Dubai to Australia Pet Transport: UAE Pets and Australia's Strict Biosecurity Requirements
Dubai is home to hundreds of thousands of expats, many of whom eventually relocate onward to Australia. The UAE-to-Australia pet route is one of the more common long-haul moves we see – and one of the most demanding in terms of preparation time.
UAE’s Group 3 classification
The UAE is classified as Group 3 for Australian pet imports. This is the same category as most of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. It means:
- Mandatory 10 days’ quarantine at the Mickleham Post-Entry Quarantine facility near Melbourne
- Full pre-export requirements including titre test, parasite treatments, and government-endorsed documentation
What dogs and cats from Dubai need for Australia
- ISO microchip (15-digit, implanted before first rabies vaccination)
- Rabies vaccination series, following DAFF’s specific requirements for Group 3 countries
- Rabies titre test from a DAFF-approved laboratory, showing 0.5 IU/mL or above
- Blood drawn at least 30 days after the most recent rabies vaccination
- Australian entry at least 6 months after the satisfactory titre test date
- BICON import permit from DAFF (AUD 420, apply online through the BICON portal)
- Parasite treatments: Praziquantel and Ivermectin within 14 days and 5 days before departure
- Official health certificate endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), completed within 10 days of travel
The title test in Dubai
Several veterinary clinics in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can perform rabies titre test blood draws and arrange dispatch to a DAFF-approved laboratory. The main labs approved by DAFF for UAE samples include laboratories in Europe and Australia. Ask your vet which lab they use and confirm it is on the current DAFF list.
Results typically take 2-4 weeks after the blood draw.
Timing worked example
If you decide today to move your dog from Dubai to Australia:
- Week 1: microchip confirmed, rabies vaccination given (if not current)
- Week 5: titre test blood draw (30 days after vaccination)
- Week 7-9: titre test result received
- Months 3-9: stand-down period (6 months from titre test date)
- Month 9-10: BICON permit, health certificate, parasite treatments, travel
Realistic minimum: 9 months from start to arrival in Australia.
Emirates and cargo for pets
Emirates accepts pets in cargo on Dubai-Melbourne routes, but not all flights have cargo capacity for live animals and not all year round. Book cargo space early – summer months (June-August) can be restricted due to temperature embargoes.
Your pet must enter Australia at Melbourne International Airport for Mickleham quarantine.
Source
DAFF (Australia): agriculture.gov.au/pets (verified May 2026). MOCCAE (UAE): moccae.gov.ae (verified May 2026).