Moving a pet to Australia from the USA
Rabies-free or near rabies-free nations with multi-month lead times, titer testing and government quarantine.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 6–7 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | Yes — FAVN ≥ 0.5 IU/mL |
| Import permit | Yes (DAFF via BICON) |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 10 days at Mickleham PEQ, Melbourne |
| Microchip mandate | ISO 15-digit, implanted before all testing |
| Primary failure point | Miscalculating the 180-day RNATT window, or a microchip scanner photo that does not match the declaration. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
- 1
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip before any vaccination or blood draw.
- 2
A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes a formal Identity Declaration with colour photographs of the pet alongside the scanner showing the unedited microchip number.
- 3
Have the Identity Declaration endorsed by USDA APHIS through VEHCS — skipping this before titer testing extends quarantine from 10 to 30 days.
- 4
Rabies vaccination, then a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNATT/FAVN) at an approved laboratory achieving ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.
- 5
Observe the mandatory 180-day wait between the date the laboratory receives the blood sample and the earliest eligible landing date. This wait is served in the United States, not in quarantine.
- 6
Apply for the DAFF import permit through the BICON system.
- 7
Dogs: test within 45 days of export for Leishmania infantum, Brucella canis and Leptospira interrogans (if unvaccinated), plus complete Canine Influenza Virus vaccinations.
- 8
Fly as manifest air cargo into Melbourne International Airport (MEL) only, then complete 10 days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine facility.
- 9
Australia requires physical paper certificates with wet-ink signatures and embossed USDA seals.
Breed & airline warnings
Fighting-breed imports (Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario) are prohibited.
Brachycephalic breeds are embargoed from cargo holds by most carriers — charter or in-cabin routing is usually required.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your Australia timeline
Plan backwards
Complexity: Extreme
Lead time: 6–7 months
Governing body: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
Quarantine: 10 days at Mickleham PEQ, Melbourne
- T−210d
Microchip + records review
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip and confirm every vaccination record post-dates it.
- T−203d
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine administered after the microchip — a vaccine given first is legally invalid.
- T−187d
FAVN rabies titer blood draw
Blood sample sent to an approved laboratory; must return ≥ 0.5 IU/mL.
- T−180d
180-day waiting period starts
Counted from the date the laboratory receives the sample. Served in the United States.
- T−60d
Apply for the import permit (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
Permit requirement: Yes (DAFF via BICON). Approval must be in hand before departure.
- T−45d
Book flights and IATA-compliant crate
Confirm carrier acceptance, crate sizing and any brachycephalic or breed embargoes on the routing.
- T−10d
USDA-accredited vet exam + health certificate
Category II accredited veterinarian completes the certificate and submits it via VEHCS.
- T−7d
USDA APHIS endorsement
Endorsement within 10 days of arrival for non-commercial moves, or within 48 hours of departure for commercial moves.
- T−3d
Parasite treatments and final checks
Tapeworm or parasite treatments given inside the destination's required window, recorded by the vet.
- Day 0
Departure day
Check-in as cargo, checked baggage or in-cabin per the booked service.