Moving your pet to Australia or overseas? Know every step before you book.
Answer 3 quick questions and get a personalised step-by-step plan — every deadline, cost, and requirement mapped out for your exact situation.
Bringing a pet in, or taking one out?
Tell us your direction — we'll handle the rest.
Moving to Australia with your pet
Coming from overseas
DAFF compliance timeline — every import step, blood test deadline, quarantine booking, and cost.
- ✓ All 3 DAFF country groups
- ✓ RNATT 180-day wait calculation
- ✓ Mickleham quarantine costs
Moving your pet out of Australia
Relocating or moving overseas
DAFF export steps plus destination country entry requirements for the UK, USA, Japan, Singapore, and 80+ countries.
- ✓ DAFF Notice of Intention + export permit
- ✓ Destination import rules (15 countries)
- ✓ 72-hour permit window warning
How it works
Three questions. One minute. Every DAFF step laid out for you.
Tell us about your pet & journey
Direction, country, date, pet type. Four questions. Done in 30 seconds.
Your personalised plan, instant
Every compliance step, every due date, every cost — built for your exact situation.
Arrive prepared
Every deadline clear. Every step accounted for. Travel knowing nothing's been missed.
Bringing a pet to Australia
Your origin country determines your whole timeline
Australia groups countries by rabies risk — your group decides how long, how much, and which tests are needed.
New Zealand, Norfolk Island
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Microchip + health certificate
UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Hawaii
- No import permit
- 10-day quarantine at Mickleham
- No RNATT required
USA, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, Middle East
- $1,265 import permit
- RNATT + 180-day wait
- 10–30 day quarantine
Frequently asked questions
- Which airport do I fly my pet into?
- All pet imports to Australia must arrive at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. No other airport is approved for cat and dog imports.
- How long does the whole process take?
- It depends on your origin country. From Group 1 countries (New Zealand) it can be a few weeks. From Group 3 countries (USA, Europe, Asia) you need at least 7–12 months due to the mandatory 180-day RNATT wait.
- What is the RNATT blood test?
- The Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) confirms your pet has sufficient rabies immunity. Required for Group 3 countries. The 180-day wait begins from the date the approved laboratory receives the sample — not when it is drawn.
- Do I need an import permit?
- Group 3 country pets require an import permit from DAFF via the BICON portal. The fee is $1,265 AUD. Group 1 and Group 2 pets do not need an import permit.
- How long is quarantine?
- Group 1 pets have no quarantine. Group 2 pets spend 10 days at Mickleham. Group 3 pets spend 10 days (identity verified before RNATT) or 30 days (verified after). All quarantine is at Mickleham Quarantine Station in Melbourne.
- Are Bengal cats allowed?
- No. Bengal cats are banned from import to Australia as of March 2026 under DAFF regulations.
- Can I take my pet out of Australia?
- Yes. You need to complete DAFF's export process — including a Notice of Intention (at least 10 business days before departure) and an export permit issued within 72 hours of your flight. Destination countries have their own import requirements. Use PetBorder's outbound planner for a full timeline.
Let's get your pet's plan sorted.
Free. Accurate. Done in 60 seconds. For any direction.
Free forever · No account needed · 5 plans per day