Pet Transport from Canada to Australia: DAFF Requirements and Full Timeline

Canada is in Group 3 of the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) approved countries, the group where rabies is absent or well controlled. That one fact sets the shape of the move: a rabies blood test, a wait of at least 180 days that starts when the sample reaches the laboratory, and quarantine in Melbourne. DAFF says to allow at least 6 months.

The steps, in order

1. Microchip. An ISO compatible microchip, readable by an ISO compatible reader. DAFF does not accept microchips starting with 999 for dogs.
2. Rabies vaccination at 84 days of age or older. It must stay valid, without a single day’s gap, from the blood test until export.
3. Official identity check. A government veterinarian verifies your pet’s identity before the blood test, at a separate visit. This is the step that can bring quarantine down from 30 days to 10.
4. Rabies blood test (RNATT). Taken 3 to 4 weeks after the vaccination, tested by FAVN or RFFIT, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or more. The 180-day wait starts the day the sample arrives at the laboratory, not the day it is taken.
5. Import permit. Apply to DAFF through its BICON system. DAFF says most permits are issued in 20 to 40 business days, and some take up to 123.
6. Quarantine booking. Book the Mickleham place once the permit is issued.
7. Tests and treatments in the last 45 days. Dogs need a Leishmania infantum test, a Brucella canis test if not desexed, and Leptospira Canicola vaccination or a negative test. Dogs from Canada also need either full canine influenza vaccination, or 10 days’ isolation from other dogs plus a negative canine influenza PCR test on a swab taken within 7 days of export and an examination within 48 hours of export. Every pet needs two internal parasite treatments at least 14 days apart, the second within 5 days of export, and external parasite treatment starting at least 30 days (dogs) or 21 days (cats) before export.
8. Health certificate. DAFF’s certificate, completed, signed and stamped on every page by an official government veterinarian within 5 days before export. In Canada an official CFIA veterinarian endorses export certificates, and that must happen before the pet leaves the country.
9. Flight. As manifested cargo, directly into Melbourne International Airport, no earlier than 180 days after the sample reached the laboratory. Pets cannot travel in the cabin, and there are no domestic transfers.
10. Quarantine. At least 30 days at Mickleham, or at least 10 days if the identity check was done before the blood test.

Where moves from Canada go wrong

• Counting from the wrong day. The 180 days run from the laboratory’s receipt of the sample. Time in the post is added to the wait.
• A lapsed vaccination. If the rabies vaccination expires for even one day before export, the pet is no longer eligible.
• Leaving the identity check too late. It has to happen before the blood test. Done afterwards, it cannot shorten quarantine.
• Booking the wrong airport. Mickleham, near Melbourne, is the only post entry quarantine facility for cats and dogs, so every pet arrives in Melbourne whatever its final destination.

Breeds Australia does not accept

DAFF bans the dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier and Perro de Presa Canario, plus the wolf hybrids Czechoslovakian wolfdog, Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano and Kunming wolfdog. Non-domestic cat hybrids (Savannah, Safari, Chausie and Bengal) are also banned, and Bengal cats have not been allowed in since 1 March 2026.

Government fees

From DAFF’s published fees, one pet’s government charges come to about AUD 3,000 to 3,300 with a 10-day quarantine stay, and about AUD 4,100 to 4,400 with a 30-day stay. That covers the import permit, the quarantine reservation, importation charge, accommodation, inspection time and the airline’s release appointment. DAFF reviews its fees each year, and extra charges apply for veterinary care or a longer stay.

Prices change with your pet’s size and crate, the airline and routing, the season, fuel surcharges and exchange rates. Your quote may differ.

Sources: DAFF cat and dog import guides, permit and fee pages (agriculture.gov.au, checked 1 October 2026); CFIA pet export guidance (inspection.canada.ca, checked 1 October 2026).