Can I take my pet to Australia?

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can i take my pet to australia

If a dog or cat is part of your family, and you’re considering emigration to Australia, you’re probably wondering, ‘can I take my pet to Australia’? We’re here to tell you the answer is ‘yes’ – but only if you’re from an approved country, and it’s not a cheap or simple process.

Chances are though that you can’t bear the thought of leaving your pet behind. That’s why we’re sharing the most important facts about taking your pets to Australia:

  • Approved countries.
  • The cost.
  • Quarantine requirements.
  • Requirements around microchips, vaccinations, etc.
  • What happens to old animals or animals with medical conditions.

Let’s start by finding out if you can take your pet to Australia.

Which countries have approval to import pets to Australia?

Australia has approved 96 countries from around the world for pet imports. These countries all have adequate animal health services and a satisfactory animal health status.

Further to this, the 96 countries are divided into three groups:

Group 1:

New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Cocos Island are in group 1. Dogs and cats from New Zealand and Norfolk Island do not need an import permit. Dogs from Cocos Island also do not require an import permit but cats do need a permit to enter Australia.

Group 2:

Group 2 countries are describe as approved rabies-free countries and territories. There are 26 countries in this group and animals from these countries require an import permit to enter Australia.

Group 3:

Group 3 countries, which totals 67 countries, are described as approved countries and territories in which rabies is absent or well-controlled. Just like Group 2, animals from this group need an import permit to enter Australia.

It’s not all dogs and cats that can be imported

Australia prohibits the import of some pure bred dogs, as well as domestic and non domestic hybrid cat breeds. These include but are not limited to:

  • Domestic/Non-domestic hybrid cats: Savannah cats, Safari cats, Chausies, and Bengal cats
  • Pure-bred dogs: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
  • Domestic/Non-domestic hybrid dogs: Czechoslovakian wolfdog (Czechoslovakian Vlcak), Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano (Italian wolfdog), and Kunming wolfdog.

How much does it cost to import a cat or dog to Australia?

When importing your pet to Australia, you have to pay:

Together, it will bring the cost of importing one cat or dog that undergoes the minimum quarantine to AU$2200.

Additional fees will also apply if your cat or dog needs extra services such as treatments, veterinary care or an extended quarantine stay.

To get an accurate costing it’s best to get a quote from a reputable pet importer. You can speak to our team to get the details of our preferred pet importer.

How long does my pet have to stay in quarantine?

All cats and dogs must stay in quarantine for at least 10 days. This has to be at the Mickleham post in Melbourne, which meanss your animal must enter Australia at Melbourne International Airport.

Stays will be longer if issues arise that increase the biosecurity risk, for example when a tick is found on your dog.

What else must I have?

To take your pet to Australia, you’ll need the import permit you’ve paid for plus the following:

  • Pet microchip: Your pet must have a microchip which was scanned by a vet.
  • Vaccinations: Your pet must have had a rabies vaccination within one year of entry into Australia. It is recommended, but not required, that your dog or cat get other common vaccinations too. The type of vaccination will depend on whether you’re emigrating from a Group 1, 2 or 3 country.
  • Treatments and blood tests: Additional treatments and blood tests are required before departure. Again, this will depend on the group of country you fall under.

What if my pet is old or has a medical condition?

The good news is that there aren’t any age restrictions on animals. But if you’re concerned about the effect of a long flight and quarantine time on an older animal, please speak to your vet. You vet will be able to advise on any extra precautions you should take.

As for pets with medical conditions, these animals can be imported but they must still be able to meet all Australian import conditions. Please note that medical conditions must be mentioned in the import permit and if your pet is diagnosed after the permit has been granted, you must inform the Australian authorities.

Visit the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources for more

Like we said, importing a pet to Australia is not a simple process. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has a full list of FAQs on their site, so bookmark it and visit it when the time comes to start your emigration.

Please also remember to speak to us if you’d like to get the details of our preferred pet importer. This company has more than 40 years of experience in pet transport to destinations all across the world. You can rest assured that your furry friend will be in good hands!

If you’d like information on how to move your personal belongings to Australia, we recommend reading this blog post.

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