Moving your pet to Australia? You’ll need to plan for quarantine.
Our helpful guide covers how long quarantine takes, what affects the timeline and how to avoid delays during pet relocation to the land down under.
How Long Do Pets Need to Quarantine When Moving to Australia?
Pets moving to Australia must quarantine for a minimum of 30 days at the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Melbourne. In some cases, quarantine can be reduced to 10 days provided certain criteria are met. This applies to most dogs and cats from the UK. Quarantine is mandatory and cannot be skipped, even if your pet is fully vaccinated.
Why Pets Must Quarantine in Australia
Australia has stringent biosecurity laws. And for good reason. It’s one of the few countries in the world that’s completely free of rabies and several other high-risk animal diseases, like leptospirosis and Echinococcus tapeworm. Quarantine is for protecting Australia’s population, wildlife and agriculture.
When animals arrive in Australia, they must stay in a government-run quarantine facility so biosecurity officers can confirm they’re not carrying any diseases or parasites. Even if your pet is healthy and fully vaccinated, the risk (however small) of something slipping through the cracks is enough for the rules to be non-negotiable.
The quarantine process is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, also known as DAFF, and they take every case seriously, whether you’re importing a cat or a dog.
Extended Quarantine for Pets in Australia
As mentioned earlier, in most cases, quarantine in Australia lasts 30 days, but that’s only if everything is done exactly right before your pet travels.
If there are any issues with your paperwork, vaccinations or vet treatments, DAFF can extend your pet’s stay. And they will. Even small mistakes can trigger delays.
Here are the most common reasons pets spend longer in quarantine:
- Incorrect or incomplete documents, especially vaccination certificates or import permits
- Rabies vaccination or blood test (RNATT) done outside the required timeframes
- Missing parasite treatments within the approved window
- Microchip problems, including wrong number, unreadable or doesn’t match the paperwork
- Unapproved transport routes or last-minute changes to flight plans
Australian Pre-Quarantine Checklist for Pet Owners
If you’re relocating your pet from the UK to Australia, the quarantine itself is only part of the process because the real work starts well before they fly. Every box needs to be ticked ahead of time, including:
✓ Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped before any vaccinations are given. The microchip must meet ISO standards and match all the documentation exactly. No exceptions.
✓ Import Permit
Apply for an Australian import permit well in advance through the DAFF. You’ll need it to book quarantine and secure travel, and confirm compliance with entry requirements.
✓ Rabies Vaccination
Your cat or dog needs a valid rabies vaccination administered after the microchip was implanted. This must be done at least 6 months before export, but not more than 12 months (depending on the vaccine type).
✓ Parasite Treatments
You’ll need to give your pet a series of internal and external parasite treatments, usually commencing within 5 weeks of departure. Timing and proof are essential.
✓ Vet Checks & Export Health Certificate
Your pet will need a final vet check and an official Veterinary Health Certificate, signed and endorsed by the UK government authority (APHA). Without this, your pet won’t be cleared to fly or enter Australia.
✓ Rabies Titer Test
This blood test proves the rabies vaccine worked and it must be done at least 180 days before travel, but not more than 12 months prior. The test needs to be processed at an approved lab.
✓ Book Quarantine Space
Australia only has one official pet quarantine facility, located in Mickleham, near Melbourne. Space is limited and must be reserved ahead of time. No booking means no entry.
✓ Approved Travel Route
Your pet must fly via an approved airline and route, landing directly in Melbourne. Stopovers in non-approved countries can invalidate everything.
Getting any of this wrong can delay your move or, worse, extend your pet’s stay in quarantine. Luckily, working with a reputable pet transfer company can manage the full process for you, from first jab to final paperwork, so your pet travels safely, legally and on time.
The Last Step Before Your Pet’s New Life in Australia
Pet quarantine in Australia is strict, but straightforward, provided everything is done correctly.
Whether you’re just starting the process or feeling overwhelmed by the details, expert support from a pet relocation company can make all the difference. They can manage every step to ensure your pet meets all Australian import requirements and completes quarantine without delay.
Ready to explore...