travel to australia with dog

Ultimate Guide To Travelling Australia with a Dog

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Questions about travelling Australia with a dog would have to be one of the most asked questions we see in our Facebook Group – Planning a Lap of Australia . For many people, travelling with a dog (or cat for that matter) is part of their family; leaving them behind is just out of the question.

While there are no right or wrong answers to this question, there are a lot of factors to consider before you decide to start travelling Australia with dogs or pets. In writing this, I have included as much information as possible to help you make the right decision for you and your dog. And if you are wondering, currently, we don’t have a dog, but we are dog lovers!

So here are a few things that you might need to consider before deciding to travel around Australia with a dog.

Travelling Australia With A Dog: Being A Responsible Pet Owner

Table of Contents

This would have to be the number one question you need to ask yourself and answer honestly as well. Do you keep your dog on a lead at all times? Do you always pick up your dog’s poo no matter where you are? If your dog is barking for some reason, do you respond quickly to quieten it down? If you can honestly answer yes to all these questions then you are off to a good start.

Is Your Dog Well-Trained And Behaved?

How well-trained is your pooch? Do they come when they are called? Do they follow commands easily? How do they behave around other dogs? How do they behave around other people and children in particular? If they are responsive and easily managed, then that is another plus.

What Breed Of Dog Do You Have?

There is no doubt that some dog breeds have bad reputations. But I firmly believe it is how they are trained and cared for that makes a good or bad dog, not the actual breed. But having said that, there will still be some places that may not accept very large dogs as a way of safeguarding other guests or travellers.

Having a larger dog travelling with you may mean that they need lots more exercise than a smaller dog which can be a good thing as it may mean you yourself will get more exercise and perhaps travel more slowly.

How Well Does Your Dog Travel?

Is your dog a good traveller? I know some dogs do get car sick, and that would certainly be a challenge. But if your pooch is content to flop on the back seat and sleep the miles away, then you might be a winner. But if you have a dog that requires a lot of exercise or is always on the go, it may not be fair to the dog to be cooped up in a car for long periods of time. So make sure you take plenty of rest breaks.

Is Your Dog In Good Health?

If your dog is young fit and healthy, then it should travel easily. If your doggo is getting older, then you may face some more challenges.

In some areas of Australia, you may find different diseases such as Leptospirosis. Transmitted through rat urine, it is common in rural areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Another fatal disease, if left untreated, is Ehrlichiosis, which is a tick-borne disease found in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. So make sure all your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and you have enough flea, tick and worm treatments with you.

It may be a good idea to have a vet give your dog a thorough check-up before you leave and carry a list of any medications that your dog may need.

If your dog has special dietary requirements or only eats a certain brand of food, it may not be available in all areas of Australia.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY DOG IF I WANT TO GO OUT?

This may be your biggest challenge if you travel around Australia with a dog. There are still many places where you cannot take a dog, such as National Parks, Museums, Art Galleries, Theme Parks, Art Galleries, Cruises, etc.

However, more and more caravan parks are accepting pets these days. It may pay to research to see which are the most pet-friendly. For example, Kui Parks has over 70 parks Australia-wide and around 97% of them are pet-friendly.

You will be pleased to know that there are loads of resources out there to help you find somewhere to leave your pet during the day or for a couple of hours. As the demand for more pet-friendly accommodation grows, we see more places offering Doggy Day Care. We first encountered this idea when we stayed at Sandstone Park at Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland.

Most pet owners know their pets very well, so only you can judge if leaving your dog in your caravan for a little while is okay. We had good friends who travelled with an older border collie, and they knew that if they left her in their van for a couple of hours, she would just snooze on their bed. But we’ve all seen the below image that has done the rounds on the internet!

Useful Resources For Travelling With Dogs Australia

There are now loads of resources available to help you for travelling Australia with a dog. Below is a list of websites, Facebook pages and Facebook groups that may be useful as you travel.

Also, if you are looking for a pet sitter, don’t forget to check local Facebook groups or even Gumtree for pet sitters. Many local vets also offer a pet-sitting service. You may also find that you can help out another traveller by looking after their dog one day and then they can return the favour the next.

• Mad Paws Pet Sitting – a website for finding pet sitters Australia-wide.
• Caravanning with Pets – Website from the team at Caravanning with Kids
• Pet Friendly – a website and Facebook page to help you find pet-friendly accommodation
• Pupsy – a website to help you find pet-friendly accommodations and destinations
• WikiCamps – shows whether a caravan park or campsite is pet-friendly
• Travelling With Dogs in Australia – Facebook Group
• Travel Australia With Dogs – Facebook Page and Website
• Travel Dogs Australia – Facebook Page and Website
• Caravanning, Holidaying, Travelling with Dogs in Australia – Facebook Page
• Travel Australia with Dogs – Facebook Group
• Pet Sitters AU – For Travelling Pets – Facebook Group
• AUSTRALIAN Caravanning/Camping Travelling With Dogs – Facebook Group
• Camping/Travelling with Pets – Facebook Group
• Take Your Pet – website for finding pet-friendly places

Find all the best places to camp with Camps Pendium. 1 guide for each state (7 total) with easy-to-read large text and full-sized photos.

Includes Caravan Parks 6 and Camps 11 additionally with all the new site types, pet-friendly places and facility symbols.

Other Things To Consider: Caravanning With Dogs

Here are a few other things you might need to consider if you decide to travel around Australia with your dog.

• Remember to take regular breaks from driving so your dog can stretch his legs and go to the toilet
• Always carry extra water, especially when it is hot
• Always carry poo bags
• Don’t forget to include your pet’s food in your travel budget
• Make sure you budget for if your dog gets sick or injured whilst you are travelling. Will you have access to a vet or money to cover those expenses?
• It may be worthwhile to consider taking out Pet Insurance before you leave
• Ensure your dog is microchipped and your contact details are current. Ensure your dog has a collar with your contact details on it as well
• Be aware of areas that may have 1080 baits; it may be best to use a muzzle in such areas.

Travelling Around Australia With Dogs Resources

Many towns provide fenced, off-leash dog exercise areas. Some even have agility equipment in them. Many caravan parks are becoming more pet-friendly and installing dog washes. Some even have a separate washing machine that you can use to wash your pet’s bedding. There are now even some caravan parks that have completely fenced caravan sites, so you don’t have to leave your dog tied up.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR DOG

Your dog will want a few things to make life comfortable (and easier for you) while you are on the road. A good-quality dog bed that folds up for storage is a good idea. If you travel in the southern states during winter, you can add a fleecy topper that can be removed for washing.

If your dog travels in the back seat of your car, you might like to protect your seats with this Dog Seat Buddy from Navigator . It has zipped sides to allow easy access. Plus it is made from strong, durable fabric that you can easily wipe clean. Add to that a good quality lead , so you can always keep your beloved pooch secure.

Also from Navigator is this awesome Travel Buddy 3 Piece Set , including a collapsible water bowl, dry dog food storage bag and a poo bag buddy. The dry dog food bag holds 8kgs of biscuits. It then rolls over and clips securely at the top, meaning no annoying spillages. Given the current mouse situation, you should have no issues with them getting into your dog food!

Travelling Dog Crate

A travelling dog crate is a great way to ensure your pet is comfortable and safe when travelling. It provides a safe and secure space for your pet to relax and feel secure during a road trip around Australia. Not only does it help keep your pet secure during travel, but it also helps keep your car seats clean and free of pet fur and dirt.

Travelling dog crates come in various sizes and designs, so you can find one to fit your pet’s size and your travel needs. They are easy to set up and usually fold up for easy storage when not in use. With a travelling dog crate, you can give your pet the security it needs without sacrificing comfort.

Dog Seat Belts Australia

Using a dog seat belt when travelling around Australia is essential for your pet’s safety. It will keep your pup secure in their seat and away from sharp objects that could harm them while in transit.

Not only will it protect them, but it will also make sure they don’t wander around while in the car and distract the driver. A good seat belt should be easy to adjust to the size of your dog and have a strong, secure clip to attach to the dog’s collar.

It is also important to consider the material of the seat belt – it should be comfortable and breathable for your pup. Lastly, make sure to check the seat belt regularly for any damages or wear and tear.

The Big Lap With A Dog FAQs

What vaccinations do i need for my dog to travel around australia.

The specific vaccinations required for your dog to travel around Australia will vary depending on the individual state or territory.

Generally, the recommended vaccines for your dog include canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and Bordetella Bronchiseptica.

Having your dog tested for heartworm and treated with preventive medication is also recommended.

Additionally, you should use tick and flea prevention products for your dog.

Are there restrictions on the breeds of dogs that can travel around Australia?

Yes, there are restrictions on the breeds of dogs that can travel around Australia. Some states have banned certain breeds from entering the state. It is best to check with the relevant authorities and airlines before travelling with a specific breed to ensure that it is allowed.

Is there any advice for travelling with a dog in hot weather?

1. Be mindful of your dog’s breed and size – short-nosed breeds and large breeds are more prone to heat exhaustion.

2. Ensure your dog has access to plenty of cool, clean water.

3. Plan your trips around the coolest parts of the day and consider stopping in air-conditioned rest stops or pet-friendly lodging.

4. Give your dog breaks from the heat – if possible, take a dip in a lake or pool.

5. Ensure your dog’s coat is clean and free of mats and tangles. Consider trimming their fur for the summer months to help them stay cool.

6. Monitor your dog for signs of heat exhaustion, such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy and weakness. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, provide a cool, shaded area and offer water to help them cool down.

Is any special paperwork or documentation needed to travel with a dog in Australia?

Yes, depending on the state/territory you are travelling to. Most states and territories require your pet to have up-to-date vaccinations; some may require a microchip or other form of identification.

It is important to contact the relevant state/territory authority to see what their requirements are to travel with your pet. You may also need to obtain a permit or an importation health certificate from the relevant authorities in the state/territory you are travelling to.

Are there any restrictions on where dogs can go in Australia?

Yes, there are restrictions on where dogs can go in Australia. Some public spaces, such as beaches and public transport, may restrict or ban dogs. Dogs are not permitted in national parks, museums, art galleries, theme parks, cruises, experiences in general, etc.

Additionally, some cafes may not allow pets. It is important to check the local regulations for any public place before bringing your dog.

So should you travel around Australia with a dog? I think the answer is yes, as more resources and places to stay with your pet are available. It may mean you must plan your outings and day trips a little more in advance, but I think it is 100% doable.

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5 thoughts on “Ultimate Guide To Travelling Australia with a Dog”

Got a friend wanting to caravan around Australia after Christmas and take a dog. It’s September now and he hasn’t even purchased a puppy yet. Is this a stupid idea to take a puppy thats not trained and attempt this holiday ? Keep in mind he wants to go to national parks and other tourist things.

It’s purely a personal decision to take a dog when travelling and especially a puppy.

Thanks Melissa. Yeah I was thinking it would have to be the screen part. Just have to find someone that can install it.

Just wondering if you have ever seen a caravan with a dog door? Our boy uses one at home and we have a full enclosure that goes around the van and annex. Would allow him to move in and out as required.

Hi Mick…I haven’t seen one. I imagine it wouldn’t be to difficult to install one in the screen door part. I don’t think I would put one in the main door as that might allow to much dust in when travelling.

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Home > Pet Passports > Australia Pet Passport & Import Regulations

Australia Pet Passport & Import Regulations

Note that changes to import regulations for pet cats and dogs entering australia will go into effect march 1, 2023. for all pets who do not have approved import permits as of march 1, the following changes apply. 1. pets must reside in an approved country (see step 7) at least 6 months prior to export and must be exported from the approved country. all tests, treatments and vaccinations must be administered in the approved country. 2. a decrease in rabies titer test validity from 2 years to 1 year after the date the test is administered. 3. an increase in quarantine from 10 to 30 days without microchip validity identification* from group 3 countries (see step 7) unless your pet is an resident of australia and is being reimported. (export health certificate must be available) 4. mandatory microchip validity identification for all pets entering from group 1 and 2 countries. 4. mandatory microchip validity identification* must occur prior to the administration of a rabies titer test..

*Microchip Identity Verification procedures are currently being negotiated between Australia and other countries. The process has been completed in the United States and several other countries; however, the process will be different in each country. It is advised to direct an inquiry to the agency in your country that is responsible for the import or export of live animals. This agency is commonly a division of the Department or Ministry of Agriculture. All dogs and cats entering Australia from Group 2 countries must undergo Microchip Identity Verification.

Pets who have had their 180-day rabies titer test; however, have no approved import permit as of March 1, 2023 can either wait for the microchip verification procedure, have another 180 day rabies titer test administered and complete the process and be subject to 10 days of quarantine OR continue the process with their without the microchip verification and be subject to 30 days of quarantine.

Note that Australia is delaying approval of import permits to up to 140 days due to the implementation of these new regulations.

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats only. Owners of other pets should refer to item 13.

Pet Microchip

Your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. Make sure your veterinarian scans your pet's microchip after it is implanted.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

The administering veterinarian should issue a declaration stating that your pet is microchipped, they have scanned the chip and the location of the chip.

Your pet's microchip number must be present on all documentation required to enter Australia. Your veterinarian must scan your dog or cat's microchip before any tests or treatments required to enter Australia.

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccinations are not required for pets residing in and entering from Group 1 and Group 2 Countries (see step #7), but it is required for pets entering Australia from all other countries. All dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies a minimum of 30 days before the rabies titer test is administered if they are not currently vaccinated for rabies or their previous vaccination has expired (see step #3).

Australia does accept the 3 year rabies vaccination if it is current when entering the country.

It is recommended that cats receive a vaccination that protects against feline enteritis (also known as feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. The vaccination should be valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period.

It is recommended that your dog receives a vaccination that protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica and is valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period. Dogs entering from Canada, the United States and Korea must be vaccinated against canine influenza between 14 days and 12 months prior to travel, and it is advised that dogs entering from other countries also receive the vaccination if it is available.

Dogs must be treated against Brucellosis, Ehrlicia canis, Leishmaniosis and Leptospirosis. Dogs that have visited Africa must have treatment for Babesia canis.

Rabies Titer Test

Unless your dog and/or cat has proof of at least 6 months residency or birth in a Group 1 or Group 2 country (see step #7), your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) administered by a licensed veterinarian between 180 days and 12 months of entry. This also includes pets entering Australia from a non-approved country via a Group 2 or 3 country (see step #7).

Your pet can enter Australia no sooner than 180 days after date that the lab receives the blood sample. The titer test is valid for 12 months after the date the blood was drawn for the titer test. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip prior to the titer test.)

Note that this test is not required for pets entering Australia from Group 1 or Group 2 countries who have proof of a minimum of 6 months of continuous residency or birth in that country immediately proceeding import to Australia.

Dogs and cats who reside in Australia prior to export and will be returning to Australia within 12 months of export can have the rabies titer test done prior to leaving Australia to start the 180 day requirement. They must have proof of export and conform to all import regulations.

Import Permit

You can file an import permit after the rabies titer test is done in the approved country and no sooner than 42 days before import. It is valid for 12 months after issue date. (Not required for pets entering from New Zealand or Norfolk Island.)

Pet Health Certificate

Your pet must be inspected within 5 days of travel by a licensed veterinarian in your country who will issue a health certificate. The certificate must be endorsed by a government veterinarian who is a representative of the agency responsible for the import and export of animals, generally the Department or Ministry of Agriculture, in the origination country.

Internal and External Parasites

Before your dog or cat can enter Australia, it must be treated against internal parasites twice with the second treatment administered within 5 days of transport.

Two treatments against external parasites must be administered to your cat. Dogs must start treatments 21 days prior to Ehrlichia blood sampling.

Country Classifications

To qualify to be classified in the country groups below, your dog or cat must have resided in the country continuously since birth or a minimum of 6 months prior to import.

Group 1 Countries:New Zealand; Norfolk Island; Cocos Island

Group 2 Countries: American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Island, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati Mauritius, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

Group 3 Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Netherlands - Antilles & Aruba, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, Reunion, Saipan, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein), Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States (including the district of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (but excluding Guam and Hawaii) and Uruguay.

If your dog or cat does not reside in one of these countries, it is not approved for import to Australia. It must reside in an approved country for 6 months prior to export. All tests and treatments must be done in the approved country.

All pets entering Australia, except those from New Zealand or Norfolk Island are subject to 10 - 30 days of quarantine at the Mickleham Quarantine Facility at Melbourne depending on whether the Microchip Validity Identification process was followed (see above). It is advisable to make reservations for your pet as soon as you receive your pet's import permit.

When entering Australia from another country through New Zealand, pets must remain on the island for 180 days after quarantine prior to entering Australia. (new requirement)

Further quarantine may be required for additional verification of tests or treatments.

Entering Australia by Air

Pets entering Australia must enter as air cargo via Melbourne Airport. Your pet must arrive between the days of Monday - Friday between the hours of 04:30 – 16:30, else special arrangements must be made for inspection at additional expense.

Pet owners should plan to avoid importing their pets to Australia during the months of December through February as the temperatures can be too high during that time to fly your pet in the cargo hold.

Note that, if there are no direct flights from your pet's originating country, then all transits or layovers must be through DAFF approved countries (see step #7).

The rules and regulations are complex and we recommend that you enlist the services of a licensed pet transport agent to assist you in making the arrangements to take your pet into Australia.

From most counties, it is a very long flight and you should consider the health and well being of your pet including asking the advice of your veterinarian. Taking a pet animal into Australia for a holiday is not practical.

Puppies and Kittens

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter Australia. The import requirements include microchipping and rabies vaccination no sooner than 3 months of age. Puppies and kittens should wait a minimum of 30 days after rabies vaccination prior to having their titer test, thus the minimum age of import would be 10 months of age. As these tests do not apply to puppies and kittens entering Australia from the Keeling Islands, New Zealand or Norfolk Island, pets must be at least 8 weeks of age when entering from these countries.

• Traveling with a puppy

Banned Breeds

The following dog breeds are not permitted to enter Australia: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

The American Staffordshire Terrier is not included in Australian legislation. The laws only apply to pure bred dogs and does not apply to cross breeds or mixes.

Wolf and dog crosses are not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to: Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are generally not eligible for import. Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to: Savannah cat, derived from crossbreeding domestic cat (Felis catus) with Serval cat (Felis serval) Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus) Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Exporting Pets

Pet owners planing to export their pets from Australia must apply for an Export Permit and supply a Health Certificate. All requirements for the country your pet is traveling to must have been met.

Other Animals

Guinea pigs, certain rodents and freshwater and marine fish can be imported to Australia without an import permit. Various pet birds (non poultry) such as canaries, parakeets, certain macaws, parrots and cockatoos will require an import permit as per the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Need More Advice?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com . We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???

Due to the high demand, we may be unable to respond to your question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page , blog , or forum . We will respond as soon as we can.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

12+ Tips for Travelling Australia with a Dog

Dog owners are faced with a huge decision when it comes to planning their caravanning and camping travels. Should they take the dog along for the ride, or come up with other arrangements and leave their beloved pet behind?

It’s fair to say that travelling Australia with a dog comes with limitations, such as no camping in National Parks and not being able to embark on certain activities without pre-organising a Dog Sitter first. While camping and caravanning with dogs sounds easy enough, compromising a few things along the way will be part of the trade-off of having your cherished pets with you.

With a few extra preparations, travelling Australia with a dog is totally possible and can even make your travels all the more enhanced because of it.

Here we will cover everything you need to think about when it comes to caravanning and travelling Australia with a dog so that you can figure out whether you should take yours with you or not.

We are a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to ebay.com and other affiliated sites. We may earn a commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our disclosures here .

Travelling Australia with a Dog

Should You Travel Australia with your Dog?

First up, you need to make an honest call on whether your dog is actually cut out for this travel business or not. If you’re not sure, do a test trip and see how your dog goes with it all.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Securing Your Dog in the Car

It’s important to make sure that your dog is both secure and comfortable for those long travel days. Much like having kids in the back, it’s imperative to stop every two hours so that your dog can stretch their legs, relieve themselves and have some water.

Your dog must be safely restrained, but still have the freedom to move and lay down for comfort.

Options for securing your dog in the car:

• Seatbelt attachment for your dog’s harness
• Put them in the back of the car if you’ve got a wagon or ute with a canopy
• Add a crate to the back of the ute, specifically set up for your dog on travel days

Make sure your dog always has plenty of flowing air, shade and room to lay down while travelling in the car.

Finding Dog-friendly Camp Sites

Finding pet-friendly camping while travelling Australia with a dog is very easy with the WikiCamps app.

Just go into ‘Filters’ and switch on ‘Dogs Allowed.’ Now all of the camps that will pop up on your map will be dog-friendly.

There are an abundance of Free Camps, Showgrounds, Farm Stays and Caravan Parks, which all offer pet-friendly camping. Finding accommodation that will allow dogs shouldn’t be a problem as you travel around Australia.

Dog-friendly Campsite Apps:

• Camps Australia Wide
• Camper Mate
• Farmstay Australia
• Full Range Camping Australia

Packing Up to Travel Australia

The ultimate pre-travel planner for anyone hitting the road for a big trip!

• 41-page Planner
• Decision-making prompts
• Travel set-up planning
• Budget estimates & more
• DIGITAL & PRINTABLE

Tips for Your Dog Around the Campsite

Keeping your dog happy around the campsite is just as important as making sure they’re fed, watered and safe. Here are some tips for creating a nice dog-friendly campsite for your furry companion.

• Portable fence – set up a portable fence around your awning area for the dog to be able to roam without always being stuck on the lead
• Comfy bed – invest in a mat or bed for your dog that can be used outside for comfort & warmth
• Clothesline runner – attach a wire clothesline-style runner underneath your van that your dog’s lead can be attached to for extra space
• Dog zip line – get a zip line runner, which can be mounted in the ground where possible for extra freedom & exploration
• Multiple water bowls – always have multiple water bowls outside that can’t be knocked over and are in various spots to allow for sun movement

How to Keep Your Dog Cool While Travelling

Camping and caravanning with dogs can have its own set of challenges in the heat, which makes it all the more important to keep an eye on your dog during hot weather.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs:

🔥 Excessive panting and/ or drooling 🔥 Collapsing 🔥 Vomiting 🔥 Lethargy, confusion & excessive drowsiness

Here are some tips for cooling your dog down: (various dog accessories can be found on eBay)

• Dog Cooling Vest – wet it & cool it down in the fridge, then strap it around your dog to cool them down
• Dog Cooling Collar – a bandana that you can wet and tie around their neck
• Dog Cooling Mat – a mat filled with cooling gel
• Dog-friendly sunscreen – for dogs with white fur, short hair and/ or pink skin
• Damp towel – place a damp towel on your dog if they’re showing signs of overheating
• Full water bowls – always make sure the dog’s water bowls are full and in the shade
• Window shades – for the car windows on travel days
• Early/ late walks – go for walks early or late, then let them rest during the heat of the day
• Dog Boots   – for walking on the hot ground during the day
• Swim – if you’ve got a safe waterway nearby
• Collapsible water bowl for walks – take water & a collapsible bowl with you on walks
• Ice cubes – give your dog some ice cubes to lick
• Shade – make sure your dog always has access to a cool, shady area
• 12 volt fan – sitting your dog in front of a 12v fan can help on a hot, still day

Where to Leave Your Dog While Doing Activities

There are some places that you just can’t take the dog while travelling Australia. National Parks, the supermarket and tourist attractions are a few that spring to mind.

