Compare Pet Travel Policies Easily
Select your countries and pet type to see import/export rules instantly.
Australia
Pet Types
cat Regulations
Vaccinations
Description:
Rabies vaccination required and must remain valid from RNATT sampling through export. First dose at ≥84 days old; typically wait 3–4 weeks before RNATT sampling. RNATT (FAVN or RFFIT) result ≥0.5 IU/mL; 180-day wait from lab receipt date; RNATT validity 12 months.
- Rabies vaccine given when ≥84 days old; stays valid through export
- Wait ~3–4 weeks after primary vaccination before RNATT blood draw (unless continuously vaccinated)
- RNATT (FAVN or RFFIT) ≥0.5 IU/mL
- Earliest export: 180 days after RNATT sample arrival at lab
- RNATT valid 12 months; retest before expiry to avoid resetting 180 days
Certifications
Description:
Required for all cat imports except from New Zealand or Norfolk Island. Apply via BICON; allow 20–40 business days (up to 123).
- Apply with RNATT lab report + RNATT declaration
- Permit validity tracks RNATT expiry; must be valid on arrival
Microchip
ISO-compliant microchip; scanned at each vet visit and before RNATT; numbers starting with 999 not accepted; documents must show the scanned number(s); unreadable or mismatched IDs make the cat ineligible.
Origin Requirements
-
Approved Country Only
Pet must be exported directly from an Australia-approved Group 1/2/3 country; otherwise relocate to an approved country and complete preparations there.dog cat
-
Residency After RNATT
Export is allowed no sooner than 180 days after the RNATT sample arrives at the lab; this is a residency period in an approved country (not quarantine).dog cat
-
Transit Tranship
Transit permitted if pet remains airside; tranship only in approved countries under competent authority supervision.dog cat
More Info
- Country eligibility: must export directly from an approved Group 1/2/3 country.
- Post-entry quarantine at Mickleham (Melbourne): minimum 30 days; may be reduced to 10 days with pre-RNATT identity verification or qualifying returnees.
- Travel: arrive directly to Melbourne Intl; no domestic transfers. Transit/tranship allowed only under DAFF rules.
- Parasite control: External—start ≥30 days pre-export, maintain to export; Internal (nematodes + cestodes)—two treatments within 45 days, ≥14 days apart; second within 5 days of export.
