan the rabies vaccine and blood test at least 7 months before you fly
  3. Get quotes from two or three pet transport agents
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