23/07/2024
Starting the pet import process to Australia?
Importing pets to Australia can be a time-consuming process, especially for those coming from group 3 countries, taking a minimum of 7 months. It's advisable to initiate the process as early as possible. Import permit applications are currently being processed within 7-8 weeks, while post-entry quarantine (PEQ) bookings may take up to 4 weeks for approval. PEQ bookings are currently scheduled for May 2024. Review the below relevant guidelines to get started.
The process for importing pets into Australia is categorised into three groups based on the country of origin. Each group involves differing import conditions:
Group 1:
Importing from New Zealand; Norfolk Island; and Cocos Island.
- Dogs and cats from New Zealand and Norfolk Island don't require an import permit.
- Cats from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands necessitate an import permit.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide:
โข Cocos (Keeling) Islands - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category1-cocos
โข New Zealand - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-1-new-zealand
โข Norfolk Island - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category1-norfolk-island
Group 2:
Importing from American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Tonga (Kingdom of), Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna.
- Group 2 countries are considered approved rabies-free regions, requiring an import permit for animals from these countries to enter Australia.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide:
โข Cats - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category2-step-by-step-guide-for-cats
โข Dogs - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-2-step-by-step-guide-for-dogs
Group 3:
Importing from Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia (Republic of), Cyprus (Republic of), Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa (Republic of), South Korea (Republic of), Spain (including Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America (excluding Guam and Hawaii), Uruguay, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (United States of America).
- Group 3 countries are considered approved regions with well-controlled or absent rabies. Animals from these countries require an import permit for entry into Australia.
Select the appropriate step-by-step guide:
โข Cats - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-cats
โข Dogs - https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides/category-3-step-by-step-guide-for-dogs
If your country of export isn't listed under Group 1, 2, or 3, you'll need to relocate your animal to a Group 2 or 3 country and prepare them using the step-by-step guide for that approved country. For pets travelling from non-approved countries, the completion of the rabies titre test is mandatory in a Group 2 or 3 country. Additionally, these pets must remain in a Group 2 or 3 country for the 180 days following the test and prior to import into Australia.
