Australia Pet Import Details

Australian summary information and requirements for the importation of cats and dogs.

Animals must be shipped in IATA approved transit kennels that allow the animal to stand up without touching the top of the box, lie down and turn around. It is a requirement that cats and dogs are shipped as manifest cargo and not as excess baggage. There are only three Quarantine Kennels in Australia - based in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney - so animals must enter Australia at one of these airports. If you are unable to collect your pet(s), arrangements for movement of pets from these Kennels to other cities in Australia may be possible after the quarantine period but would have to be made in Australia. The kennels themselves will probably be able to help, as this is not an unusual request.

From the UK it is a requirement that cats and dogs complete 30 days in Quarantine.
Current costs (as of 05/11/07) are A$406.50 for first cat, A$316.50 for subsequent cats, A$526.50 for first dog, A$376.50 for subsequent dogs. Other charges include A$95.00 or A$120.00 Airport removal fee per consignment. Examination of the animal is A$71.00 per animal per half hour. Lodgment of a quarantine entry form is A$10.00. Documentation clearance is A$27.00 per quarter hour or part thereof. Veterinary treatment and supplies are extra and at cost. Unfortunately these costs cannot be included in our quote and need to be settled by you directly with the quarantine station.

Every destination country has their own peculiar import requirements which can be at first sight slightly confusing. We at Airsupply can provide the complete professional service, covering you and your pets wishes. Whether you need us to complete all your veterinary requirements or if you just need to talk to us for advice our caring staff will be on hand to help.

Animals must be accompanied by the following paperwork:

A. An Import Permit obtained from Australian Quarantine Services (Current cost A$330.00 for first pet and A$80.00 for additional pets). Application forms can be obtained from the AQIS website or we can send you copies as required. All animals must be micro chipped (approved types only) before an Import Permit can be applied for. One application form must be completed for each animal. The Import Permit will be valid for 9 months from the date of issue.

B. An Official Export Health Certificate (this must be applied for from DEFRA (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture) – Only part A is to be completed and certified by your LVI within 96 hours of the flight (Part
B will be completed by Portal Veterinarian). 

C. For cats, vaccination certificates for feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus showing vaccination at least 14 days before the flight and not more than 12 months beforehand. A treatment for ticks and fleas is to be given 28 days prior to departure and also within 96 hours of departure. This must be with a Licensed Product like Frontline. If other Licensed Product is used the treatment must be repeated as per manufactures instructions until export. For dogs, vaccination certificates for distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus and parainfluenza (D,H,P,Pi) showing vaccination at least 14 days before the flight and not more than 12 months beforehand.

D. In the case of dogs only, blood samples to be tested for Brucella Canis and Ehrlichia must be submitted to the relevant authority (VLA, Weybridge, Surrey) within 30 days of the flight. The dog must be treated with a long lasting acaricide (FRONTLINE) within 24 hrs of the blood sample for Ehrlichia being taken and within 96 hours of departure. If other acaricide used please refer to manufacturers’ dosage instructions. A blood sample to be tested for Leptospirosis (L. interrogans serovar canicola) must be submitted to the relevant authority (VLA, Weybridge, Surrey) within 30 days of the flight. Negative results at the relevant titres must be obtained for all tests. If the first Leptospirosis test is returned with a positive result (showing a titre of more than 1:100 but less than 1:800 but not 1:800) then a second blood sample will need to be taken not less than 14 days after the first and both within 30 days of export and submitted to the relevant authority (VLA, Weybridge, Surrey). If the second test result shows a titre of less than 1:800 (but not 1:800), your dog can travel. AQIS will not allow the import of dogs that record a result positive at 1:800 or more. All blood test results MUST accompany the Export Health Certificate.

E. Clearance of notifiable diseases certificate (EC618 or 618NDC) from DEFRA. The vet MUST give you this certificate, as the Portal veterinarian requires it to complete part B, not your vet who only completes part A of the Export Health Certificate. If the vet disagrees get them to read part B in full.

F. NOTE; From 1 September 2007, within 30 days of export all dogs must be tested for Leishmania in addition to the testing above. Leishmaniosis: Your dog/s must be tested for Leishmania sp. infection by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test must produce a negative result. Please make sure that the VLA (Veterinary Laboratories Agency) perform this test/s.

G. Written declarations as required, to support the export health certificate. The full set of requirements must be obtained from your local Animal Health Divisional Office. Please request from DEFRA a Specimen copy of the Health Certificate as the things that have to be done become somewhat clearer than just referring to the notes. Last updated 05/11/07.