Bringing pets to Australia: How to move your pets with you

Can I bring a pet with me to Australia?

Yes, you can bring a pet with you when you move to Australia however there are very strict rules in place for this. These rules vary depending on what country you're coming from.

It is very difficult to bring a pet other than a dog or cat into Australia.

Where are you moving from?

If you’re moving from New Zealand, dogs and cats do not require an import permit.

If you’re moving from a Group 2 Country (countries that are rabies-free) or a Group 3 Country (countries where rabies is absent or well-controlled), you will need to obtain an import permit for your dog or cat from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

• Group 2 Countries include: Fiji, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. A full list is available from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
• Group 3 Countries include: Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States (excluding Hawaii and Guam). A full list is available from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Obtaining a permit for your pet before coming to Australia

Before you can apply for an import permit, you will need to confirm whether your pet is eligible. Your dog or cat will need to have been living in an approved country for at least six months prior to any attempt to import it to Australia.

You’ll need to apply for a permit in your country of origin several months before you plan to travel to Australia

Eligibility criteria for pets

• Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old.
• You can import no more than two cats and/or two dogs.
• Certain breeds are banned, including the Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and African Wild Cat.
• Pets must be five generations or more removed from any dog or cat that is not a domestic breed.
• Females must not be more than 30 days pregnant or suckling their kittens or puppies.
• All pets must be microchipped.

If your pet satisfies all these criteria, you can apply online to obtain a permit. The exact requirements you will need to meet and the paperwork you must supply varies depending on your country of origin, so check the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website for full details.

However, as a general rule you will need to supply:

• Veterinary certificates proving, for example, that your pet has been immunised against rabies and is up to date with parasite control and protected against infectious diseases.
• Medical test results showing, for example, that your dog has been tested for conditions such as leptospirosis and brucellosis.
• A valid import permit.

How much does an import permit for my pet cost?

Import permit applications take at least 20 days to process and are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Costs vary depending on your pet and your country of origin, but the minimum cost to import one cat or one dog to Australia is $2,000.

Consider pet insurance when you arrive

"Once you've arrived and settled into Australia with your pet, it's a good idea to consider taking our pet insurance. Vet bills here are known to be incredibly expensive, and if your pet needs to stay overnight for any reason you will likely be hit with a large bill - which is probably not what you need after just moving here."

Alison Banney

Editorial Manager, Money

Transporting your pet

Your pet will travel in a pet travel container (supplied by you) in a special part of the aircraft. Pets are tranquilised and inspected by a qualified vet to ensure they are safe to travel before the flight departs.

There are several pet transport companies that specialise in organising the importation process from start to finish. These companies will usually organise all the veterinary checks and import permits for you, as well as book a place for your pet in an Australian quarantine facility. They will then pick your pet up from home to take them to the airport, and transfer them to a quarantine centre when they arrive in Australia.

Quarantine when your pet arrives in Australia

All pets that arrive in Australia (except those from New Zealand, Norfolk Island or Cocos Island) must serve at least 10 days in an Australian quarantine facility. Quarantine centres are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth and are always busy, so it’s recommended that you book a place for your pet a few months before departure.

You used to be allowed to visit your furry friend while they were in quarantine, but that right was scrapped in 2014.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I bring my pet to Australia?

  Yes, you can bring a pet with you when you move to Australia however there are very strict rules in place for this. These rules vary depending on what country you're coming from.

• Can I bring my pet to Australia from New Zealand?

  Yes you can bring a pet with you to Australia from New Zealand. If you're moving from New Zealand, dogs and cats do not require an import permit.

• Does it cost much to bring a pet to Australia?

  It costs at least $2,000 to bring a pet with you to Australia, including sourcing the required permits and checks, transport services and quarantine.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio