If you’re considering moving to Australia from abroad with your pet, you’re probably wondering about the steps you must take to ensure a problem-free transfer to your new home. There are a few things you need to consider before making the move over. In fact, Australia has one of the strictest entry policies for pets. It’s vital to follow these rules or your pet will be denied entry.
Make sure you find accommodation that will allow pets
Many landlords will not rent their flat out to tenants with pets. To avoid disappointment upon arrival, make sure you do your homework and check if your furry friends can stay with you. This can be made easy with property search engines beforehand. For example, websites like Rentola, allow you to filter the many property listings in an area and find your perfect fit, easily and quickly. This will free up time for you to start the process of bringing your pet over.
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How to travel to Australia with pets: Check your country category
Australia has a Category system, dividing countries into four groups: Category I, Category II, Category III and Category IV. The categorization is done depending on rabies risk, by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Cats and Dogs from the first three categories are allowed into Australia, if they meet the requirements detailed below. If your pet is in a category IV country, you must relocate for at least 6 months before going to Australia to a Category III or higher country.
How to travel to Australia with pets: make sure your pet is chipped
All pets arriving in Australia must have a valid microchip. This needs to be read by Destron, Avid or ISO readers. This is very important, as if the chip is not ready properly and does not show the correct documents upon being scanned, your pet will not be allowed in.
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How to travel to Australia with pets: Is your dog vaccinated?
Animals coming from a Category I country are exempt from needing their rabies jab. For pets from Category II countries, they must get their rabies vaccination after their chip is inserted. For pets from category III countries, the process is slightly more complicated. As well as their vaccination, they must do a rabies test afterwards that needs to be done by an approved lab and signed by an official Australian government vet. After waiting 180 days from the blood test and if you get a satisfactory result, you’re ready to continue planning the move.
As we mentioned before, pets from category IV countries must first move to a category III country then follow the corresponding rules. Dogs will also require vaccinations against Bordetella, hepatitis, parvovirus, distemper, and parainfluenza and cats will need a jab against enteritis, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus all of which must be effective during the quarantine period that we will discuss a bit further on.
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How to travel to Australia with pets: What’s an import permit?
An import permit needs to be applied for, by including the proof of vaccination and tests. This usually takes about 20 days to process, and your pets chip number needs to be clearly visible.
How to travel to Australia with pets: a guide to health checks and treatments
Your pets will need to be treated against internal and external parasites before entering the country and proof of these treatments must be documented. Usually, you will need to repeat the treatment twice, all within a determined timeframe, this is the case for cats.
How to travel to Australia with pets: What’s a health certificate?
Once you arrive in Australia you must find a government approved vet to check for external parasites, contagious diseases, or signs of infection. You will then be given a health certificate, testifying the vaccinations, tests, and treatments.
Make sure you check this document for any errors as this is a very important certificate.
How to travel to Australia with pets: Does my pet need to quarantine?
Once you have the health certificate, your pets will have to complete a quarantine, unless they have arrived from a category I country. The quarantine lasts 10 days and must be done in an official quarantine facility.
How to travel to Australia with pets: Banned breeds.
Australia has a significant list of banned breeds, make sure you check the official information to make sure you know if your cat or dog will be eligible to enter the country.
Hopefully this article will have given you some peace of mind when it comes to navigating the strict animal arrival rules of Australia. If you complete the necessary requirements, you and your pet will be enjoying this beautiful country in no time at all!
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