Here are a range of options available to you for making sure that your pet is looked after while doing activities on the road.

→ Tie them up somewhere safe (short-term only)

If you’re just ducking into the grocery store or a small-town attraction, you can quite often tie your dog up somewhere nice and safe out the front in the shade with a bowl of water. Tying them to the car or caravan might be a good option, if you’ve parked in a safe place away from people and traffic. Or, there may be a spot out the front of the business or attraction that would suit well.

→ Leave them at the Caravan Park

Many Caravan Parks will stipulate that you cannot leave your dog unattended, while others will be fine with you going out for a while and leaving them there in the shade with some water. Be sure to ask the question when you book/ check-in.

→ Dog Kennels

As much as we often don’t want to put our dogs into kennels, at least you know that they will be safely looked after while you’re occupied for hours on end. It’s essential to make sure your dog is up-to-date with their vaccinations for kennel stays.

→ Pet Sitting

There are loads of Pet Sitters around Australia who will happily look after your dog for the day in their own backyard. This can be a far better option than kennels, because your dog has the freedom and excitement of hanging out with an animal-lover for the day while you’re off doing things.

Pet Sitting Websites:

• Trusted Housesitters Pet Sitting

Sometimes the only or easiest option is to tag team, meaning that while one of you duck into the attraction or activity, the other stays with the dog. Then you swap so that the other person can then go and do the experience. Unfortunately, this means that you both don’t get to experience the activity together and often results in the activity being highly rushed and under-experienced.

→ Friends & Family

If you happen to visit friends and family while you’re travelling Australia with a dog, see if you can line up some doggy daycare while you explore the local area. Most people are happy to oblige if they can!

→ Swap with other Travellers

It’s always nice to get to know your fellow travellers in the campgrounds as you wander through. Sometimes you might even be able to swap some pet sitting with other travellers along the way. You could look after their dog one day, while they watch yours the next. Alternatively, you might have some other skills or services you could offer in exchange for pet sitting (e.g. car maintenance, hair cut, web design, PT session, campfire meal).

→ Other Ways to Find Pet Sitters

• Talk to the local Vet
• Ask at the local Information Centres
• Join related groups on Facebook
• Have a look on Gumtree
• Ask the Caravan Park staff

Eating Out with Dogs around Australia

As of October 2012, Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (the official governing body) amended the legal regulations to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas for cafes and restaurants.

However, each individual establishment still reserves the right to not allow the presence of dogs at their restaurant or cafe, so just check that it’s okay before you settle in.

You can also use Pawtal to search for pet-friendly cafes, pubs and wineries in different areas as you’re travelling.

Common courtesy when eating out with dogs:

• Keep your dog on a lead
• Keep your dog on the ground (no jumping onto people, chairs or tables)
• Don’t take your dog through buildings to get to outdoor areas without checking with staff first
• Don’t take noisy dogs or ‘dogs that don’t like other dogs’ to eateries

How to Keep Your Caravan/ Set-up Clean while Travelling with Dogs

While you might care about your travelling home remaining as clean as possible… your dog couldn’t give a toss!

Here are some tips for helping to reduce the amount of grass, dirt and prickles being traipsed inside.

• Floor towel – place a towel on the floor inside the caravan for wiping wet & dirty paws
• Body towel – use a super absorbent microfibre towel for drying off the dogs
• Muk Mats – keep multiple Muk Mats at the various steps and entry point into the caravan, camper or tent
• Seat covers & throws – make use of seat covers and throws that can easily be shaken off outside and thrown into the washing machine
• No late swims – avoid the dogs swimming or getting wet later in the day as they mightn’t dry off before night time
• Dirty Gear Bag for poo – store used doggy poop bags in a Dirty Gear Bag on the spare tyre to avoid a smelly car or caravan

Browse MUK MATS →

Navigator Bin Buddy →

Keeping Your Dog Safe While Travelling Australia

Dogs are curious creatures and with that comes many factors you’ll need to consider for keeping your dog safe while travelling. A few things to mention include crocodiles, snakes, ticks, 1080 baits, sickness and injuries.

Here are some important safety considerations while travelling and caravanning with dogs.

Microchip your Dog

Microchipping is an absolute ‘must’ when travelling Australia with a dog. If your dog goes wandering off, you want to make sure you’ve got every chance possible in finding them, particularly if they’ve lost their collar with your contact details.

Keep your Dog on a Lead

Although dogs just want to be free and run, they can get into all sorts of trouble in strange places if you’re not careful. Keeping your dog on a leash will prevent them from getting hit by cars, following their nose through the bush and even going for a dunk in the croc-filled waters of the north.

Be Aware of 1080 Baits

Unfortunately, the use of 1080 baits are still widespread throughout Australia for the use of culling wild foxes and cats. In fact, the 1080 poison is prevalent throughout Australian National Parks, which is one main reason for dogs not being permitted.

Keep an eye out for 1080 Poison signs (as pictured above) and keep your dog well away from those areas. A good idea is to muzzle your dog when wandering unknown land, which will prevent your dog from eating anything there.

Watch out for Snakes & Spiders

There’s no getting around it, Australia is home to a rather large number of toxic snakes and spiders. While we all must coexist together, it doesn’t mean that we need to be rubbing shoulders with each other!

The most preventative way to keep your dog safe from snake and spider bites while travelling is once again to have them on a lead. Avoid letting your dog wander off through the bush, particularly through long grass and heavy leaf litter areas.

If you do suspect that your dog has been bitten from something, get them to the nearest Vet ASAP!

Unfortunately, time is not your friend in this scenario. I personally know the heartache as I lost my own dog to a Brown Snake bite. It was all over in about 15 minutes flat.

Additional Dangerous Animals

Don’t discount the presence of Crocodiles, Dingos, Cane Toads, Wedge-tailed Eagles (they’ll pick up a small animal) and Blue Bottles while travelling Australia with a dog.

Below are some dangerous Aussie animals and what you can do to avoid your dog coming face-to-face with them.

Crossing Australian State Borders with a Dog

Travelling between Australian states with a dog is a simple enough task with no specific restrictions or requirements except for Tasmania.

Tasmania is currently the only state with entry requirements for dogs.

Tasmania is the last remaining state to be free of hydatid disease and they’d obviously like to keep it that way. They also have no known presence of the brown dog tick (a transmitter of ehrlichiosis ), which can be present in some parts of mainland Australia.

To combat the introduction of these issues into the Tasmanian ecosystem, Biosecurity Tasmania requires a Declaration Form to be filled out upon entry via the Spirit of Tasmania or air travel.

Requirements for Bringing Dogs into Tasmania

From time-to-time a biosecurity or quarantine rule may come into place if any of the states are dealing with an outbreak of any sort. You can always find the most current information on the Australian Interstate Quarantine website as you get closer to each border crossing along the way.

Dog First Aid While Travelling

Australia is one extremely large plot of land with many hundreds of kilometres between towns once you disembark from the cruisy coastlines. There are some things you can do to help with your dog’s health and safety to hopefully prevent some unnecessary incidents from happening.

• Vaccines, worming & flea treatments – Keep up to date with them as you travel
• Ticks – Check your dog for ticks every single day
• Observe – If your dog shows any signs of lethargy, weakness or loss of appetite – whisk them off to the nearest Vet pronto!
• First Aid – Carry a Pet First Aid Kit with you (in the car & while out exploring)

Pet First Aid Kit (eBay) →

Tick Removal Tool (eBay) →

Pet First Aid Items to Carry:

(all found on eBay) ➕ Tick Removal Tool ➕ SMART Bandage (for snake & Funnel-web bites) ➕ Pet Bandages ➕ Saline Solution (cleaning wounds) ➕ Various dressings & swabs ➕ Emergency Foil Blanket

Online Vets

If you find yourself in a situation where the nearest vet is too far away or you are outside of business hours, provided you’ve got internet reception you can try an online Vet. They offer 24/7 on-demand care at affordable rates.

• Your Vet Online →
• Greencross Vets →

Pet Insurance

Consider whether or not it’s worth getting Pet Insurance for your dog. This is going to be a very individual decision and may even depend on the age and breed of your particular dog.

If you don’t go with Pet Insurance, I highly recommend setting up a bank account named ‘[insert dog’s name]’ and put a set amount into it each week or month. Accidents happen, illnesses occur and strange things can pop up. Even if you don’t pay an insurance company, you can still provide yourself and your dog with an emergency insurance fund so that you’re always covered.

Advice From the Experts

No Regrets! It was a no brainer for us to travel with our dogs especially our old girl who was 14 when we left. People often say that we must miss so much travelling with dogs. Yes we miss some things, but we also miss things because of the weather, we miss things because we have 3 kids, we miss things because we don’t have an unlimited budget and we miss things as some places are closed on certain days. No one is seeing everything on their trip. Your dogs will only enrich your trip for both you and them. – find Wandering with the Williwalkers on Facebook

Stick to a Routine Preparation is key, so chat to your usual veterinarian at least 6 weeks before travel to ensure that your dog is healthy, fully vaccinated and on appropriate parasite preventatives. Routine, routine, routine! Dogs cope much better with the constantly changing environment and situations of travel if their basic routine is kept consistent. Keeping the timing and type of food and exercise the same (or allowing for gradual rather than sudden changes), makes for a happier and more relaxed furry family member. Most of all, have fun and enjoy your travels! – Tania from Vet in a Van

Make full use of Pet Sitters We travelled around Australia with our gorgeous Gold Retriever MACKS for 16 months. To enable us to visit amazing locations such as Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands and Kakadu for example we used Mad Paws (pet sitting service). Every time we used them the carers were fantastic. Often they’d send us photos of her enjoying herself, playing with other dogs, going on walks or enjoying a treat. Mad Paws really helped us to explore National Parks, go on trips to islands and explore the parts of our amazing country that we couldn’t have done with her. – Kev & Adele from Indefinite Leave

Our dogs make us feel at home We think travelling with dogs can be quite rewarding but yes it has its challenges too. Our pups keep us grounded, they give us a routine and regardless of where we are we feel at home and we feel safe. – find Our Whittle Adventure on Facebook

Caravanning with Dogs FAQs

It’s common for people to leave their dogs in the caravan these days with the air conditioning running. While it can often seem like a better idea to leave the dogs locked safely in the van with the temperature controlled, there have been cases of vans randomly going up in flames. From a safety standpoint, your dogs are better off left outside on a chain with shade and water. In the case of emergency, other campers can see the dog and get them to safety. If your dog is locked inside the van, it’s likely no one will even know that they’re in there.

When caravanning with dogs, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all of their accessories and comforts to make the trip easier for all. Plan to stop every 2 hours on travel days for stretching legs, toileting and rehydrating. You won’t be able to take your dog into National Parks and various other businesses and attractions, but there are plenty of Dog Sitters and kennels along the way.

You can absolutely go caravanning with dogs! With a bit of extra planning and an element of flexibility you can take your furry friends with you. There are loads of dog-friendly campsites to be found on WikiCamps, with Pet Sitters and kennels all over the place to help you out while doing activities.

It is recommended to have your dog sleep inside the caravan with you at night, to reduce the risk of incident with dingos, cane toads and crocodiles etc. During the day, dogs can sleep around or underneath the caravan with shade and water provided. A clothesline-style runner is a popular installation to put underneath the caravan so that the dog can be attached to a good length runner via their lead or harness.

It’s not recommended that you leave your dog at the campsite unless you’ve arranged it with the camp managers or have a fellow camper keeping an eye on them for you. Dog Sitters and kennels are a better option for lengthy day activities while you’re caravanning.

You should never leave you dog in the caravan while on holidays unless it’s only for a short amount of time. Ducking off to the toilet block or while having happy hour drinks with the neighbours is fine, but not while you’re off day-tripping around the region.

The dog must travel with you in the car while moving from one camp to the next. It’s not safe to leave your dog back in the van while you’re on the road as the caravan is at a much higher risk of damage in an accident.

Checklist for Travelling Australia with a Dog

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Travelling with pets.

Pets are beloved members of the family.   If you’re travelling and want to take your pet or have a service animal, you need to be aware of the rules.

Explore this advice to learn about

• what to do before deciding to travel
• preparing to depart Australia
• foreign import rules
• returning to Australia

In this advice, pets are defined as

• dogs (excluding greyhounds and banned breeds)
• rabbits, guinea pigs and other domestic rodents
• domestic fish (no aeration requirement)
• domestic birds that don’t need a permit to travel.

Before deciding to travel

Talk to your vet.

Your pet's health is the most critical factor when considering overseas travel. Meet with a Vet early to ensure your pet is healthy and can travel. Make sure their vaccinations and parasite preventions are up to date.

Research the process and rules

There are rules for departing Australia (export) and entering your destination (import) with a domestic animal. 

These are based mainly on preventing the spread of diseases that are a risk to human health. The rules are typically not flexible.

Be aware of Australian import restrictions

If you’re planning to return to Australia with your pet, be aware that

• some animals can’t be returned to Australia under any circumstances
• you can’t import some animals to Australia from certain countries
• assistance dogs are still subject to biosecurity import conditions when returning to Australia. This includes quarantine of up to 6 months.

Consider using a pet transport company

Preparing your pet for export can be a complex process. It’s essential that it’s done correctly. Delays in their departure can occur if steps are not completed correctly.

Consider using a pet transport company to help with some or all pre-export preparations.

Preparing to depart Australia

The export process for animals can be lengthy. It can take several months to complete the required testing and documentation. Plan ahead and start early to ensure you can finish the process in time for your travel.

You’ll need to visit an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) certified vet at least 30 days before you travel. They’ll help you with the paperwork for exporting your animal from Australia. They can also write a letter or complete paperwork for the authorities in your destination.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) provides a comprehensive list of requirements that will help you prepare. They also provide links to relevant contacts.

You may need to meet pre-export requirements if you plan to import your animal back to Australia within 6 months of export. Visit the DAFF website to learn about pre-export preparations for dogs and cats returning to Australia .

Pet Travel Insurance

It’s unlikely that your own travel insurance will also cover your pet. Get pet travel insurance.

Foreign import rules

Each country has its own health requirements for importing animals. These can be complex and can change without notice.  If your pet fails to meet importing country requirements, they may be detained on arrival.

For more details, you should:

• read the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor)
• contact the relevant authority of the importing country.

You are responsible for providing the importing country requirements in writing to the AQIS certified vet that will prepare your animal for export.

Some of the most common requirements are

• an international health certificate (completed within a specific time frame, usually within 10 days, before your arrival date) and any other paperwork required by the destination country
• government export paperwork
• a microchip
• up-to-date vaccinations
• blood titre tests
• parasite prevention.

You may need an import permit for some countries. The permit will list the health requirements you must meet, including

• examinations

Returning to Australia

Australia's pet entry and quarantine rules are some of the strictest in the world. When your pet leaves the country, it no longer qualifies for its Australian health status. It will need to go through quarantine to return.

This process can be complex and lengthy, sometimes as long as six months. To help things go smoothly, it's a good idea to know the requirements and plan ahead.

• Use the Australian government's pet import tool to see if your pet is eligible for import back to Australia. Get a recommended timeline.
• Register for an import permit . You need this to bring your dog or cat back into the country. If your pet will be leaving and returning within six months, it's a good idea to do this before departure.
• Learn more about taking animals overseas.
• Understand the requirements for bringing cats and dogs to Australia.

Updated 2024 Guide: Understanding Australia’s New Pet Import Requirements

New guidelines for relocating pets to australia: key updates effective february 29, 2024.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced significant updates regarding relocating dogs and cats to Australia. These changes, effective from February 29, 2024, aim to streamline the process while ensuring the safety and well-being of pets during their relocation journey. Below, we break down these updates into clear categories for better understanding.

Identity Verification and Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

Second microchip scanning as identity verification date:.

Australia has revised its procedure for pet identity verification. The date of the second microchip scanning will now be considered the official date of identity verification.

This adjustment means pet owners must ensure their pets are microchipped correctly and that the second scanning is done according to the timeline required by Australian authorities.

Timing for Blood Collection for RNATT:

Following the update, blood samples for the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) can be collected after the second microchip scanning. This provides clarity and flexibility in preparing pets for their move.

Completing Part 3 of the identity verification process remains mandatory despite this change.

Updates to the APHIS Pet Travel Website and VEHCS:

The APHIS Pet Travel Website along with instructions in the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) will be updated to reflect these new guidelines.

Vaccine Expiry Dates

Flexibility with vaccine expiry dates:.

In a move to simplify documentation, the expiry dates for vaccines (including rabies, leptospirosis, etc.) may be left blank on the export health certificate if they are not specified on the vaccination certificate.

VEHCS instructions will be updated accordingly to guide pet owners through this change.

Import Permits

Clarification on import permits:.

The USDA has clarified that guidance on import permits issued before March 1, 2023, will be removed from the APHIS Pet Travel Website, as it is no longer applicable.

Going forward, all dogs and cats must have their import permits issued after March 1, 2023. This ensures that all pets entering Australia meet the latest import requirements.

Implications for Pet Owners

These updates facilitate a smoother relocation process for pets moving to Australia. Pet owners must stay informed about these changes and prepare to ensure compliance with the updated regulations. As always, the welfare and safety of pets are paramount, and these guidelines are designed to support that objective.  

Australia's New Requirements for Dogs and Cats Traveling from the United States | PetRelocation

​30-Day Post-Entry Quarantine for Dogs and Cats from the United States

Dogs and cats from the United States (except Hawaii and Guam) will be eligible for 30 days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival in Australia. Once the identity verification is implemented, pets that complete this verification will be eligible for ten days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival in Australia. Dogs and cats from Hawaii and Guam must seek advice from Australia before proceeding with any other steps ( [email protected] )​

Export Health Certificate

Regarding the export health certificate, the pet's USDA Accredited Veterinarian must complete the applicable model health certificate (these will be posted on the pet travel website once updated). It's crucial to remember that the pet's veterinarian must be a USDA Accredited Veterinarian in the state where they perform the work .

​We’ve mentioned a few times that bringing a cat or dog to Australia can be complicated and lengthy, taking careful planning and attention to detail to handle successfully.

Learn more about import permits, quarantine, and other helpful tips to build a successful move plan for your pet.

Pet Import Requirements for Australia Vaccination Requirements Obtaining an Import Permit  Health Certificates and USDA Endorsements   Crate Training and Traveling as Manifest Cargo   Quarantine Information Breakdown of Costs for Moving Dogs and Cats to Australia Moving Pets to Australia from Non-Approved Countries  Pets Other Than Cats and Dogs Pet Export Requirements for Leaving Australia

Pet Import Requirements for Australia

Your pet’s requirements for import into Australia is largely determined by the country your pet will be coming from. Australia groups countries into four separate categories: Group 1 (New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Cocos Island), Group 2 (approved rabies-free countries or territories), Group 3 (approved countries or territories where rabies is absent or well-controlled), and Non-Approved Countries . As the group number increases, the rules and regulations you must follow to import your pet also increase.

Vaccination Requirements

When traveling to Australia, you must closely follow vaccine and blood test regulations to ensure your pet meets the requirements to obtain an import permit (below). All pets need a microchip, rabies vaccine, titer test, and internal and external parasite treatment . Dogs, however, will also need additional vaccines and blood tests. 

Estimated costs for vaccinations : There are at least five veterinarian visits required for a move to Australia. Depending on your own veterinarian's fees, we estimate approximately $1,500 USD for these services.

Obtaining an Import Permit 

After your dog or cat has passing results for the Rabies Antibody Titer Test, endorsed by a government entity, it’s time to apply for an import permit using Australia’s BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) System.

Once you have created an account, follow BICON's prompts to apply for your pet’s import permit. You’ll be required to upload the following documentation: 

• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Rabies Antibody Titer Test results
• RNATT Declaration from your country’s government 

Most import permits take 10 to 20 days to be assessed, but it can take longer in busy seasons or if you have a complicated import permit application. For example, if your pet comes from an unapproved country, there will be more steps and dates to assess. You can usually expect an additional 14 days for approval. 

If you have hired PetRelocation to assist in your move, your dedicated relocation coordinator will arrange the import permit. 

Estimated costs for the import permit: The Australia Department of Agriculture (DAFF) charges $480 AUD for the first pet, and $240 AUD each additional pet.

Health Certificates and USDA Endorsements  

For export from the United States to any foreign country, your pet must have a country-specific health certificate issued by a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian. This health certificate must be sent to your state’s USDA office for endorsement. It must be issued within 5 days of travel and endorsed by the USDA . Ask your veterinarian if they have the proper USDA accreditation. Failure to do so could result in extra time and expenses associated with additional appointments and testing. If you are working with a PetRelocation coordinator, we will work closely with your veterinarian to meet all complicated requirements. 

Estimated costs for endorsements: There are two endorsements needed when moving pets to Australia. The first,  the RNATT, costs $121 USD per pet. The final paperwork endorsement should be completed no more than 5 days prior to departure at the port USDA office, which costs $150 USD per pet.

Crate Training and Traveling as Manifest Cargo  

Pets traveling into Australia may only arrive as manifest cargo . This is for your pet’s safety and accountability. “Manifest cargo allows for traceability of your cat or dog,” states the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website . 

This means it’s important to start acclimating your pet to their travel crate early and practice crate training often.

Estimated costs for manifest cargo airfreight: Manifest cargo flights for pets are based on dimensional weight (or how much space your pet takes up in the aircraft). For international flights, these fees can range from $1,000 USD for a Chihuahua and up to $4,500 USD for a Great Dane.

Quarantine Information

Pets arriving in Australia undergo a mandatory 10-day stay at the Mickleham quarantine station. Visitation is not allowed. As of March 1, 2023, new requirements state that dogs and cats from the United States (except Hawaii and Guam) will be eligible for 30 days in post-entry quarantine, with the possibility of reducing it to 10 days with identity verification .

​.Once your dog or cat arrives in Australia, they will be transferred directly to the Mickleham quarantine station for a mandatory 10-day stay. Quarantine may seem like a scary time for your pet, especially since no visitation is allowed, but Mickleham offers great accommodations and care to pets during their quarantine stay.  A specific handler is often assigned to each pet to ensure the handler can closely monitor any changes during the pet’s quarantine period and react appropriately.

To learn all about the Mickleham facility, staff, and costs, read our blog post about preparing for your dog or cat’s stay at Mickleham. We also encourage you to visit the Australia website covering this information here .

Please note: Australia's quarantine facility is at full capacity as of December 15, 2020. The earliest availability for arrival in Australia is June 2021. 

Breakdown of Costs for Moving Dogs and Cats to Australia  

While this is by no means an extensive list of the possible costs you could incur when relocating your pet to Australia, this chart should help you understand what you should be prepared for when budgeting for a pet’s move. 

Moving Pets to Australia from Non-Approved Countries 

If you are planning to move your pet to Australia, the country of export is an important factor. Australia's Department of Agriculture will not allow pets to arrive directly into Australia from countries declared " Non-Approved ".

If your pet is currently in a non-approved country, it is still possible to move him or her to Australia. First, you should have your pet's blood drawn for a TITER or RNATT test in the country in which they currently reside. This blood sample should be sent to an approved lab for testing. Then, at least 60 days before your desired departure date for Australia, your pet must relocate to an approved country. If PetRelocation is arranging your pet's move, we suggest relocating them first into the United States .  If you cannot accompany your pet to the United States, PetRelocation can arrange boarding and veterinary consultation. 

Estimated costs boarding pets arriving in the United States from "un-approved" countries:   Boarding one pet is $40 a day and veternary visits and consultations are estimated at $1600. The minimum cost for boarding and veterinaty accomodations for one pet is $4,000. Please be mindful this is in conjunction with other costs and services listed above. 

Pets Other Than Cats and Dogs

It may not be possible to bring pets other than cats and dogs into Australia unless traveling from New Zealand. Australia has strict policies when it comes to importing other species in order to protect the current animal population and environment. It is best to check the BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) System to see if your pet is permitted for import into Australia.

We do recommend referencing the DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) website for guidance on your pet’s travels to Australia, but it is important to keep in mind that your origin country’s export procedures and nuances are not included in the information provided.

Pet Export Requirements for Leaving Australia

Leaving Australia with a pet is a much simpler process than entering. However, If you’re planning on returning to Australia after your pet travels abroad, it could be a lengthy process, and if your pet is not a cat or dog, it may be impossible. Before moving from Australia we recommend reading the rules to re-import pets on the website here .

Ready to speak with an expert about your pet’s move? Contact us to get in touch with our dedicated Australia team to plan a safe relocation for your pet!

(239) 344-8959

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Moving a Pet to Australia

Rules and regulations for moving cats and dogs to australia, rabies vaccination, rabies titer blood test, 180 day waiting period, rnatt declaration, other vaccinations, import permit, quarantine reservation, other required blood tests (dogs only), babesia canis treatment (dogs only), internal & external parasite treatments, pet travel documents & requirements, health certificates, banned breeds, age restrictions.

• Microchip for Pet Travel to Australia
• Quarantine for Pet Travel to Australia
• Area Specific Information

Pet Carrier Measurement Guide

Ultimate guide to moving pets, international airline pet policies, top destinations in australia.

• How Starwood Can Help

What Pet Travel Documents Are Needed to Travel to Australia?

**As of March 1, 2023 , the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry has implemented changes to the import requirements for cats and dogs . These changes have been reflected in this guide.

The Australian Department of Agriculture provides step-by-step guides to help you, but you’ll find all the basics below.

One exciting fact is that Australia mandates that all imported pets must arrive as manifest cargo, under the care of a professional animal transporter . That's where we come in! We will be your reliable companion throughout the entire process, starting from our initial conversation, providing guidance and assurance, handling Australian customs, and ensuring a smooth quarantine experience. Say goodbye to worries about making mistakes or overlooking important details and say hello to a delightful and tail-wagging journey.

Please note that all required vaccinations, treatments, and blood testing must be completed by a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian.

All pets are required to have an ISO-compatible microchip before completing any other requirements for Australia. A government-approved veterinarian (USDA Accredited) must scan the microchip at every visit and it must be reported accurately on all of your pet's paperwork.

**Microchips that begin with 999 are not acceptable.

AS OF MARCH 1, 2023 : Your pet's identity must be verified by the competent authority (the USDA in the United States) in the country of export. This must be completed BEFORE the blood draw for the rabies titer test. This is a multi-step process that is outlined on the USDA website . Starwood also offers assistance with this step, to ensure it is done properly.

Pets who have had their identity verified with the USDA will be eligible for a 10-day quarantine period. If your pet's identity is NOT verified by the USDA, then they will require a 30-day quarantine period.

Cats and dogs must be immunized with an inactivated rabies vaccine in an approved country when they are at least 84 days old. Three-year rabies vaccines are acceptable, as long as they are given according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The vaccine must be kept continuously up to date from the time of vaccination until export - don't let it expire!

Cats and dogs must complete a Rabies neutralizing antibody titer (RNAT) blood test at least 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination. A passing result is >/= 0.5 IU/mL.

The RNAT blood draw must be completed by a government-approved veterinarian (USDA-Accredited) and the blood samples must be sent to an approved laboratory (The Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University in the USA). The testing laboratory must complete a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization ( FAVN ) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT).

The RNAT test is valid for 12 months from the date of the blood draw.

Cats and dogs cannot enter Australia until at least 180 days after the blood sample arrives in the lab. There is no exception to this rule. 

There are NO exceptions to the 180-day waiting period.

If you don't want to do a blood test, dogs must be vaccinated for Leptospirosis in a series of two shots following manufacturer guidelines - with the second vaccine or annual booster given at least 14 days before travel. Unvaccinated dogs must be tested for Leptospirosis (see other blood tests).

Dogs coming from the US must receive full canine influenza virus (CIV) immunization, at least 14 days before departure. You must follow manufacturer guidelines with a primary vaccination + booster given 3 weeks later.  All boosters thereafter are valid for 1 year. 

If your pet will be boarding at all prior to or after travel, then they will still require these additional vaccinations:

• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus & Panleukopenia)
• CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
• Leptospirosis
• DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
• Bordetella (kennel cough)

Dogs and cats entering Australia must have an import permit unless you are coming from New Zealand or Norfolk Island. You can only apply for the Import Permit after you have received the USDA-endorsed RNATT Declaration, Rabies Titer Results (FAVN), current rabies vaccination certificate, and identity verification details.  It's recommended that you apply for the import permit at least 42 days prior to export, but the earlier, the better. You can apply and pay online via the Biosecurity Import Conditions System .  If you hire Starwood to assist with your pet's travels, we can handle this on your behalf. 

The import permit is valid until the RNAT test expires.

Once you have received the import permit, then you can arrange your pet's quarantine reservation.

Kindly note that quarantine space is limited and they process applications in the order they are received. Quarantine has been booked at capacity lately and may not be able to accommodate the date you request. It's possible your pet will be approved to arrive at a later date, depending on quarantine availability.  

Dogs are required to complete additional blood tests and the blood draw must be done by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and submitted to an approved lab. It is NOT recommended that your vet use an intermediary lab as they are not all approved for export testing and this may cause problems or delays.  We strongly recommend that you use Protatek Reference Lab .  The below tests are solely for dogs; cats only require the Rabies Titer Test (FAVN). All of the results for these tests must be negative or your dog cannot travel to Australia.

These tests must be completed within 45 days prior to travel:

• Leishmania Infantum : Using  either an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola (only required if the dog is not fully vaccinated for Leptospirosis): A Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is required. The result must be negative at a serum dilution of 1:100.
• Brucella Canis (for intact dogs only - if your pet is spayed or neutered, this is not required): Any of the following test types are accepted - rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), a tube agglutination test (TAT) or an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) . If your dog is intact, they cannot be mated from 14 days prior to Brucella testing until export.

Both cats and dogs must be treated for internal and external parasites prior to travel.  These treatments can only be administered in-office by a USDA Accredited Vet using an approved product .  Failure to follow these requirements or letting the treatments expire can result in a delay in your pet's travels and/or non-compliance issues with the USDA or Australian Government.

External Parasites

• Dogs must be treated for external parasites ( fleas and ticks) at least 30 days prior to export.
• Cats must be treated for external parasites ( fleas and ticks) at least 21 days prior to export.
• The treatment must be kept up to date according to manufacturer guidelines through the time of export.
• The USDA-Accredited vet should examine your pet for fleas/ticks at every visit. If any fleas or ticks are found, they must be removed and the treatments started over.

You can find a list of approved products here . 

Internal Parasites

Dogs and cats must also be treated for internal parasites (both nematodes and cestodes) twice prior to travel. The first treatment must be completed within 45 days prior to travel and at least 14 days prior to the second treatment. The final treatment must be given within 5 days of travel. You can find a list of approved products here .

Starwood typically handles the final exam, health certificate, and final parasite treatment on your behalf.

Pets arriving to Australia must travel with the following documents:

• Microchip verification documents
• Rabies vaccination certificate(s)
• General vaccination certificates
• Endorsed RNATT Declaration
• Parasite treatment letters
• Rabies titer test results
• Other required blood test results
• Copy of the import permit
• Endorsed Australian health certificate

If your pet requires medication, special food, or special care while in quarantine, then additional forms must be completed by you and your veterinarian.

If you hire Starwood to assist with your pet's relocation, we will take care of the final exam, paperwork, and USDA endorsement on your behalf.

What Are the Pet Restrictions for Australia?

Australia does not allow the import of domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids.

Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

• Savannah cat - domestic cat ( Felis catus ) + Serval cat ( Felis serval )
• Safari cat - domestic cat + Geoffroy cat ( Oncifelis geoffroyi )
• Chausie - domestic cat + Jungle cat ( Felis chaus )
• Bengal cat - domestic cat + Asian Leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ).

**In some cases, Australia may permit the import of Bengal cats if they are five generations or more removed and proper documentation is provided.

The following dog hybrids and pure breeds cannot be imported to Australia:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog / Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog / Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano / Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog / Kunming dog
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasiliero
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canario

Dogs and cats may not be more than 30 days pregnant or have suckling young at the time of travel.

Do I Need a Microchip for My Pet to Travel to Australia?

Yes. All pets must have a microchip that is ISO-compatible. If your dog or cat already has a non-ISO microchip (or a number that starts with 999) your vet can implant a second one. Microchips must be implanted & scanned before any other treatments are completed. The correct microchip number MUST be reported on all of your pet's paperwork.

As mentioned above, Australia now requires your pet's identity/microchip to be verified prior to any other treatments in order to qualify for a 10-day quarantine. 

What Are the Quarantine Requirements for a Pet Traveling to Australia?

All pets arriving to Australia must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham quarantine facility in Melbourne upon entering the country. This is why your pet must fly into Melbourne airport, rather than arriving at some other city in Australia. A PEQ staff member will meet your pet from the plane and escort them directly to the quarantine facility.

You must reserve quarantine space in advance, and it is first-come, first-serve. Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) has been fully booked months in advance, so you may not get the date you are hoping for. 

As of March 1, 2023 : Pets who have had their identification verified by an official government veterinarian in the country of export, or have originated in Australia are eligible for a 10-day quarantine period. All other pets are eligible for a 30-day quarantine period.

Your pet’s import permit must be received before you can reserve quarantine space. And proof of full payment for quarantine is required to book your pet’s flight to Melbourne.

Starwood can take care of the quarantine reservation and payments on your behalf.

Are There Any Area Specific Pet Requirements in Australia?

You must use a kennel that is IATA-compliant to ship your dog or cat to Australia. To make your furry companion feel as calm and comfortable on their journey, get the crate early so they have plenty of time to become familiar with it . Keep in mind that any bedding that arrives with pets in Australia will be destroyed for biosecurity reasons.

If you have a service dog, they may ride with you in the passenger cabin, provided they meet the country’s eligibility criteria for assistance dogs . The dog must be clean and well-behaved in public and must have been trained to assist persons with disabilities by alleviating the effects of the disability. Training facilities outside Australia must be a member of the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International. You must provide:

• The handler’s medical history form (completed by your doctor)
• The assistance dog training form (completed by a representative of the dog training institution)
• Proof of the dog's certification/accreditation from the dog training institution

We noted above that Australia requires you to use a professional pet transport company because all animals entering the country must arrive as manifest cargo. Starwood is extremely well-versed in moving pets to Australia, so we're here to help!

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Door to door pet transportation services to Australia include:

• Dedicated Pet Travel Support Team to coordinate your pet's move
• Liaise with your veterinarian & review documentation
• Provide an IATA-compliant travel kennel with kennel bowls, personalized labels, identification, and emergency notification instructions
• Obtain the RNATT Declaration with endorsement from the USDA
• Apply for the Australian Import Permit
• Make the quarantine reservation & pay quarantine fees
• Book flight(s) and pay air cargo charges
• Transportation to/from the airports
• Final veterinary exam, completion of the Australian health certificate, and final parasite treatments
• USDA endorsement of the final documents
• Customs clearance
• Pick up from quarantine, if required
• Domestic transportation within Australia upon release from quarantine, if required
• Provide a detailed travel itinerary
• Real-time updates while your pet is in transit

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Bringing a Dog to Australia: My Experience

While travelling around Europe with my dog during 2017 and 2018, I read numerous reports about how expensive it would be to fly a dog to Australia, something we were planning to eventually do when we returned home in late 2018.

The dogs I read about were various sizes, plus were flying from different parts of Europe, or some were flying from the US. However, what all stories had in common was how expensive it was, at least going through a pet transport company .

So as I started to make plans to head back to Australia , I thought to myself, why don’t I organise my dog’s transport back to Australia by myself, without using a pet transport company? After all, we were becoming pros at travelling around the world with our dog.

Here’s what that process entailed and my experience bring my dog to Australia in late 2018, including the cost of bringing a dog to Australia. Be warned, this is a long post – so I’ve provided some links for you to jump to each section.

Choosing an Export Country

The first step you should do when planning on bringing pets to Australia is to look at the clear instructions provided online , a rather long and scary looking list. But my next step was something that wasn’t even on this list: it was deciding from which country we would fly back to Australia with our dog.

All the import process preparations need to take place in a single approved country (unless we got permission from the authorities in the export country, as noted in the documentation). But we were travelling around Europe, and not usually spending that long in any one country.

At least we didn’t have to worry about importing a dog from an unapproved country, something that it is no longer possible to do. All dogs being imported to Australia need to have not been in an unapproved country in the last 180 days, something that didn’t apply to us.

Another related factor was the choice of airline. Many airlines stipulate that pets travelling to and from Australia must be booked with an animal transport company.

However, I knew that Qantas was okay with pets being booked directly, as long as it was a direct flight or flights with a single code. Travelling from Europe to Melbourne (where the only quarantine facility is located in Australia, and where pets must fly to), the only option was QF10, from London to Melbourne.

(From about 2020 to 2022, Qantas stopping allowing direct bookings for pets. I have heard multiple reports that this is again available, but it’s best to speak directly to Qantas Freight to confirm the latest details.)

However, if we firstly headed to the USA (an easy destination to travel to with a dog ), we could also take advantage of direct flights from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Melbourne. The USA was on my wishlist of destinations to visit, so we decided to head home via the US. There was also the advantage that it was an English-speaking country, so we wouldn’t have any language difficulties.

Steps to Prepare My Dog for Export to Australia

If you’re starting from scratch, the preparations for taking a dog to Australia can take over seven months for pet owners, depending on the country you are exporting your dog from.

However, because our dog, Schnitzel, was already vaccinated for rabies and had a rabies titre test performed before leaving Australia (which was still valid), our time needed to prepare our dog for export was greatly reduced, although it was still almost as complicated.

1. Selecting a Vet

Once we had decided to travel via the USA to export Schnitzel back to Australia, our first step was to select a government-approved vet in the USA (also known as a USDA accredited veterinarian). I asked online in an expat group and received a recommendation for Beverly Robertson Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles. I also checked where they were located (given the size of the city) and their website.

I initially emailed Beverly Robertson with a few questions I had, and received prompt and informative replies. Later on I emailed them to make appointments for Schnitzel’s required vet visits.

As I wasn’t yet in the US, I managed to do this entirely through email, and I found the staff at the vet clinic to be familiar with the steps required for Australia, which was quite reassuring. Better for someone else to double check my date calculations in advance rather than realise an error later!

I actually should have started planning his appointments earlier, though, as I discovered that the test results took longer than I had expected to receive back in the US. This brought forward when I needed to schedule his first appointment, though luckily I could still fit the appointments around the travel plans we had started to make.

I recommend contacting your selected vet well in advance to check over timelines, before making any further plans.

2. Rabies Vaccination & Rabies Titre Test

Usually the first major step required to prepare your dog to travel to Australia is to vaccinate them against rabies and have a rabies titration test performed. Luckily, as I mentioned above, we did this before leaving Australia. Plus less than 2 years had passed. (Previously, the rabies titer test result was only valid for 2 years for the purpose of importing a pet to Australia, although this has now been reduced to one year.)

The additional advantage of having the titre test done before leaving Australia (at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory), was that we didn’t require an RNATT declaration to apply for an import permit, as mentioned on this page with tips for Australians taking their pets overseas and then returning .

3. Applying for an Import Permit

The next step was to apply for an import permit, on the Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions website, which needed to be done at least 42 days in advance. The website is quite complicated, as it covers all types of imports, but once I figured it out where to get started, it was a fairly simple form.

The import permit is quite expensive – $480 AUD just for a permit, our first cost for returning our dog to Australia. (It has now increased to $566 AUD, as of August 2023.) We applied for the permit four months before flying back to Australia. It was then valid for one year.

The only hiccup I ran into during this step is that the export contact information had to have a US address, so I couldn’t use my Australian address I used elsewhere on the form. As we didn’t yet have a US address (even a hotel), I asked a friend in the US if I could use their address.

The same issue would probably apply if you tried to list a US (or other foreign) address in the import details section – you probably need to use your future Australian address or another Australian address. We never received any letters at the address we supplied – it was just a paperwork requirement.

4. Booking Quarantine

The next step was booking quarantine, at the Post Entry Biosecurity System website . Click on New Reservation on this page. I’ve seen recommendations to not use the site on a mobile phone – use a larger screen instead.

The quarantine reservation was also quite easy to do, although I had to follow up to get my reservation finally approved, a month after I initially applied. Apparently this was because I made the reservation so far in advance (3 1/2 months out), although I was just following the order of steps on the check-list!

(As of 2023, I’ve heard reports of spots in quarantine being booked out for months in advance, possibly due to the introduction of 30-day stays in quarantine for some pets. Get your valid import permit and make a quarantine booking well in advance.)

The first time I called up because my reservation hadn’t yet been approved, I was told that reservations were reviewed in order of quarantine date, despite a 10-day approval period being mentioned on the site. After a couple more weeks I sent a follow-up email, and Schnitzel’s quarantine reservation was finally approved.

In particular, I wanted to make sure it was definitely approved, as I knew that our booking was for a busy time of the year, early December. Be warned that the quarantine facility doesn’t usually accept new arrivals during the second half of December – check the dates each year.

5. Booking Flights

About the same time as booking Schnitzel’s quarantine, I also initially contacted Qantas Freight to get a quote for his flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne. This is the full page with details of their service for shipping animals internationally .

I sent an email to the email address ( [email protected] ) provided on the form for Qantas international pet transport originating in Australia. My email was then forwarded on to the relevant overseas office (Qantas Freight in LA).

I quickly received a quote back (well, I actually received two slightly different quotes from people in the same office). However, I was also advised I couldn’t actually book until a couple of weeks before the flight.

Unlike with human airline tickets, flying an animal via freight has a set price (based on either weight or crate dimensions, whichever is more expensive), rather than a fluctuating ticket price.

Note that it’s not possible to fly with your dog in the cabin to Australia , unless you are chartering a private jet, whether individually or as part of a group.

6. Visiting the Vet

During the two months before exporting your pet to Australia, expect to make at least three vet visits to perform all the steps required, perhaps more depending on your requirements.

Schnitzel’s first vet visit occurred in New York City (rather than in Los Angeles as planned), due to the duration it would take to later get test results. This visit occurred 6 1/2 weeks (47 days) before we flew to Australia. During this vet visit the following occurred:

• 1st dose of canine influenza vaccine (an extra step currently required to export dogs from the USA to Australia)
• 1st external parasite treatment

We provided the details of our NYC vet to our LA vet, who then requested details of the treatment so they had a copy for when the health certificate was later being filled out.

Our second vet visit (in LA) occurred 24 days later, 23 days before we flew to Australia. During this vet visit the following occurred:

• 2nd dose of canine influenza vaccine
• 2nd external parasite treatment (as each treatment was only valid for 31 days, and it still needed to be valid until the date of export)
• Blood sample for testing for leishmaniais, leptospira and ehrlichia (our vet then received these results for the blood tests 2 1/2 weeks later, just before our final visit)
• 1st internal parasite treatment

My main concern was about the blood test for leishmaniais . This disease which is spread by sand-flies exists in southern Europe. And immediately before travelling to the US we had spent six weeks in Greece, the country with the highest incidence.

We took multiple preventative steps, so it was unlikely our dog would have caught it, but I was very relieved for our vet to receive the test results, with the all clear for each disease.

Our third and final vet visit occurred just 2 1/2 days before our evening flight. It needed to be within 5 days of our departure (although ideally not a full 5 days before, in case your flight is delayed by a day). During this vet visit the following occurred:

• 2nd internal parasite treatment
• Clinical exam
• Health certificate completed covering all vet visits, along with the lab test results ready to take for endorsement

Note that my dog didn’t require testing for brucellosis, as he had been desexed, or for babesia canis, as he hadn’t travelled to any countries where this is a requirement.

As there is a short timeframe for this final vet visit (within 5 days of your departure) and pets are recommended to arrive in Australia on weekdays (with weekend arrivals subject to approval), be careful about the timing of your flight back to Australia. Our vet visit was on a Monday, before our dog flew out from LA late Wednesday, arriving in Melbourne Friday morning.

7. Finalising Quarantine & Flight Bookings

In between the 2nd and 3rd vet visits I finalised Schnitzel’s quarantine reservation and booked his flight.

His quarantine didn’t need to be confirmed and paid for until 7 days before his expected arrival, but it needed to be done before booking his flight. Confusingly, I needed to enter his Airway bill number (normally received when you book the flight), into the quarantine booking.

Luckily Qantas gave me a number for his incomplete booking, although later re-reading my emails I realised there was a dummy number they had provided (which I could later change to the correct number).

So, I confirmed and paid his quarantine fees, the single biggest cost of transporting my dog back to Australia . Then I booked his Qantas flight over the phone, confirming the time and address to drop him off, plus his crate requirements.

About the the same time as this, I also booked his flight from Melbourne up to Sydney. Unfortunately, there is only a single quarantine facility in Australia, near Melbourne Airport. And as we couldn’t visit him in quarantine, we changed our minds about picking him up ourselves.

We booked his flight up to Sydney through Jetpets , who we previously used to fly Schnitzel overseas from Sydney to Madrid . I then added the details for Jetpets to my quarantine booking, so they had the authority to pick him up.

8. Endorsement of Veterinary Health Certificate

Once Schnitzel’s health certificate had been complete by the government approved veterinarian, it then needed to be endorsed by an official government veterinarian. In the US, this occurs at the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorsement offices.

As of 2018, some operated a walk-in service, while the one in LA required an appointment. So I made an appointment for the same day as our final vet visit.

(Note that the situation for endorsements changed in 2022, with endorsements now done either electronically by the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) or by shipping the paperwork through a courier company. Australia accepts the digital signature and digital endorsement. )

This is the stressful point, at which if all the vet preparations haven’t been properly completed, including on the correct dates, it could be rejected. I saw this happen to one other woman also taking her dog to Australia during my visit. The office advised her to speak directly to the Australian government department to see if she could get an exemption, but I don’t now what was the result.

My first slight hiccup at the Veterinary Service office was that I didn’t bring along a print-out of Schnitzel’s full import permit, just the health certificate part. This was easily fixed, by emailing the staff member the permit to print out.

However, as well as the full permit and health certificate, plus his rabies titre test lab report and laboratory reports for the other three tests, the office also required another lab report. This was because one of the tests was sent to a separate lab to be done, although the result was still included in the main lab report.

What ensued was 3 hours of backwards and forth trying to get the extra lab report, speaking on the phone to my vet and then the vet speaking to the various labs. My vet said that normally this wasn’t required, so either someone was being extra strict or they had changed the requirement.

A few tears were shed, but finally, we received the extra lab report by email and everything was endorsed. The hardest part is they wouldn’t review everything else and say if everything else was in order, until the extra lab report was received!

For this reason, I recommend getting your certificate endorsed straight after your final vet visit, not the day of your flight, in case any issues come up that take longer to sort out.

9. Buying a Crate

Because we were travelling around in a car and didn’t want a large crate taking up most of our car boot, we left buying a crate until late, although we investigated the options earlier and had already selected which crate to buy.

We went with the basic Grreat Choice kennels sold by Petsmart. Fancier options are available, but we didn’t know whether we would use it more than once. Also, the price listed on the website was cheaper than the price in store, so we got them to price-match it.

To determine the size crate required for your pet, the calculations are listed on this International Air Transport Association (IATA) page (click on “Do you have a suitable container for your pet?” and “Guidance for Dimensions of Container”). This ensures that your pet can “stand, sit and turn around in a natural matter inside a crate”.

It’s also ideal to test your dog inside the crate before going ahead with the purchase. Additional requirements might be specified by your airline, but Qantas just stated on my phone call it should have metal bolts, which mine did.

In addition to the crate, we bought a puppy pee pad and duct-taped it inside, then added my dog’s old bed. Any bedding is tossed on arrival in Australia, so don’t use something you want to keep. We also added a water bowl that was fillable via a funnel without opening the door, also bought at Petsmart. Some airlines might required food containers and food attached to the outside of the crate.

Qantas said it didn’t require this, but we taped some to the top of his crate, in case of a delay. I also taped his name to the front of the kennel, just above the door. If you’ve got any special instructions, tape them to the outside of the kennel.

After picking up and constructing the crate, I did have a minor panic that it wasn’t as large as I had remembered, and that we had the smaller size and would be rejected by Qantas Freight. (The label at the front was missing when we purchased it.) We ended up going back to the store, but it was all good in the end!

10. Dropping My Dog Off

The very final step was to drop Schnitzel off at the freight terminal. We had been given a set time to drop him off, about 6 hours before his actual departure. A few hours before this we gave him his final meal and drink, then encouraged him to do his business on the grass near the freight terminal when we arrived.

Inside the terminal it was bustling with various drop-offs. The drop-off took longer than we expected, but it was quite relaxed. There was no measuring that the animal and the crate met the guidelines, and no issues were brought up.

It was only at this point we paid for his flight, along with filling in the required freight paperwork. His paperwork was attached in a zip-lock bag to the outside of the kennel (provided by Qantas), along with some live animal stickers.

It was then time to say our final goodbyes. At least we knew Schnitzel would be with experienced hands. He wasn’t the only pet being dropped off that evening for the Qantas flight to Melbourne; in fact we asked and were told up to 20 animals would be on the flight! However, it was extra tough saying goodbye knowing we wouldn’t even see him on the other end, that he was going straight into quarantine.

My Dog’s Stay in Quarantine in Australia

At the time of my dog’s return to Australia, all dogs and cats arriving in Australia had to spend a minimum of 10 days in quarantine. However, since March 2023, pets travelling from some countries (including the United States), now have to spend a minimum quarantine period of 30 days, unless an identity verification step has been completed.

If there is an issue with your pet, they may also require a longer stay, but amongst people I’ve spoken to over the years, their pet has only stayed 10 days.

This means that you can’t meet your pet on arrival at the airport in Australia, they’re instead whisked off to the quarantine facility in Mickleham, near Melbourne Airport. It was partially due to this that we flew directly to Sydney, instead of on the same flight as Schnitzel to Melbourne.

Our flight back to Sydney left the same night, scheduled for 5 minutes after Schnitzel’s flight. We tried to catch sight of Schnitzel being loaded onto his plane, but our gates were too far apart. On our arrival in Australia, we then checked the status of his flight, and saw that it soon safely landed. And later that afternoon I received an automated email from quarantine to say he had arrived.

As I was naturally a bit worried about how he coped with the long flight to Melbourne, I tried to call quarantine (and gave up due to the long hold time), but sent an email. I received a reply two days later saying that he arrived safe and well, was eating and toileting, plus his arrival weight. It was a relief after the long flight and not seeing him on the other end!

He was due to be released from quarantine on a Monday, and then immediately fly up to Sydney as organised by Jetpets. I hadn’t yet heard anything further by Thursday, so I called up again. I knew I had to schedule a release appointment in the quarantine system once he was given the okay to be released.

On the phone (after a 20 minute hold) I was told that everything was in order (plus he was eating, toileting, and friendly!) Just the vets hadn’t done their final checks, as it was a busy time of year. That would occur Friday or Saturday morning.

Just after lunch on Friday I received the confirmation that Schnitzel would be released on Monday, and scheduled his release appointment for Jetpets to pick him up.

With quarantine, if there are issues with your pet, that’s when you’ll hear more from them. Otherwise, don’t expect more than a couple of automated emails about the status of your dog and when you need to schedule the release appointment (which occurs between 10am and 12pm on the release day).

On the Monday, I received an email from quarantine to say he had been released, but I’d already received an email from the Jetpets driver who took him to Melbourne airport, complete with a photo. It was great to get a photo of him, although it was only a few short hours later that we met him at the Jetpets facility in Sydney. He was very excited to be re-united with us!!

During Schnitzel’s stay in quarantine, he noticeably lost some weight, which was confirmed once we weighed him. However, he had been getting slightly overweight, and it was probably just due to the amount of food he was fed being slightly less than what we gave him. He was possibly a little quieter for a day, but still our usual excitable and lovable Schnitzel, back together with us!

Find out more about quarantine for your dog in Australia

Cost of Bringing A Dog to Australia

Finally, here’s a breakdown of all the costs for bringing our dog back to Australia (following the above steps), organising everything myself.

Import permit: $480 Quarantine application: $29 Three vet visits: $1537 Standard quarantine fee: $1581 USDA APHIS VS endorsement: $204 Crate and water bowl: $82 Flight cost from LA to Melbourne: $1314 Flight from Melbourne to Sydney including pick-up from quarantine (with Jetpets): $235 Additional charge from quarantine (listed as “recovery of airline handling charge’): $97

Total cost: $5559 AUD (approx. $4000 USD)

Naturally, the cost of bringing a dog to Australia will vary depending on the size of your dog, the location you’re flying from and the exact steps that you need to perform. But I hope this gives you an indication of what it can cost.

Many of these costs are constant (mainly the government ones, except they occasionally go up). When comparing our costs to those quoted by other people online, the vet visits in other countries were often lower (for instance, someone exporting their pet from Canada listed a total of $833 AUD for the 3 vet visits, nearly 50% less than our costs).

Going through an animal transport company typically adds about $1000 AUD more to the total cost, although it is difficult to compare as often the costs are not broken down.

Additionally, in recent years, many of the flight costs have increased, including domestic flights in Australia for pets. Government charges have also increased – the above charges applied in 2018.

Find out more about the latest cost of bringing a dog to Australia

Was It Worth Organising Myself?

So, was it worth organising everything by myself to bring my dog to Australia? While I don’t know exactly how much it would have cost if I organised everything through an animal transport company (instead of just the final flight to Sydney), I know it would have cost significantly more. I likely saved around a thousand dollars, perhaps more.

In return, I did stress about it a few times during the journey. (Particularly when we had the issues at the USDA APHIS Veterinary Service office!) And there were some steps that weren’t clear at first, that professionals who deal with pet travel every day would have been more familiar with.

Overall I’m happy with the saving that I made, in return for my extra work. However, that’s partially as nothing went wrong in the end.

If something hadn’t been prepared properly, or there was an issue with the flight, or a number of other things, I may have had to turn to an animal transport company in the end, and it would have been a lot easier if I was dealing with one all along. So, keep that in mind!

Read more about whether you should use a pet transport company

You May Also Like

• How Much Does It Cost to Bring a Dog to Australia?
• Tips for Importing a Dog to Australia
• All You Need to Know About Dog Quarantine in Australia
• How to Take Your Dog Overseas from Australia

About the Author

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

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95 thoughts on “Bringing a Dog to Australia: My Experience”

I am so happy that you and Schnitzel are both back safe in Australia. It sounds like a headache getting all of that paperwork sorted – and so much is time dependent as well.

I am hoping it is much easier for me to stay in Europe & the EU with my pup. Trains will be our best friend. But I am considering bringing the pup with me to the US after a year in Europe. I don’t think a trip to Australia is in our future but I really enjoyed reading this whole article. Thank you for sharing it with us and enjoy your Christmas!

Thanks Molly! Australia makes it really tough. Travelling around the EU with your pup is a piece of cake, and also flying to the USA. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This could not have been posted at a better time. I am flying to Kuwait from the US in February and from the US to Melbourne in July. And just started my pup’s paperwork. I made my own list(s) of things to do before arriving in Melbourne, some will have to be done here in the US and some in Kuwait. Thankfully two of the requirements to take her to Kuwait (3 of them) are also required for her to be taken to Australia, and will be valid to use when I travel. Also, I think the vet is much cheaper in Kuwait than in the U.S. so that will take a few hundred dollars off. Good on you for loving this poochy so much, they deserve it.

Glad to help Mallory’s Mom! The US vets (at least in the city) seemed more expensive than the vets in Europe, so I’m sure you could save some money that way. Enjoy your time in Kuwait!

Thank you so much for this guide! We’re in the process of moving two cats and a dog to Australia from the USA, and as you encountered, there’s hardly anyone out there who posted much information about their experience with the process (especially doing it yourself, like us.)

Just wanted to say thanks, it helps a lot to hear someone else’s success story.

Thanks so much and all the best with the move! This is precisely the reason I shared all my notes 🙂

Just thought I’d share an update — thanks largely to your guide, our pets successfully arrived in Australia! There were a few anxious moments but they arrived safe, sound, and stressed. Thank you again for your thoughtful guide!!

Thank you so much for this post. I’ve been doing my own research on how to NOT use a transport company to move my cat to Australia in January and this post really put me at ease.

Thanks Kelsey! I will admit that it can be stressful doing it all yourself, but if you have a good vet, all should be fine.

Thank you so much for this post! We’re planning to bring our two dogs from California to Melbourne and have been really panicking because the requirements are so complicated. It’s good to know it can be done without hiring a transport company and how much the costs would be.

You mentioned that the quarantine facility tosses the bedding upon arrival. Do you get to keep the travel crate?

Glad to help, it is quite a daunting experience! Luckily, while the bedding is tossed, the travel crate is kept. When you pick up your dogs, they are back in their crate.

I really appreciate your information that every pet going into Australia needs to stay in quarantine for at least ten days. With that in mind, I think that I should find a quality vet clinic to take my Berner to after quarantine. That way, I can know if she will need any diet or exercise changes in this hotter climate.

Thanks Sarah! I’m not sure if any diet changes will be needed, but definitely keep in mind the hotter temperatures over the summer, and be careful during the middle of the day.

Hi Shandos, this post is great. We are currently planning to take our dog from the UK to Australia without using an export agent. However, I have recently spoken to both Quantas and Singapore Airlines who say they won’t accept our booking unless it’s through an animal export agent. Is this something you encountered? Sophie

When I last checked, Qantas only allowed direct bookings for single hop flights or for flights with the same code (same plane) without a transfer. We booked directly last December (LA to Melbourne) and I’ve known some people who have booked directly between the UK and Australia. However, perhaps they have changed and reduced the cases where they allow direct bookings. And I haven’t come across any other airline that allows direct bookings for flights to Australia. I’d recommend speaker to a pet transport company, such as Jetpets.

Hi Sophie, I am also trying to move our dog from UK to Australia, and getting very mixed results about whether I can do this myself, or whether it now has to be done through and agency. Did you get any further finding out if this is the case?

Would love to find out, too! Best of luck

Hello, this is currently the issue I’m running into as well. I’m importing my dog from TX to Sydney (via Melbourne of course) and all the airlines I’ve contacted told me they only accept bookings from pet transporters.

The majority of airlines I’ve looked into require using a pet transport company, but I haven’t looked into all airlines. At the time I made my booking, Qantas accepted direct bookings from LA to Melbourne, but I’ve heard reports this isn’t always allowed at all airports. They don’t provide further details of this on their website.

Hi. Not a pleasant question but what happens if the dog needs the toilet on the flight?! Do they soil their cage and do quarantine clear it up?? I’m worried about our dog!

You should put absorbent bedding in the crate – we added a couple of puppy pads to the bottom, then used an old blanket on top. Although I know our dog (and probably many other dogs) don’t like to go in “odd places”, so will hold on during the flight.

On arrival in Australia, all bedding gets disposed of due to biosecurity regulations. I’m sure the actual crates also get washed to comply with the regulations. When we were reunited with our dog, the crate was lined with a recent newspaper instead.

Thank you so much for posting this guide! We are thinking of returning to Sydney in the next year and this really helped breakdown the complicated government guidelines! Our dog is also a daschund 🙂 x

They sure are daunting when you firstly look at them! Glad I could help 🙂

Thank you so much! I am mid-way through the process and came across your article – gives me a much need confidence boost!

Thanks for your kind words and good luck with everything!

Excellent piece and bravo for doing it. I’m toying with taking my Jack Russell to Oz from the UK for a long trip. This has been really helpful. Thank you.

Corky – Great to hear, thanks!

Thank you for this helpful post, we are contemplating the same process and it’s great to hear that you managed it successfully. Could you please tell me if the prices you quoted are in Australian dollars or US dollars. Thank you

All the prices are in AUD, if necessary they were converted from USD to AUD using the exchange rate from last year when we did this.

Is it harder with bigger dogs? We want to bring out 70 lb mixed breed.

The only difference is that the crate for the flight is bigger and will cost more. I believe the quarantine fees are the same.

Hi Shanos! Words cannot describe how appreciative I am about this post! I am currently in the process of moving my Cavalier to Melbourne, and it has been quite the headache. Moving my dog, Ali, with a professional company would cost between USD$5600 – $9000 according to the estimates I received, which is out of my price range. This post has been my reference point and main hope for knowing that it is possible to move her without a company. I did have a quick question about vaccinations. Vaccines such as canine influenza, are required, but I can’t find anywhere that says how Australia verifies that the dog received these vaccinations. If I provide a copy of her vet records has the date of vaccination and the dog influenza vaccine sticker on it, will this be considered sufficient proof?

Kirsten – Thanks so much and sorry about the delay in replying. (I’ve been on a busy trip recently.) In terms of records, the final vet that you visit fills in the health certificate for Australia, then this is stamped by the government authorities and needs to travel with your dog to Australia. If you have the vaccine done at a different vet, show them a copy of the vet records with the sticker on it. They may also call up and speak to the vet. (I believe my vet in LA did this with the vet in NYC.) Best of luck!

I am in the process of moving back to Australia after living in SF for 14 years. We just got a puppy he is now 5 months and I did not realise that i have to wait 180 days for the rabies test. That sux!! Anyway, do you know if we can start all the process and tests etc during the 180 days. Or do I have start after the 180 days. BTW the Quarantine fee has gone up to$2000! Thanks so much for your amazing post!!!

That’s not the best timing! (And I’m not surprised the fee has gone up!) Yes, you can start the process and tests before the 180 days is up, that’s just the count down before your dog can arrive back in Australia. When you fill in the import permit with proposed dates, they will checked this over.

Hi! OMG this is so helpful. I’m a student and I have two pets, a whippet (dog) and Maine coon (Cat). I love them so much, very long story and im very attached. Im going to Melbourne for grad school and I want to bring them with me. The reality is this process is as you know, incredibly “unaffordable” for me as a student, but I still havnt and do not plan on giving up! I am trying to save every penny I have for this trip. Reading this means a lot to me, I can see that there are people who are going through the same process.

Glad I could help! I wouldn’t want to leave them behind, too.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I am in Canada and starting the process to do it myself. For Canada I just found out Air Canada provides the service to fly to Melbourne. Here’s their email reply: ” Hello:

We do have service for pets to Australia (depending when you are going) We would have to go to Melbourne to Australia’s quarantine facility.

The process is that we make a booking for you (if you have time check out our website Aircanadacargo.ca for a check list and kennel requirements for your pet).

You would give us the permit number for your pet to Australia, and we send the info to Australia and wait for the ok to forward your pet. The ok to forward your pet comes with confirmation with the quarantine facility that you have paid any fees.

We need to know the breed of your pet, wgt, and size of the kennel and when you are looking at going. Subject to seasonal embargos, we can only make bookings up to 28 before deparature.

On the website there is a picture to find out what is the best size kennel for your pet.”

Hope this helps others 🙂

Thanks Channel so much for sharing this information! I’ve heard other recommendations for Air Canada, and will definitely share this with anyone who asks. Plus it’s great that you’ve shared the details here.

quick question, you might know the answer to but if i am importing two dogs from LA to Melborune can the dogs travel in the same crate?

They are two small chihuahuas.

Thank you for the article really helped!

I would check with the airline, this policy often differs between different airlines.

Thank you for this comprehensive post. WOW! It’s an excellent resource! I’m moving from Amsterdam to Australia later in 2020. Having read this, I can see why the pet relocation companies charge as much as they do.

ELF – That’s certainly true! The majority of the fees charged by the pet transport companies are simply the fees you’d have to pay to the airline, plus the other costs. And it’s a lot of stress if you organise it yourself.

Hello Shandos, My name is Kelly and I currently live in south korea. I’m trying to take my dogs from south korea to australia. But I have one questions if you could help me. There’s no DIRECT flight from korea to melbourne. It will be like korea- malasia- melbourne.. something like that. And I was told that, If it lands in another country, then this can be a problem. I’ve noticed that there’s no direct flight from LA to Australia.. so… my question is ,, did you have to provide additional documents or etc for this reason?? Thank you for your assistance and I’m so glad you and schnitzel are together .. Thank you ^^

Kelly – Luckily there’s direct flights from LA to Australia, so this made our experience easier. Looking at the Australian government website ( https://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-dogs , Step 8), they say “the dog may transit (touch down but stay on the same plane) or tranship (change aircraft) in any country en route to Australia”, with a few extra notes about things to check about transhipping, which is what you’ll likely be doing. Malaysia (plus Singapore is another likely option) are both approved countries, which makes things easier. This shouldn’t require any extra paperwork, as long as transhipping is allowed by the intermediate country/airport. I’ve also noticed that Asiana flies once per week to Melbourne, although I don’t know if they fly animals. I’m surprised at the lack of flights – I’m in Sydney and there’s plenty of flights from here directly to Seoul, but the government here doesn’t allow dogs to fly via Sydney to Melbourne for quarantine.

This is the best post I have read about relocating a dog from US to Australia. Thank you for taking the time. We are still tossing up whether to use a pet relocation company. It’s a tricky one as our family may need to leave before our puppy (who will still be in the 180 day period). 🙁 Has anyone had experience with a pet relocation company? Just trying to weigh up the options. Thank you!

Zhoe – I’ve covered this topic in a recent post: http://www.travelnuity.com/pet-transport-company/ . If it’s likely you will need to leave earlier, I recommend using a pet relocation company, at least for managing the actual flight, as it’s a lot of responsibility to leave with anyone else.

Hi Shandos, This post it’s absolutely great! I’m actually doing the same thing, I’m importing 3 miniature dachshunds from Spain to Sydney, and after several month looking for information and places FINALLY I could find everything that I need for the importation but my only question that you may know. After the dog arrives to Melbourne airport, who take him/them to the Quarantine? It’s something we need to do? Or the same airline staff will do it for us? Regards Elena

Thanks Elena! I’m pretty certain it’s quarantine staff who come and pick up the dogs (I didn’t actually meet them). When booking quarantine you specify which flight your dog will be on. There’s no chance to see your dog before they go straight into quarantine, part of the reason we flew straight home to Sydney.

I don’t know how I stumbled upon your post but I AM SO HAPPY that I did. My husband and I are moving to Melbourne with our Australian Shepherd from Michigan, USA. We have been looking through pet transport companies because we were told we wouldn’t be able to book the international flight ourselves. All of the quotes we have found have been between $7,000 and $9,000 USD for both the domestic flight and international! It’s insane. I am in the process of finding out if Quantas has changed their requirements for booking but if they still allow us to book his flight ourselves it would AMAZING. He is much bigger than yours but I am still hoping for a MUCH lower cost than what is being quoted. There is such limited information online about the actual booking of flights so thank you, THANK YOU, for sharing this and giving us hope!

Megan – I’m glad you came across my post and I hope this can help you save a lot of money. It’s hard to know whether this is still possible at the moment, with lots of flights being cancelled or disrupted, including USA to Australia. Best of luck with organising the move!

Thank you so much for this. Any idea what the in-flight experience and in-quarantine experiences are like for the dogs? Was your dog tranquilized during flight? Get exercise and friendly care at the quarantine facility? Any insight into their experience i’d really appreciate. My dog has never flown before or stayed at a kennel, so I just worry what he’ll go through. Any thoughts?

Kate – I’ve got a post about what quarantine is like here: http://www.travelnuity.com/dog-quarantine-australia/ . There’s exercise facilities and I’d guess the staff are animal lovers and caring, but it’s hard to get updates just about your dog. With flights, dogs should rarely be tranquillised or sedated, it’s quite dangerous for them. Your dog will handle the flight best if they’re used to being crated (get your crate and get your dog familiarised with it ahead of time).

Hi Megan. We have also been quoted $9000 to ship from the US. Were you able to book the flight directly?

No actually, because of COVID we had to cancel our plans for August 2020. We are now trying to re-plan for February 2021. Qantas is still the only one that allows you to book without an agent and since Qantas is barely running at this moment we had to choose to go through an agent. We emailed about 15 different companies and went with the one that seemed to care the most and cheapest pricing. Still will cost us about that unfortunately. So far he is tentatively booked for quarantine so we will see if flights work out this time around.

Thanks Shandos, we want to get our springer spaniel from Barcelona, Spain back to Sydney.. you have helped us a LOT.. thanks..!!

Glad to hear that! Fingers crossed that the situation surrounding flights to Australia and particularly Melbourne improves by the time you return.

Hi! Firstly your dog must be the luckiest and mostly travelled dog in the world, and is absolutely gorgeous! I hope he got Qantas frequesnt flyer points for all that trouble and cost!

20 years ago we were moved by my husbands Company to Chicago and then to New York, and we took our cat with us, I think Jetpets had just started up then, and they were fantastic. I was never sure of the cost of it then, because it was part of the relocation package. Lucky lived a long and happy life, but has since passed on.

Now I’m back in Australia, I have aother rescue cat in NYC called Billy Joel, he’s approximately 14 now, so I left him with a trusted friend, but I miss him so much, and want to bring him back to Australia, apparently age isn’t a problem if he’s healthy (how can any cat be healthy living indoors in Manhattan)!

Jetpets are no longer importing pets to Melbourne, so I came across your website – very brave to tackle that by yourself, and move at the same time! Also so informative.

I guess I am asking, although you moved Schnitzel yourself, are you aware of any other reputable pet transport companies? I’m a bit concerned because he’s has so many changes already, with me disappearing, and now this – I’m hoping he can get all his pre-vet work done in NYC, (do you think that is possible-I would have lost my sh** if that happened to me at the airport with the paperwork – not very helpful are they!), however then he still has to fly to LAX then to Melbourne. I dont want to put his health in jeopardy just because I miss him (as crushing as it is)! I cannot believe half of the cost is quarantine (though glad its only 10 days), and how’s the cost of the flight for one small pet!!!! I mean Billy Joel had better be getting the latest movies and unlimited champagne down there at that price!

Do you have any other advice for me? I’m already in Australia, so there’s no question I’ll have to pay the extra for a company like Jetpets. I do overthink things, like its a 15 hour flight – what if he doesnt have water if it splashes out if there is tubulance etc, he’s already quite old as it is, we dont need renal failure.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!! Katie

Katie – Thanks so much for sharing! At the moment, I would continue to hold off transporting a pet to Australia. Due to the situation with limited flights, flights for animals are far more expensive at the moment. There’s also the risk of flights being cancelled, and messing up the careful preparation required for pets. However, hopefully this changes in 2021. (I’m not sure how long you’ve been in Australia now??)

With Jetpets, they might again be transporting pets to Melbourne, due to international flights restarting to Melbourne. For a period, the government was allowing pets arriving in Australia to fly into other cities, but this was just an interim measure. Additionally, Qantas is not currently allowed direct bookings and isn’t flying at all internationally (or just to and from NZ?)

I’ve previously only used Jetpets, both when we flew overseas initially and then to fly Schnitzel from Melbourne to Sydney after his stay in quarantine. Another company I know others have used is Dogtainers. There’s also US based companies, that an Australia company would need to work with for a dog coming from overseas to Australia.

In regards to water, some animals can be trained to use a sipper bottle, the type you usually see with rabbits and guinea pigs. I didn’t worry about this, as I know my dog has a tendency to not drink much water when we go out for the day and during similar circumstances. As your cat is older, I would definitely check with a vet whether they feel your cat is up to the journey, some airlines will require an extra signature for older pets over the age of 12.

Hope this helps!

Hey! I was just wondering where are the dogs in the flight? Is there someone to reassure them. My dog is really anxious and i’m really stressed about his reaction…Thanks for your awesome article! It’ll help me a lot!

Kim – Unfortunately, animals are flown in a special hold compartment. It’s kept at a similar temperature and pressure to the main cabin, with the lights dimmed, but isn’t accessible from the main cabin. I’d speak to your vet about whether they recommend anxiety treatments for your dog, although sedation is not usually recommended these days, due to increased health risks.

Thank you very much for sharing this! Just wanted to ask since you chose US as your export company – how did you prove that Schnitzel stayed there for at least 6 months prior to departure? Based on the date of import to the US and the health certificate issued by the vet in LA?

There was no requirement at the time to spend 6 months in the one country; has this been introduced now? I know it’s a requirement for NZ

Hi, Thank you so much for this web page. I just got quoted 11.5k U.S to handle my border collie back to Australia. Big FAT no on that! So here I go….I know you asked expats about approved vets, but is there another list somewhere online that I could use. Im currently in Atlanta Georgia.

Sorry, I don’t have another list. I recommend speaking to a few vets – either one should be approved or a vet might be able to recommend another approved vet.

Hi Shandos, Thanks for sharing your experience. I have an 8 year old toy poodle who has been with me since he was a pup. I live in Turkey and have plans to move to Australia. But I can’t bear the thought of leaving him behind. Besides the exorbitant costs, I have two main concerns about transporting him from a non-approved country (i.e. Turkey). Do you have any tips on that? Also, did you do anything to prepare Schnitzel for the long trip? My dog has a heart condition and he has never been in a crate (the flight would be upwards of 20 hours). Thanks.

Definitely get your poodle used to a crate, even if it won’t be the actual flight crate, as soon as possible. My Schnitzel was crate trained as a puppy, and it made it so much easier, that he thinks of crates as his “safe” space. I’d also speak to your vet about whether your dog’s heart condition is a risk for flying, and whether they recommend anything. Generally sedatives are advised against, but some vets recommend calming treatments. (We didn’t use any with Schnitzel.)

With regards to transporting from a non-approved country, I don’t have experience myself with this, but most people I know have used a kennel/vet to home their dog while the steps take place, unless they themselves temporarily move. Unfortunately, it also adds to the cost of transporting to Australia.

We currently live in Singapore where our dog (6month old golden irish, Marlo) lives with us. We are planning to leave Singapore to travel around Europe for 6months in July and we want to take Marlo with us. He has not had any rabies vaccine yet and from what i understand he can get into the EU w/o any titer test? However im more concerned about how we deal with the entry into Australia. Is it better to organsie the rabies test and titer in SIngapore beofre we leave? Also does that mean he needs a booster in Europe beofre flying to Australia?

Hi Mark! Your dog will require a rabies vaccine but not the rabies titre test to fly to the EU – Singapore is exempt. I assume you’re also aware of the EU health certificate? However, yes, it would be best to get the rabies titre test done now to fly your down to Australia, as it needs to be done at least 180 days (not not more than 2 years) before your dog flies to Australia. Most rabies vaccines last either 3 years or 1 year (probably more do 3 years) and Australia recognizes the 3 year vaccines, so you shouldn’t need a new vaccine before flying to Australia.

Thanks so much for your excellent post! Do you have any fresh information post Covid on transport from US to Australia? It is so hard to find information. Are carriers to Oz accepting pet transport at all independently of pet relocation companies? We took our German Shorthair Pointer from US to Italy and then back from Germany to US and it cost only 200 Euro in excess baggage plus another 120 Euro for vet fees. It was stressful and a lot of organising but all was OK. It is going to be a shock importing into Australia 🙁

Someone recently told me (I think they left a comment on another blog post) that Qantas have restarted taking direct bookings on the flights from LA to Melbourne. This hasn’t been updated on their website, and I haven’t spoken to Qantas myself, but it’s worthwhile calling up Qantas Freight in LA to discuss ( https://freight.qantas.com/freight-terminals/americas/los-angeles.html ).

This post was exactly what I was looking for in my research today. There’s so few resources online that discuss this process so in depth! I’m currently trying to arrange to move my cat with me to the UK from Australia, and was unsure what sort of costs I would be looking at to do it myself versus with a company like JetPets – I’ve been quoted 5k AUD, and based on you having paid the same even if it was for a dog going the other way, I reckon for me it’ll just be semantics and the difference won’t be too dramatic (especially considering there’s an enormous tax on arrival into the UK for pets!) so I’ve decided to book with a company instead. I really appreciate your post, thank you for being so helpful as to share your experience!

Thanks Lori for your kind words. While it is usually cheaper if you organise things yourself (if it’s possible with the airline), it’s not usually that much cheaper. Most of the cost is just the high flight costs (which are even higher since Covid) and other government costs, which can be difficult to calculate in advance.

Hi, I’d love to talk to you about this. I am a bit stuck, also bringing my dog via the US from Europe. I’m currently in the US, because my dog has her rabies titre test (RNAT) and endorsement from Sweden, however, on the health certificate that the USDA has to approve, it needs them to approve the RNAT, and I am not sure they will do that if the RNAT was performed in another country. But it sounds like your RNAT was also from another country (ie. Australia) so maybe it’s not a problem??

It’s best to speak to the USDA to find out. My situation was probably a bit different as the RNAT was done in Australia and we were going back to Australia.

Hi Shandos, I’m so glad I found your atricle! I feel like there aren’t enough articles, videos, or guides for the process to bring a dog to Australia. The explanations on the page of the Department of Agriculture aren’t very clear, my local vet ( I live in France ) isn’t aware of the steps to follow, I was desperate until I found this! Thanks for taking the time to write. I have a question though. I read that your dog already had his rabies test from Australia. This rabies titre test thing sounds so important in the whole process! Mine is in French though… I’ll need to get it translate. Is it the thing you send to Australia for the import permit ect? I could translate it myself since I am fluent in both languages, to save some money… My fur baby has a few special needs regarding food, I guess I can write a letter to the PEQ people and get my vet to make an official paper too.

With gratitude

Mimi – Yes, the rabies test lab report needs to be included with the import permit application, along with the declaration from the official government veterinarian. It states on the government website that the lab reports needs to be in English on the testing laboratory’s letterhead – can you request the laboratory to provide this?

Definitely write to the PEQ people to request special food for your dog. I did this as I wanted my dog to be fed twice per day, not once pet day. It’s probably best to find a food available in Australia to request. (Look at the main pet store websites like Petbarn.com.au, Petstock.com.au.)

Wishing you all the best – it’s a complicated process!

Hi Shandos!

I currently live in Las Vegas, USA but I am considering relocating back to my home country of Australia. I have 3 small dogs and they are my world. I am going through a divorce, so there is nothing keeping me here in the USA any longer and I really want to go back home to be with my family. The thought of my 3 small dogs (Arnie, Ziggy and Tina) going underneath in the cargo is the most daunting part of all of this, to be honest. The quarantine (although I have heard its like prison) is not the most horrible part for me, its the flight itself. I wish Australia would let us bring the dogs in the cabin with us, I would be happy to pay for an entire row of seats to have them in a carrier in the cabin with me, and then put them in quarantine upon arrival. Oh well, its not the case! Anyway, I found your blog/article SO helpful and informative, so I just wanted to say a huge thank you. Knowing you did it with a small dog is very reassuring for me. Thanks and fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for me!

Thanks Natalie and hope all goes well with your flight! Most people I’ve spoken to have said their dogs handle the flights to and from Australia better than expected – I think the worst part is just not knowing. Maybe one day we’ll be able to fly them in the cabin, but it’s unlikely anytime soon.

Thanks for the helpful info!

Has anyone had an experience getting their pet from Canada to Australia recently? Air Canada no longer fly direct from Vancouver to Melbourne so it’s proving a challenge. There is an American Airlines option through LA with a considerable layover, or through Auckland with Air NZ, all with different flight numbers. Not so keen on the pup having a layover in a crate, but I don’t see another way.

Shannon – I haven’t heard of anyone who has done this recently. I’ve also just checked with Qantas, but they are only flying to Sydney at the moment, not Melbourne.

Hi Shandos, where can we find the information to find an approved vet in the US?

Also I am thinking to move back to Australia this year, date not decided yet unfortunately due to work schedule. But I was thinking to get rabies shot and titer test done first to save time in case we decide to move earlier rather than later. Does the rabies shot needs to be done by the approved vet also?

Thank you in advance!

The USDA recommends using this process to find an approved vet: https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/VetSearch.do . They list some vets, but also recommend just asking your local vet, and if they aren’t approved, they should know a vet that is approved.

It’s definitely a good move to get the rabies shot and titer test done early, due to the long waiting time after the test. The rabies shot doesn’t need to be done by an approved vet, but the titre test does.

Thanks for sharing your story! So happy you guys made it safe.

We’re in the process of getting our dog from Mexico to LA to Perth. We are using a pet company. Thanks for the info on the vet. May I ask where you stayed for the time in LA .. it’s so costly 😳🫣😱. We are trying to find the best solution for our stay for 5 weeks.

We didn’t stay in LA the whole time, we went on a road trip in between vet appointments. However, I know car rental prices are now so much more expensive. When in LA, we stayed at some nice Airbnbs in a private room (shared house).

Thank you for this post, I have been following it for a year now as we are due to ship our dog to Melbourne from LA. Unfortunately I am finding out that his Leishmania infantum test is out of compliance by 1 day 🙁

We had done the test with a view of the 45 day window until export. The airline changed the date of the flight by one day. Now we are just outside of the 45 days window. Should have built some slack in my planning.

Has anyone else faced such difficulties? the only option seems to be to redo the test, re-book quarantine , re-book flight (if there are spaces)

i’d be interested to hear if there is anyway of getting an exemption or if anyone else has faced the same conundrum.

Luckily this didn’t happen to us, so I’m not sure if an exemption is possible. I recommend phoning or emailing the Australian Department using the details on their website asap.

I am so grateful to come across your post.

I have a dachshund too and planning to move back to Melbourne from Canada.

I was having a hard time finding a pet relocation company so I decided to just do it myself.

Unfortunately I found out Australia has now changed the rule and the titer test is no longer valid for 2 years. Luckily I still have his export permit to confirm he is from Australia, meaning he only needs to quarantine for 10 days. But his tirer test is coming up one year so I have to do another titer test before this expires, otherwise I need to wait 180 days again.

I am extremely anxious about transporting him myself, like you said it’s the flight. I am going to contact Qantas to see whether they can book directly again but if not, does it mean I need to use a travel company? And how do you find out the best route to transport as there isn’t a direct flight from Toronto to Melbourne either.

Thank you, Sarina

Sarina – It’s unfortunate that they’re changing the rules and the titre test is no longer valid for 2 years, but it’s lucky you have the export permit to prove his identification. I’ve heard that most overseas countries don’t yet have the new system set up, which would mean a long 30 days in quarantine.

If Qantas don’t let you book directly, it’ll be necessary to use a pet transport company. I’ve heard some mixed reports, but I suspect you’ll need a pet transport company. They’ll be able to advise you on the best routes, which will probably involve a domestic flight to Vancouver. Then I’m pretty sure Qantas fly directly to Melbourne, perhaps also Air Canada.

Wishing you all the best!

I’m so glad I came across your blog!

I was wondering how long you allowed for in LA to do all the tests/vet visits etc? And does the animal have to have been in the exporting country for a certain amount of time, before they can get on a flight? We’re currently in Canada, but thinking we could spend time in LA before returning to Aus. But does the whole process have to start in USA or can we start in Canada (microchip/titer test)?

All up, we were in the USA for about 2 months, before flying our dog to Australia, including two or three stays in LA over six weeks, with road trips in between. This year, the rules have slightly changed – your pet needs to have been in “Approved countries” for the last 180 days. Canada is also approved, and you can start preparations there, if the US authorities are okay with this.

This is what the Aus. government website says: “You will need to check if the official government veterinarian of the approved country of export is prepared to attest that your pet has not resided in a non-approved country for the 180 day period prior to export to Australia, and that they will accept any preparations completed in another approved country for the purpose of endorsing the final veterinary health certificate.”

Hi Shandos,

I live in France and I’m taking my dog (Tongo) to Australia this Autumn 2024 to live there. I was planning on going to England for a 2 month trip this summer before coming back to France to finish the export procedures.

I noticed that the BICON website indicates that : “The dog must be continuously resident for at least 180 days immediately before export, or since birth, in approved countries or Australia.”

Do you know if this means that Tongo can’t leave France at all or seeing as England is also an approved country then it’s ok? I noticed that there’s an “S” on the end of approved countries… so I’m hoping that he can go from France to the UK and back without any problems for his export to Australia.

Please let me know if you have any more information regarding this. Thank you Rosie & Tongo

This is a relatively new requirement that didn’t apply when I last flew back to Australia with Schnitzel, but I believe it’s fine that you’re in multiple approved countries, including England as well. It’s best that all preparations are done in France, though – there used to be a requirement that the country of export must approve of any preparations done in another country, but I can no longer see this mention.

Thank you so much for writting this post! I’m midway through my journey of bringing my dog to Australia from Canada – I had to hire a company since I’m not out there with her for these past couple months and wanted to make sure everything was done properly. I just have a couple of questions for you if you don’t mind.

Is there a reason for the test for Leishmania and Lepto to only be done on the second appointment and 20+ days after the first? I’m asking because I’m boooking mine for 14 days after the 1st appointment to give enough time for the tests to come back

I’ve booked my pup’s last appointment for Wednesday, April 3rd – she leaves Canada for LA on the 7th, pauses for a bit then leaves for Melbourne on the 8th. The 3rd is exactly 5 days from the 8th, do you think that’s risky if they move her flight?

My company has advised that it shouldn’t matter since she leaves Canada on the 7th, therefore that’s her departure date and she’s only transitting through the US but it would be reassuring to hear it from someone who’s been through it personally.

This is so anxiety inducing, you’re a trooper for doing it on you own!

Cheers, Fernanda

Hi Fernanda! The reason we did the test for leishmania and lepto at the 2nd appointment rather than the 1st is it needs to be within 45 days before export, and our first appointment was 47 days before export. Ideally it would have been done earlier than we had it done, as the test results took longer than expected. With the 3rd appointment, I would ideally have it a little closer to the departure date from Canada (maybe one day later?), in case of a delay. Although it is nerve-wracking having it at the last minute! It sounds correct that it’s the departure date from Canada that’s important – that’s where her paperwork is all checked and signed off. Wishing you all the best with the move – it’s a tough one!

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A RUFF GUIDE: HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND AUSTRALIA WITH YOUR DOG

Source: The Guardian (Extract) Posted: July 26, 2024

When I traveled around Australia in a campervan, it was a given that my miniature dachshund, Schnitzel, would be coming along. After all, he’s part of the family, and wherever we go, he goes too. Fortunately, traveling with pets in Australia has become easier in recent years, thanks to a growing selection of pet-friendly accommodations, including boutique motels, holiday rentals, caravan parks, and farm stays. Travelling from A to B

Your own car Before embarking on a long journey with your dog, ensure they are comfortable on shorter trips first. Puppies often experience car sickness but usually outgrow it; ginger chews can help, as can a car seat for smaller dogs to help them see out the window.

Always secure your dog for their safety and the safety of other passengers. A seatbelt attachment is a common option, or consider using a secured crate in the rear of your vehicle. Your campervan or caravan With a caravan or campervan, you’ll have the comfort of your own accommodation and only need to find pet-friendly caravan parks or campsites. Hiring a campervan Apollo and Britz permit pets in select campervans. Additionally, you can use Camplify to rent private vehicles directly from their owners—just make sure to apply the pet-friendly filter. Hiring a car Finding a pet-friendly rental car in Australia can be challenging. While some large rental companies prohibit pets in all their vehicles, others leave the decision up to individual depot managers. Be sure to return the car free of dog hair.

For short trips, if you’re based in a major city, consider using a car-share network like GoGet or Popcar. These services often permit pets in some of their vehicles. Flying with your dog cats and dogs to travel in the cabin on select flights, pending regulatory approval. Pets would need to stay in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you at all times.

Additionally, both small and large pets can travel in the hold on flights operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Regional Express. Pets on public transport The rules for pets on public transport vary greatly throughout Australia. Victoria is the most pet-friendly state, where dogs of all sizes are allowed on metropolitan trains in Melbourne, provided they are on a leash and wearing a muzzle or in a container. Small pets in suitable containers are also welcome on trams, buses, and regional V/Line trains.

In New South Wales, pets are generally prohibited on trains and the Metro, but small pets in enclosed carriers are permitted on buses, light rail, and ferries with the driver’s or crew’s permission. This policy also applies to Canberra’s light rail and buses.

In Queensland, dogs can board Brisbane River ferries and CityCats outside of peak hours, as long as they are on a leash and wearing a muzzle or in an enclosed carrier, and travel on the outside deck.

In South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania, only service animals are allowed on state-run public transport. Pet-friendly accommodation Hotels and motels A growing number of hotels and motels across Australia now welcome pet dogs. Many small country motels offer one or two pet-friendly rooms, and recently, luxury and boutique hotels in cities and popular tourist spots have introduced pet staycation packages. These packages often include luxury dog beds, in-room dog dining menus, and plenty of treats.

Pet fees vary widely, ranging from as low as $20 per stay (or even free) to over $100 a night at some luxury hotels. Generally, pets are not allowed to be left alone in rooms. Holiday homes and Airbnb’s All major holiday home booking platforms, including Stayz and Airbnb, feature pet-friendly filters. Additionally, there are specialized booking sites like Pupsy that focus on pet-friendly vacation rentals.

While some properties allow pets indoors (usually with a request to keep them off furniture and beds), others permit pets only outdoors. Be sure to verify if the yard is securely fenced.

For caravan parks and cabins Approximately three-quarters are pet-friendly. However, some parks restrict pets to specific sites and many in popular coastal areas have blackout dates during peak times.

Most pet-friendly caravan parks allow pets only on sites where you are camping in your own caravan, campervan, or tent. Some parks also offer amenities for dogs, such as fenced dog parks, dog washing stations, and even dog-sitting services. Free and budget campsites

While national park campsites generally do not allow dogs, many affordable or free dog-friendly campsites are available through local councils, state forests, and other natural reserves.

Showground campgrounds, which offer basic amenities, typically welcome pets and are usually quite affordable. However, tents are often not permitted.

In outback areas, staying at roadside rest areas for a night or two to break up your drive is often allowed.

Several apps, including WikiCamps Australia, list campsites and caravan parks and allow you to filter by pet-friendly options, whether available year-round or seasonally. Dog-friendly sightseeing One of the biggest concerns for dog owners planning a trip is whether they can enjoy sightseeing with their pet. While many popular tourist attractions may not allow dogs, there are still plenty of interesting sights and activities you can enjoy together with your pup.

National parks

It’s commonly believed that pets are universally banned from national parks in Australia, and while this is generally true with penalties for non-compliance, there are some exceptions.

In South Australia and Victoria, there are notable pet-friendly parks like Belair National Park near Adelaide and sections of the Murray River National Park around Renmark and Berri. In Victoria’s Great Otway National Park, leashed dogs are permitted at Johanna Beach.

In New South Wales and Victoria, dogs are allowed in most regional parks. Additionally, in NSW, pets are welcome in all state forests. In national parks, the rules are in place both to protect the native wildlife and to protect your own dog from 1080 baits. Dog-friendly beaches Many regional areas offer dog-friendly beaches for you and your furry friend to enjoy.

