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How do I take my pet back to the UK?

Dogs and cats can go from Australia to Great Britain without quarantine if the paperwork is right on both ends and they fly on an approved route. You need an Australian export permit as well as the British paperwork, so start at least 2 to 3 months ahead.

Last checked 8 Oct 2026·Information, not advice

In 30 seconds

  • Australia is a listed country for pets entering Great Britain, so no rabies blood test is needed, but your pet still needs a microchip and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • The Department of Agriculture issues an export permit and health certificate. Send your Notice of Intention at least 10 working days before departure
  • Pets enter Great Britain as cargo on an approved route, and must arrive within 10 days of the GB pet health certificate being issued
Rabies vaccine21 daysBefore travel, after the microchip
Notice of Intention10 working daysTo DAFF, before departure
GB certificate10 daysArrive within this time of issue
Flies asCargoApproved routes only

Your countdown

WhenWhat to do
3 months beforeCheck the microchip works and book the rabies vaccination: it must be given after the microchip, when your pet is at least 12 weeks old, and at least 21 days before travel
2–3 months beforeGet quotes from pet transport agents and book an approved route. Buy an airline-approved crate and get your pet used to it
At least 10 working days beforeSend the Notice of Intention to export to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) regional office in your state. This books the pre-export appointment. Book the final check with your registered vet at the same time
In the last 10 daysAn official vet issues the Great Britain pet health certificate, and DAFF issues the export permit and health certificate. Export usually happens within 72 hours of the permit
1–5 days before arrivalDogs only: a vet gives tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 5 days before you arrive, and records it on the certificate
ArrivalChecks at the animal reception centre, such as the one at Heathrow, then collect your pet

The Australian side

Every cat and dog leaving Australia needs an export permit and health certificate from a DAFF veterinary officer. You don’t need an export licence. DAFF only works from the importing country’s own requirements: look up Great Britain in its Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR), and give your vet the requirements in writing. Cats going to Great Britain also need a certificate confirming they haven’t been on a property with confirmed Hendra virus in the 60 days before export.

If you might come back. A cat or dog that leaves Australia loses its Australian health status straight away. Coming back means meeting Australia’s full import rules again, including the rabies blood test and quarantine. Talk to DAFF before you go if you think you might return.

The British side

  • Australia is a listed country, so a rabies blood test isn’t needed
  • Your pet needs a Great Britain pet health certificate from an official vet, and must arrive within 10 days of it being issued
  • You also sign a declaration that you’re not bringing the pet in to sell or transfer it
  • If the paperwork is wrong, your pet can be put in quarantine for up to 4 months or sent back, at your cost

How pets fly

Pets must enter Great Britain as cargo on an approved route, unless they’re assistance dogs. Qantas carries pets only as air cargo, checked in and collected at a cargo terminal, not with your luggage. Check the GOV.UK list of approved air routes, and confirm with the airline before you book. Most families use a pet transport agent, who books the flight, prepares the crate and handles customs at the British end.

Banned breeds in Great Britain

Pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros and XL Bullies are banned. You can’t bring one in unless it already has a valid certificate of exemption.

What it costs

The total includes the rabies vaccine and vet visits, DAFF fees, the crate, the flight, the agent and the reception centre fee in the UK. Prices vary a lot with your pet’s size, the route and the time of year, and some quotes leave items out. Ask two or three agents for itemised quotes. Pets can come in free of import duty and VAT under transfer of residence relief: see How do we settle back into the UK?

What to do next

  1. Book your pet’s rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  2. Look up Great Britain in DAFF’s MICoR and share it with your vet
  3. Ask two or three pet transport agents for itemised quotes

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