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Cats and dogs can be imported to Australia under strict conditions designed to manage biosecurity risks. For the import conditions applicable, view the
step-by-step guides. If your country of export does not appear in the list of Group 1, 2, or 3 countries, you will need to prepare your animal using the non-approved country via Group 2 or 3 country step-by-step guide. Malaysia is no longer an approved country for the import of live cats and dogs to Australia. Cats and dogs from Malaysia must be imported to Australia via an approved country. You will not require a permit to import a cat
or dog from New Zealand or
Norfolk Island, however conditions apply. If you wish to import reproductive material or animals other than cats or dogs, view
live animals and reproductive material information. It is no longer possible to import canine semen from Malaysia to Australia.
Please contact the department’s Environmental Biosecurity Office for more information on hybrid animals and reproductive material/specimens.
For more information on prohibited dog breeds, contact the Department of Home Affairs on +61 2 6264 1111 or 131 881 (within Australia).
Your dog must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine that:
Rabies vaccinations with a three (3) year validity are acceptable if given in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: There are no exceptions or dispensations available for this mandatory 180 day waiting period.
Dogs must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility. See the Australian post entry quarantine facilities webpage for further information. Where a biosecurity officer deems necessary, diagnostic samples may be collected from animals in PEQ, including to verify that the import conditions continue to manage the biosecurity risks associated with the import of animals to Australia. Travel arrangements:
Transit/Transhipment
Dogs may be vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola as an alternative to the testing outlined in Step 14. If you choose to do this, dogs must be fully vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola, according to manufacturer’s recommendations (usually an initial course of two vaccines 2-4 weeks apart followed by yearly boosters), at least 14 days before export. The vaccination must be valid at the time of export. Further guidance relating to Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola vaccination for veterinarians preparing dogs for export to Australia is available: The department recommends that your dog receives a vaccination that protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica and is valid for the entire post entry quarantine period. USA and Singapore only: Dogs exported from the USA and Singapore must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV).
Canada and Republic of Korea: Dogs exported on or after 2 December 2019 from Canada and Republic of Korea must be fully vaccinated against canine influenza virus (CIV).
This step only applies if the dog has not been vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola as per Step 9.
If your dog has ever visited mainland Africa, a government approved veterinarian must treat it with a single dose of imidocarb dipropionate at a rate of 7.5mg/kg body weight, or two doses at a rate of 6.0 mg/kg body weight given at least 14 days apart. Treatments must be by subcutaneous injection and given within 28 days before export. A government approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice with an internal parasite treatment effective against internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes). The two treatments must be administered at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within five (5) days before export. See the department’s webpage for further information on acceptable treatments. The dog must be examined by a government approved veterinarian or an official government veterinarian and found to be free from external parasites and clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease within five (5) days before export. You must bring all documents to this examination.
For further guidance for official government veterinarians preparing dogs and cats to Australia:
How much does it cost to import a dog to Australia?See cat and dog import permit application fees and government animal quarantine station fees. The minimum cost to import one cat or dog that undergoes the minimum 10 days quarantine is $2000.
Can I import my dog to Australia?An import permit is necessary to import your pet into Australia. You will need to submit the application and the supporting documentation that includes rabies vaccination, the rabies titre test declaration and the rabies titre test laboratory report.
How long does it take to import a dog to Australia?If you are hoping to export pets from non-approved countries, you have the option to move your pets to a group 2 or group 3 country, and follow the same import process as the Group 3 procedures to import your pets into Australia. The whole process can take more than 6 months.
How do I get an import permit for my dog in Australia?If you want to bring your car or dog to Australia, you will need to apply for an import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. You can lodge an import permit application online. Fees apply for import permit applications.
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