Australia classifies origin countries into three risk groups, each with a different pathway. Group 1 covers rabies-free, low-risk countries; Group 2 covers approved countries with moderate risk; Group 3 covers higher-risk countries, including the United States. A certified agent will confirm your pet’s group before planning anything else.

An ISO-compliant microchip is required for all groups. It must be scanned and correctly recorded at every veterinary visit; 9-digit chips and chips starting with 999 are not accepted, and an unreadable or misrecorded chip will block import.

Optional for Group 1 and Group 2 origins. Mandatory for Group 3, where the pet must be at least 84 days old at vaccination and the vaccine must remain continuously valid through export.

Required only for Group 3 origins. Blood sample collected 3–4 weeks after vaccination, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The pet becomes eligible for export 180 days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory — not 180 days after the result is issued.

Group 1: none required if the pet has only lived in Group 1 countries, otherwise a Leishmania infantum test. Group 2 and 3: Brucella canis (if not desexed), Leishmania infantum, and Leptospira canicola (if not vaccinated), each within 45 days before export.

Group 1: internal and external treatment within 5 days before export. Group 2 and 3: external treatment starting at least 30 days before export with continuous protection maintained, plus two internal treatments at least 14 days apart within 45 days before export, the second within 5 days of travel. Pets that have visited mainland Africa also need Babesia canis treatment.

Required for all countries except New Zealand and Norfolk Island. Applied for online through Australia’s biosecurity import system. Standard processing takes around 2–3 weeks, though complex cases can take up to 123 days.

Pets from Group 3 origins must complete 10 days of quarantine at the government-approved facility in Melbourne, Victoria, regardless of their final destination in Australia. Group 1 and Group 2 pets are not subject to this mandatory quarantine stay.

Pets from Group 2 or Group 3 origins must enter directly through Melbourne. Group 1 pets have more flexibility, though airline-specific rules may still apply.

Must be completed, signed, and stamped on all pages by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country, following Australia’s required template. An error on the certificate can result in extended quarantine at the owner’s expense.

Dogs and cats must not be more than 40 days pregnant or currently suckling young at the time of travel.