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Australia
Pet Types
dog Regulations
Vaccinations
Rabies vaccination required and must remain valid from RNATT sampling through export. First dose given 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 the lab receipt date before export; 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 arrives at the lab
- RNATT remains valid 12 months from sampling; retest before expiry to avoid resetting 180-day wait
Certifications
Required for all dog imports except from New Zealand or Norfolk Island. Apply via BICON well in advance (commonly 20–40 business days; up to 123).
- Apply via BICON with RNATT lab report + RNATT declaration
- Permit must be valid on arrival; validity aligns with RNATT expiry
Microchip
ISO-compliant microchip required; scanned at each vet visit and before any blood sampling. Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not accepted. All documents and lab reports must show the scanned number(s). If unreadable or mismatched, import is refused. If two compliant chips are present, list and scan both everywhere.
Origin Requirements
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Africa Imido carb
If the dog has ever visited mainland Africa, treat with imidocarb dipropionate within 28 days pre-export (single 7.5 mg/kg or two 6.0 mg/kg doses 14 days apart).dog
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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
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Prohibited Dog Breeds
Pure breeds not importable: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario.dog
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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
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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. If not listed, relocate to an approved country and prepare there.
- 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 into Melbourne International Airport; no domestic transfers. Transit permitted provided dog remains airside; transhipment only in approved countries under competent authority supervision.
- Parasite control: External parasites—start ≥30 days pre-export and maintain efficacy to export; Internal parasites (nematodes + cestodes)—two treatments within 45 days, ≥14 days apart; second dose within 5 days of export. If dog ever visited mainland Africa: imidocarb treatment within 28 days pre-export.
- Prohibited breeds (pure bred): Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario. (Mixes are not restricted at the border.)
