Cats and dogs can be imported to Australia under strict conditions designed to manage biosecurity risks. For the import regulations set by the Department for Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), you can view the most up to date information on the Australia Government website, which contains step by step guides. Requirements on entry to Australia with cats and dogs depend on your country of origin. An Pet Import Permit is needed to enter Australia rather than the Pet Passport Scheme used in the EU. You may already be aware that quarantine is mandatory for all cats and dogs entering Australia from most countries, although some Assistance Dogs may be exempt from quarantine rules.
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Mickleham Post Entry Pet Quarantine Facility in Melbourne, Australia
All cats and dogs must stay at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility in Melbourne for at least 10 days under the strict Pet Import Scheme in Austraia. However, they’ll have to extend their stay if there are issues that increase the biosecurity risk. For example, if a tick is found on your dog, they’ll need to stay for 21-30 extra days until blood testing is repeated. In this case, the pet owner is responsible for any additional costs.
Booking Pet Quarantine for Cats & Dogs entering Australia
Before booking the quarantine accommodation in Australia for your cat or dog, you must first obtain an Import Permit for your pet. The Import Permit number is required in order to arrange the quarantine stay for your pet.
Pets arriving in Australia by plane
Be aware that your pet cannot enter Australia in the cabin of the plane, they must travel as cargo only.
Group 1: New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Cocos Island
Dogs and cats from New Zealand and Norfolk Island do not require an Import Permit to enter Australia. However, cats from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands do require an Import Permit.
| Pet Import Certificate | ❌ |
| Mandatory 10 Day Quarantine | ❌ |
| Inspection on Arrival | ✅ |
Group 2: Approved Rabies Free Countries
Group 2 countries are classified as Approved Rabies Free Countries. Cats and dogs from the following places must have an Import Permit to enter Australia.
- American Samoa
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Christmas Island
- Cook Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Fiji
- French Polynesia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Iceland
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Mauritius
- Micronesia (Federated States of)
- Nauru
- New Caledonia
- Niue
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga (Kingdom of)
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Wallis & Futuna
| Pet Import Certificate | ✅ |
| Mandatory 10 Day Quarantine | ✅ |
| Inspection on Arrival | ✅ |
Group 3: Rabies Controlled or No Rabies Countries
An Import Permit is required to be eligible to enter Australia with a cat or dog from one of the following Group 3 countries:
Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia (Republic of), Cyprus (Republic of), Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands , Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa (Republic of), South Korea (Republic of), Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (United States of America)
| Pet Import Certificate | ✅ |
| Mandatory 10 Day Quarantine | ✅ |
| Inspection on Arrival | ✅ |
Group 4: Non-Approved Countries via a Group 2 or Group 3 Country
Pet cats and dogs from non-approved countries aren’t eligible for direct import to Australia. The below guides provide details of what preparation is required to import your pet from a non-approved country to Australia.
- Non-approved country via Group 2 or 3 country: step by step guide for cats
- Non-approved country via Group 2 or 3 country: step by step guide for dogs
Remember to always protect your pet against biting insects when in a foreign country, in addition to the pet travel rules for your destination.
