Bringing pets to Australia: How to move your pets with you
Moving to Australia and have a furry friend? You'll likely have to quarantine your pet and get some permits before they're allowed in the country. Here's how to do it.
Key takeaways
- Australia has strict quarantine laws in place to help prevent diseases and exotic pests entering the country.
- You will need to get an import permit for your dog or cat from the Australian Government.
- Pets must serve at least 10 days in an Australian quarantine facility after arriving.
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."
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.
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Good day, hope all is well.
We are in the process of moving to Australia, we have two Bull Terriers, younger that 12 months. Will we be able to take them with us to Australia?
This is certainly possible, but as the guide notes, it’s not a simple process – you’ll need to pay for and obtain an import permit, and then book them into a quarantine facility which you’ll have to pay for. So you’ll need to plan carefully and book your own travel accordingly. The guide offers details on the steps you need to take. Good luck?
Hi Cat,
There are certain rules and criteria you need to follow to travel pets overseas.
Details can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
Hope that helps,
Stephanie
How can I find a pet transporter in France?
Hi Deborah,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
One of the fastest and easiest ways to find pet transporters in France is through the Internet. A quick web search should give you ample options. Another way is to check yellow pages or local listings of businesses.
Please be sure though that you quickly do a background check of your chosen company to ensure you are choosing the right one.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua