Australia

1. 1
   Before you go

   ISO microchip (dogs only)

   Implant an ISO-compatible microchip (10 or 15 digits; chips starting 999 are rejected). The vet must scan it at every visit.

2. 2
   On or after the microchip

   Identity verification by an official government vet (strongly advised) (dogs only)

   Have an official government vet verify your dog's identity before the RNATT blood draw (not at the same visit). Without it quarantine is at least 30 days instead of 10.

3. 3
   On or after the microchip

   Rabies vaccination (dogs only)

   Vaccinate against rabies with an inactivated vaccine. The dog must be at least 84 days old and must stay continuously vaccinated from the RNATT sample until export.

4. 4
   At least 21 days after the rabies shot

   Rabies antibody test (RNATT) (dogs only)

   Blood sample for the rabies antibody test, taken by a government-approved vet 3-4 weeks after vaccination and between 12 months and 180 days before export. Result must be at least 0.5 IU/mL.

5. 5
   At least 180 days after the blood test

   180-day wait after RNATT (dogs only)

   Export can happen no earlier than 180 days after the RNATT sample arrived at the laboratory. No exceptions.

6. 6
   On or after the blood test

   Australian import permit (dogs only)

   Apply to DAFF for an import permit as soon as you hold the RNATT report and endorsed RNATT declaration. Most permits take 20-40 business days (up to 123).

7. 7
   Before you go

   Book Mickleham post-entry quarantine (dogs only)

   Book your dog's space at the Mickleham (Melbourne) post-entry quarantine facility and your flight once the permit is issued.

8. 8
   Still valid the day you arrive

   Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival

   Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.

9. 9
   14 to 365 days before you arrive

   Leptospira canicola vaccination (or MAT test) (dogs only)

   Either vaccinate (primary course of 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart; final dose or annual booster between 12 months and 14 days before export) or do a negative MAT blood test within 45 days of export.

10. 10
    14 to 365 days before you arrive

    Canine influenza vaccination (USA and South Korea origins) (dogs only)

    Dogs from the USA or South Korea need a completed canine influenza (CIV) primary course at least 14 days before export, or a booster between 12 months and 14 days before export.

11. 11
    Within 45 days before you arrive

    Brucella canis test (entire dogs only) (dogs only)

    Undesexed dogs need a negative Brucella canis RSAT, TAT or IFAT test on a sample taken within 45 days before export.

12. 12
    Within 45 days before you arrive

    Leishmania infantum test (dogs only)

    Negative IFAT or ELISA (standard quantitative, not rapid/snap) on a sample taken within 45 days before export.

13. 13
    14 to 45 days before you arrive

    Worming treatment 1 (dogs only)

    First treatment against nematodes and cestodes, within 45 days before export and at least 14 days before the second treatment.

14. 14
    At least 30 days before you arrive

    Tick and flea treatment (start 30+ days before export) (dogs only)

    Start a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 30 days before export and keep it continuous (repeat per label) until export. Any ticks or fleas found restart the clock.

15. 15
    Within 28 days before you arrive

    Imidocarb (Babesia) treatment if dog was ever in mainland Africa (dogs only)

    Single dose 7.5 mg/kg, or two doses of 6.0 mg/kg 14 days apart, given within 28 days of export.

16. 16
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Worming treatment 2 (dogs only)

    Second treatment against nematodes and cestodes within 5 days before export, at least 14 days after the first.

17. 17
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Pre-export clinical exam and health certificate (dogs only)

    A government-approved vet examines the dog for external parasites and disease within 5 days before export and completes the veterinary health certificate.

18. 18
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Official government vet endorsement (dogs only)

    The official government vet signs and stamps every page of the health certificate and supporting reports within 5 days before export, after the exam and second worming.

19. 19
    At the border

    Fly as manifested cargo direct to Melbourne (dogs only)

    The dog must fly as manifested cargo (not in cabin) in an IATA crate, arriving directly into Melbourne International Airport. Transhipment only in approved countries.

20. 20
    By the day you arrive

    Post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (dogs only)

    Minimum 10 days at Mickleham if identity was verified before the RNATT, otherwise minimum 30 days. Fees are paid by the importer.

21. 21
    Before you go

    ISO microchip (cats only)

    Implant an ISO-compatible microchip (10 or 15 digits; not starting 999).

22. 22
    On or after the microchip

    Identity verification by an official government vet (strongly advised) (cats only)

    Official government vet verifies identity before the RNATT sample (separate visit). Cuts quarantine from 30 to 10 days minimum.

23. 23
    On or after the microchip

    Rabies vaccination (cats only)

    Rabies vaccine at 84 days old or more, kept continuously valid until export.

24. 24
    At least 21 days after the rabies shot

    Rabies antibody test (RNATT) (cats only)

    Blood sample 3-4 weeks after vaccination and 12 months to 180 days before export; result at least 0.5 IU/mL.

25. 25
    At least 180 days after the blood test

    180-day wait after RNATT (cats only)

    No export for at least 180 days after the sample arrives at the lab.

26. 26
    On or after the blood test

    Australian import permit (cats only)

    Apply after receiving the RNATT declaration; 20-40 business days typical (up to 123).

27. 27
    14 to 45 days before you arrive

    Worming treatment 1 (cats only)

    Within 45 days before export, at least 14 days before treatment 2.

28. 28
    At least 21 days before you arrive

    Flea/tick treatment (start 21+ days before export) (cats only)

    Start at least 21 days before export and repeat per label so protection is continuous until export.

29. 29
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Worming treatment 2 (cats only)

    Within 5 days before export.

30. 30
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Pre-export exam and health certificate (cats only)

    Government-approved vet exam within 5 days before export; vet completes the health certificate.

31. 31
    Within 5 days before you arrive

    Official government vet endorsement (cats only)

    Endorsement of all documents within 5 days before export.

32. 32
    At the border

    Manifested cargo direct to Melbourne (cats only)

    Cat flies as manifested cargo directly into Melbourne International Airport.

33. 33
    By the day you arrive

    Post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (cats only)

    Minimum 10 days with verified identity, otherwise minimum 30 days.

agriculture.gov.au · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.