Beach rules for dogs are set by local councils and can vary significantly. It’s best to check the council website or look for signs at the beach to understand the specific regulations.

Typically, dog-friendly beaches fall into three categories: off-leash, time-restricted, and on-leash areas. Off-leash parks Most towns in Australia offer off-leash exercise areas for dogs, and the local council website is the best resource to find them.

When you visit a park, be sure to check the signage for any restrictions on off-leash areas, particularly near playgrounds and barbecue spots.

Fenced dog parks are becoming more common across Australia, many of which feature separate areas for small dogs. Some of these parks also include agility equipment, swimming lagoons, picnic tables, and barbecues for added enjoyment. Dog-friendly cafes, restaurants and pubs Since a rule change by Food Safety Australia & New Zealand in 2012, dogs are allowed in the outdoor dining areas of cafes, restaurants, and pubs across Australia. However, the final decision is up to the individual establishment.

Many cafes offer water bowls for dogs, and some even have special dog-friendly menus featuring treats like puppyccinos, chews, and doggy high teas. Wineries and breweries Most wineries and breweries welcome pet dogs to join you. Some cellar doors and breweries even allow dogs inside – generally if they only offer tastings and don’t have their own kitchen.

Pet-sitting and kennels

There will be times when you want to do activities that can’t accommodate your dog, whether you are visiting a national park or taking a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef. On my trip around Australia, we used pet-sitting and kennels multiple times for Schnitzel.

In some remote places there are limited options. If there’s a vet, they may have kennels available during the day, although not usually overnight. Privately run kennels are better for overnight stays.

A popular website for finding pet-sitters is Mad Paws, although this site works best in more populated areas. For remote areas, inquire with the local tourist information centre or caravan park whether they have a list of local pet-sitters. Preparing to travel with your dog Crossing state borders Currently, Tasmania is the only state in Australia with biosecurity requirements for dogs crossing its border. Before entering Tasmania, your dog needs to be treated for the hydatid tapeworm, with a product containing praziquantel.

You will need to complete a declaration and provide proof of treatment. This can be an official statement from your vet, your own statutory declaration, or a pill packet and receipt. Additionally, since the outbreak of ehrlichiosis in northern Australia, you need to also declare you have inspected your dog for ticks and that they are free of ticks. Keeping your pet safe There are a number of dangers to pet dogs when travelling in Australia, particularly in more remote regions of the country.

This is a type of bait that is used to control foxes and other pest species, but it is also deadly to dogs. These baits are used throughout Australia, including in many national parks and nature reserves, even in cities.

Don’t enter an area if there are signs warning of the current use of baits. Baits can also be transported by birds from their original location. It’s best to keep your dog on a short leash and don’t allow them to eat anything off the ground. In higher-risk areas, consider training your dog to use a muzzle that prevents them from picking up anything off the ground. Paralysis ticks

The most problematic tick found in Australia is the paralysis tick, which causes paralysis and can be fatal. It’s found along the eastern seaboard, particularly from spring through to late autumn. Make sure you use a regular tick treatment for your dog and check them daily for ticks.

Ehrlichiosis

A relatively new danger for dogs in Australia is the tick-borne disease ehrlichiosis. Spread by the brown dog tick and potentially fatal, this disease is mainly found in northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern South Australia. In addition to a tick treatment and daily checks, consider also using a tick collar.

Leptospirosis

This disease, spread through rat urine, is particularly concerning as it can be passed to humans. Most commonly found in rural areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory, there have also been outbreaks in Sydney and the Hunter region. Don’t let your dog come in contact with stagnant water or rats or mice. Also consider a vaccine if visiting these areas during the wet season.

Crocodiles are a real danger to dogs in northern Australia, both around the coast and inland areas from Gladstone in Queensland to the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Always watch out for warning signs and don’t let your dog swim in or even approach waterways where crocodiles are present. Other dangers to be wary of include snakes, dingoes, cane toads and eagles. Keep your dog inside at night and on a leash most of the time in areas where these animals are present.

It’s also just as important to keep your dog up-to-date with regular vaccines and have your dog microchipped in case they get lost. Consider a pet first aid kit and taking a first aid course for pets.

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Importing Dogs to Australia [Pet Passport Requirements 2023]

Importing dogs to Australia can be a complicated process. This is because Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment work hard to protect their natural flora and fauna. Therefore, in order to successfully take your dog to Australia, there are strict conditions that must be met. The requirements vary widely, depending on the breed of your dog and which country you are traveling from.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of importing dogs to Australia, and breakdown the strict and complicated entry requirements.

What is an Australia Pet Passport?

Australia does not have an official ‘Pet Passport’, however it is a term used to describe the documents that are required to import a dog to Australia. Customs officials will need to see these documents in order to clear your dog in customs. Essentially, a pet passport demonstrates that your dog is fit and healthy to travel. For a Australia pet passport you will likely need a microchip, vaccinations, parasite treatments and a rabies blood test. 

The documents required to travel with dogs depends on which country you are travelling from, and which country you are travelling to. Each country has different rules and requirements to export and import dogs. Requirements and restrictions also vary between pet species. We will discuss the requirements to import dogs to Australia in detail below.

What is the process of importing dogs to Australia?

The process of importing dogs to Australia is as follows:

• Research – the process depends on the age of your dog, and where you are traveling from. Therefore, ensure you are aware of the specific requirements for taking your dog to Australia. It’s also important to check that your dog is allowed to be imported to Australia, as they have very strict rules, prohibiting some dog breeds visiting.
• Visit the vet – most dogs will require a microchip, rabies vaccinations and parasite treatments. However, the requirements vary depending on your dog’s age and home country. You can find details below.
• Get a valid rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) test report  – this applies to dogs traveling from Group 3 countries.
• Apply for import permit (if necessary) – to import a dog to Australia, you will need an import permit. You need to apply for this before traveling to Australia as it will be required to pass customs. See import permit section below .
• Organise quarantine (if necessary) – as soon as you have your import permit granted, you should get in contact with the The Mickleham Center in Victoria to make arrangements for your dog. See quarantine section below .

What are the requirements when importing dogs to Australia?

Group 1 Countries: New Zealand; Norfolk Island; Cocos Island

Group 2 Countries: American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Island, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

Group 3 Countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Netherlands-Antilles, Aruba, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, Reunion, Saipan, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein), Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States (including the district of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (but excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay.

Pet Microchipping.

All dogs imported to Australia must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted.

A microchip is a small chip the size of a grain of rice that holds a unique number which can be detected by a microchip scanner. The chip is implanted just under your dog’s skin in between its shoulder blades.

This should be the first step you take. Your pet’s microchip must be implanted before its rabies vaccination is administered, otherwise the vaccination may not be valid. We will discuss the rabies vaccination in the next section.

In order to get your dog microchipped, simply take him or her to your vet. Your dog’s microchip number must be written on all of your dog’s documentation required to enter Australia.

Rabies Vaccinations.

Dogs residing in and entering from Group 1 and Group 2 Countries do not require a rabies vaccination. However, it is a requirement for importing dogs to Australia from all other countries. 

All dogs must be older than 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.

You can get your dog vaccinated at your local vet. Make sure you obtain certification of the period of validity for the particular vaccinations that you get. Some are valid for 1 year, and others for 3. The vaccination must be valid at the time of entering Australia. Australia accepts the 3 year rabies vaccination.

Your dog may may also require a rabies blood test, also known as a rabies titer test. We will discuss this in detail in the ‘requirement 4 – rabies blood test’ section below.

Additional Vaccinations.

Dogs that are traveling from New Zealand, Norfolk Island or Cocos Island will not require additional vaccinations. However all other countries will. All vaccinations must be valid for the entire post-arrival quarantine period. 

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment requires that dogs traveling from Group 2 and Group 3 countries are vaccinated against the following:

• Babesia canis (dogs that have visited Africa)
• Brucellosis
• Ehrlicia canis
• Leishmaniosis
• Leptospirosis

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment recommends that dogs traveling from Group 2 and Group 3 countries receive vaccinations against the following:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Canine influenza*
• Para-influenza

*Dogs entering from Canada, the United States and Korea must be vaccinated against Canine influenze between 14 days and 12 months prior to travel. Additionally, it is advised that dogs entering from other countries also receive the vaccination, if it is available.

Parasite Treatments.

Prior to importing dogs to Australia, they must be treated against internal parasites. This applies to all dogs, no matter where they are traveling from.

Dogs must start treatments 21 days prior to Ehrlichia blood sampling.

To calculate 21 days after initial external parasite treatment, count the first day the treatment is applied as day 0. For example, if treatment is given 1 January then your dog’s blood sample cannot be collected until 22 January.

All treatments must be administered by a government approved veterinarian .

You must maintain continuous protection from external parasites until the time your dog leaves Australia.

At each subsequent veterinary visit, your approved vet should examine your dog for external parasites. If fleas or ticks are found they must be removed. Thus, the treatment will be restarted and dogs must be tested for Ehrlichia canis antibodies 21 days later.

Rabies Neutralising Titre Test (RNATT)

When importing dogs to Australia from Group 3 countries they will require a RNATT. This determines if your dog or cat has made enough antibodies to keep them safe from picking up rabies. 

Australia will accept RNATTs for a period of up to 12 months (365 days) from the date of blood collection. Repeat RNAT testing will be required if the RNATT will expire prior to your dog’s export. 

You must submit an RNATT declaration for dogs and cats at the time of permit application. An official government veterinarian within the country of export must complete, sign and endorse the RNATT declaration. Additionally, a copy of the RNATT laboratory report must be submitted with the RNATT declaration.

Import Permit & Health Certificate.

All dogs traveling from Group 2 or Group 3 countries require an import permit. Therefore, unless you are traveling from New Zealand, Norfolk Island or Cocos Island, your dog will need an import permit.

Upon arrival in Australia, customs officials will need to see a valid import permit, with a veterinary health certificate completed by an Official government veterinarian in the country of export.

Your dog’s import permit will prove that your dog is ready for travel to Australia. Your dog’s veterinary health certificate will be Appendix 1 of your import permit.

An official government veterinarian must:

• Complete, sign and stamp all pages of the veterinary health certificate
• Give you a seal to be placed on your dog’s travel crate at the time of export. The seal number must be recorded on the veterinary health certificate.

How to apply for an Australian Import Permit?

You can apply an import permit online through BICON , once you are registered to their system.

It’s important to apply for your dog’s import permit for well in advance of your expected arrival date in Australia. You can file for the permit as soon as your dog’s rabies titer test is passed, and no sooner than 42 days before import. An import permit is valid for 12 months from the issue date.

Once you have submitted your application, The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will assess it and may decide to grant an import permit subject to any conditions deemed necessary to safely import your dog.

It is important to note that applying for an import permit does not automatically result in an import permit being issued. The department may reject your request, but they will inform you why your import permit was not granted.

Government Endorsement.

Often proof of vaccines required must to be verified with a government endorsement. 

For example, this is the case if you are bringing a dog to Australia from the US. USDA endorsements for pets going to Australia need to be secured during the preparation process and also once again at the exit port (most likely LAX).

Check whether your home country requires endorsement before exporting a pet.

Quarantine.

Dogs traveling from New Zealand, Norfolk Island or Cocos Island will not be subjected to quarantine. However, all dogs traveling from outside of New Zealand will be subject to a 10 day quarantine period upon arrival. 

Don’t worry, quarantine isn’t as scary as it sounds. Dogs will have great caretakers and special food/medication accommodations if your dog needs it.

We advise that you make reservations for your dog as soon as you receive your dog’s import permit.

The Mickleham Center in Victoria is currently the only quarantine center in Australia. Therefore, upon arrival, departmental staff will collect your dog and transport them directly to the Mickleham post-entry quarantine facility.

When entering Australia from another country through New Zealand, dog must be quarantined in New Zealand, then remain on the island for 90 days after quarantine prior to entering Australia.

How does importing dogs to Australia cost?

The total cost of importing a dog to Australia is around $4,000 (USD) / $5,600 (AUD). The cost is broken down into the following fees:

• Vet fees – microchipping, vaccinations and treatments varies on your veterinarian centre’s fees and home country (average $300 (USD) / $425 (AUD))
• Airline fees for shipping a dog – varies widely depending on the airline, size and weight of your dog
• Import permit fees – costs around $480 (AUD) for one dog and $240 (AUD) for additional dogs
• Quarantine fees – costs around $2,200 per dog (AUD)
• Government endorsements – varies depending on home country
• Travel gear – costs between $40 – $150 (AUD)

Of course, this is an approximate number as the real cost can vary massively depending on where you are traveling from, size and weight of your dog, and your mode of transport.

For a detailed breakdown of the costs, check  Cost of Bringing a Dog to Australia .

What dog breeds are NOT allowed into Australia?

It’s important to be aware that sadly a number of “fighting” breeds are not permitted within Australia. At present the following breeds are banned:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazileiro
• Japanese Tosa’s
• Pit Bull Terriers
• Presa Canaria

What airlines allow importing dogs to Australia?

Most airlines allow flying a dog to Australia. However, depending on the airline you fly with, pet policies differ.

When flying with a dog, it’s important to check airline pet policies before booking any travel. Different airline’s have different rules for flying with dogs, including which dog breeds are allowed, the size and weight of dogs that are permitted, and the number of dogs they allow. Fees also vary between airlines.

Most airlines will allow dogs to fly in the cargo section of their planes, in a climate controlled, comfortable pet zone. Although some pet owners think this will be stressful for their dogs, it can actually be a lot calmer than flying in the cabin.

Some airlines will allow dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, but generally only small dogs that weigh under 8kg are permitted. This is because dogs must fly inside an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of their owners.

For a list of airlines that allow dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, check 21 Airlines That Allow Flying With Dogs In-Cabin [Prices & Policies] .

Related post:  Flying Dogs in Cargo: How Safe is it?

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

Can I take my puppy to Australia?

If you are traveling from the Keeling Islands, New Zealand or Norfolk Island, yes, as long as he or she is over 8 weeks of age. However, unfortunately, dogs must be at least 10 months of age to be permitted to enter Australia from any other country. This is due to the strict time requirements on microchipping, rabies vaccinations and rabies blood tests. The import requirements include microchipping and rabies vaccination no sooner than 3 months of age. You must then wait a minimum of 30 days after rabies vaccination prior to having their RNATT, which can take 3-4 months.

Can I take my dog to Australia with an EU Pet Passport?

You can travel to Australia with an EU Pet Passport, however there are additional conditions to be met. You will need to apply for an Import Permit and organise your pet to stay in quarantine on arrival. Your pet may also need additional vaccines and treatments. Please refer to the requirements section above.

Can I move to Australia with my dog?

Possibly. You may be able to move to Australia with your dog, as long as you and your pet meet strict requirements. If you are from New Zealand, the process will likely be more simple. However those wanting to relocate to Australia from another country, will have a more lengthy and difficult process to go through. This is because there are additional requirements and conditions to be met. For more details, refer to the requirements section above.

Bottom Line

So, importing dogs to Australia can be a complicated process. It is particularly complicated if you are traveling from a country other than New Zealand.

If you haven’t been put off, just be sure to familiarise yourself with the conditions you need to meet to bring your dog to Australia.

Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip, even up to 1 year in more complicated cases!

Hope you have found this helpful. Happy travels!

• Cost of Bringing a Dog to Australia
• How to get an EU Pet Passport [ULTIMATE GUIDE]
• How to get a US Pet Passport [ULTIMATE GUIDE]
• How to Get a Canadian Pet Passport

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Taking Dogs To Australia

With over 1.2million Britons now living in Australia, it’s clear that it’s a very popular place to emigrate to. However, a lot of expats feel that their journey wouldn’t be complete if they didn’t take their beloved pooch with them. Although it’s a long and tiring flight, which is a daunting time for dog owners, we are here to help take all of that stress away from you so that the experience is as relaxing as it can be.

Flying your dog to Australia is a slightly lengthier and more complicated process than most other countries. However, with our extensive experience and team of veterinary surgeons and healthcare professionals, we really feel that the stress of this big move is lifted off you. We flew over 500 pets to Australia in 2022, so your dog is in extremely safe hands.

Since 01st March 2023, the rules have changed slightly and now pets need to serve 30 days quarantine rather than 10 days, unless they are pets returning to Australia. Pets need to have their identities verified by a government veterinarian and due to the way government vets are organised in UK, this is not possible at this time, but we hope it will change.

We’ve put together a broken down step-by-step guide to help give you an idea of what needs to be sorted and prepared in order to export your dog to Australia. If you have any questions, or need more information about flying a dog to Australia, please don’t hesitate to contact us .

Have any questions or need more information? Call our experts on 01725 551124.

1. Confirm eligibility before starting the process  – Dogs must not be under quarantine restrictions or be more than 30 days pregnant or suckling young at the time of export. Some dog breeds, including pit bull terriers, are banned from Australia – check up on this. 2. Make sure your dog is microchipped 3. Check rabies vaccination – Your dog will need to have a valid rabies vaccination (when it was at least 90 days old). 4. Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNAT) test – This must be done between 180 days and 12 months before the export. Following the rabies vaccination, a vet must scan your dog’s microchip and collect a blood sample for the RNAT test. Your dog must have a valid RNAT test at the time of export. The blood sample MUST be taken by a UK official veterinarian – so be sure to check with your vets before they take the blood. 5. An Official Government Vet must complete the rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration – Must be done before applying for the import permit. The vets at PetAir UK can do this for you if you choose for us to get your dog’s import permit. It is worth noting that the vets who complete the RNATT declaration and the vets who take the blood sample MUST be from a different practice – or the vets who help Petair export the pets can do this for you. 6. Apply for an import permit – This should be done after you’ve received the declaration, and at least 42 days before the time of export. You can apply for the import permit on the http://www.agriculture.gov.au website.

7. Book a post-arrival quarantine space – Go to http://www.agriculture.gov.au for more information on booking quarantine space. 8. Check other vaccinations – Your dog must be fully vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola at least 14 days prior to export. 9. External parasite treatments – The dog must be given a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact by a vet at least 21 days before a blood sample for Ehrlichia canis is taken. 10. Testing for Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Brucella canis (testing for Brucella canis is only needed if your dog has NOT been neutered) – The tests all must be done within 45 days before export, but at PetAir UK we will send your vet a schedule of treatments and tests in order to make things as simple for you as possible. 11. Internal parasite treatments – Your dog must be treated by a vet twice with an internal parasite treatment; the 2 treatments must be at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within 5 days before export. 12. Pre-export vet examination – Your dog must be examined by a vet and found to be free of external parasites (e.g. ticks) and signs of infectious/contagious diseases within 5 days before export. 13. Completion of Veterinary Health Certificate by an Official Government Vet – this must be done by a completely separate practice to the vets who gave the initial treatments and took the blood samples. If you have trouble arranging this then please do let us know and we can help arrange a plan.

After your dog lands in Australia, they will be transported into quarantine. There is now a single quarantine station near to Melbourne where the pets travel to. After quarantine your dogs can be flown to your final destination in Australia and either we can help with this or you can arrange it yourself.

We can organise and arrange the move of your dog to Australia, and help you as much as you need with everything mentioned. Understandably, taking in all of this information can be difficult and may feel overwhelming, so if you’d like to speak to someone who knows exactly what they’re talking about, please phone our friendly team on 01725 551124 or  by email . You can also read more about how we can help you and how everything works across our website.

If you are thinking of taking your cat to Australia, call one of our experts on 01725 551124 who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have

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Canberra is a very cool capital city. Sometimes known as ‘The Bush Capital’ as it is surrounded by incredible nature reserves and mountain ranges. The city is home to world-class dining and historic museums. Frequently voted one of the most dog-friendly cities in Australia, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Canberra. Local…

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Where to take your dog in Christchurch New Zealand

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International pet travel to Australia from a non-approved country

Australia’s unique biodiversity is home to several flora and fauna species that are endemic to the country. Australia has strict biosecurity laws to help protect local biodiversity from dangerous exotic diseases and pests. As a result, pet travel to Australia is complex and challenging, especially if your pet dog or cat is travelling from a non-approved country.

International pet travel to Australia from a non-approved country is possible only if your pet fulfils all pet import criteria. Despite being a lengthy and complicated process, here’s what you need to do to bring a pet from a non-approved country into Australia.

Which are the non-approved countries?

Australia has three country categories for international pet transport. These categories are based on the rabies status of the country. Australia only permits pet dogs and cats from countries where there is a low incidence of rabies or is absent. The country categories are:

• Group 1 countries : New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Cocos Islands
• Group 2 countries : American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Island, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati Mauritius, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna
• Group 3 countries : Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, Reunion, Saipan, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay.
• Non-approved countries : All countries not mentioned in the categories above are considered non-approved countries. 

Bringing your pet to Australia from a non-approved country

Australia’s strict biosecurity laws do not permit the direct entry of pet dogs and cats from countries on the non-approved list. If your pet is travelling from a non-approved country, here’s what you need to do:

Confirm general eligibility

Australia has a list of banned cat and dog breeds that are not eligible for import. Check if your pet dog or cat is on the banned breeds list.

Microchip and rabies vaccination

Implant an ISO-compatible microchip , and make sure the microchip number is recorded accurately in all the documentation. If there is a mistake in recording the microchip number, your pet will not be eligible for import into Australia.

Your pet dog or cat must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine following the manufacturer’s instructions after the microchip has been implanted.

Rabies titre test

A blood sample for the titre test must be drawn after 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination; this is the initial RNAT test . The sample must bear your pet’s microchip number and be tested at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory or an authorised OIE rabies reference laboratory. The test must be a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation test or rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test.

The RNATT report must be in English and must include your pet’s microchip number, date of sampling, date of arrival of the sample, signature of the laboratory official, country of sample collection, test type and result.

To import your pet into Australia, a test result of 0.5IU/ml or more is necessary. If your pet does not have the required level of antibodies, you may revaccinate and repeat the process.

Waiting period and import permit

Your pet dog or cat must wait for 180 days from the RNAT test date before being eligible to travel to Australia. Apply for an import permit online at the Biosecurity Import Conditions System portal after you receive a favourable initial RNAT test result.

Move to a Group 2 or 3 country

After applying for the import permit, move your pet cat or dog to a Group 2 or 3 country for further preparations. Make sure you follow all import requirements of the approved country that you choose.

Repeat RNAT test and rabies vaccination

Once your pet has reached the approved Group 2 or Group 3 country, you will have to repeat the RNAT test at an authorised lab; this is the confirmation RNAT test. The result of the test must be 0.5 IU/ml or more. If your pet dog or cat has an unsatisfactory report, you will have to revaccinate and test again.

Your pet dog or cat will need a repeat rabies vaccination with an inactivated rabies vaccine after the RNAT test.

