Taking Your Dog to Australia
Australia has some of the world’s strictest dog import rules, including microchip, rabies testing, import permit, parasite treatments, and post-entry quarantine.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Australia
ISO Microchip
Your dog must have a working ISO-compliant microchip before any pre-export blood sampling. Australia states microchips are the only approved identification method, and the number must match all lab reports, the import permit, and the veterinary health certificate. Microchips starting with 999 are not accepted.
Must be implanted and scannable before rabies testing and all pre-export procedures.Rabies Vaccination
For dogs exported from Group 3 countries such as the United States, rabies vaccination is mandatory. The vaccine must be given when the dog is at least 84 days old, must be approved for use in dogs by the competent authority in the country of export, and must remain valid continuously from the RNATT blood draw through the date of export.
Vaccinate before RNATT; if first vaccination, wait about 3-4 weeks before the RNATT blood sample.Rabies Titer Test (RNATT)
A government-approved veterinarian must scan the microchip and collect the blood sample. The sample must be taken between 12 months and 180 days before export, tested by FAVN or RFFIT at a recognized laboratory, and show a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Australia requires a mandatory 180-day waiting period after the RNATT sample arrives at the laboratory.
Blood sample must be taken 180 days to 12 months before export; dog cannot travel until at least 180 days after sample arrival at the lab.Import Permit
Dogs from the United States need an Australian import permit issued through BICON. You must submit the RNATT laboratory report and corresponding RNATT declaration with the application. The permit must be valid on the date the dog arrives in Australia, and its validity generally aligns with RNATT validity.
Apply as soon as the RNATT declaration is available; most permits are issued in 20-40 business days, but some can take up to 123 business days.Veterinary Health Certificate
Australia requires the country-specific veterinary health certificate completed by the government-approved veterinarian and endorsed by an official government veterinarian. The certificate must be endorsed after the final vet check and second internal parasite treatment are completed.
Final exam and certificate endorsement must be completed within 5 days before export.Leishmania infantum Test
Dogs must test negative for Leishmania infantum using IFAT or ELISA. Rapid or snap tests are not accepted.
Blood sample must be collected within 45 days before export.Leptospira canicola Vaccination or Test
Your dog must either be fully vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola according to manufacturer directions, with the final primary dose or annual booster given between 12 months and 14 days before export, or test negative by MAT if not vaccinated.
If vaccinating: final dose/booster must be 12 months to 14 days before export. If testing instead: MAT blood sample within 45 days before export.Canine Influenza (CIV) Vaccination or Isolation and Test
Australia requires dogs to either be fully vaccinated against the circulating canine influenza strain(s) in the exporting country, or complete 10 days of isolation from other dogs, have a negative PCR on a nasal or deep pharyngeal swab collected within 7 days before export, and be examined within 48 hours of export.
If vaccinating: complete primary course or booster within 12 months and at least 14 days before export. If isolating/testing: isolate for 10 days, PCR within 7 days before export, exam within 48 hours of export.Brucella canis
Effective for import permits issued from March 2, 2026 onward, the dog must either be desexed or test negative for Brucella canis using an accepted serologic test on a blood sample collected within 45 days before export. If tested instead of desexed, the dog must not have been naturally mated or artificially inseminated from at least 21 days before sample collection until export.
For applicable permits issued on or after March 2, 2026: test within 45 days before export, with mating restrictions starting at least 21 days before sample collection until export.External Parasite Treatment
A government-approved veterinarian must treat the dog with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact and remains effective against new infestations until export. Australia notes some common products that require the parasite to bite first, including certain isoxazolines and selamectin, are not acceptable for this purpose.
Begin treatment early enough to maintain continuous protection until export; dog must be examined at each visit after treatment starts.Internal Parasite Treatment
A government-approved veterinarian must treat the dog twice for nematodes and cestodes. The two treatments must be at least 14 days apart, and the second treatment must be given within 5 days before export.
Both treatments within 45 days before export; second treatment within 5 days before export.Quarantine Period
Dogs arriving in Australia must complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham, Victoria. Standard quarantine is 30 days, but it can be reduced to at least 10 days if an official government veterinarian verified the dog’s identity before the RNATT blood draw, or if the dog originated in Australia and has qualifying export certification.
Book quarantine after the import permit is issued; stay is at least 10 days and commonly 30 days.Banned Breeds
Australia prohibits import of purebred dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario/Presa Canario. Domestic/non-domestic hybrids such as wolf-dog crosses are also prohibited. Mixed-breed dogs are allowed if they meet all other import conditions.
