France to Australia Pet Transport: The Titre Test, DAFF Requirements, and Air Routes
Moving from France to Australia with a dog or cat is one of the longer processes in international pet transport. Australia’s rabies-free biosecurity status means every arriving animal must prove it has been adequately vaccinated – not just jabbed, but confirmed by blood test. Then there is mandatory quarantine.
Australia’s Core Requirements (from France)
France is a listed country for DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) purposes. This means the standard pathway applies:
- ISO microchip in place before first recorded vaccination
- Rabies vaccination
- Titre test blood sample sent to DAFF-approved lab; result must be ≥0.5 IU/mL
- 180-day wait from the date DAFF confirms the satisfactory titre result
- Government-endorsed health certificate (DAFF format) issued within the DAFF-specified validity window before travel
- 10-day mandatory quarantine at Mickleham Quarantine Facility (Melbourne) on arrival
Total preparation timeline: minimum 8 months from starting the titre test process.
The French Titre Test Process
Step by step from France:
- Book a vet appointment for the blood draw
- Vet sends sample to an ANSES-approved or DAFF-listed laboratory in France
- Await titre result (2-4 weeks)
- Confirm result meets the ≥0.5 IU/mL threshold
- The 180-day clock starts from the laboratory confirmation date (not the blood draw date)
Important: Keep vaccinations current throughout the 180-day wait. A lapsed vaccination restarts the process.
Health Certificate from France
The health certificate must be in the DAFF-specific format. Your French vet (or OV) must complete this form. It requires endorsement by the French competent authority (DGAL – Direction Generale de l’Alimentation) before travel.
The certificate must be issued within the DAFF-specified window before the animal’s arrival in Australia. Check the current validity window on the DAFF website.
Air Routes: Paris to Australia
| Route | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CDG-SYD via Singapore | Qantas / Singapore Airlines | Cargo on both sectors |
| CDG-MEL via Singapore | Qantas | Cargo |
| CDG-PER via Dubai or Singapore | Emirates / Qantas | Cargo; check heat embargoes for Dubai |
| CDG-SYD via Hong Kong | Cathay Pacific | Cargo |
Australia-bound pets must arrive at approved entry airports: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), or Perth (PER).
Cost Estimate (France to Australia)
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Titre test (vet + ANSES lab) | EUR 200-300 |
| Health certificate + DGAL endorsement | EUR 200-400 |
| Airline cargo (Paris to Australia) | EUR 1,200-2,800 |
| Mickleham quarantine (10 days) | AUD 2,000-4,500 |
| Total | ~EUR 3,600-8,000+ |
Sources: DAFF Australia pet import requirements for listed countries; ANSES titre testing guidance; French DGAL official export certificate guidance. Data current as of June 2026.