Your cat or dog must travel to Australia as manifest cargo. Manifest cargo allows for traceability of your cat or dog. Eligible assistance dogs may be exempt from this condition, and many airlines allow them to travel in the cabin.
Get an export certificate
MPI-approved vets issue export certificates for cats and dogs travelling to Australia. Contact one of the approved vets to get a certificate for your cat or dog. We recommend you ask for a pre-export check before your vet does the actual export certification.
Cost of bringing dog to Australia. The total cost of bringing a dog to Australia is around $4,000 (USD) / $5,600 (AUD). The cost is broken down into the following fees: Vet fees – microchipping, vaccinations and treatments varies on your veterinarian centre's fees and home country (average $300 (USD) / $425 (AUD))
When you relocate with your pet to a different country, you will need to furnish a record of your pet's vaccinations. Rabies and other core vaccinations such as DHLPP are mandatory for dogs during international travel. If you are moving your pet cat, he or she will need rabies and FVRCP vaccines.
Travelling in Australia with your dog or cat is simple; if you are flying with your pet, you can check your pet in as excess baggage. Customers in Australia will need to enlist a pet relocation agent for domestic travel only if they are not travelling on the same flight as their pet dog or cat.
Things to consider. Pets originating from Australia must be booked through a pet travel specialist. Pets arriving in Australia must travel on a direct flight into MEL (unless originating from NZ or Norfolk Island), please contact us for further advice.
What Airlines Allow Pets to Fly in Australia? When flying your dog domestically in Australia, there are three main options: Qantas (including Qantaslink), Virgin Australia and Regional Express (REX). Jetstar, the discount airline run by Qantas, don't allow pets to fly on its flights.
Your pet can travel on the plane with you (either in-cabin, as accompanied baggage, or as cargo). Your pet will be charged accordingly. Some airlines no longer offer this option and some countries do not allow pets to enter the country in-cabin. You can book your pet on a separate flight.
To apply for a Pet Passport, you will need to identify an authorised vet first. Make an appointment and take your pet along. You will also need to take his or her vaccination records, medical records and proof of identity.
We recognise that many pets may be vaccinated for rabies before starting the preparation process for export to Australia. For your pet to be eligible for the minimum 10-day quarantine period, the competent authority identity verification must occur before the blood sample is collected for the RNAT test.
Australia is free from a number of cat and dog diseases and has a highly favourable animal health status. In order to protect this status, cats and dogs must undertake a period of quarantine upon arrival in Australia.
If your pet satisfies all pet import requirements, the quarantine period is generally ten days. During these ten days, quarantine officers examine your pet and assess them for any biosecurity threats.
The Biosecurity Act 2015 prescribes that a decision must be made on an import permit application within 123 days of receipt, however we may pause the decision-making period if we require further information to complete the application or biosecurity risk assessment.
Australia does not have an official 'Pet Passport', however it is a term used to describe the documents that are required to import a dog to Australia. Customs officials will need to see these documents in order to clear your dog in customs.
Note: only service dogs can be carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. All other animals and pets travel in a special area in the hold of a passenger aircraft where the temperature and noise are similar to those experienced in the cabin.
Flying is an incredibly stressful experience for all dogs, but it can be especially upsetting for elderly dogs, as well as pups with health or behavioral challenges.
Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold
While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, you should be aware that some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame.
You can only bring your cat or dog into Australia under strict import conditions. These safeguard our agriculture, environment, native and domestic animals, and our people. They are based on rigorous scientific analyses to manage biosecurity risks.
Currently, there are no limitations on the number of animals or the number of litters that can be sold in NSW. Failure to meet Code standards may result in our inspectors issuing one or more of the following: A Section 24N Written Direction. An Infringement Notice (PIN)
Pets travelling to Indonesia must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by an authorised vet from the country of origin. The certificate must state that the pet has been examined and is healthy and free from rabies and other contagious diseases.
Their welfare is our priority. Pets include dogs (not racing greyhounds), cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, domestic fish with no aeration requirements (not intended for resale), and domestic birds that don't need a permit to travel (maximum four birds per cage).
Generally, airlines charge a pet fee of $100 to $200 each way, but prices will vary depending on where you're traveling and your airline. Check the airline's pet policy before purchasing a ticket to make sure your pet meets the airline's breed and size requirements. If not, the airline won't let them board.
You can travel with a pet on most flights up to 12 hours or flights to / from select locations: Within the 48 contiguous United States. The U.S. and Canada* Alaska.