Breed eligibility must be confirmed before starting the import process.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam and pre-export appointments | $150-400 | Typical U.S. private veterinary pricing for multiple visits, excluding specialized testing. |
| Microchip (if needed) | $25-75 | Typical U.S. clinic pricing for ISO microchip implantation. |
| Rabies vaccination (if needed) | $25-75 | Typical U.S. clinic pricing; vaccine must remain valid through export. |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | $150-300 | Typical U.S. pricing for blood draw plus recognized lab testing. |
| Leishmania infantum test | $100-250 | Private lab pricing varies by provider. |
| Leptospira canicola vaccination or MAT test | $40-180 | Vaccination is usually less expensive than export testing. |
| Canine influenza vaccination or PCR testing/isolation | $50-250 | Depends on whether you vaccinate or use the isolation-and-test pathway. |
| Brucella canis test (if not desexed and permit issued on/after March 2, 2026) | $80-200 | Private lab pricing varies. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $206-275 | APHIS endorsement fees depend on the number of laboratory tests on the certificate. |
| Australia import permit fee | $386 | Official fee is AUD 603 for the first dog in a consignment; converted approximately to USD using a rough 0.64 exchange rate. |
| Australia quarantine fees | $862+ | Official listed charges total at least AUD 1,347 for reservation plus importation charge, before inspection, document assessment, airline collection, extra treatments, or extended stay; converted approximately to USD using a rough 0.64 exchange rate. |
| Airline pet fee (manifest cargo) | $1,500-4,500 | Australia-bound dogs generally travel as manifest air cargo; actual pricing varies widely by airline, route, crate size, and pet shipper. |
| Total | $3,724-7,642+ |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
As of March 25, 2026, dogs returning to the United States from Australia generally follow CDC’s low-risk country rules because Australia is treated as a dog-rabies-free or low-risk country unless CDC changes that list. For most dogs that have been only in low-risk or rabies-free countries during the previous 6 months, the required document is the CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The form is free, can be completed online before travel, and the receipt is valid for 6 months as long as the dog has not been in a high-risk rabies country during that period. In addition, the dog must appear healthy on arrival, be at least 6 months old, and have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner. If your dog will visit or transit any CDC high-risk country in the 6 months before returning, different and stricter CDC rules apply, and U.S.-vaccinated dogs may need a CDC Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form prepared before departure from the United States. Because CDC rules changed in 2024 and the transition period ended on July 31, 2025, travelers should verify the dog’s exact travel history and documentation before flying home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start preparing to take my dog to Australia?
Start at least 6 months before travel. Australia’s Department of Agriculture says to allow at least 6 months, and the mandatory 180-day waiting period after the RNATT sample reaches the laboratory is the biggest timing factor.
Does Australia require a rabies titer test for dogs coming from the United States?
Yes. Dogs exported from the United States follow Australia’s Group 3 pathway, which requires a rabies neutralising antibody titre test. The blood sample must be taken between 12 months and 180 days before export, and the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
How long is dog quarantine in Australia?
Most imported dogs must complete post-entry quarantine at Mickleham. The stay is commonly 30 days, but it can be reduced to at least 10 days if an official government veterinarian verified the dog’s identity before the RNATT blood draw, or if the dog is returning to Australia with qualifying Australian export documentation.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Australia?
In most cases, no. Dogs entering Australia are generally transported as manifest air cargo and must arrive under Australia’s biosecurity procedures, including quarantine arrangements.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog to Australia from the U.S.?
Yes. Dogs from the United States need an Australian import permit. You apply through BICON and must include the RNATT laboratory report and the corresponding RNATT declaration.
Are any dog breeds banned from import into Australia?
Yes. Australia prohibits import of purebred dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario/Presa Canario. Certain wolf-dog hybrids are also prohibited.
What parasite treatments does Australia require?
Australia requires continuous external parasite protection with an approved product that kills ticks and fleas on contact, plus two internal parasite treatments for nematodes and cestodes within 45 days before export, spaced at least 14 days apart, with the second treatment within 5 days before export.
What do I need to return to the U.S. from Australia with my dog?
For dogs that have been only in low-risk or rabies-free countries such as Australia during the previous 6 months, CDC generally requires a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. The dog must also be at least 6 months old, appear healthy, and have a readable microchip. If the dog has been in a CDC high-risk country within the last 6 months, stricter rules apply.