Vaccination and RNAT test declaration

An official government vet in the approved exporting country must check the rabies vaccination and RNAT test results and sign and stamp the declaration. The import permit will be granted after you submit the initial RNAT test report, the confirmation RNAT test report, and the rabies declaration form.

Book quarantine space

Every pet dog or cat arriving in Australia needs to spend at least ten days in the Post Entry Quarantine Centre in Mickleham, Melbourne. After your pet receives the favourable RNAT test report, you can book quarantine space online.

Finish other pet import requirements

Your pet will need to satisfy all pet import criteria apart from the rabies vaccinations and the RNAT test. Your pet dog or cat will need other mandatory vaccinations , internal and external parasite treatments, and a pre-export clinical examination before import to Australia.

Health certificate

The veterinary health certificate must be completed by an official government vet. The vet must also sign and stamp all pages of the health certificate, the RNAT test reports, and the RNATT declaration.

Make travel arrangements

Once all your pet’s travel documentation is in order, confirm quarantine space and make travel arrangements to Australia for your pet. On arrival, your pet will be taken to the Post Entry Quarantine Centre in Melbourne for ten days of mandatory quarantine, where your pet will be examined for any signs of illness. Your pet’s documentation will be checked here, and you can bring your pet home after the quarantine period, if everything is in order.

Pet travel to Australia? Get expert advice

Pet travel to Australia from a non-approved country is a lengthy and complicated process. Every step of the process is time-bound and has to be done accurately for your pet to enter the country. Since the process involves travelling from two different countries, it can be very challenging for pet parents. 

It is recommended to partner with an accredited pet travel agent to help you with the process. An experienced pet travel agent can make sure your pet is safe during the journey and that all the travel documentation is accurate and complete.

If your pet dog or cat is travelling to Australia from a non-approved country, get in touch with Petraveller for more information on international pet transport and assistance in quarantine release in Australia.

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6 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Esperance + Travel Guide

Last Updated on 19 August 2024 by Ariana Svenson

The beaches in Esperance are some of the most beautiful in the world, so if you’re bringing your dog to Esperance (or considering it), it’s no wonder you’re wondering whether there are any dog-friendly beaches in Esperance and which are the best ones.

The main things to do in Esperance are indeed the beaches, and most of the best beaches in Esperance are within the national parks like Cape Arid National Park. This poses a bit of a challenge if you’re travelling with dogs, as national parks typically have strict dog regulations. So, if you take a dog to Esperance, you will want to make a plan. 

Are the Beaches in Esperance Dog Friendly?

Dogs are not allowed at most Esperance beaches , especially those within the national parks. Although this can limit your options, there are plenty of beaches – including some of the most famous where dogs can run around without needing a lead.

Remember, there are people who live in Esperance with dogs, and the dogs need somewhere to play! The only rule is that dogs must be under control and not cause a nuisance. Dog poo bags are even available in some locations.

At one point, Acclaim Holiday Park had plans for a ‘doggy daycare’ for those who love to travel with their pooch but can’t leave them in their tent or accommodation. 

Ask your accommodation provider for ideas and options when you book, and you might find a win-win solution for you and your dog when visiting Esperance.

Map of the Esperance Dog-Friendly Beaches

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Esperance

Most of the dog-friendly beaches in Esperance are on the western side of town along the first part of the Great Ocean Drive. These beaches include famous ones like Eleven Mile Beach, Salmon Beach, Blue Haven, Fourth Beach, and Ten Mile Lagoon. There are also plenty of hidden gems that are dog-friendly.

Some beaches have specific leash rules. Always check the signs as you enter the beach; these can change. More than anything, just sure you are a responsible pet owner and this will help other people be able to bring their dogs to Esperance. 

1. West Beach

Dogs are allowed on West Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Esperance. It’s a favourite with dog walkers, and it’s no wonder! That said, dogs are only allowed off the leash between 5 AM and 8 AM and 4 PM and 8 PM . Outside these times, dogs are permitted but must be on a leash.

The vast beach has plenty of space for dogs to run freely and enjoy the waves. There is also a natural lagoon between the shore and a rock reef, meaning no sharks! The beach is also famous for surfing!

You can access this beautiful beach with white sand, crystal-clear waters, and stunning views of the surrounding coastline and islands. West Beach is close to the town centre, so it is perfect for a break when exploring.

2. Eleven Mile Beach

Eleven Mile Beach is one of the best stops on the Great Ocean Drive. Reefs and rocks protect the beach, so the water is calm, and there is almost no wind.

The sea may look picturesque, but several dogs have died in rips, and there are campaigns for better signage. Be aware of this when visiting!

3. Blue Haven

Blue Haven Beach has beautiful turquoise waters and calm seas—perfect for swimming. It’s famous for being sheltered and having a natural barrier from the wind. It is a 10-minute drive from Esperance and accessed via a steep stairway.

The beach is less crowded than other Esperance beaches and is a hidden gem – especially if you’re travelling with your dog!

4. Ten Mile Lagoon

Ten Mile Lagoon is located 17km from Esperance and is an excellent spot for walking and swimming (although no lifeguards are on duty). It’s also a popular spot for sunbathing, and the beach has an optional ‘clothes optional’ section.

The lagoon is 10 km long and 2 km wide. There are not many amenities on the beach, so make sure you bring your own food, drinks and chairs.

5. Twilight Bay

The Twilight Bay area has several dog-friendly beaches, making it the perfect place for a long beach walk. It’s often voted one of Australia’s best beaches – no wonder!

On Twilight Beach, dogs are banned from entering the WESTERN END. This is the area between the car parks and the rocks east of the Surf Life Saving Club.

There are plenty of facilities on the beach, including toilets, picnic tables, and BBQs, so you can easily spend the whole day there.

6. Salmon Beach

Salmon Beach is another huge beach with shallow waters perfect for cooling off. There are gentle waves here, so it’s the ideal place for kids to come. The beach is also surrounded by dunes.

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to The Esperance Dog Friendly Beaches

Going to dog-friendly beaches is one of the best things to do with dogs in Esperance. However, there are some hazards you need to watch out for – especially the local wildlife. You should also make sure you keep your dog hydrated and follow the specific rules of each beach. Here are our best tips:

• Snakes : Some snake species live in WA, including many that are very venomous. Beware of letting dogs in the dunes or long grass behind beaches.
• Ticks : Another reason to avoid the long grass and dunes is ticks. Ticks can infect your dog with dangerous diseases and bacteria. If you find a tick, make sure you take your dog to the vet.
• Bring Plenty of Water: The beach can get hot, and your dog will likely get thirsty after running around and playing. Bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl to keep your pet hydrated.
• Dog Poo : Make sure you always clean up after your dog and watch them, even if they like to run far ahead! In Esperance, yellow dog poo bags are often at the entrance to the beach, but make sure you also bring your own.
• Be Mindful of Wildlife: Esperance is home to diverse wildlife, including birds and marine animals. Keep an eye on your dog to prevent them from disturbing local wildlife or getting into dangerous situations. You should also keep your dog off the rocks because they can be very slippery, and your dog could even end up sliding into the water.
• Follow the Rules : If the sign says dogs on leashes, follow it. Remember that not all beachgoers will like dogs.
• Protect Your Dog from the Sun: Dogs can get sunburned, especially those with short or light-coloured fur. NEVER leave your dog in the car.
• Know Your Dog’s Limits: Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and some may not enjoy the beach as much as others. Some beaches may have strong currents or changing tides that can pose a danger to your dog.
• Avoid Crowded Times: For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting the beach during off-peak hours when it’s less crowded. This can help reduce stress for dogs that might be nervous around large groups, and they can run around without disturbing other beachgoers.
• Keep your pet off the rocks: Many granite rocks are dangerous when wet – they have a black coating that is algae and seem fine when dry, but once wet, they become hazardous for both animals and humans. In short, keep your dog – and yourself – away from the edge of rocks, especially those with black algae, and be aware that the Southern Ocean is unpredictable. Many people – and pets – have been washed off due to freak waves.
• Sea Hares & the risk to dogs: The Western Australian coast has periods when the toxic sea slugs known as sea hares are washed up on the beaches, including in Esperance. Ask the locals if they have seen any before heading to the beach.
• Slug-like and slimy, sea hares can resemble cuttlefish or blobs with rabbit ears (the animal’s water wings) when washed up on the shore.  The sea hares are highly dangerous to dogs as they contain a neurotoxin that causes dogs to lick or eat the sea creature.
• Symptoms to look out for in a dog after a walk on the beach include vomiting, over-excitement and convulsions,  Any dog showing these symptoms should be immediately taken to a vet.

The Great Ocean Drive With Dogs

One of the must-do experiences in Esperance is the Great Ocean Drive. You can read our full Great Ocean Drive Esperance post here.

The 40km loop can be driven in 1-2 hours, passing some of the most amazing Esperance beaches. You can plan a dog-friendly trip and stop at some dog-friendly beaches. You’ll find pet-friendly West Beach, Blue Haven, Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach, Ten Mile Lagoon, and Eleven Mile Beach.

It’s also worth planning a stop at The Rotary Lookout, a starting point for many dog-friendly walks. Opt for the 20-minute Rotary Loop walk or start the 1.3 km trail to Lovers Cove. Dogs should be on a leash for these walks.

Make sure you also stop at Observatory Point, where you can see whales during whale migrations!

Dog-Friendly Walks in Esperance

While you cannot take your dog to the national parks, there are plenty of dog-friendly walks in Esperance. Plenty of places allow dogs off a leash, but remember that dogs are still not allowed in national parks .

Stroll along the Esperance foreshore, as there is a 5km walkway for you and your pup. There is a shared cycle-pedestrian pathway that spans the Great Ocean Drive section from downtown Esperance all the way to Twilight Beach. You can easily do a small section with many car parks along the way.

The top walks include the 5km walkway along the Foreshore and the walking part of the Great Ocean Drive, especially from the town centre to Twilight Beach (8-12km).

From Twilight Beach, there is also a 4.5km walk to Pink Lake Lookout. The lake is no longer pink, but you can read about some of the best Pink Lakes in Western Australia here.

Other Places to Take Dogs in Esperance

As long as your dog is under control, there are plenty of places you can take your dog on a walk. Here are some specific dog exercise areas you could opt for:

• The Greater Sports Ground on Black Street – as long as it’s not being used for a sporting event, this is the best recognised dog exercise area in Esperance.
• The New Wildcherry Dog Park – has fenced separate areas for small and large dogs.

Dog Kennels in Esperance

If you really want to explore the national parks in Esperance and you have no other option, there are some well-rated kennels. Kennels need your dog to have up-to-date vaccinations.

Popular options in Esperance include:

• Abalee Cattery and Kennels offer dog boarding. Your dog will get a comfortable bed and blanket and a nice exercise area.
• County Land Boarding Kennels : Located on a 10-acre property. Spacious kennels.
• Doggy Wellness Esperance : A family-run business.

Pet Sitting in Esperance

Pet sitting is also a great option as a one-off or if you’re staying in a holiday cottage. Make sure you advertise before you visit so you won’t be disappointed if you can’t find someone when you arrive.

Madpaws and Wagwalking are good sites to find a pet sitter in Esperance. There’s also a good Facebook group you could reach out on.

Esperance Dog Friendly Accommodation

Not all places to stay in Esperance allow dogs, but there are some great options that do. Here are my top recommendations.

Pet Friendly Caravan Parks in Esperance

Two caravan parks in Esperance are considered dog-friendly accommodations.

Bathers Paradise Caravan Park

Bathers Paradise Caravan Park is just a short walk from the beachfront. There are dog-friendly camping sites available (you need to book a special one) and an outdoor dog wash area.

Read reviews of Bathers Paradise Caravan Park here

Pink Lake Tourist Park

This caravan park offers pet-friendly accommodations, including cabins, chalets, and powered sites for caravans and tents. It also provides a designated dog exercise area.

Book your stay on Booking.com Read Reviews of Pink Lake Tourist Park

Dog-Friendly Holiday Parks in Esperance

Holiday parks are an excellent choice for pet-friendly accommodation. They are spacious and relaxed environments with pet-friendly facilities and easy access to walking trails and beaches.

RAC Esperance Holiday Park

Rac Esperance Holiday Park is located on the north side of town, directly across from Esperance Bay. It offers dog-friendly accommodation options, from powered tent sites to two-bed pet-friendly park cabins.

Check Booking.com for more information and current rates for Rac Esperance Holiday Park Check Agoda.com for more information and current rates for Rac Esperance Holiday Park Check Expedia.com for more information and current rates for Rac Esperance Holiday Park

Esperance Bay Holiday Park

The Esperance Bay Holiday Park is another pet-friendly accommodation option in Esperance. It is located just a short distance from the town centre and Taylor Street Jetty. 

Check Booking.com for more information about the Esperance Bay Holiday Park Check Agoda.com for more information about the Esperance Bay Holiday Park Check Expedia.com for more information about the Esperance Bay Holiday Park

Other Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Esperance

As well as caravan parks and holiday parks, you could also opt for a holiday cottage or self-contained accommodation.

EcoValley Retreat

Eco Valley Retreat is located 5 km from the Esperance town centre. It is adults-only, as the site specifies it’s not suitable for children. Pets are welcome, provided they are well-socialised. Accommodation includes two self-contained units.

Find Out More Here

JJ’s Holiday Cottages

Self-contained cottages that are fully fenced with private patios.

Read Reviews Here

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Esperance: Final Words

It’s true; the Esperance National Parks are off-limits to dogs.

Although you should plan a visit to them one day (especially the most famous ones like Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid), you and your dog can still visit plenty of Esperance beaches and enjoy lots of lovely walks. You can even experience the Great Ocean Drive.

You also have plenty of dog-friendly accommodation options, and may consider putting your pooch into a kennel for 1-2 days so you can comfortably visit the National parks knowing your best friend is being well cared for. 

What’s your experience taking your dog to Esperance? Let us know in the comments below!

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How to bring your dog to Australia from a Group 2 country

This step-by-step guide will help you prepare your dog for import into Australia from a Group 2 classified country.

Need to know

This is a complex process. Before you start the import process, we recommend you read this guide in full.

• Allow at least 6 months to complete health checks, tests and paperwork.
• All procedures must be completed by a veterinarian approved by the government in the country of export.
• Fees apply for our services, such as permit assessment and quarantine in Australia.
• There are certain breeds of dogs that are prohibited from import into Australia.
• Overseas travel can cause stress to animals. If your dog is sick or elderly, consider if this is the right decision for them.

1 Find a pet transport agent

We encourage you to use an experienced pet transport agent or shipper .

Importing a dog to Australia is a complex process. It will take at least 6 months to complete. You will need to make sure your dog meets a range of import conditions. This includes multiple veterinary visits, checks and treatments.

Seek help from a pet transport agent with experience in importing dogs to Australia.They will help guide you through the import process.

To find a pet transport agent or shipper you can:

• search online (use terms like ‘pet transport agent Australia’)
• check the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IATA).

We cannot recommend one agent over another. We have no influence over any fees or charges an agent may require for their services.

This is an optional step, but we recommend you use an agent .

2 Check import conditions you must meet

You must meet all import conditions before you can bring your dog to Australia .

Check the category for your country of export

This step-by-step guide is for dogs exported from Group 2 countries. These are approved countries of origin for dog imports into Australia.

Check the list of Group 2 countries to make sure this is the right guide for you.

Group 2 countries

• American Samoa
• Christmas Island
• Cook Island
• Falkland Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• French Polynesia
• Kiribati Mauritius
• New Caledonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Kingdom of Tonga
• Wallis & Futuna

Your country of export is not on the Group 2 list . Find the right step-by-step guide for your animal and country of export.

If your dog is coming from a Group 2 country, continue through this guide .

Confirm your dog is eligible for import to Australia

You must import your dog to Australia from a department-approved country (includes Group 2 countries). Group 2 approved countries are rabies-free.

To be eligible, your dog must have either:

• lived in a group 1 or group 2 (rabies free) approved country since birth, or
• only resided in a group 1 or group 2 (rabies free) approved country since it was exported directly from Australia, or
• been in a group 1 or group 2 (rabies free) approved country for at least 180 days since an official identity check and immediately before the proposed date of export.

The 180 days in an approved country is NOT a quarantine period . Your dog can be living with you or someone else in a group 1 or group 2 approved country while being prepared for export. They must complete a period of quarantine after arriving in Australia.

When you plan to export your dog, it must NOT be:

• under quarantine restrictions
• more than 30 days pregnant
• nursing puppies.

Some dog breeds are not allowed into Australia .

This includes some hybrid dogs (domestic and non-domestic) and some pure-bred dogs.

These bans relate to environmental protection and customs laws. They are not biosecurity laws. You will need to talk to the relevant government agency for details.

Hybrid dogs NOT allowed into Australia include:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

Contact the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water at [email protected] . They can provide more advice on hybrid animals.

Pure breed dogs banned from Australia include:

• dogo Argentino
• fila Brasileiro
• Japanese tosa
• American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

Contact the Department of Home Affairs on +61 2 6264 1111 or 131 881 (within Australia) for more on prohibited dog breeds.

Mixed-breed dogs are allowed if the dog meets all other import conditions. If an imported dog is identified as possibly being a prohibited breed after arrival in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs may investigate further.

If your dog is sick or old

Consider your dog's age and general health. Sick and elderly animals do not cope with long distance travel and climatic stress.

We do not recommend importing sick or very old animals. International travel can cause them to de-stabilise and rapidly deteriorate. Even dogs with well-managed chronic diseases can arrive in distress and poor health.

Animals may be unable to get medication during transport. As a pet owner, you must consider if it’s in your pet’s best interests to travel the long distance and stay in quarantine.

Seek advice from the government agency (competent authority) in your export country

How to find the competent authority in your country.

A competent authority is the government agency responsible for animal health. This may be a government veterinary service or similar. In Australia, it is us (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).

The competent authority must provide an official government animal health certificate for your dog before it leaves for Australia. We check this document when your dog arrives in Australia. It verifies that your dog has undergone the required pre-export veterinary procedures in the country of export.

When you contact them, confirm they are recognised by us to oversee all veterinary checks and issue a health certificate.

All pre-export veterinary procedures must be completed:

• by a government approved veterinarian
• while your dog resides in the country of export
• before departing for Australia.

This process ensures your dog doesn’t bring diseases to Australia.

When you talk to the competent authority in your country, they will let you know:

• any local procedures or requirements you must meet before you export your dog
• how to find approved veterinarians to prepare your dog for export to Australia
• how to find approved laboratories for pre-export testing.

We rely on the competent authority to identify which vets can prepare dogs for export in their jurisdiction. In many countries, this may simply be a registered veterinarian. In some countries, it may be specific vets. Contact the competent authority to check local requirements.

Don’t risk arriving in Australia with the wrong checks, treatments or certificates.

Talk to the competent authority. Only use a government approved veterinarian to prepare your dog for export.

Export conditions can vary between countries. The competent authority and approved vet can advise you on extra steps you need to take that aren’t in this guide or detailed on your import permit.

Read through this guide

We recommend you read this whole guide before you start the import process.

This guide details important actions you must take. This includes applying for and being issued with an import permit. Your import permit outlines the exact preparations required for your dog. You must meet all these conditions before you bring your dog to Australia.

Share this guide and your import permit with your approved veterinarian and pet transport company. They will help you meet all conditions.

The import process takes time . Make sure you’re aware of how far ahead of export date you need to start each step. This will be covered in more detail in your import permit.

3 Verify your dog’s microchip and identity

Do this before you start the import process and at least 180 days before export .

Check your dog has a microchip or implant a new one

Microchips are the only approved identification method. The competent authority in the export country will use the microchip to verify your dog’s identity.

A government approved veterinarian must scan the microchip:

• at each visit
• before any pre-export blood sampling.

They will check that the microchip number is recorded on all documentation.

Your dog must be implanted with a microchip that is ISO compliant. Generally, microchips with 10 or 15 digits are ISO compliant.

Microsoft numbers starting with 999 are not accepted because they are not unique.

It is essential your dog has a working microchip before you start the import process .

The government approved veterinarian must scan your dog’s microchip at each veterinary visit and accurately record this on all documents including test samples. This is how we match your dog to its preparations and documents.

We do not accept changes to laboratory reports or other documents to include or amend the microchip.

If a microchip cannot be read or is incorrect in your documents, your dog cannot be imported to Australia.

If your dog has 2 microchips

Both microchip numbers must be included on:

• the import permit application
• the final import permit
• all laboratory reports.

Both microchips must be scanned at each veterinary visit. They must match all import documents.

If your dog’s microchip stops working

The veterinarian should try multiple microchip scanners to read the microchip. An X-ray can be used to locate the microchip if it has moved from the implant site.

Your dog must arrive in Australia with a microchip that can be scanned and linked to the import permit, health certificate and laboratory reports .

Confirm your dog’s identity

Your dog’s identity must be verified by the competent authority in the export country.

Approach the competent authority in the export country. Ask them to verify your dog’s identity so you can import your dog to Australia.

They will provide an identification declaration directly to us.

Identity declarations are valid for as long as the animal:

• can be identified by the verified microchip on the declaration, and
• resides in a group 1 or group 2 approved country.

Do this at least 180 days before export . For dogs less than 6 months old, get their identity verified before you start the import process.

4 Apply and pay for the import permit

Allow plenty of time to get your permit before your proposed export date .

Apply for a permit as soon as you intend to travel . Permits can take time to be issued. Most permits are issued in 20-40 business days. It can take up to 123 business days in some cases.

Apply for an import permit

Apply for your import permit through our Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON).

Be aware that applying for an import permit does not guarantee you will be issued with one.

How to apply for a permit

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs must meet all import conditions to come to Australia.

If you want to import an assistance dog, you will need to submit extra forms to us. Do this through BICON as part of your import permit application.

See more on importing an assistance dog .

Pay in full when you submit your application in BICON . Extra charges may apply if information is missing, incorrect, or if an application is put on hold.

Your import permit is NOT issued . We may require more details from you before we can issue a permit. We’ll advise you of further action you can take to meet import conditions. In rare cases, we may refuse to issue an import permit.

Your import permit is issued . Continue through the steps in this guide.

Meet all import permit conditions

Read your import permit carefully. It includes important conditions you must meet .

If your permit is issued, you must make sure you meet all your import permit conditions.

The conditions will be specified on the permit. This includes specific pre-export veterinary procedures required for your dog. These conditions are mandatory.

Make sure you read all import permit conditions and understand what you need to do.

If you fail to comply with your permit conditions, your dog may be:

• held longer in post entry quarantine
• subject to additional testing
• euthanised.

You will also be liable for any costs involved.

Import permits are valid for up to 12 months from date of issue . The permit must be valid on the date your dog arrives in Australia.

5 Book post-entry quarantine and arrange travel

Do this after you receive your import permit .

Book your dog’s post-entry quarantine stay

Your dog will stay at least 10 days in quarantine in Australia .

Dogs must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility. Our quarantine facility is designed to comfortably accommodate dogs and meet their needs.

