Bringing a pet to Australia

The single most expensive surprise for many newcomers. Australia's biosecurity rules are among the strictest in the world.

The timeline — at least 6 months

The import permit process alone can take up to 123 business days from application.
Your pet needs rabies vaccinations and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNAT) blood test with a 180-day waiting period after the test before they can travel from many countries.
Quarantine on arrival is mandatory — 10 days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility north of Melbourne. (Verify current quarantine length.)

Cost bands (rough, as of May 2026 — verify on the DAFF fees page)

Import permit application: verify at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/quarantine-facilities-and-fees/fees
Pre-export vet work in your origin country: verify with your origin-country pet shipper
Flight (depends on origin and pet size): verify with the airline cargo desk
Quarantine fees at Mickleham: verify at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/quarantine-facilities-and-fees/fees
Plus an accredited pet shipper if you use one (most people do): verify with shippers

Total often lands in the several-thousand-dollar range. Build this into your move budget.

Country groups

Group 1 — New Zealand only. Simplest path.
Group 2 — countries Australia considers rabies-free (Fiji, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, UK and others). Reduced testing.
Group 3 — all other approved countries. Full rabies testing and 180-day wait.
Countries not on any list — you cannot import directly. Move to a Group 2 or 3 country first.

Common gotchas

The 180-day RNAT clock cannot be rushed. If you book a flight before the wait is complete, your pet won't board.
Cats and dogs only — birds, rabbits, reptiles, ferrets and most other species have very tight or zero allowances. Check before you assume.
You cannot import a pet on a tourist trip. Pets in cargo need a full import process every time.

Where to read more

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