Import Requirements for Cats and Dogs into Australia

​Microchip

A microchip should be implanted before or at the same time of the rabies vaccination, should this not be the case please liaise with one of our consultants and they will advise on what steps to take.

Please note: 

The microchip that has been implanted must be able to be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

​

Rabies Vaccinations

A valid rabies vaccination is required, the rabies vaccination must be older than 6 months and not older than 1 year prior to departure. Three-year rabies vaccinations can be accepted depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. Please liaise with your consultant with regards to this.

Annual Vaccinations

Annual feline and canine vaccinations must be older than 30 days and not older than 1 year upon arrival.

Dogs:

Canine distemper,

Infectious canine hepatitis,

Canine parvovirus,

Canine parainfluenza

Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Leptospirosis, it must be given twice within 2 to 4 weeks of each other.

Cats:

Feline panleukopenia (enteritis/feline Distemper)

Feline rhinotracheitis,

Feline calicivirus

Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

The Rabies Titre blood test can be done 30 days following a rabies vaccination. A blood sample must be collected from the dog or cat and must be send through to Onderstepoort for testing. The blood test must be between 180 days (6 months) and 730 days (24 months) old before export.

If the pet already has a valid rabies vaccination but no microchip, then it is essential that the microchip is implanted prior to the blood drawn date to test for the rabies antibodies, as the blood test results MUST state the pets’ microchip number.

​

Import Permit

An import permit is needed, you can either have us apply for this on your behalf or apply for it yourself with our assistance.

Quarantine in Australia

10 days quarantine in Australia. There is only 1 quarantine station in Australia,

Mickleham Quarantine Station in Melbourne – Victoria

Requirements and Restrictions

The owner must certify that the dog(s) or cat(s) originating from South Africa has been residing in South Africa at least 6 months prior to the pets departing for Australia.

Pets travelling from non-recognized countries need to be imported into South Africa, spend a maximum of 60 days in South Africa. Final tests and treatments need to be done in South Africa. Your consultant will guide you through the process.

Females which are 6 weeks or more pregnant at the time of export are not allowed to be imported into Australia.

The dog(s) or cat(s) should be at least 9 months or older.

The last 50 days’ tests and treatments will be advised by the consultant and will be outlined in the timeline that the consultant sends through to you.

​

The following dog breeds (or crosses thereof) are prohibited from being imported into Australia, they are:

Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro

Japanese Tosa

Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier.

Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

OR A domestic/non-domestic animal hybrid (e.g. wolf and including a cross of one or more of these breeds or types)