See more about the quarantine facility and how to book.

You must pay for all quarantine costs . You must pay your account in full before your animal is released from quarantine. See our list of post-entry quarantine fees and charges .

Check rules for stops on the way to Australia

We have specific rules for travel that include stops in other countries.

These rules depend on whether the dog will:

• remain on the plane (transiting)
• be unloaded from the plane and moved to another plane (transhipping).

Make sure you understand these rules when choosing flights.

During transport to Australia, dogs may transit in all countries. This means the plane can touch down in a country, but your dog must stay on the plane on the international side of the airport.

Transhipping

Your dog may only tranship (change aircraft) in:

• an approved group 1 or group 2 country , OR

Your dog must not leave the international side of the airport. It must stay under the supervision of the  competent authority  in the country of transhipment. It must be in a place that restricts contact with other animals.

It is your responsibility as the importer to contact the competent authority in the country of transhipment. You need to find out:

• whether they allow animals to tranship
• whether they have a facility to hold animals during transhipment
• how long the animals can be held
• if additional conditions apply.

Your dog may not be eligible for import if these conditions are not met .

Book travel for your dog

You can make the travel arrangements yourself or use an animal transport company . You can use any airline to transport your dog to Australia, at the airline operator’s discretion. Find a list of animal transport companies on the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) website .

Your dog must arrive directly into Melbourne International airport. We do not permit domestic transfers.

Your dog must travel:

• as manifested cargo (not in the cabin)
• in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate.

We are not responsible for your dog while they are under the care of the aircraft operator.

You must pay for all transport costs for your dog .

See the full IATA guidelines at  Traveller's Pet Corner .

6 Complete all health checks, treatments and vaccinations

These must be completed by the approved veterinarian in the country of export .

Check all timings of tests and treatments as soon as possible .

Plan early. You need to make sure you complete all treatments and tests in the correct timeframes before export.

All preparations are calculated from the date of export, local time in the country of export. For calculating timeframes, the date of the treatment or preparation counts as ‘day 0’.

Find a government approved vet

All veterinary preparations must be done by a government approved veterinarian.

Any testing must be done by a laboratory approved by the competent authority in the country of export. Some countries may not have labs capable of completing the required tests. You can use a laboratory in another approved country, if it is approved by the competent authority of that country.

To find a government approved veterinarian or laboratory, contact the competent authority in the export country. This is the government veterinary service or equivalent.

We cannot give advice on treatments for diseases. Seek advice from a veterinarian if your dog tests positive to an infectious disease listed in the import conditions.

Some south Pacific Island countries may not have a permanent government approved veterinarian . Contact us if you do not have a local government approved veterinarian. Do this well ahead of your planned date of export. In some cases, veterinary preparations can be completed by a regularly visiting foreign veterinarian.

We recommend you share this step-by-step guide and your import permit with the approved vet .

Your vet will help you make sure you meet all import conditions. This information is also useful to share with pet transport companies.

Guidance for vets

You can also download and share our guidance for vets.

• Guidance for government approved veterinarians preparing dogs and cats for export to Australia (PDF 295 KB)
• Guidance for government approved veterinarians preparing dogs and cats for export to Australia (DOCX 120 KB)

Check vaccinations

Dogs can be vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola. This is as an alternative to testing for Leptospira canicola . See step 6.3 for advice on the test option.

If you chose to do this, your dog must be fully vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola. This is usually:

• a course of 2 vaccines 2-4 weeks apart
• yearly boosters administered at the interval specified by the manufacturer to maintain immunity.

The vaccination must be valid in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions at the time of export and registered for use in dogs in the country of export.

You can download and share our guide for vets on Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola.

• Leptospira interrogans sv. Canicola vaccination guidance for veterinarians preparing dogs for export to Australia (PDF 441 KB)
• Leptospira interrogans sv. Canicola vaccination guidance for veterinarians preparing dogs for export to Australia (DOCX 26 KB)

For Singapore and Hawaii only

Dogs exported from Singapore and Hawaii must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza (CIV).

This is usually:

Make sure your vet uses a CIV vaccine that is effective against the CIV virus strain(s) in the area where the dog has been living.

Allow enough time to complete the primary course following the registered manufacturer’s directions .

For previously unvaccinated dogs, the primary course must be completed at least 14 days before export to Australia. The vaccination must be valid per the manufacturer’s directions at the time of export.

For dogs with a history of regular vaccinations for CIV, the dog’s vaccination status must be valid per the manufacturer’s directions at the time of export. This means following a primary course, the dog has received booster vaccinations as specified by the manufacturer to maintain immunity up to the date of export to Australia.

Recommended vaccinations

This is an optional step.

We recommend your dog is vaccinated against:

• Parainfluenza
• Bordetella bronchiseptica

These diseases exist in Australia. Vaccination is not mandatory.

Check when your dog was last vaccinated. .

Vaccinations should be valid for the entire post-entry quarantine period.

Test for Leptospira canicola (leptospirosis)

This step only applies if your dog is not vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola. See step 6.2 for advice on the vaccine option.

An approved veterinarian must:

• scan and verify your dog’s microchip
• collect and test a blood sample using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT).

The test must produce a negative result.

If your dog returns a positive result, you must contact us for advice. Further testing may be required. This may delay your dog’s export.

Test for Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola within 45 days of the date of export .

Test for Brucella canis (brucellosis)

This step only applies if your dog is not desexed.

To be considered desexed:

• female dogs must have undergone surgical ovariohysterectomy
• male dogs must have undergone bilateral castration or gonadectomy.

Evidence of desexing may be requested by the competent authority in the country of export. We may also request evidence.

If your dog is not desexed, a government approved veterinarian must scan and verify the animal’s microchip and collect a blood sample to test for Brucella canis.

The blood sample must be collected using 1 of these methods:

• a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), or
• a tube agglutination test (TAT), or
• an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).

Test for Brucella canis (brucellosis) within 45 days of the date of export .

Pregnant, mated or artificially inseminated dogs must meet strict timeframes.

The test sample must be collected within 45 days of the date of export. Your dog must not be mated or artificially inseminated within 14 days before blood sample collection for the Brucella canis test . After the test sample is collected, the dog cannot be mated or artificially inseminated again before the date of export, regardless of pregnancy status. Pregnant dogs can only be imported to Australia if no more than 30 days pregnant.

To meet these timings, you must:

• only mate or artificially inseminate a dog within 30 days of export
• then collect the test sample for Brucella canis 14 days after the most recent mating/insemination date
• then not mate or inseminate the dog from test sample collection until export to Australia
• ensure the test sample is collected within 45 days of export

This means that if the mating results in a pregnancy, there is a small window in which the test sample can be collected, laboratory results returned and the dog exported to Australia while less than 30 days pregnant.

Test for Leishmania infantum (leishmaniasis)

A government approved veterinarian must scan and verify your dog’s microchip. They must collect and test a blood sample using 1 of these methods:

• an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT)
• an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Test for Leishmania infantum (leishmaniosis) within 45 days of the date of export .

Treat for external parasites

A government approved veterinarian must treat your dog with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact. The chosen product must remain effective against new flea and tick infestations until the date of export to Australia.

The veterinarian may need to repeat to maintain protection until export. They must follow the manufacturer’s directions. If the reapplication periods for fleas and ticks (or species of tick) differ, you must follow the shortest reapplication period.

At each visit after the treatment has started, the veterinarian must examine your dog for external parasites. If fleas or ticks are found they must be removed, and the treatment restarted.

See acceptable external parasite treatments .

Start at least 30 days before export and repeat according to manufacturer directions .

To calculate 30 days before the date of export, count the first day the treatment as day 0. For example, if treatment is given 1 January, then the earliest date of export is 31 January.

Treat for internal parasites

A government approved veterinarian must treat your dog for nematodes and cestodes (internal parasites).

See acceptable internal parasite treatments .

Plan enough time to complete these before you export .

Your dog must be treated twice within 45 days before export. The two treatments must be spaced at least 14 days apart. The second treatment must be given within 5 days before the export date.

For example, if the date of export is 30 January:

• The earliest date the first treatment can be given is 16 December.
• The earliest date the second treatment can be given is 25 January.
• There are more than 14 days between 16 December and 25 January – this meets the 14-day spacing requirement.

Ask your vet about products that cover both nematodes and cestodes . Combined products that cover both nematodes and cestodes are available in many countries

Time saver . It’s acceptable to do the final vet check and second internal parasite treatment at the same vet visit.

If your dog has visited mainland Africa

If your dog has ever visited mainland Africa, a government approved veterinarian must treat your dog internally with imidocarb dipropionate.

Dosages are either:

• a single dose at 7.5 mg/kg body weight, or
• 2 doses at 6.0 mg/kg body weight given 14 days apart.

Treatments must be given by subcutaneous injection.

Treatment must be given within 28 days of the date of export .

7 Get a final vet check and prepare your documents

These are the final preparation activities before you export your dog .

Book a pre-export clinical examination

Your dog must be examined for external parasites and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease. A government approved veterinarian or official government veterinarian must do this.

You must bring these documents to the examination:

• a valid import permit
• a copy of the veterinary health certificate for the government approved vet to complete at this visit. You’ll need to get a blank copy from the competent authority. 

Within 5 days before your dog's export date . It’s acceptable to do the second internal parasite treatment at the same vet visit as the final vet check.

Get your approved vet to complete your Veterinary Health Certificate

The veterinary health certificate is an agreed document between the department and your competent authority.

You will need to get a blank copy from your competent authority. The approved vet completing your dog’s preparations will then complete the certificate.

Get your documents endorsed by an official veterinarian

Take the completed health certificate and laboratory test reports to the competent authority for endorsement by an official government veterinarian .

An official government veterinarian must:

• complete, sign and stamp all pages of the Veterinary Health Certificate (endorsement)
• give you a seal to be placed on the dog’s crate at the time of export. The official vet must record the seal number on the Veterinary Health Certificate.

Any corrections to the Veterinary Health Certificate must be struck through. Corrections must be legible and signed and stamped by the official government veterinarian. Do not use correction fluid.

An official government veterinarian must also sign and stamp every page of the:

• Leishmania infantum laboratory report
• Brucella canis laboratory report (if not desexed)
• Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola laboratory report (if not vaccinated).

Within 5 days before your dog’s date of export . For example, if the date of export is 30 January, the earliest date the health certificate can be endorsed is 25 January. The certificate must be endorsed after the final veterinary health check and second internal parasite treatment has been completed. These can both be completed on the same day.

Check competent authority office hours and timeframes . Government offices may be closed over local public holidays and weekends. You will need to make sure that you have enough time to get the veterinary health certificate endorsed before export.

Gather your import documents

Your dog must arrive in Australia with these documents:

• a Veterinary Health Certificate
• laboratory test reports.

Each page of the veterinary health certificate and laboratory reports must bear the original (‘wet ink’) stamp, signature and date of the endorsing official government veterinarian and competent authority.

Only the first page of the import permit needs to be endorsed.

Send all import documents with your dog . A valid import permit, health certificate and relevant documents must travel to Australia with your dog. Keep a copy of each document for your records.

8 Travel to Australia

What to do when you’re ready to send your dog, and what will happen when they arrive .

Prepare your dog for travel

Your dog must arrive in Australia before your import permit expires.

On the day of travel:

• place your dog in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved crate for dogs (see Step 5 )
• don't place any items, including toys, medication or items of value, in the crate (these will be destroyed as biosecurity waste upon arrival)
• seal your dog into the crate using the seal supplied by the official government veterinarian.

In most cases, you will check your dog in at the freight terminal, not the passenger terminal.

Check with your airline to find out which terminal you need to use .

What may happen during travel

Your dog's crate must remain sealed. The seal must be intact on arrival in Australia. 

Your dog’s crate may only be opened in exceptional circumstances. Opening the crate will cause the tamper-evident seal to be broken.

If this occurs, the crate must be resealed by:

• official government veterinarian, or
• airport authority, or
• captain of the aircraft.

They must also provide a certificate detailing the circumstances. The certificate should be attached to the outside of the crate before departure from the port where the seal was broken.

You can find more information on the IATA website .

When your dog arrives in Australia

One of our biosecurity officers will collect your dog on arrival. They will transport your dog to the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility.

We’ll help your dog settle in and get comfortable after its flight. We will check your dog to make sure they’re healthy and free from diseases or pests of biosecurity concern. We’ll assess your dog’s import documents to check your dog complies with our import conditions.

Your dog will be housed in large, individual, climate-controlled enclosure. They’ll be fed quality food, groomed, and provided with enrichment. We will give you updates on your dog’s health and wellbeing.

Read more about our state-of-the-art quarantine facilities .

If your dog does not comply with the permit conditions, further tests, treatments or quarantine may apply.

Dogs must stay at Mickleham for a minimum of 10 days. Any issues that increase biosecurity risk may result in a longer stay.

Register you dog in Australia

You are responsible for meeting local requirements for dogs in Australia.

Contact your local Australian council or government. They can tell you what you must do. This might include registering your dog and their microchip and paying yearly fees.

We are not involved in local council and national microchip registration databases .

Subscribe to alerts

Import conditions can change without notice. Check our website regularly. Make sure you’re using the most current information.

You can subscribe for updates on: 

• our policies that affect cat and dog importers and their agents
• emergency situations that affect imports (such as overseas cat and dog disease outbreaks).

General enquiries

Call 1800 900 090

Contact us online

Report a biosecurity concern

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We bring our dog along on our work trips. We've had to nearly double our travel budget to do it.

• Content creators Paul Salley and Brianna Feehan started bringing their dog on work trips last year.
• Together with Koda, a golden retriever, the couple have visited 22 states.
• They found Wyoming and Alabama to be the most pet-friendly destinations so far.

When Paul Salley and Brianna Feehan got their English cream golden retriever in January last year, they figured they would leave the dog with their parents when they traveled.

As content creators, they spend 80% of their time on the road shooting and producing hospitality and lifestyle content for clients, as well as running their Instagram account and blog.

But leaving their dog, Koda, behind started to get too difficult for them. "When we're gone, we're always missing her," Feehan told Business Insider.

The couple decided to take fewer international trips and focus on domestic travel . Last April, they took Koda on her first road trip from Connecticut to Florida.

"She had the best time," said Feehan, who described Koda as the "happiest dog in the world."

Now, the couple, who are in their late-20s, bring Koda with them on every trip they take. To date, they say they've taken around 15 trips and visited 22 states together.

They plan their trips around Koda

From finding dog-friendly accommodations and eateries to ensuring that Koda is comfortable on the road, Salley and Feehan now center their trips around her. This means they stay longer at each accommodation.

"If we move from Airbnb to Airbnb every night, she'll stop eating. She doesn't drink as much," said Salley, who added that Koda has anxiety if they don't spend enough time settling into a new environment.

Car rides are also longer. For their first road trip to Florida, Apple Maps estimated their journey would take 18 hours. But after making more than 10 stops along the way to ensure that the dog was comfortable and had enough water and treats, the journey took 24.

Before they got Koda, they stuck to a tighter budget

When traveling with Koda, they often have to pay extra fees for accommodation. So far, the cheapest pet fee they paid was $30 at a Best Western Hotel, while the most expensive was at a Marriot hotel, where they say the pet fee was $75. Airbnbs usually charge around $50 for pets, they observed.

Related stories

Salley estimates they would spend less than $1,500 on a weeklong trip to Florida if they went alone. He added that the couple would have also saved money by staying in hostels and cheaper places in the past.

But with Koda, their total expenditure on that trip was around $3,000.

For longer trips with Koda, they set a maximum budget of $6,000 for seven weeks. "We also don't try to spend that much, but we definitely set a lot more aside for worst-case scenarios," Salley said.

They recalled a harrowing incident when Koda had diarrhea 14 times on the road. They rushed her to the veterinarian and spent $1,100 on X-rays and bloodwork.

"It was a lot of money, and we wasted two or three days just watching her go outside and be sick. It was awful," Feehan said.

Salley added that pet owners going on trips with their pets should consider buying pet insurance . "Don't expect things to go as planned. there's always going to be a curveball with an animal," he said.

They found Wyoming to be the dog-friendliest and Los Angeles to be one of the least

"We could just walk into a restaurant with our dog and eat with her sitting next to us at a table," Feehan said about Wyoming .

Alabama is a close second. "The beaches, the bars, the shops — everywhere's dog friendly," she added.

On the flip side, the couple said they would never take Koda to New York City for a vacation — even though they only live an hour away.

They once cut their three-day trip short in Los Angeles because they found it lacked dog-friendly accommodations — and were appalled when they saw that one dog park membership cost $120 monthly .

"A lot of dogs live in LA, but we're not used to city life. So, we just pivot and go somewhere else," Feehan said.

Their next goal is to fly abroad with Koda

They are not alone. In June, a Forbes Advisor survey of 10,000 American dog owners found that 33% of respondents travel with their dogs by plane. Of the respondents, 37% also said that being unable to bring their dog on their travels is their top annoyance.

As more pet owners prefer to travel with their pets, some commercial airlines are simplifying the process to bring pets on board. American Airlines updated its policy in March to allow flyers to board with their pet in addition to a carry-on bag.

A growing number of shared private jet flights allows owners to travel more comfortably with their pets — albeit with a hefty price tag. In April, BI reported on pet subscription service BarkBox's launch of its ultra-luxury private jet carrier , Bark Air. The round-trip from New York to Los Angeles costs $12,000 and comes with "dog champagne" and a private chef.

Some pet owners have gone a step further by arranging private jets for their pets. Hong Kong investment banker Gladys Tsoi previously told BI that she spent $38,000 to fly to Japan with her pet poodle on a private jet. Although the trip was costly, she's planning another trip for her two dogs.

The couple no longer see themselves traveling without Koda

"It feels so complete just being the three of us. There's nothing that we really miss from home besides the comforts of home," Feehan said.

"She just helps us relax at a destination and enjoy the beauty of watching her swim or sniff," Salley added.

Before getting Koda, they would be up at sunrise, shooting and vlogging all day. But with Koda, they've learned to slow down .

Watch: Why Seeing Eye dogs are so expensive to breed and train

• Main content

Muster cat perfectly at home running with the bulls, lying with the kelpies

By Brandon Long

Topic: Cats

Most farm cats are content to spend their time catching mice or sleeping, but not Smitten.

The 17-year-old calico is more at home kicking up dust with cattle and horses on mustering runs.

Owner Julie Mayne said Smitten wanted to be a part of the action on their cattle property north-west of Brisbane.

"It's a joy going up to the shed and seeing her hurrying out, so pleased to see you," Ms Mayne said.

"Jumping up in the vehicle of her own accord because she wants to be there, doing a water run with her, putting lick blocks out."

The tortoiseshell moggy loves riding with kelpies on the all-terrain vehicle. ( Submitted: Julie Mayne )

Smitten commands the dashboard of the all-terrain vehicle while Ms Mayne and her five kelpies jockey for space on the seat while mustering on Queensland's Western Downs.

When they pull up, the feline will go paw to hoof with the Santa Gertrudis cattle, each of which can weigh more than 500 kilograms.

"She is really fearless," Ms Mayne said.

"She meanders through a mob of cattle and they're really inquisitive, they follow her along and want to sniff her.

"I get worried that they'll get a fright and rush over her, but she doesn't worry at all."

Smitten's efforts may not be particularly effective compared to the work the five kelpies put in, but Julie believes it is the thought that counts.

Smitten is comfortable around livestock including cows which can weigh more than 500kg. ( Supplied: Julie Mayne )

Purr-plexing personality

Julie met Smitten as a kitten in a hardware store in 2007 and could not resist her charm.

"She was just curled up in a cage, sound asleep," she said.

"She was so pretty and they wanted $10 for her."

Smitten settled in well at the family's Dulacca home, but when another rescue cat was introduced to the family she forged a new, peculiar identity.

"Smitten, being the princess that she was, got her nose out of joint and left," Ms Mayne said.

Julie Mayne and Smitten getting to work at the family cattle property. ( Supplied: Julie Mayne )

But she did not go far.

"She'd come out of a dog kennel, yawning and stretching," Ms Mayne said.

"She'd just moved in there and snuggled up."

Smitten discovered that when you lie with dogs you don't always get fleas.

"They lick her, clean her ears, and let her sleep with them in winter," Ms Mayne said.

"She is living her best life."

Julie's five kelpies treat Smitten like one of their own. ( Supplied: Julie Mayne )

Smitten's fur-midable adventures have garnered plenty of comments on social media, much to Ms Mayne's surprise.

"I don't think having a cat in your life on a farm is that unique for most people because it's part of their normal," she said.

Antics aside, she said the best part of having a cat is the companionship they offer her and her two children.

"Whether you're fencing or mustering they put a rhythm into your day," Ms Mayne said.

"Being on the land and having animals, [our] responsibility is to nurture everything and keep everything alive. I think that just underpins why we're here.

"It doesn't matter if it's a cat or a dog or a wallaby that comes in the night and eats your vegetables, everything has a place and puts meaning into your day."

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Aussie girl stabbed in shock London attack

The 11-year-old girl who was allegedly stabbed in a random attack in London’s Leicester Square is from Australia, a new report says.

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An 11-year-old girl who was allegedly stabbed in Leicester Square in London on Monday is an Australian.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to two Australians injured in London.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we cannot provide further comment,” a DFAT spokesperson said.

The young girl who was seriously injured in the alleged attack is believed to be from NSW, the ABC reported.

The girl’s injuries while serious, were not life-threatening.

She was reportedly visiting the busy tourist area with her 34-year-old mother at the time of the random attack.

A 32-year-old man, Ioan Pintaru, appeared in a London court charged with attempted murder over the latest stabbing, which shocked the busy tourist centre of Leicester Square on Monday, local time.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Pintaru, who spoke through a translator, was a Romanian citizen with no fixed address.

Pintaru had “approached the girl, placed her into a headlock, he’s then stabbed her eight times to the body”, prosecutor David Burns told the court.

Mr Pintaru was detained by members of the public and was found with a “steak knife”, it was alleged in court.

The victim, who was a tourist visiting the popular area, was taken to hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries to the face, shoulder, wrist and neck area, Mr Burns added.

“I understand she will require plastic surgery for the injuries that she’s sustained,” he said.

Police have said Mr Pintaru, who was remanded in custody to appear in court again on September 10, did not know the girl or her mother.

A nearby security guard “heard a scream” before tackling the alleged offender to the ground.

“I just saw a kid getting stabbed and I just tried to save her. It’s my duty to just save them,” the TWG Tea shop guard, Abdullah, told the Press Association.

“I jumped on him, held the hand in which he was [carrying] a knife, and just put him down on the floor and just held him and took the knife away from him.”

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Abdullah performed CPR on the child before emergency services arrived at the scene.

The alleged attack came two weeks after three girls were allegedly murdered at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport, northwest England.

The deaths sparked widespread riots across the country, which police have since quelled.

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