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Australia (AU)

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.

Capital: Canberra
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: AUD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)
Emergency: 000
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Bringing Pets to Australia

Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.

Microchip
Required
Health certificate
Required
Import permit
Required
Quarantine
Required

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccination (mandatory for dogs and cats from most countries — titre test required to demonstrate immunity) Rabies virus neutralising antibody titre test (RVNAT) — must achieve 0.5 IU/mL or above at least 180 days before arrival in Australia (for most countries) Core vaccinations: distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis (dogs); panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus (cats) — recommended

Restricted Breeds

Dogo ArgentinoFila BrasileiroJapanese TosaAmerican Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull TerrierPerro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario)These breeds are classified as "dangerous dogs" under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and cannot be imported into Australia

💰 Costs

Import permit: $400–$600 (DAFF). Mandatory quarantine at DAFF-approved facility: $2,000–$4,000+ for 10 days (dogs and cats from Group 4 countries — most countries). Additional costs: rabies titre test, veterinary health certificate, approved airline carrier, and overseas preparation (microchip, vaccinations). Total cost of importing a pet from the UK or Europe: typically $5,000–$12,000.

🐕 Dog Tax / Registration

Mandatory local council dog and cat registration. Register with your local council within 30 days of arrival or acquiring a pet. Annual fee: $50–$200 for dogs (reduced for desexed animals and pensioners). Cats must be desexed and microchipped in most states. Failure to register: fines of $100–$500.

Register with a local veterinarian within weeks of arrival. Annual health check, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention are essential in Australia — heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and is prevalent in warm/humid regions (QLD, NT, northern WA). Find a vet at avbc.com.au or localsearch.com.au.

📋 Relocation Process

1. Check which country group your pet is travelling from (Groups 1–4 at agriculture.gov.au — Group 1 = NZ/UK/Ireland, Group 4 = most others). 2. Start preparations 6–12 months before travel — rabies titre test result must be at least 180 days old at arrival. 3. Obtain an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) — apply online. 4. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785). 5. Rabies vaccination after microchip. 6. Wait 21–30 days after vaccination before titre test. 7. Titre test result must show adequate titre (0.5 IU/mL). 8. Wait 180 days after satisfactory titre test result. 9. Obtain health certificate from accredited government veterinarian in your country within 10 days of travel. 10. Book an approved airline and quarantine facility. 11. All dogs and cats undergo mandatory quarantine at Mickleham (VIC) quarantine facility — minimum 10 days for Group 4 countries. 12. Collect your pet after release from quarantine.

Australia has among the strictest biosecurity laws in the world to protect its unique ecosystem and agricultural industries. There are NO exceptions to the quarantine requirement for cats and dogs. Birds, reptiles, and most other animals are not permitted to be imported as pets. The process must be managed carefully — a mistake in the paperwork or timing can result in your pet being refused entry or additional quarantine. Using a specialist pet relocation company (e.g. Jetpets, Happy Tails Travel) is strongly recommended.